What defines an easy horse? What qualifications must a horse meet to be labeled as 'easy'? 

I consider the horse I used to ride as an easy horse. He is very laid back and easy going. He follows me like a puppy and does pretty much all I ask(usually). He never Spooks and bolts with me, bucked once and never again and I don't have to worry about him breaking away from me... ever. Lunging him is a breeze and riding always smooth. Cody will trot on the first try and canter a smooth, lulling canter. A dog could be barking and running under him(I know from experience) and Cody would just stand there. He never really puts up a fight and typically won't protest any of my requests. He's easy to work and ride. Perhaps that's because he's a gelding? 

Gelding are usually the go to horse for students and beginners. They're easy keepers and very laid back, having more 'whoa than go' than your mare or stallion or yearling. I think that's why mares and stallions pick on them so much. Stallions see them as the nerdy,awkward punching-bag and mares see them as the annoying kid-brother that needs constant reminding of who's boss. Geldings need fellow geldings to stick together with. I like geldings, they're good horses for those just getting started and those who don't want to deal with the moody mare or obnoxious stallion. I just want a horse that'll give me the occasional challenge and have more energy and spunk than the geldings do. 

Mares are moody. Let's be honest, all of us females are moody, but a 1200lb female, having a bad day can be a problem. Due to their moodiness,some like to say mares are unpredictable and I agree. Lord knows Duchess, a mare I saw and handled every now and then, was as moody as the Sky is blue. Some days she didn't want me or anyone else touching her and others she wanted to cuddle with me. I'll never forgot when I turned her loose in the arena. She went nuts, running and bucking and going everywhere! On one occasion I was walking to a corner while she ran circles at the end of the arena, and I heard thundering hooves behind me. I happen to look over my shoulder and she's coming towards me at a full run. I was walking on the rail,so I merely moved off the rail and she moved with me. It was like, this mare is going to run me over, literally. It occured to me I had the carrot stick, I water it(just in time I might add) and she bucked and ran away. After twenty minutes of running like a crazy horse I decided it was time to go in. She felt otherwise and played a volatile game of keep away. Meaning, I got within three feet and she bucked and bulldozed past me. It wasn't until I opened the door to leave that she came in for me to grab. Walking back she kept her distance from me as though I was the problem. Brushing her down she wouldn't leave me alone. Smothering me in hugs, nuzzling and licking. Oh, and the constant nickering she did for me. In those short five minutes she went from, "can't touch this"  to 'love me all day long' and within half an hour didn't want me near her again. I can/could never predict her constantly changing moods. Because of their always changing moody, hostility during heat and sometimes unpredictable tendencies,not everyone likes mares. I'm not a huge fan, but I wouldn't protest if someone offered me a mare to own. I've read articles on owning mares and never were they labeled an easy horse. 

Stallions, I've been told by numerous people, are dangerous. Doesn't matter what breed, they're just dangerous. Period. Stallions are full of tetosterone and vigor. They are highstrung and obnoxious. It takes a person with a big personality and lots of confidence and experience to handle a stallion. I, personally,always liked stallions. I met Quarter Horse, Draft horse(s) , Friesian and a Trakehner(colt) stallion and I liked them all. The drafts and Friesian were very gentle and friendly. The one Quarter Horse stallion(my Uncle owns three/four) was a (cherry) bay and very Sweet. The other was a dun and very, very aggressive whenever I approached him. We kept our distance. The other one, Turbo,was also very sweet and loving and the last was antisocial. The Trakehner was/is Young, 2 or 3 years old I think. He was obnoxious, curious and gungho. I didn't care for him as he was always literally in my face and personal space, all the time. If I turned my back to him he would nibble on my coat or pull my hair and search my pockets. Cute. Predictable considering he was pretty young. I think horseman are 50/50:some say stallions are awesome and easy and others say never in the world would they own stallions. Too difficult too much work too much tetosterone. 

So what makes an easy horse easy? Surely a moody mare or scary stallion could be just as easy as a gentle gelding........... Right? Or must a horse be gelded before being labeled as 'easy'?