How to Tell the Difference Between a Mare, Gelding and Stallion

By fashionmujahid

A mare, or female horse.

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Identifying a horse's sex isn't hard- all you need is a good pair of eyes, and a bit of flexibility.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Horse in question
Images of horse anatomy (optional)

Step1

If you're comfortable handling horses, and the horse is comfortable with you, feel free to walk up and examine the genital area, between the hind legs. If you're not quite so used to horses, a good angle to look for the genitalia is perpendicular to the animal's flank. A stallion's or gelding's penis will be most pendulous during mating or urinating, so this should be easy to spot, often from several feet away. If you don't spot a penis, you may be looking at a mare. Time for a closer look.

Step2

A mare's genitalia, like that of a human female, are hard to see from a distance. Luckily, mares are often easier to deal with. Have a human who the horse trusts to lift the tail. Underneath the tail, you should see the anus. Further toward the front and underside of the horse should be vulva, which will resemble a slit. If you've not spotted this slit or a penis in your examinations, you may have to look closer for a penis that escaped earlier notice.

Step3

Look at the underside of the animal- do this from the side, please, and without touching. You should note a penis if a stallion or gelding- and testicles if a stallion.

Tips & Warnings

The simplest way to determine the sex of a horse- ask the owner or trainer. But you should be familiar with what normal, healthy horse genitalia look like if you are going to own a horse.
Please get professional assistance or guidance if you're going to purchase a horse.
Don't approach or touch an animal without clearance from the owner or trainer.
Follow all directions related to handling horses or any other animal given by the trainer or owner.

Resources

Photo/Video Credit

Courtesy of Arizona Paint Horses.

Comments

fashionmujahid said

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on 6/29/2008 Excellent point, blondhorsecrazy. There are some general tendencies, but each horse is an individual being.

Blondhorsecrazy said

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on 6/26/2008 I do agree with most of this..but as far as the "personalities" of each..every horse owner has a varied opinion. I believe that geldings are more docile than most mares. It just varies between each individual horse!

fashionmujahid said

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on 3/17/2008 Mares are considered the most docile, and geldings are deemed middle of the road in terms of tractability. You will need to make your needs known to the seller- there are mares that you shouldn't look at the wrong way, and stallions as mild as milk (well, maybe not so much, but you get the picture). Older animals, like older humans, are less prone to stirring up drama, and horses that are very used to new riders and children may be what you're looking for. The horse for you may be a mare or a gelding with a good track record. The only way to know is to get out there and meet some horses- they don't do so well with email. ;)

presnick said

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on 3/17/2008 LMAO! Thank you for this! I realize it sounded like a dumb question; what I really wanted to know about is temperament and personality differences between stallions, geldings and mares.
I can't do it yet, but I'm hoping to acquire a gaited horse in the next year. My understanding is that gaited horses are much easier for a person with a bad back. And while I don't want a boring, plodding horse, I want some personality, but not a horse who is going to challenge my authority at every step.

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