How Do You Know When Your Too Big For Your Horse?

little_flea said:
But what kind of person would make rude comments? What would that achieve?
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I must say, if anyone made a rude comment about my riding while I was around, they had better hope they were the faaar away from my schooling whips reach! This is the reason I love my riding school so much, they are always positive and supportive, helping me improve. I know have my Goal to work towards this summer, which will hopefully culminate in taking part in a little 3-day event put on by my RS. I have confidence that the excellent tuition and positivity I receive from this yard will help me achieve this (and hopefully I'll end up alive at the end of it all :D).
 
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little_flea said:
I appreciate that you are trying to help, but the OP asked if she looked to big for her horse... people are unpromptedly offering their opinions and then they feel they can be extremely rude because the recipient of said advice "ignored it"...
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I dont mind if she ignores it, up to her

The thing is she knows she is NOT too big for her horse as she asked it about 3 times now , and each time the answer is no!

People on this forum have been more than generous with the adivce given to her and its almost like she throws it back in peoples faces when she posts things like asking for opions on things the she already knows.

Im not trying to be rude..and tbh i dont think the horse looks that unhappy or uncomfortable, and i accept that she is learning but im sure it is frustrating for people who are offering brilliant adivce to see her not really taking it and then asking silly questions about wether she is too big for her horse.


Also if she will psot videos and not state that she doesnt want critisim then people are going critise and advise her, it is a forum afterall
 
thelwell_girl said:
Oh geez, I KNOW I am nowhere near BSJA or affiliated level! (And actually I do find that a bit hurtful, I'm not such an awful rider...)

One day, eh?

]

*scuttles back to the kitchen to bake some more biscuits*
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I am sorry T_G I really didn't mean that you were an awful rider at all! I meant that you ride like a decent novice (which is what you are I think?) but have no airs above what you can do, if that makes sense? Am aware that may be digging my hole deeper as I continue..... But if you came on here and said that you wanted to do grand prix dressage and what did we think of your horse and then showed a video and someone said "perhaps you're not ready yet, why not try (insert schooling exercises) and maybe start off at prelim and THEN you posted that your first Elementary didn't go very well or something..? You get the drift...

Oh, and yes I meant bsjashowjumper123 rather than "a" bsja rider. Is there any spare biscuits? :o
 
The flatwork video is despicable and your poor mare not only looks tense, hollow, and up to her eyebrows in gadgets, but desperately unhappy. You need to focus on getting her softer, rounder, working through from behind. I would imagine something with welsh blood is fairly easy to get topline on with correct work where as your mare has a really scrawny neck, probably as a result of being ridden like that. I would also focus on walk to trot and getting the trot forward and elastic before you attempt a vile walk to canter transition, with your horse hollow, not forward, and tense.
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Vile & despicable? Some of you people are actually unbelievable! Yes, the way she rides isn't perfect but who is? She is a 14 year old girl who is learning! How many teenagers have the commitment to get up 1st thing in the morning and go to the stables beforre school, she is clearly trying to do her best for the horse. No wonder she won't take advise from people on here, who would take advice from people who clearly haven't even learnt how to talk to people in a respectful, decent way? If you don't like it, don't watch it and certainly don't make comments like this. Its embarrassing that grown adults would talk to someone like this!
 
Farrierlover said:
I am sorry T_G I really didn't mean that you were an awful rider at all! I meant that you ride like a decent novice (which is what you are I think?) but have no airs above what you can do, if that makes sense? Am aware that may be digging my hole deeper as I continue..... But if you came on here and said that you wanted to do grand prix dressage and what did we think of your horse and then showed a video and someone said "perhaps you're not ready yet, why not try (insert schooling exercises) and maybe start off at prelim and THEN you posted that your first Elementary didn't go very well or something..? You get the drift...

Oh, and yes I meant bsjashowjumper123 rather than "a" bsja rider. Is there any spare biscuits? :o
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Ahh, okay then! :o

You aren't digging yourself a hole, I AM a novice and I definitely know what I can and can't (yet, anyway... ;)) do!

*hands over some biccies and fairy cakes:D*
 
thelwell_girl said:
Oh geez, I KNOW I am nowhere near BSJA or affiliated level! (And actually I do find that a bit hurtful, I'm not such an awful rider...)

One day, eh?



*scuttles back to the kitchen to bake some more biscuits*
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I don't know what you took my comment to mean TG, what I was trying to say was that you are aware of and accept your capabilities, the OP is trying to run before she can walk - competing BS and talking of jumping 1.2m before she has the basics established.

As to the many threads re. the horse's size, I think OP is dis-satisfied with her current horse and wants something bigger and flashier and is maybe trying to persuade her parents that she needs an upgrade!
 
marmalade76 said:
I don't know what you took my comment to mean TG, what I was trying to say was that you are aware of and accept your capabilities, the OP is trying to run before she can walk - competing BS and talking of jumping 1.2m before she has the basics established.

