Experience. What has been your biggest lesson?

That your horse needs time and patience....never be in a hurry when teaching/schooling your horse, do it all as though you have all the time in the world.
 
Appreciating them only everyday is not nearly enough. You need to appreciate them every second because they could be gone before you know it.

(I lost my youngster the other week, a day after his 4th birthday, I spent everyday with him, now I wish I'd spent every second).
 
I.M.N. said:
Appreciating them only everyday is not nearly enough. You need to appreciate them every second because they could be gone before you know it.

(I lost my youngster the other week, a day after his 4th birthday, I spent everyday with him, now I wish I'd spent every second).
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I am so sorry.
 
I knew for a month or so that he may have to be pts so I got to say my goodbyes, you can't really ask for more really.
 
rlhnlk said:
That if horse isn't giving the answer I want then try asking a different way, and also that people who've been around horses a long time don't necessarily know better, they may just have been doing it wrong for a long time.
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touchstone said:
I think the realisation that there are so many different ways to deal with different issues, that each horse responds differently and that you might need to think outside of the box to solve problems, and that I will probably spend a lifetime learning!
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both of those quotes describe perfectly the lessons that my ginger boy has taught me, he also taught me to follow my instincts and not try to be what other people thought i should be:) He is a special lad (in all ways lol) and has given me frustration, exasperation,confusion, satisfaction and joy by the bucketload, but he has been my best teacher by far:)
 
To leave well bred big warm blood youngsters to professionals to break and bring on. Certainly to get them started.
 
Ludoctro said:
To leave well bred big warm blood youngsters to professionals to break and bring on. Certainly to get them started.
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Oh no! I haven't learnt that lesson yet. I plan to break in the huge WB foalie here if he's still here and hasn't killed me in 3 years. :eek:
 
That good knowledgable stud staff can save mare owners a lot of money. Only learnt this through working at a stud.
 
Trust no-one.
Be careful how you tie up - seeing my beautiful Herbie galloping frantically with a bit of wood hanging then tripping and breaking his neck because the twine didn't break - biggest lesson of all ...
 
Patience.

Still gaining patience and it is a hard thing to learn. Patience is so valuable and loads of people don't have it these days. Only with patience you will gain progress.
 
J_J said:
Trust no-one.
Be careful how you tie up - seeing my beautiful Herbie galloping frantically with a bit of wood hanging then tripping and breaking his neck because the twine didn't break - biggest lesson of all ...
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Oh God, how awful!
 
Wagtail said:
Over the many years I have owned and worked with horses, I have learnt many things. The most frightening thing is, that I am still learning! But if you are to look back on your experience with these magnificent creatures, what would you say was your most valuable lesson?

For me, it was the transition from believing that horses were 'naughty', 'taking the mick', 'quirky', 'difficult' etc to realising that this was hardly ever the case! There is always a reason for what they do, and most of the things they do, which we object to, is pain related. I have also found that you should trust your instincts with your own horses, even if the experts are telling you otherwise. They get it wrong a frightening number of times!
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Well, actually, Wagtail you said it. The only thing I would add is to amplify something you have already said which, once you have built up any sort of bond/relationship with your horse, trust what you believe your horse is telling you. You know your horse better than anyone else. Everyone has an opinion . . . but have faith and belief in what you know/what your horse is telling you. I wish I'd listened to that little voice (and my horse) more often . . . but the biggest lesson I've learned is that he trusts me and I should trust what I believe he is telling me.

P
 
Kenzo said:
To be grateful that such a large powerful creature does what you want
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I love this . . . and I would only paraphrase a little to say "be grateful that such a large, powerful powerful creature tries to do what you want . . . " . . . for me, it's the try that makes me well up.

P
 
Go with your gut ! like others have said if you think something is wrong with your horse IT IS.

Also going with gut instinct and not over thinking got me an unbacked 3 year old who looked like a neglected donkey - he is the appy in my pics - love him to pieces - we have learnt together and he is my perfect partner - if I had asked opinions at the time I am sure everyone would have said "run a mile" at his Ad !
 
meesha said:
Go with your gut ! like others have said if you think something is wrong with your horse IT IS.

Also going with gut instinct and not over thinking got me an unbacked 3 year old who looked like a neglected donkey - he is the appy in my pics - love him to pieces - we have learnt together and he is my perfect partner - if I had asked opinions at the time I am sure everyone would have said "run a mile" at his Ad !
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This. And, speaking personally, I learned not to default to everyone else's opinion of him which is that he's an awkard so-and-so. What I've learned from getting to know my gorgeous boy is that once he knows and trusts you he will try his heart out . . . but he can't maintain that for long (b/c he's essentially a physically weak horse) . . . so for him it's all or nothing. Once you know that about him, any time he offers you what you want is a huge gift . . . he's giving you everything he has.

P
 
Remember your horse expects you to be their voice. Listen to what theyre saying, even if it takes a wee while to " get it ".
As others have said trust your gut, no one knows your horse better than you.
Love and cherish them every day, not just on the good days, there will come a time when they wont be there anymore.
 
Wagtail said:
I have also found that you should trust your instincts with your own horses, even if the experts are telling you otherwise. They get it wrong a frightening number of times!
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100% This!

It has taken me a long time to realise that actually I have a very good gut instinct regarding my horse and am now confident in giving my opinion to experts, I am ashamed to say a number of times in the past due to feeling overawed I have let the experts do things that in my gut I knew were not right .....Never again.
 
My biggest lesson?

Malteser and his feet.

All I can say is... Wow, what a journey! I second what wagtail said about "experts".... I trust hardly anyone these days and I make judgements very carefully and ask opinions.... Mainly on forums would you believe and they have nearly always been advice that is good.
 
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First - I don't bounce anymore - I break
Second - If you know for definite that you are going to fall off - take your feet out of the ****** stirrups
Third - Never ever think you will have a 'cheap' vet bill
 
Oh, I think I still have my biggest lesson's to learn and im sure my Bella will be the one to teach me:eek:. Having said that, I think it would be getting over a bad fall and with expert help from a wonderful instructor who re built my confidence.
 
Wagtail - RE: warmblood

Errr Rather you than me :-)

After a accident which landed me 10 days in hospital , operation to remove park of the back of my leg and skin grafts, never will I be getting a young big well bred WB, oh no - I learnt my lesson the hard way

6 or 7 year old for me next time ;-)
 
Ludoctro said:
Wagtail - RE: warmblood

Errr Rather you than me :-)

After a accident which landed me 10 days in hospital , operation to remove park of the back of my leg and skin grafts, never will I be getting a young big well bred WB, oh no - I learnt my lesson the hard way

6 or 7 year old for me next time ;-)
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Oh I'm so sorry to hear this. I wish this forum wasn't so keen on encouraging everybody to persevere with horses. :( I hope you recover well and get a safe horse you enjoy soon.
 
marydoll said:
Remember your horse expects you to be their voice. Listen to what theyre saying, even if it takes a wee while to " get it ".
As others have said trust your gut, no one knows your horse better than you.
Love and cherish them every day, not just on the good days, there will come a time when they wont be there anymore.
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I like this.

The day that your horse(s) choose to be with you rather than doing their own thing is the day you know you have earned their trust. It is a humbling gift when they do that.
 
That vets arent always right, I know what's best for my horse.. And many 'experienced' people do things with horses that I wouldn't dream of, so they don't know everything!
 
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