You don't mention that your stallion is constantly...um...displaying??
Or that he thinks he only has two legs, or that he is constantly
yelling, or that he is trying to jump every mare in sight, or that he
bites. These are behaviour problems that are usually attributed to
being a stallion and could reasonably expect to be solved by gelding.
It sounds to me like your horse's problem is that he is green. If you
geld him, he will still be green.
I may not be the best person to ask this question of, because I think
(unlike most Americans) that stallions make the best riding horses, and
if I had my way, every horse in my barn would be a stallion...even if I
were never going to breed him. However, I also think that stallions do
better when being handled and ridden by women (nice sexist remark, but I
can give you all kinds of REALLY good reasons for this, mostly, just
compare the way stallions react to other male horses with the way they
behave with other female horses).
Advantages of stallions (and here I generalize):
Stallions are bolder and more confident
Stallions are smarter (there is more than one reason that this is called
brain surgery)
Stallions are prettier (I like all those bristling
muscles....and....well their presence)
Stallions are easier to keep fit and will constantly self-exercise
Stallions are great teachers and you will learn much more about
horsemanship by handling/riding a stallion...you may also take a few
more knocks.
Disadvantages of stallions (and here I also generalize):
Stallions are a nuisance to stable (especially if there are mares on the
property)
Stallions are less consistent in their performance (as compared to
geldings)
Stallions can be lazy (they will save themselves)
Stallions are easily distracted and will sometimes have trouble keeping
their mind on the work at hand
People who ride mares don't like the way their mares behave when your
stallion is around (arguably this should not be your problem, but here
in California, it is).
I have always contended that geldings are horses for novices and
children...but they are also good if you want a even tempered,
consistent performer without having to deal with any issues of
sexuality.
There is no reason that a stallion cannot be a perfectly good riding
horse, especially if he is not a breeding stallion (which is a very
different animal that requires very different handling). But from the
way you have described yourself and your horse, you would be better off
with a gelding (whether this horse will be a better horse as a gelding
is not a given). If you geld this horse, he may become more manageable
and quicker to settle into the work, and therefore you personally will
have more success with him (it will be easier to keep him focused).
Considering your difficulties, you need to ask yourself why you want to
keep him a stallion.
But as I said, don't expect it to solve all your problems. Your horse
will still be green and will still need training. As a gelding you,
personally, may find him easier to train.....but then again...you may
not. It is not a miracle cure.
Let me know if you have any more questions.
kat
Orange County, Calif.