How good should I be at riding?

[Me_and_Horses]

So I have a lot of questions ?

I have been riding for 3 years every 2 weeks but I feel like I am progressing slowly. I can walk, trot, canter (not well though) and I jump around 60cm or less I'm not really sure on that one. I know how to tack up ish, untack, groom and muck out, and I'm reading loads to learn more about basic horse care and riding. I would class myself as a novice, but what level do you really think I am? I'd prefer if you were brutal to me because I am thinking about getting a share horse so if Im still a beginner then I don't want to burden the poor horse with being ridden and cared for by me. So my questions are, what level do you think I am, am I ready for a share horse, and what level should I be at at this point in my riding? (bearing in mind I'm pretty athletic, not to sound arrogant)

Thanks if you read this much ?

 

[mossycup]

I would say novice. Is your centre bhs approved? You might want to look at doing challenge awards if so, they are great for improving your knowledge and skills across the board. You may well be ready for a share - your instructor should be able to let you know if she thinks that's a good idea as for where you 'should' be at - everyone progresses differently! What do you think holds you back at the moment?

 

[Me_and_Horses]

I would say novice. Is your centre bhs approved? You might want to look at doing challenge awards if so, they are great for improving your knowledge and skills across the board. You may well be ready for a share - your instructor should be able to let you know if she thinks that's a good idea as for where you 'should' be at - everyone progresses differently! What do you think holds you back at the moment?

Thanks so much, Im not sure if my riding school is bhs approved or not, but I will ask next time I get the chance ? Yes, I thought novice too, I'm happy to see that you agree. I will definitely only share if my instructor thinks I'm ready, I would hate to upset the owner and make the horse suffer because of me. Again, thank you

 

[Trouper]

Honestly there is nothing like learning "on the job" and I am not being reckless here with the horses's welfare. You sound as if you are going about this in a very sensible way and you will have the back up of a sharer and your instructor but however much you read and study you will carry on learning every day you spend with horses. We all are!!

 

[windand rain]

No one ever knows everything about horses if you can walk trot canter jump and deal with the oops moments then you are a novice. If you find a nice share who will have time to help and you keep up lessons and reading then you should be about ready. Shares are often because the owner needs help and time though so be sure you explain that you are learning and willing to fly solo so to speak

 

[meltb]

i would say you are a novice, but you're keen to learn and improve which are some of the best personality traits to have! please remember, though, that everyone progresses at different rates/learns differently- so don't be too hard on yourself with horses, you never stop learning- i learn new things every day and i've had horses for years. this doesn't mean i'm stupid, it's just there's an overwhelming amount of information/ways to do things etc.

 

[Me_and_Horses]

Honestly there is nothing like learning "on the job" and I am not being reckless here with the horses's welfare. You sound as if you are going about this in a very sensible way and you will have the back up of a sharer and your instructor but however much you read and study you will carry on learning every day you spend with horses. We all are!!

Thanks, I feel good to know that you think I'm doing this in a sensible way. I agree, hands on experience is probably the fastest way of learning! I will have all the help that I can find, and I will keep learning forever! Thanks a lot

 

[Me_and_Horses]

No one ever knows everything about horses if you can walk trot canter jump and deal with the oops moments then you are a novice. If you find a nice share who will have time to help and you keep up lessons and reading then you should be about ready. Shares are often because the owner needs help and time though so be sure you explain that you are learning and willing to fly solo so to speak

Thanks, I will definitely only share if the owner is happy to help me, I'm happy to know that you think I'm ready. Thanks so much

 

[Me_and_Horses]

i would say you are a novice, but you're keen to learn and improve which are some of the best personality traits to have! please remember, though, that everyone progresses at different rates/learns differently- so don't be too hard on yourself with horses, you never stop learning- i learn new things every day and i've had horses for years. this doesn't mean i'm stupid, it's just there's an overwhelming amount of information/ways to do things etc.

Thanks! I'm glad you think I'm ready, and I agree, you can never stop learning with horses (or anything really)! I will have all the help I can get and keep taking lessons for the rest of my life!! Thanks so much

 

[2HorseHouse]

Also - you'll probably find a share good, as there's nothing like sticking with one horse and building a proper relationship - it's great for confidence. The problem with riding schools is that you're usually going from pony to pony so you don't get the chance.

 

[Me_and_Horses]

Also - you'll probably find a share good, as there's nothing like sticking with one horse and building a proper relationship - it's great for confidence. The problem with riding schools is that you're usually going from pony to pony so you don't get the chance.

Thanks, and yes that is probably my biggest reason for wanting a share horse, the bond. I feel like if you trust a horse more on the ground then you will trust it more in the saddle, and that would be amazing for confidence

 

[gallopingby]

Difficult to tell if you are a novice or not without seeing you ride, and then that would depend what type of horse you were riding? You also need to work out how you would manage a shared horse, how would you travel to the place it’s kept at and how often could you do this. Some people are looking at a couple of days both morning and night and others every morning or every evening with riding split maybe alternate weekends. Such a lot depends on the horse and it’s situation as well as the owners expectations. There’s a world of difference between a riding school cob and a fit competition horse.

 

[Me_and_Horses]

Difficult to tell if you are a novice or not without seeing you ride, and then that would depend what type of horse you were riding? You also need to work out how you would manage a shared horse, how would you travel to the place it’s kept at and how often could you do this. Some people are looking at a couple of days both morning and night and others every morning or every evening with riding split maybe alternate weekends. Such a lot depends on the horse and it’s situation as well as the owners expectations. There’s a world of difference between a riding school cob and a fit competition horse.

Thanks, I've been trying to ride as many different types of horses as I can, and I've worked it all out for the share horse (I have literally made a whole notebook and 2 videos ?). Thanks for your advice ?