Adverts - What does forward going/strong mean to you??

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NED87

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As the title really, been browsing lots of adverts lately and strong or forward going seem to be included in most!

What is a strong/forward going horse to you? Strong to me reads no bloody breaks!:o
 
It really depends on the individual. I have advertised mine as forward going, as she goes straight off the leg, I have also written she can be "very forward going" which means she jogs and rushes sometimes, but she isn't strong.

If someone described a horse as strong in general it would put me off, it just gives me the image of something pulling your arms out constantly. Strong when jumping wouldn't put me off because that could easily be an issue of schooling but it obviously depends who is describing the horse and what is for etc.
 
Don't touch it with your legs or it will shoot of & you wont have any brakes;)
 
Depends on the advert. If its a good quality horse/pony advertised as well schooled & forward going, I'd take it to mean forwards thinking & in front of the leg. On a cheap horse pictured wearing half a tack shop I'd generally assume it means inclined to tank off. Strong in either case I'd read to be inclined to use its strength against you, & if a cheaper unschooled horse I take it as meaning its used to being ridden heavy handed.
 
Strong doesn't = forward going!

Forward going is a GOOD thing. Keen to work, in front of the leg, doesn't need nagging. Default is to GO, not grind to a halt/walk. Some people incorrectly use 'forward going' for 'likes to bugger off' but that's not it's true meaning.

Strong is a bad thing. They pull and/or are unresponsive to the bit. They can be strong without being forward going!

I have a wonderfully forward going cob who is not in the slightest bit strong (never pulls, stops at a seat aid) but GOES when asked, willingly and with enthusiasm. I have one non-forward going cob who goes when asked but only as much as required and little enthusiasm. He's not in the least strong tho.
 
My lad is forward going,(or what I take forward going to mean anyway??) He is VERY responsive to leg,keen and forward thinking,he's not at all strong though,quite the opposite.

I wouldn't be put off by forward going,but strong might concern me.That often means something that pulls your arms out and generally ignores your requests etc,IME anyway.
 
I think the vast majority of people advertising a horse as strong and or forward have no idea what a strong horse truly is. I have tried many so called strong/forward types only to find a horse thats on it's forehand and leaning all over the rider.

An example, in my uneducated view, of a properly strong and forward horse would be Tina Fletchers, Promised Land. Horses like him do their job well and it's up to the rider if they join in or get off !!

It takes a very competent rider to cope with a strong horse and they are not for the faint hearted.
 
All mine are forward going - I hate having to kick! That means to me that they'll go off the leg when asked, and are happy and eager to go forward and to do their jobs. Strong would be those who get excited and 'can't hear you', or who require a stronger bit than a snaffle for fast work. Put most horses in an exciting situation and they'll be strong. If they are strong everyday then either they're ridden wrong, not schooled enough, or it's habit.
 
My horse is forward going, he is really responsive, you just have to think what you want and he does it, however having just bought him after trawling LOADS of adverts I would be inclined to say forward going can mean anything from responsive... to a horse that has 2 paces, walk, and flat out gallop!! He can get excited but NEVER strong!

Strong is not a good thing in my opinion! I've ridden strong horses that have left me with blistered or bleeding fingers as they are constantly pulling against you and fighting with you!!! Not my cup of tea!!
 
Thanks for the replies :). Interesting to see different opinions.

I agree with forward going being a positive thing, seeing strong in an advert definately does put me off. I'm too old and cautious to be tanked off with on a regular basis :eek:. Unlike when I was kid, then it was fun :p
 
Forward going = walks out willingly and freely, no need to use your legs to keep it moving, moves off your legs at a light touch, it does not mean it runs off or is hard to stop! Some people don't like the feel of a horse that walks out smartly without being nagged they seem to feel safer having to push it along.

Strong = I would avoid as it would indicate that if this horse took hold, you would have a job to slow it down or stop. An experienced rider might put up with this (or retrain) if the horse was good at jumping or cross country. Not so good for dressage!
 
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