does age link to riding ability?

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ilovecobs

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It has been suggested to me to advertise myself for schooling horses in the local area, I have printed a few ads off but i am very hesitant to actually go and put them up. I am 17 and feel that my age puts me at a disadvantage. I find it slightly unfair as i know plenty of people who are much older and have also been riding longer then i have been alive that dont seem to know how to do the correct basic schooling. However I can understand people viewing my age as a negative as i know plenty of people around my age and their schooling will easily make any horse they ride often back off from the bridle and become dead to the legs. Iv schooled horses from scratch in the past, and unlike some teenagers i know, i do not loose my temper with the horse simply because the poor thing doesn't understand what is being asked.
So just wandering what people think?
thanks :)
 
Ha ha ha ha no! Some mature riders I have seen are worse than some younger ones but I guess you have to sell yourself well enough to be taken seriously... qualifications, proven results etc etc...
 
I think actions speak louder than words. If people see you ride and see how well your horses go then why wouldnt you be asked to help. I was a much better rider in my younger day and now have the knowledge in my head but my body does not follow what I am asking it to do. I have a friend who is 16 that often comes to ride and jump my horses during the summer when he can get there and through word of mouth now rides other peoples horses for them as well. I am sure someone will mention the insurance side of things. My insurance covers other people riding my horses.

Love your signature pics btw - nice horse :)
 
I think that some people will have that view unfortunately :rolleyes:

But it wouldnt put me off at all, the proof of the pudding and all that!
And Im sure the conversations you'll have before even getting on any potential clients horses, you'll be able to convey youre knowledge and experience enough.

Good luck with it :)
 
No matter what your age, it will always take time to build up a good reputation.

I'm in my mid-forties and even if I could ride well I wouldn't expect many people to send me their horses to school simply because I put an Ad in the paper every week.

You have an enormous advantage in being so young. Put up the Ads. Spread the word. Put notices in livery yards and tack shops. Be honest and straightforward with your clients. Expect things to start slowly and if you do a good job word will spread.

Good luck.
 
I've only asked people to school my horses from personal recommendation so I'd get the cards out but also speak to all the people you know like PC instructors if you're little enough to work with ponies, other instructors, competitor who know your riding, other owners and tell them what you want to do and ask if they would keep you in mind if they are asked for help. If it's coming from personal recommendation you age is less likely to be an issue.

btw, can you do something with your sig please, on my screen it's more than a whole screen full as you have the pictures laid out 2 on one line and then one on another. I think you'll need to reduce the sizes of all the pics to get them on one line and to the recommended size. Thanks.
 
thanks everyone, ta mardy mare :) and nat in kent, i thought that myself, iv not written an awful lot on the ad really just basics and a nice eye catching picci, i put my phone number and if somebody is interested and calls i think they will be able to make a better judgement from a conversation than the actual advert.

Tallante, I agree it will take a good while to get a good reputation for myself and i would be willing to travel to school so i think people are more likely to go for that as there is no disruption to the horses usual life and so on.

I'll certainly put my adverts up and see what happens :)
 
To me, it does not matter the age, although I am not sure I would want a 10/11 yr old schooling my horse, however a 17 yr old is vastly different in maturity and presumably in their riding ability too, if they have been riding since young. If you can do the job, and I got on with you/liked you and the way you rode, I would not have any probs. I am 33 and could probably learn tons from you - I'm a late starter :o, so there is no problem in my eyes. It is the doing the job that matters, not what others think - get advertising! :)
 
I'm in the same boat as you actually.
I'm capable of correcting schooling and getting a horse going but my age is a massive disadvantage.
At 16, I've been walked all over because I'm "not as experienced" as the older people who're either ageist against me or just looking to pick.
Last time I checked, how many years experience you have have nothing to do with talent :p

I think a lot of the younger riders are downed for a number of reasons. But I'd be more inclined to employ a younger rider for the fact they'll probably stick around longer, they'll learn more from riding different horses (which is good for an business involving horses) and I, personally, feel more comfortable with people near my age.

That's just me though, since training my horse from scratch and having minimal problems, I think regardless of age, as Mother puts it "If you got it, you got it!" :D
 
Go for it! Be honest in your advert, and see what turns up! You might want to see if you can get your own insurance to cover you for riding other peoples horses, and if you can do that it would put you at an advantage.

To be honest I was a far better rider at the age of 17, than I am now, with my dodgy back and arthritic hips!
 
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