Temperament Mares tend to worry more and be more emotional than stal- lions and geldings because they are the herd disciplinarians and decision makers who take their responsibility seriously. A recent issue of California Thoroughbred Trainers maga-
zine reported on a study comparing the percentage of injuries in racing fillies versus colts. The biggest difference was among two-year-olds that tied up: 78 percent versus 22 percent. This makes sense to Lilo. “We don’t know at what time in a mare’s cycle that she becomes more or less comfortable. We get on and think she won’t go forward. But the mare is holding her back really tight because of discomfort,” she says. “The mare is nervous because she’s not comfortable, and we might be ask- ing her to do things she can’t when the muscles haven’t been released. So she gets physically and mentally upset and ties up.” “Mares are more sensitive to the pressure and discipline
necessary to become a dressage horse. For that reason, correc- tions must be fair and fully understood by the mare. And her personality must be respected,” Lilo continues. “Most are very smart and when introduced to a job, they remember it the next day. There are alpha mares as well as more docile types. None- theless, even the docile mares are stronger minded in most instances than stallions and geldings.”
Changes in the Wind Are the best mares at home making babies? Is it tradition that keeps them from climbing the ranks? For example, in some Latin countries, only in more modern times have mares even been ridden. Will embryo transfer leave talented mares time to passage down centerline? Lilo doesn’t see embryo transfer as a way that more mares will join the core of elite Grand Prix horses. However, she was recently judging a young horse class with three stunning, good mares that got her thinking that a change is afoot. “Their con- formation was beautiful and they had very good canters. It seems that in the last few years the difficult economy has led to less breeding and as a result more mares are being trained for performance. I think many of the really good mares we [previ- ously] did not see due to them being used as breeding stock,” she says. The opportunity to buy a young mare with possibilities is
better today. “Most horses nowadays go through a mare test- ing. Then you know [before you buy her] if the mare is rideable. I’ve bought mares from auctions that were not rideable. I liter- ally had to give up. They didn’t like the work,” she adds. “If I had the chance to buy a good mare with correct con-
formation and a temperament that suits me, I would buy her in a heartbeat because they are smart, sensitive, a little hot and, if you treat the mare fairly, they will work like heck for you. If you’re not a patient rider and don’t take time in the beginning, you’ll end up in deep water.” Sounds like any Grand Prix horse.
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