Dealing with fiesty horses?

[Fidget_Thief]

Hi all,
So my mother has kindly gotten me a potential place to be a minder for a horse at the local RDA however, the two horses available can be a tad fiesty like according to the YO.

I have dealt with fiesty horses before who were stallions but I dealt with them on ground and didn't ride them at all nor was I around to see them be ridden (tho, they barley got any turnout so I guess that's alot a reason for their nasty and excitabile behaviour...). I was wondering how to cope with a fiesty horse when riding? I should hopefully be down there in a few weeks for an assessment and have an idea on what I can do to help ease the quirky-ness but want to know any other things you do! ?

If things don't work out, then they said we can wait till there's another horse available. Thank you

Thank you!

 

[ihatework]

I’d imagine feisty in an RDA setting isn’t too feisty in the grand scheme of things. RDA are used to helping all levels of rider so just go in and ask them how best to handle and ride the horse they give you and I’m sure you will be fine ?

 

[mariew]

I'd be surprised if they would have a very feisty horse at an RDA riding school. Echo ihatework, just go with the flow.

 

[Fidget_Thief]

I'd be surprised if they would have a very feisty horse at an RDA riding school. Echo ihatework, just go with the flow.

Yeah, it could be just mum making it seem worse than it is but I'm guessing since they're their least used horses and the only two available they must be just a bit quirky but not enough to be deemed unsafe at an RDA thank you so much both ?

 

[Flicker]

Riding school feisty I would imagine would be things like cutting across the school to the back of the ride and things like that. With new horses, I always adopt a very neutral seat and contact and see how they react. Agree with the other posters, just go with the flow and see how you get on.

 

[Ratface]

As above comments: be calm, fair and purposeful around them. Watch how they are handled by the RDA staff.

 

[J&S]

It is very unlikely that these horses/ponies are truly feisty! Having been an RDA instructor for 20 years I can assure you that only the best mannered are able to be used. We would occasionally have a horse or pony who had specific ideas as to how they would like to be handled and this would be relayed to any leader/side walker. If you are going to exercise or school these horses I am sure you will be given all the support you need. I hope you enjoy the experience.

 

[canteron]

Breathe, as we tend to shallow breathe if we are slightly nervous.
A really good tip is to push your heels down, lift your chin up and a really good long breath out to relax tension in you both ?.
Practice off the horse!!
I am sure you will do really well.