General observation about horsey people...why do they do this?!

[Sarah1]

Hi

I'm making a general observation about something based on personal experience - this is not related to any other topic on here, just wanted to make that clear before I start in case it causes any friction!

I've noticed that people tend to think it's cool to have a horse that's a bit of a nightmare as it makes them seem like they must be very brave/good to handle it when in actual fact often behind closed doors they don't handle them very well at all!

I've also noticed that alot of the time people like to make their horses sound much more of a handful than they actually are - I can't understand why people do this & am assuming that it's to make themselves sound like better riders?

Isn't something to be more proud of if your horse is relaxed & happy & well behaved?

Why do people do this?

I know there are horses out there who are genuinely high maintenance & require skilled handling/riding but there are alos lots of people out there who like to talk the talk but can't walk the walk as it were!

I've found that generally the really good riders tend to keep quite about what they can & can't do & just get on with it!

Discuss please

 

[random_rider]

I hate it when people make it out there horse is worse then it is!! That REALLY bugs me!! Like you wont be able to catch her shes a right b*gger, you walk up and it stands there like having a figget not like galloping off?! Argh!!

 

[Flibble]

Oh you are so right I like a horse that is a perfect gent or lady and I cant abide rude horses and bad manners. I would not accept in another person and cant see any reason to accept in a horse.

 

[Beanyowner]

Without meaning any offence but I do tend to find that its the 'younger' riders who tend to over exaggerate their horses behaviour. I think its for the same reason they may exaggerate how big their houses are or how much money their parents or they earn and stuff like that...generally they are so self aware and unconfident in themselves that they try and 'big themselves up' a bit.

 

[Sarah1]

It's almost as if the horse isn't as capable if it's not having a dicky fit at every opportunity or as if you're a really poor rider if you don't have something that faffs about all the time!
Personally I'm like you & much prefer to ride something with manners!

 

[Sarah1]

Yeah I think you're right about that!

 

[Flibble]

I think its an ego thing if they make a horse out to be a monster and they can ride it that makes them big( in their eyes).

I brought Gulliver up to be a perfect gent and ,she says bragging, someone at the yard told me the reason he has stayed so nice is its because of the way I treat him and how he has been brought up. Just allowed myself that little ego trip.

At the first ever Riding Club Rally I attended the instructor Michael Cromie told me off because my little mare would not stand still when I got on. I put my foot in the stirrup and she would wander off as I mounted.

I have never forgotten that and all my horses stand rock solid for me to mount - oh god I sound like my Grannie!!

 

[CrazyHippo1]

Agree with that. Im only 16, so a younger rider...and know a lot of people who will go on and on about how their horse rears/bucks/bites/stops/runs out everything bad, she says this horse does it. I think she quite likes us all thinking that her horse is so difficult cause therefore she must be an "amazing" rider in order to sit the bucks and whatever else. Bit pathetic really..

 

[timmy1977]

ive known a few people that have had young horses and at first they think they are really impressive because the horse is prancing about and trotting when it should be walking and cantering when it should be trotting, they think this impresses people. but after a while because these horses have been allowed to do what they want and not what they are told they go to the next level of misbehaving and all of a sudden the rider starts whingeing because they have an ill mannered horse that they cant ride. they start making out that it must be something in the horses head when really it is the riders own fault. these are usually the sort of people who ride without hate aswell as they think that impresses people too!

 

[AmynPeanut]

Glad i'm not the only one. P is only a babe, when i tell everyone how easy he is they look at me as if to say how dull!! I can always stop him, he does what i ask (well most of the time) but has a lovely cheeky streak and he is a sheer joy! Why would i want to have a horse with the potential to destroy my confidence just make me look good?? I know people who have actually encouraged bad behaviour for a bit of an adrenalin rush and i have to say i dont get it, i want P to always do as he's told so i can rely on him to be sensible in any situation!

 

[CracklinRosie]

I had a loaner like that, made my horse out to be "crazy".

