Hmm, well when I first got my mare she was very green, and when she
spooked it was like all hell broke loose. By spooking I mean she'd drop her
butt almost to the ground, and try to bolt at the same time. Very bizarre.
I got her over that quickly, and now if she spooks (which is very rarely) all
she does is like what you said. She just kinda stomps her foot. Sometimes
she'll snort at it, but not in a "omg, i'm about to bolt" way. More like in a
"hmm, this looks/smells different" way.
When I first got her, there were a few things that I would get off, and walk
her through. Now I never have to, if I ask her to go she will. I think trust
plays a big part here.
She was born and raised right next to an Amtrak rail road and a four lane
highway no problems there. I'd take her riding in and along Lake Michigan.
Creeks, rivers, dunes, bridges, etc. We were always trail riding.
I took her to jumping clinics at the fairgrounds, and I took her to fair
for 2 years. We both grew up together so there were many days where I
would just grab a halter and lead rope, and my friends and I would race
each other in our 50 acre pasture. None of our horses ever needed spurs
or whips. All of them were very responsive. Leg pressure, voice
commands, whatever.
I do realize in more advanced riding that those tools are needed, or that
some people may prefer them. I prefer voice commands, and I rarely use
my legs BUT I have trained my mare to respond to leg cues (go, stop, left,
right). I would never use spurs or a crop because my mare already has
plenty of go. She is NOT lazy. haha She's not one of those crazy always a
hothead horses either. Even if I always joke, and call her the energizer bunny.
As for geldings/stallions being more brave, or somewhere along the lines
of that. I have owned and met MANY mares who could beat
geldings/stallions in bravery any day. | 
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