Are we subconsciously (or otherwise) drawn to a 'type' of horse??

[soulfull]

Just wondering if 'we' are drawn to a certain type of personality in our horses?

It seems I am. When I first had Beacon I thought he had no personality God how wrong was I!! It just took a while to come through. He was very much an over grown pony with a sense of mischief and cheek. But was also subtle and intelligent in how he went about it. One that if you didn't watch out would have turned into a nightmare(very typically Welsh), but so long as you kept him in check was so much fun.

I had thought Micah was completely different in EVERY respect but as he comes out of his shell more each day he is so much more like Beacon than I could have dreamed. He is really starting to show what a zest for life he has and its such a great thing to see!! Luckily he is more sensitive and much lighter in the hand and so far not so stubborn.

My friend who now has Beacon came to see Micah for the first time yesterday and without me telling her how I felt she said 'you always find them don't you'!! The overgrown cheeky ponies!! She thinks he is going to be great, but that I will need to keep a check on his cheeky sense of fun. Obviously she loved him too

So do you attract or chose a certain type??

I wonder if it is a similar thing to women who chose or are attracted the 'wrong men'

 

[diggerbez]

i think there is possibly something in this...i like a certain type of horse but then other people would hate my horses. they grey in my siggy was totally not my type of horse but his new owners love him. its wierd.... but then i do wonder if a horse's personality/behaviour is linked to their owners as well (ie) in how you treat them? i always have cheeky horses, but would say the 4 year old didn't really have a personality when i bought him but now he's really cheeky

 

[Scheherezade]

Yep, 100% .

I sold my stocky TB x 16hh LW showjumper intending to get a 16.3+ WB, ended up buying a 16.1 LW TB x, almost the spitting image of my last horse.

I didn't even realise until after I had paid for him!


EDIT: re: personality, I like again whizzy intelligent horses who are very gentle and affectionate. I couldn't stand owning a grumpy non-people horse. My baby horse now has learnt tricks and follows me around.

 

[Gleeful Imp]

Oh yes. Give me a cob and watch me melt. Give me a grey or coloured cob and without proper supervision I'll be £millions in debt .......

Mind you, a fab bay maxi cob keeps me happily in love, but, oh my credit card is itching....

 

[MochaDun]

Possibly...Nutmeg the pony I learnt to ride on was an adorable but mischievous 11/12 hands tri-coloured. Had me off the 2nd time I rode him by putting his head right down between his front legs to graze and I slid down his neck! Lived for food.

I knew I always wanted something native or native X when I started looking for my first horse 6 years ago...friends suggested I go see a 14.2 coloured pony they knew of for sale, didn't fall for him initially until I actually rode him and that was it. Then a while later having bought him came across a photo of me with the pony I learnt to ride on all those years ago and it could be my current horse looking back at me - exactly same look/expression in their face/eye! Also my new chap definitely has his own mind and pushes the boundaries a bit sometimes, and can be cheeky but it's like I've been there before! He also is totally food obsessed! So subconsciously I think I've found another Nutmeg, just in a slightly taller package!

 

[Bowen4Horses]

like diggerbez said... maybe it's to do with how you handle them?

perhaps you're creating the cheeky overgrown pony? in which case, have you owned Raff (my horse) before? he's a cheeky, overgrown pony...!

 

[Three]

Not me....

I have three completely different types with three very different personalities.

They are all affectionate and like people though. And all have an odd sense of humour.

 

[soulfull]

[ QUOTE ]
like diggerbez said... maybe it's to do with how you handle them?

perhaps you're creating the cheeky overgrown pony? in which case, have you owned Raff (my horse) before? he's a cheeky, overgrown pony...!

[/ QUOTE ]

Maybe but if so I wonder how I create them. I am far from a push over and can see mischief faster than most others I know. When I ride I am quite serious, don't play (not yet anyway) So no idea how it happens

 

[marmalade76]

I am also drawn to the whizzy intelligent horses. I like a horse who wants to jump and gallop, but at the same time is clever enough to look after itself = safe. I also want a horse that likes my company and has a fair bit of personality but is kind and genuine.

I have had a few whizzy horses and ponies, and although they have been sharp, strong and keen, they have never been buckers, rearers or nappers and have been 100% to do. They have been the same if ridden regularly or if they've had time off and they have been loons regardless of what they have been fed. I have found thats its the quieter ones who are more likely to put in a buck or nap. Having been spoiled by having horses that have been so good to do, I don't think I could now tollerate something that wasn't.

I have got fed up with them though, all the jogging, never being able to have a quiet canter, not really being able to do dressage, not being able to use my arms for several days after hunting. I would often think that I could do with something quieter, but I'm sure I would soon get bored!