As to the many threads re. the horse's size, I think OP is dis-satisfied with her current horse and wants something bigger and flashier and is maybe trying to persuade her parents that she needs an upgrade!
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Ah, okay then.

See above reply for some home-baked biccies :D
 
I thought OP had only had this horse this year though ie not long. might be wrong.

Sparky, quite a lot of horsey teenagers I would guess :) the non horseys... well they are a bit different ;)
 
marmalade76 said:
As to the many threads re. the horse's size, I think OP is dis-satisfied with her current horse and wants something bigger and flashier and is maybe trying to persuade her parents that she needs an upgrade!
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I would unfortunately have to agree with this.
I know this is going to sound rude but it seems like she just wants a horse that is ready made and doesnt want to put the work in on her current horse.
Unfortunately what she probably doesnt realise is that if she does get a "better" horse it will go down hill from there if she doesnt keep the schooling up. All horses even the top level need constant schooling to stay there.
 
I don't really understand..

This girl asked you 'how do you know when you're too big for your horse' (excuse the fact I corrected the grammar mistake, I couldn't help it.) and asked for everyone's opinions if she looked too big on her horse. Yet, for some reason many people have completely ignored this and have decided to start criticizing her, despite the fact she did not ask for it.

If criticism isn't wanted, don't give it. Leave the girl alone and answer the question she asked, instead of ranting about her riding and methods.

But, back on topic. I don't think you look too big. You may be slightly on the tall side, but your horse can carry you easily, and as long as you are comfortable I don't see there being a problem. It's when your weight and height begin compromising your riding andyour horse's movement and ability, and you yourself feel uncomfortable, that it may be the time to move on. But if you're comfortable and your horse is fine holding you (which it seems to be), then you should be fine to stick with her. :)
 
becca92 said:
I don't really understand..

This girl asked you 'how do you know when you're too big for your horse' (excuse the fact I corrected the grammar mistake, I couldn't help it.) and asked for everyone's opinions if she looked too big on her horse. Yet, for some reason many people have completely ignored this and have decided to start criticizing her, despite the fact she did not ask for it.

QUOTE]

She isn't actually concerned about whether she is too big for her horse IMO. She has posted this several times, as an excuse to post videos of her jumping her horse.

She is just showing off her pony, as alot of teenagers do!!! I don't condone being rude to her, however she is attention seeking so I really think those who are getting irritated by it just pop her on UI since otherwise these posts will keep ending up as huge debates about whether or not she is ruining her horse and whether or not it is appropriate to comment as such!!

She has made it clear that she is not going to listen to any advice so shouting it louder will do no good, best save the good advice for those who actually want to listen and improve.
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QUOTE]

She isn't actually concerned about whether she is too big for her horse IMO. She has posted this several times, as an excuse to post videos of her jumping her horse.

She is just showing off her pony, as alot of teenagers do!!! I don't condone being rude to her, however she is attention seeking so I really think those who are getting irritated by it just pop her on UI since otherwise these posts will keep ending up as huge debates about whether or not she is ruining her horse and whether or not it is appropriate to comment as such!!

She has made it clear that she is not going to listen to any advice so shouting it louder will do no good, best save the good advice for those who actually want to listen and improve.[/QUOTE]

My thoughts exactly!!!
 
OP

Yes, you are huge on her. Sell her to us and we'll give her a super home and ride her properly. Schooling video? You could be a very neat little rider indeed, but you were on the wrong diagonal and behind the movement. I am willing to concede the jumping video, whilst filling me with an all too familiar despondency, is probably just a few jumps 'looped', but I still want to weep for that lovely little horse.
 
What baffles me is why she keeps posting, and why you all keep replying? If she won't take your advice then ignore her and let her posts die a death like many many others on here who genuinely want feedback.
 
Jesus, the horse looks fine on the flat - ok, its not going to go out and win at BD Medium tomorrow but I'd wager that a LOT of horses ridden by HHO members don't go any better than this one!
 
Saratoga said:
What baffles me is why she keeps posting, and why you all keep replying? If she won't take your advice then ignore her and let her posts die a death like many many others on here who genuinely want feedback.
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Couldn't agree more.
 
little_flea said:
Jesus, the horse looks fine on the flat - ok, its not going to go out and win at BD Medium tomorrow but I'd wager that a LOT of horses ridden by HHO members don't go any better than this one!
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I'd quite agree Pickle does go a fair bit better now! but still not great! and when I joined this forum he went probably in quite a simular way!
 
Hah, this is the reason why I don't share too many photos or any videos of me riding! If you think the OP's riding is "despicable" then good lord, a whole lot of riders must shock you into oblivion!

*shakes her head*

Back on topic, OP, I think you look a fine size for your horse.
 
HollyWoozle said:
Hah, this is the reason why I don't share too many photos or any videos of me riding! If you think the OP's riding is "despicable" then good lord, a whole lot of riders must shock you into oblivion!

