As you know, I'm pretty much a novice but learning quickly when it comes to horses. Do you find a great difference in temperament between a male and a female horse? (I'm wondering which would be better as a beginner horse.)

I have been around males more than females in my life and I think personally that I bond better with them. Im not sure if its a them or me issue though.

There can be. Males, especiallystallions, can be be frisky and stubborn, almost tempermental, but if they're trained, they aren't usually so bad. Females can get just as ornery too. I find geldings to be the best bet. Likeable and easily trained. They make great companion horses.

My two are wonderful but my gram trained them from babies so that may have a lot to do with it. I've always heard that stallions can be quite a handful and that a gelding is better for riding since they are generally calmer.

It really is all about the individual animal, your preconceived notions, and the amount of training. I can't tell you how many stallions I've known who could be handled by a novice, or mares who were dependable to not act all cranky. Geldings can also act very fussy if gelded late in life.

I had wondered about that too. Of most, not all, of the animals I have known, the females were more calm and gentle than the males. I didn't know if that would apply to horses too or not.

We are going to visit the aunt/uncle tmr and I hope to get some goot shots of their mini and see what they think about the male/female deal here. The uncle has been around horses most of his life, tons more than me so it will be interesting to see what he has to say on this.