Do you think horses act differently with different people?

Yes, ability to adapt to different riders is the biggest skill possessed by riding school horses, and they are often the best judge of the skill and confidence of a rider. Watching a good one is a real education.

One of the best I have ever met is a little coloured chappy, who I have seen ridden by novices on the lead rein ambling along with his brain in neutral oblivious to what they are doing. Anyone watching would assume that he is utterly switched off, however put a more able rider on and he responds accordingly.

He isn't just one that is more lively for a more competent rider he seems to react to their confidence too, looking after them if they are nervous and teaching them a lesson if they are cocky. He has a repertoire of tricks up his sleeve to pull out at the appropriate time but they vary depending upon who rides him.

Personally I couldn't stop the little bu99er! But other people can't get him to move...
 
of course they do:D
they read body language 1000 times better than the average person can so they pick up on signs that we don't even realise we're giving:) sometimes thats good and sometimes a disaster!!

my big girl i have now is a real tester, she'll pull the most godawful faces at people, if they ignore it she's fine, if you back off then she'll push more and start threatening to kick or bite, rude maybe but she's only reacting to the signals she's being given :) So although a lot of it is them reading us, some of it is also behaviour that has unwittingly been taught;)
 
My girly is perfect with me, never puts a foot wrong. But if anyone goes by her stable or walks past her whilst shes tied up, they get such a horrible face pulled at them- she'd never hurt anyone but if you didn't know her you'd run for the hills. The minute i walk up to her she's all smiles and happines again :) it makes me feel quite special :D
 
Alphamare said:
I wish I could explain his behaviour by novice was or fear or softness but I am none of those things. :) I am a fairly capable and competent horsewoman. I've been riding my whole life. I guess if it were just me riding him I would have just assumed that was how he was. But it isn't. He was great with his old owner. Several loaners. My hubby. Just not me! Horses!
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I know what you mean. This is a different situation but I have a pony with whom I have a really strong bond and have owned since birth. She hates the horse box. For my non horsey but incredibly patient sister she loads quickly for me even though I could spend hours trying to load her and not be impatient she will take so much longer. I am sure it is because my sister knows she loads for her and is relaxed and patient in a way that even though I think I can match I don't. My poor sister travelled over 400 miles last year to help load her for a one off trip. My pony normally messes other people around and is fab for me but not on this!
 
My daughter's pony, whilst beautifully mannered, is rather shy and reserved and keeps himself to himself. There are only certain people that can catch him (fortunately, I'm one of them!) and whilst he would never, ever hurt anyone he comes across as grumpy as he just ignores people. However, he completely lights up when my daughter comes onto the yard, whickering at her and offering her kisses, when she goes to catch him he canters over to her - she can do anything with him. I find the bond between them makes me quite emotional, they really are the light of each other's lives and to think that I wasn't going to buy him as he was a green 5 yr old and my daughter was 12 with a fused spine ...
 
I had a bad fall (from a different horse recently) and for the three weeks it took my ribs to mend my mare didn't put a foot out of place and was extremely quiet to ride. She's back to her lovely sharp self now I'm back to normal!
 
I absolutely love my mare, however the lady I bought her from couldn't pick her hind feet out, couldn't bridle her and could not hack her out, apparently she had a right name for her self. I do see a change in her when someone else rides her :)
 
Mine takes liberties with ME! She's a cheeky moo and likes to throw a few shapes on the dancefloor, but will walk calmly past the "scary corner" with a complete novice. I prefer a lively ride and she certainly knows it.
 
Mine definitely does! She'll whizz round like a right so and so with me yet plods along when my non-horsey OH wants a ride :rolleyes:

I was also told that she's spooky, wouldn't hack out, etc, etc before I bought her yet I'll go off down hacks with bikes and "scary things" and she's never batted an eyelid. Though, her old owner was very timid and let her push them about whereas I still think I'm invincible and don't take no for an answer.

I do wish she'd trot at something slower than warp speed for me like she did when I was shown her :o
 
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