Private sales and breed sales are the safest types of auctions because breeders, who must maintain a good reputation, consign the horses. Generally, stallions are unsatisfactory as pleasure mounts and can be dangerous when handled by inexperienced horsemen. A stallion's handler can never relax and forget about his horse. A gelding or mare is more suited to the pleasure rider's needs. For steady dependability, a gelding excels.
Mares are usually more excitable, especially when in heat.
If you wish to raise a foal, of course, you must buy a mare. For breeding to be worthwhile, the mare must be of top quality. Don't expect to make a profit. There are both advantages and disadvantages in owning registered horses. A registered horse may enter both breed and open classes in competition while an unregistered horse is restricted to open events.