me! I had owned and ridden, if you can call it that sat on more like , horses for over 30 years then I woke up to the fact I can't actually ride, I have no balance and am too fat so sold up!!Guilty as charged. As a novice who got the bug and went full throttle with lessons of countless hours in a span of 2 years, I’ve decided in just over a year since I first sat on a horse for the first time in my life that I am ready to own a horse (caveat with a trainer and full livery for support). Yes I accept that I was and still am completely mad.
Off I go enquiring on sales adverts and had this deluded idea that my first horse should be this high quality, professionally schooled pedigreed type dressage horse with a temperament of a saint that will take on a novice. No compromises! I declared I’m ready to step up from the school horse types. Thoroughly turning my nose down on them. Yes, I know I was beyond insufferable and unhinged.
Eight months and counting went on and to cut this saga short I have no horse to speak of and had terrible, near miss experiences because I kept trying horses that are simply not suited for me. I am exactly that horse snob who cannot ride.
Anyone else can relate? What horse did you end up with? Did you have to eventually have to face reality? Or are you one of those lucky ones who got it all?
I am starting to believe what people say that horses are very much the mirror image of their owners. It was as if all along I was convinced I was the Victoria secret model Type until I looked at the mirror and saw a proper Victoria Secret model type and here I was next to it looking more like Kathy Burke.
No I know that. I didn't say they were. The one I ride is bay!
But what I was saying are the majority of the ones I see for sale are and they always seem the type I should be looking at in terms of temperament!
LOL, this is how I ended up with a greyNo I know that. I didn't say they were. The one I ride is bay!
after I had sworn never again.I'd love to know where you have been in Portugal? Once my boyfriend has mastered sitting IN the saddle at canter, I think we'd enjoy a few days away with a dash of riding thrown in. Like many novices, he'd get more of a thrill from it if the horse were insanely beautiful, had presence and it was in a beautiful, sunny, warm area!Oh hey everyone! Wow I didn’t expect to get this many responses (and laughs). I suppose humour does help when you have this demented idea that a novice like me is a good match for Olympic levels of equine excellence after 2 years of riding lessons on school horses.
As the cliche goes, horses teach you the gift of humility, and I would even add they teach you the correct one!
I will try to respond to some questions and thoughts shared:
- Dressage is what I wish to pursue, perhaps compete but that’s just a bonus. I just want to learn how to do it on a decent level and above all is to have this life-changing bond and partnership with my own horse who I hope is equally up for it just for shits and giggles really because it’s fun!
- All the suggestions mentioned so far of where to look I’ve pretty much covered. I’ve approached professional riders, quite well known breeders/producers, yards, some word of mouth private sellers and dealers. I did view a parahorse and considered show types but their conformation doesn’t quite suit me as I’m very petite. I think Ive just been so unlucky to have come across horses that suit me at my novice level but had dealbreaker issues (both behavioural and medical). Talland schoolmasters are a good example for a potential source but they haven’t got anything for sale as far as I’m aware.
- I first learned from a variety of riding school ponies (a spectrum of lovely and willing types to the little shits!) and the very occasional forward going better quality horses from a bog standard riding school. Quite a lot of dead on the leg pony types in exchange for something safe. But I was happy as Larry for like a year, grinning ear to ear after every lesson because I was just so pleased to get my bum on the saddle and learn no matter the quality of the lesson. To me it was a privilege and I still never take it for granted. I suppose I was at a stage of you don’t know what you don’t know. This period was when riding and horses revealed itself to me as a potential source of pure elation (and equally of dread and lots and lots of frustration but that’s for another thread). So if you’re lucky enough to have your ride and die horse, please do give them extra cuddles and carrots later. What a gift!
- I then discovered riding holidays in Portugal with classical dressage schoolmasters where you go for a week of intensive lessons. This is where I found a bit more structure and consistency, which really helped me go from a complete school pony beginner to novice on proper horses. I still remember being on such a high when I did my first flying change and felt the extended trot. And of course being an absolute twerp with ideas above my station i had the perfect excuse to buy all the fancy gear because I thought hey I’m a serious equestrian now. So yes I have another string to my bow. I am indeed the textbook “all the (box fresh) gear, no idea” type.
- For now I found a happy medium of intensive lessons in Portugal every couple months, a novice proof slightly older ex-eventing horse at my trainers yard that I get to ride very occasionally when his owner is away and then very irregularly with this saintly PSG level Westphalian schoolmaster who did take on a novice as I am proof (albeit indoor school only and very controlled with a BD instructor). And YES of course I did ask if I can buy these horses for a ridiculous amount but I was graciously turned down. So this is where i got the idea from really.
- I’m fully aware my budget is the least of my worries. Although you could also say I am at risk of being taken to the cleaners (but thankfully I have professionals around me) so it is as someone said a double edged sword. I started being price agnostic because I didn’t really know how to value the right horse for what I need and want. One professional rider who asked me about my budget told me I almost gave her a hernia when I responded. She demanded that I seek her advice before considering anything and vowed to help me not get rinsed!
- after looking for sometime, I think the sweet spot is £30-50k, for something correct and established but not too old with known history and where I found to have the least amount of behavioural and medical compromises. Those below 20k I get a little bit suspicious. Equally, I realise that as I go above £75k the horses get less and less suited for my riding level. Please don’t shoot me as this is purely anecdotal and based on my inexperience and I am not claiming this as a statistical fact.
He sounds like a dream.LOL, this is how I ended up with a grey
I'm having loads of fun with BH. He is quiet and versatile, but TBH a little dull. However, I have been offered silly money for him as he scrubs up well and is kind and looks after his rider, and I was simply not interested in selling. Where would I find another like him? He is now teaching my boyfriend to ride from scratch. Then jumping with me, then a week off or whatever, than allows a complete novice man on again to learn his canter, where he puts up with bouncing, dropped reins and laughter. He actually has nice paces and a good jump, but would rather hang out and be a good egg.
I'd love to know where you have been in Portugal? Once my boyfriend has mastered sitting IN the saddle at canter, I think we'd enjoy a few days away with a dash of riding thrown in. Like many novices, he'd get more of a thrill from it if the horse were insanely beautiful, had presence and it was in a beautiful, sunny, warm area!
Would your boyfriend consider some sessions on a riding simulator?
He frustrates me sometimes with his laid-back-ness, but then I really appreciate the fun we are having.
Yes I think that's what I'm coming to terms with although finding something sound would be a great first point
Yes, he has been on one.
He’s sitting pretty decently on the simulator!
He had 2 lessons on it, found it quite easy but, as it had no impact on how he sat on an actual horse, we didn't go back for more.
Have you tried franklin balls? It's helped me as my back problems mean that I don't naturally sit straight and also can't tell if I'm uneven.
We used to do it at my riding school as an early teen
I know I am very one handed through mucking out. Always hold the fork and brush the same.