A 3 year old "bombproof confidence giver"?

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Charmaine18

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I was browsing wistfully for a nice safe cob that I, a fairly nervous novice, would get on with (no way can I afford a horse, but one can dream!), and this popped up! No matter how sweet he is, I'd never describe a 3 year old as bombproof - he's only a baby! And surely advertising a youngster to nervous or novice riders is a recipe for disaster - don't youngsters need experienced riders who can continue their training?
 
It always bugs me for some unreasonable reason when they advertise with someone standing on them like that.
No idea why , just a pet hate!
 
Ajay was bombproof at 3
smile.gif
If they have that character, they have that character what ever the age.
 
Horses can be pretty bombproof at 3 - I've ridden a few, including a darling who stood stock still when calves ran at him, but confidence giver? There is no way on this earth someone who needs to be given confidence should be on the back of a 3 year old.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Ajay was bombproof at 3
smile.gif
If they have that character, they have that character what ever the age.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree, although as others have said they need a confident rider at first in order to stay that way!!
 
I bought my 4yr old (and she was only just!) with 2 years riding experience. I would describe myself at the time as a 'nervous novice'. She was fantastic, unflappable and excellent in traffic. We are still together 19 years later and am glad I was so naive when I bought her. She was younger than I wanted due to my lack of experience but temperament was more important than age. I'm sure we all know plenty of people with naughty 'older' horses. Every horse is different and just because something is young doesn't mean it can't give someone confidence.
 
My highland boy was bombproof at two because he went for walkies every day to meet new traffic, animals, machinery etc. Having said that, I would not have put a novice on him. As stated, a recipe for disaster.
 
A riding school I used to know well had a Clydesdale loaned to them as a rising 4. Their more experienced clients were asked to school him, including one evening in November in a floodlit outdoor arena, when a number of fireworks were set off close by. This super gelding didn't turn a hair, even though the other horses were all upset to varying degrees. They found out a few weeks later that he was in fact only rising 3 and returned him to his owner.
I think he could truely be described as 'bombproof' and maybe even as a 'confidence giver' but if I was reading those terms in an advert I would be expecting the horse to be suitable for a novice and I can't think of any circumstances where I would consider a 3 yr old as suitable for a novice owner.
 
Vardi was bought as a 3 year old because of his very cool laid back nature.....nothing phases him at all....Trainer has tried spook training with him but he just plods round yawning.

However....I would not contemplate putting a novice on his back for a few more years as I strongly feel that to keep his confidence intact he needs a confident rider on his back.

I am hoping that in a few years time he can become my Husbands horse who is a real "cling on" and my lets go out for a fun fast safe hack.
 
Surely your average 3 year just hasn't seen enough or been in enough situations to be decribed like that? Ok they may turn into a "bombproof, confidence giver" when you know how they will react most situations. Bumble was a saint with the novice drivers but when we took him to london for the queen mothers 100th birthday he saw a camel and freaked!
 
I bought my horse when she was 2 she is now 7 she has a wonderful temperament and is very level headed but she has gone through phases during her growing up so I don't think youngsters can be classed as bombproof and confidence givers due to their lack of experience
 
We bought a bombproof, confidence giver who was 3.He was described as a complete gentlman in his ad and they were right. Before he was 4, he was doing the odd hour hunting and was rock steady even if others were going mental around him. Now he is 5 he continues to exude safe and gives a fun ride to anyone who gets on. The only thing that worries him is mountain bikers whizzing past but he gets better and better.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Ajay was bombproof at 3
smile.gif
If they have that character, they have that character what ever the age.

[/ QUOTE ]

same here, I bought a 3 yr old because of he was so calm and quite, and at 7 he is still the same... I had had a break from riding for 6 years when i got him and he has been a star...
 
Could be a type error and is meant to say 13? I agree that they have barely had enough exposure to be classed as bombproof no matter how chilled they are.
 
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