*shakes her head*

Back on topic, OP, I think you look a fine size for your horse.
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Absolutely! I ride pretty badly most of the time and am an expert at bad downwards transitions. So sue me.
 
With everyone spending their time reading and making comments on these loooong and pointless threads there's been a big decline in interesting threads to comment on for the rest of us... shame, really! :(
 
my opinion on all this is, don't slag anyone else's riding or horse off until you can come up with the goods.



*grabs a nearby blanket and scuttles into a room without windows to hide :D*
 
To clarify - I think it is dispicable that she asks for advice, ignores it, and still posts videos. I also think it is rude, and I stand by the notion that riders should put their horses first.

I do not find bad riders "vile" or "dispicable" but I do find someone who has had 100's of replies to her posts telling her what she needs to do, and then blatently ignores them, without even so much as thinking "oooh maybe there is a problem for me to work through" or "oooh maybe I could try to improve" or even "oooh I am going to focus on what my horse needs" far ruder than my reply to her. I replied on the other thread stating that I had offered (like many others) BSJA solid advice for the good of herself and her horse.
 
Jeeze remind me never to post a video of me riding, I would be ripped to shreds by you lot :eek: :o :eek:

I am beginning to think that this poor girl can't win, you all told her to do some flatwork, she posts a video showing that she has taken that on board and then you criticise her riding when none was asked for.

What I saw was a quiet rider that with a few more lessons could become a very nice little rider.

Should we not be encouraging this YOUNG girl rather then finding fault in everything she does?!
 
R2R said:
To clarify - I think it is dispicable that she asks for advice, ignores it, and still posts videos. I also think it is rude, and I stand by the notion that riders should put their horses first.

I do not find bad riders "vile" or "dispicable" but I do find someone who has had 100's of replies to her posts telling her what she needs to do, and then blatently ignores them, without even so much as thinking "oooh maybe there is a problem for me to work through" or "oooh maybe I could try to improve" or even "oooh I am going to focus on what my horse needs" far ruder than my reply to her. I replied on the other thread stating that I had offered (like many others) BSJA solid advice for the good of herself and her horse.
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R2R, I am glad that you have cleared this up. I felt that your original post implied that her riding itself was 'despicable' which I personally found a bit offensive as perhaps we would all be despicable by someone else's standards. I do understand that advice has been given and has seen by some to be ignored, I just feel that it would be exceptionally harsh to be so critical of someone's actual riding ability as I can assure you, mine is not much to rave about either (but I still think that I have every right to be riding my horse).

Anyway, I'm glad that I understand more what you meant now. :)
 
maybe dont read any of her posts anymore??

she obviously not interested in what people think so dont bother answering her questions???

then no one gets frustrated?
 
jodie :) said:
my opinion on all this is, don't slag anyone else's riding or horse off until you can come up with the goods.



*grabs a nearby blanket and scuttles into a room without windows to hide :D*
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If I had BSJA showjumper on my yard, I would get her riding in a snaffle, and help her as much as I could. I would also get on the mare and give it some confidence. I am capeable of riding that mare, and have sat on far worse. In honesty the first thing I usually do is go hacking, and making friends with the horse...drop the contact, and let the mare chill out, develop some topline and strength, indipendence and thinking for itself, and then start with some basic schoolwork.

I had a mare who I sold last year on behalf of a client as she ended up so peeved with her rider that she attacked her in the stable ON MORE THAN one occasion...perhaps I can see the same pattern here which is why I was so harsh to BSJA earlier. She came to me like a nervous wreck, no summer coat, and sad and miserable. It took 6 weeks of good grass and lots of reassurance...and FYI she is now winning at top local level and doing her first intro this summer with her new owner. She is 14.2hh by the way...

I think, like me, many people care about horses, and can see exactly where the problems lie with BSJA and this mare. They have offered to help, and been ignored. Quite possibly becasue they know what they are talking about and feel for both rider and mare. Rider, IMHO needs kick up arse (which is what I was trying to do) and to realise what an honest, williing mare she has under her saddle, and respect her a bit more for it.
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Poor girl, she only wanted to know if she was too big for her horse. Regardless of how rubbish you think she rides that wasn't the question so why comment.
If she has posted this before then ignore and move on to the next post to get yourselves wound up about.
If she doesn't take your comments on board then that's up to her...who are you to judge and who made you an expert? She's a kid, when do kids ever listen?!!?
 
hudsonw said:
Poor girl, she only wanted to know if she was too big for her horse. Regardless of how rubbish you think she rides that wasn't the question so why comment.
If she has posted this before then ignore and move on to the next post to get yourselves wound up about.
If she doesn't take your comments on board then that's up to her...who are you to judge and who made you an expert? She's a kid, when do kids ever listen?!!?
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Agreed. I personally don't like it when people offer "advice" I haven't asked for. Interestingly, most people that do this aren't really people whose advice I'd actually rate.
 
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