Happy horse

[Peacelily]

I've just started riding a horse who's real mum can't ride him at the mo...
and the work the horse usually gets is from less confident/shyer riders...I'm lucky enough to be a very positive get up and go rider....and I've really noticed how he (the horse) is sooo coming out of his shell, even though he's already 8. He's becoming more brave (the world is a scary place!!) and more energetic and enthusiastic about his work....he even whinnied to me in the field when I went to get him yesterday

It's so noticeable even on a daily basis...

does anyone else find that their horses are happier people when they work and get a few more challenging questions asked of them? or found when you've got a horse to work with their attitude can change completely?

 

[Lollii]

Well done to you, it is great that you have done such good work on this horse.

I have a horse that just likes to go out once or twice a week, anymore and he sems to get fed up and lazy, if I ride him just a couple of times a week he is more 'up for it' and seems happier so I guess they are all different

 

[BFG]

My lad switches off if he isn’t in work but really likes to be worked hard. He looks really content when he is tired and i know he is a happier horse for being challenged.

Well done you for showing this horse another view on life.

 

[Chico Mio]

Weird, but now I think about it. If FB is being worked regularly he will call to me when I come out of the house with their breakfast. If he is having time off, he doesn't. Perhaps he hopes if he shouts we will go out for another nice ride in the country!

Well done you, I believe that horses respond to the confidence of their riders.

 

[Festive_Felicitations]

I believe that some horses thrive on work and love being successful, look at Red Rum and Milton, they seemed to love the crowds and the cheering!
I think some horses know when they are doing well and appreciate a challenge, others would be quite happy a filed ornaments!

I hope the chap you are riding continues to develop and you have lots of fun together!

From personal experience: I rode/ trained for the YO a horse that at the beginning of the year had no self confidence or self esteem, he was scared of everyone from the stable cat up. Hated work, would sit down if you pushed him to much and refused to go near jumps. And nothing could convince him to overtake another horses (we did endurances)

By the end of the year he was a different horse apart from the change in condition, he was full of himself, developed real character, loved his work and would fight/push to be at the front and hold his ground at gateways. He became the most successful horse on the yard and he knew it!
He used to try and throw his weight around but the minute some one (horse or human) told him off he would run away (his real name was Remmington but everyone called him Lucy...need I say more?)

On a ride in August it was honestly like a light went on his head and he suddenly realised that he wanted to be in front, that if he pushed forward he could over take and other horses would back off. After that it was a case of having to stop rather than pushing him along for 40 odd kms. He used to get so excited at the sight of the lorry and would come down off the ramp at 18hh and tow me around for about 5 min before he would agree to stand still.

Theses are photos of him before: July (on the left).

And after: November

And jumping: