How do I know this is the right pony for me?

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alicegreen

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I've been looking to part loan a horse/pony recently and I've found this lovely part arab (5yo). I've been riding for 10 years, I'm not a natural but I love riding and I'm determined and I don't think I'll ever stop, recently I've been feeling more confident with my riding skills. Anyway, he is a lovely gelding (I've only met him once so far) he is lovely to handle and just seems so loving, honest and eager to please. I took him into the school to get a feel for him and he was not the most responsive to leg aids, more responsive with his mouth, I think. When we went into trot he was lovely, when we cantered I could feel him drifting away from my leg and drifting round the corners and it felt like he was coming out from under me (is it my balance? Now I'm thinking he could have been on the wrong leg but I'm not too sure). I then felt like it was time to try a little jump (he turned quite sharply), he had a nice active trot but then just stopped at the jump and I went over the jump on my own:eek::D. I've never loaned before, only ridden riding school ponies. So, I'm not sure whether I just need to improve in my riding before going ahead with him or whether its just because we didn't know eachother but I'm going to go and see him again anyway, any opinions?
 
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Ok, a few extra questions.....

Was the owner with you when you tried the horse - what do they think?

Will there be someone around to help you if you start loaning, or will you just be left to get on with it?

Will you be able to have lessons on him?

What does your instructor think - have they seen you ride this horse?

I wouldn't write it off as if you are inexperienced, something a little unresponsive to the leg is probably better than sharp, but I think you need to get the opinion of someone who knows you after they've seen you ride this horse.

Alternatively, some riding schools offer a part loan scheme which may give you more support for both the riding and stable management aspects and be a stepping stone to loaning privately.
 
Yes, the owner was with me, I think she felt that I needed more work but she was happy with the idea of me coming back and trying again and we agreed it could be good for me to ride him, I think any owner would straight out say no if they didn't want someone to ride their horse, she was the one that suggested the idea that it was due to not being familiar with him.

I've got a feeling she'll be at work so I'll be left to get on with it.

I will ask her when I see her again, but I don't see why she'd have a problem with it, but it would mean hiring an instructor as my riding stables is about 20-30 minutes away and I'm not sure if I'll have access to transport for him.

I haven't spoken to her about it but I feel like I should definitely talk to her about it and hopefully bringing her along next time I go to see him.

Okay I might look into riding schools like that but I'm not sure if there are any in my area, I've worked at my riding stables before so I know the basics of stable management.

Thank you :)
 
Given the extra information, I would say that chatting to your instructor and getting her to come along next time you try the horse is the most important thing for you. They will know your capabilities and hopefully will be able to tell whether you are suited to this horse or not. Good luck. :)
 
^^ everything she said.

Take along an instructor...mine stopped me taking an absolute psycho once (didn't even like it much, but was that desperate for a loan!).

I think regular lessons are a must :) as is having fun!
 
This, also get your instructor to hop up on him...

Is there many on the yard you would have him at??? Always good when loaning to have the support of others that can help/advise you if necessary aswell.

hnmisty said:
^^ everything she said.

Take along an instructor...mine stopped me taking an absolute psycho once (didn't even like it much, but was that desperate for a loan!).

I think regular lessons are a must :) as is having fun!
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A five year old is a very young horse, Arabs and part-bred Arabs tend to be sensitive and hot. Neither of these things make for a good first horse if you are not an experienced rider. If I were you I'd keep looking and taking lots of lessons at a good riding school. Take your time; getting a horse is AT LEAST as important as choosing a husband (and possibly even more dangerous!)
 
Definitely take your instructor if you can - I made the biggest mistake of taking one of the young grooms from my yard as she had a day off when I did to go view the horse. Seemed like a good idea at the time, but initially my instructor had said she would come with me - it was a 40 min drive and I couldn't go the day she was free. I ended up buying the horse and although she was lovely she was not the horse for me at all! I sold her on and was gutted but my biggest regret was not taking my instructor with me!!! (I also had an incident jumping and went flying too!!!) As much as it hurt and put me off as I had only just started trying horses to buy, she was a fantastic horse and a part of me wishes I had brought her...ah well everything happens for a reason but I would certainly never rush into anything ever again - the girl I took made out like she knew a lot, but really she was nothing compared to my instructor with 40 odd years experience
 
Cortez said:
A five year old is a very young horse, Arabs and part-bred Arabs tend to be sensitive and hot. Neither of these things make for a good first horse if you are not an experienced rider. If I were you I'd keep looking and taking lots of lessons at a good riding school. Take your time; getting a horse is AT LEAST as important as choosing a husband (and possibly even more dangerous!)
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As above arabs and partbreds can be hot and very sensitive but you do come across the odd ones that are complete plods too.

Take your instructor along next time and get their opinion. :)
 
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