I have ridden many thousands of miles on mares (I
wrote that and then had to look it up--4350 to be exact - just over half my
lifetime miles) and have never experienced metabolic problems in them related to
cycle. I agree with Drs Susan and Heidi - there is no relationship to sex
in the instance of tie ups.
My mares (and those I rode for others) have never
been on any special supplements, hormones or feed, nor have they had marbles
inserted in their uteruses. Good behavior is a learned trait unless there
is a rare physical problem such as ovarian cysts. A good spanking for
being mare-ish works if you are consistent. Ask Patti Stedman who
witnessed such a spanking when Tiffaan (Mo) kicked at her husband's horse on her
first group trail ride - she NEVER did it again!
I never really consciously chose mares - but
instead, chose good horses. Barbara McCrary reminds us occasionally that a
good horse never came in a bad gender or color. Granted mares are
different from geldings, but I never rode a horse I didn't fall in love with
before the first vet check no matter what the gender.