Now she's stuck with the tag and I can't get anyone to help exercise or ride out with me.

I think it also affected the horse psychologically too. She's just coming right now, 2 years later!!!

And this was from someone who had many years experience of working with horses!!!

 

[Flibble]

OOH purlease dont get me on the subject of riding without hats!!

 

[Skhosu]

yes, I have a silly bonkers horse and its no fun when he decides to be silly hacking, or that he cant slow down for that jump, I consider myself better when he is going calmly into his jumps.

 

[oofadoofa]

So true! I used to ride a horse for a lady who insisted it was a nutcase. People on the yard wouldn't hack out with me because said horse was such a nutcase! Never had a problem. I took the horse to a show one day and she even went and warned the ambulance men that I might fall off!!!!

 

[Nic74]

I do agree that showing off isn't necessary. I just say it how it is if people ask or if they need to know. I have a TB that is a bit of a handful sometimes, and if somebody comes to ride him I tell them. He naps, he spins for home sometimes, he'll run backwards or plants his feet. They need to know, that's why I tell them. On the other hand he is safe in most other respects, he's fine even in heavy traffic and he doesn't rear or buck or bolt. He hacks alone or in company as long as you are quiet and confident enough to get him through his little strops.

 

[0ldmare]

Am so with you on this one! How often I have heard comments such as 'only I can ride x, he is such a b*&tard' when x wouldnt be a anything like as bad if he wasnt galloped/jabbed in the gob/booted in the ribs etc and was treated with some consideration. Having said that my Loss of Use loan horse is a little git to catch if the grass is good....

 

[skewbaldpony]

QR
Dunno but twas ever thus.
Teenagers have always taught ponies bad manners, jogging sideways being one of them, for much the same reasons as they always have and always will ruin their hair with bleach, their skin with chips, and risk their necks on motorbikes.
1) They can
2) They are safe in the knowledge that they know everything
3) they are going to live forever

 

[LindaW]

Mine are good, a pretty much novice ride that I've has since he was 3yo, had cut at 9yo for my own reasons, and a real sweetheart, has the odd moment, but now he's getting on I sort of like that he'll remind me he was once a cheeky monkey.

A nice 6yo (that I bred), who is another with good manners and a pleasure to take out. Little sharp, not for novices, although mostly she's all talk and no trousers, but can walk to a meet on a long rein, so essentially an easy horse with a bit about her.

Lovely 13yo ex broodie, who has turned into a splendid girl, less than a year after backing. Lovely manners, and actually I boast about how calm and kind she is - a real superstar in the making.

I think people just try to 'big themselves up' that they can ride difficult horses, when the reality is, to produce a nice well mannered beast is the actual accomplishment. If I had a difficult one, then they would be schooled until they were no longer difficult. I can't be doing with nonsense.

 

[BBH]

I have a nightmare horse and its not 'cool' its a total pain in the a@@e and I would happily swap him for a calm one. IME i haven't heard anyone pleased they have a difficult horse most people I know are getting credit for their well behaved horses. I always assume those that have well behaved horses are better horse people because they have been able to train their horses correctly and appropriately to the type of horse they own. Perhaps we're just unusual, but if there was a competition for who had the worst horse mine would be a front runner. love him loads though.

 

[FinellaGlen]

oofadoofa - that must have filled you with confidence, having the ambulance men following you around all day - he he!

I am really proud of my pony because she's so easy to ride that I can put a complete novice on her and she will plod around sedately. I wouldn't want a horse that was an habitual bucker, rearer, kicker or biter. I have owned a horse like that and it was hard bl**dy work. I wasn't very popular with the yard staff either because they were fed up (understandably so) of dodging his hooves and teeth every time they went in to him.

I think everyone with a well mannered horse, especially if you have turned it round from being an ill mannered horse, should be very proud of yourselves and your mounts.

 

[skewbaldpony]

Finella Glen, I notice you have formed a sub-clique. Well done, a fabulous achievment. Mind you, I think cantering on virgins was never as popular as you might think, even in rubber riding macs. Now, where are my glasses ......

 

[_April_]

It's not just horsey people who think it, non horsey people do too!

I adore hacking my current horse, she's an angel. So independant and sensible yet always up for some fun.

The other week when I was hacking with a friend, friends horse was being a complete prat, jogging, cantering on spot, bucking etc. (Friend was infuriated at it btw and does not think it cool.)
We passed a group of people, hers bouncing like a loon, mine walking along in supreme indifference and they said aww look at that slow lazy one

LOL

Horse I ride does have a history of kicking when being caught though and has booted about 4 people so I do always warn people I take to visit even though she hasn't done it for years, comes running over and makes me look as though I am exagerating.
Is just for safety! I know what lurks underneath that is just waiting for a nice, tasty novice to come along LOL!

 

[Sarah1]

IME you're in the minority to admit it's not cool!

IME it's been young/novice riders who believe it's cool that their horse is acting up?!

As I say this is just a general observation based on my own experience - there are always going to be exceptions when you're generalising!

 

[FinellaGlen]

lol - I think there must be a joke in there somewhere about me having given up cantering on virgins 'cos I can't find any in the local town?!!!

 

[Sarah1]

LMAO - cantering on virgins

 

[Sarah1]

QR - I know people who, to hear them talk, have never ridden a horse that is suitable for a novice rider! They're either really unfortunate, really gullible or really lying-through-their-back-teeth!?!

 

[Cop-Pop]

Well as the proud owner of a neurotic madam

I always tell people about her worst bits so they're fully prepared for the worst. There are times when she puts on her butter wouldn't melt face and makes me sound like a liar and there are other times when she is a total devil. I wouldn't have her any other way - she isn't dangerous or nasty, ok she bucks sometimes but her rearing problem was limited to one rear that she received an almighty smack with the whip for

She isn't a novice ride and she certainly keeps things interesting

I also ride at an RS and while I appreciate their horses I do find them a bit dull at times

 

[Hippona]

Cantering on verges was very popular in my youth, can't comment on the virgins sub-sub clique...long time since i seen one (!)

Back to the thread- IMO there is nothing more impressive than the ' well schooled, well behaved horse and competent rider' combo.

However, the youth element on my yard seems to think its impressive to be going very fast, sideways -- whilst not wearing a hat....screeching all the while 'oh hes mad, whats he like!!'

Even my 5 yo daughter is not impressed.

And while we're at it.....yard management- is this not taught anymore? Well swept stable yards/corridors and keeping everything neat and tidy seems to have gone out of the window, hence my occasional bouts of ranting and throwing water buckets/ grooming kits/pop bottles up and down the internal walkways. TF i have my own feedroom or there would most likely be bloodshed.

Deep breath......rant over.

you may continue

 

[TarrSteps]

'Cause we all read too many horsey books as kids.

It's known as the "Black Stallion/Black Beauty" syndrome, where the rider feels he/she has "rescued" the horse and it will love only him/her.

Ego plays a big part too.

I was taught if your horses won't go/behave for other people (let alone yourself) you're a bad trainer. I tell people now that good training is health insurance for horses because someone will always want a horse that's nice to have around. But unless you can guarantee (which no one can) you can keep a horse until it dies and be the ONLY one that ever had to deal with it you're not doing it any favours by letting it behave badly.

I think a lot of people secretly either don't know what to do about it or think it's beyond them to fix the situation. So they go with being a martyr and getting points for "putting up" with the poor horse rather than trying to sort it. In my experience badly behaved horses are not happy horses and it's usually a lot easier to sort things out than people think. But it's often boring work and no one goes "oooh" when you do it.

 

[Sarah1]

Yes but you deal with her 'issues' - the people I'm on about brag about it in public but can not handle their horses for love nor money & are often the cause of the poor creatures problems!
I'm not saying everyone with a non-novice horse can't handle them just that there seems to be an abundance pf people who think that by their horse being naughty it makes them a better rider/handler!?
Does it? I'm not convinced!