How important is temperament?

[Pink Gorilla]

I have a 4yo warmblood who I have had many struggles with on and off. Although I know this is common with all youngsters, he is my first. So my question is....does (in your opinion) temperament make much difference to how trainable a youngster is? If so, how much? Mine has a backward, opinionated temperament and was rather spoiled and boarderline dangerous when he came to me as an unbroken youngster. Although he is much better thanks to the help of some fab professionals and he is now broken in, we still have our moments. I sometimes feel like such a failure and wonder how much of this is due to my ability and how much is his temperament? Plz don’t advise me to use trainers etc. I have two fab ones! I just wonder about how important a young horse’s attitude to work and good character etc is in how easy/hard producing a young horse is?

 

[Cortez]

Temperament becomes less important the higher up the professional tree you go, but I'd say for the average amateur rider it is essential, only preceded by soundness.

 

[AdorableAlice]

Temperament becomes less important the higher up the professional tree you go, but I'd say for the average amateur rider it is essential, only preceded by soundness.

Spot on, it is supposed to be a pleasure for amateurs, if the horse isn't on side what is the point.

 

[paddi22]

100% importance. I ride a load of horses for people and I'm genuinely left scratching my head why some people persevere with certain temperaments. it always reminds me of people that stay in sh*tty relationships and neither party achieve their potential or enjoy each other. I think the most essential thing in any horse is a big heart, a good work attitude and 'try'. especially for amateurs.

 

[ycbm]

For an amateur? After soundness, it's everything. No amount of ability compensates for a horse which is not willing to be trained, imo.

 

[Pink Gorilla]

That’s reassuring to hear. I keep persevering, but although very rewarding at times when I feel as though I’ve cracked something, it is also very disheartening at other times where he will start to show attitude in a different area instead. He is my only horse and although I love him as he can be very sweet (when you’re not asking him to do something he doesn’t want to do) I’m finding him more stress, than fun the majority of the time. Wondering whether to keep sticking it out or not, or if he would be better suited to a professional. I have young children at home, so horses are supposed to be my escapism when I am out the house.

 

[ycbm]

I sold a lovely 7 year old who I had from newly backed at 4 three years ago. I could never relax when I rode him and although he improved and improved I still could not relax. it was a relief the day he left and I've never had a moments regret.
.

 

[Pink Gorilla]

I sold a lovely 7 year old who I had from newly backed at 4 three years ago. I could never relax when I rode him and although he improved and improved I still could not relax. it was a relief the day he left and I've never had a moments regret.
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Well considering how impressive your profile picture is, that shows me that even very competent riders like yourself can have similar issues to what I am having.

 

[Goldenstar]

Temperament and attitude and work ethic are most important things

 

[ycbm]

Well considering how impressive your profile picture is, that shows me that even very competent riders like yourself can have similar issues to what I am having.

A few years ago now, and boy I miss it!

There's no pleasure for me in riding a horse that makes me stressed, I do it for stress relief. I've had horses who don't enjoy what I want to do, and I was happy to change what I wanted to do to suit because I loved them. . I've had others I've sold because what they want to do is not what I want to do, even though they were nice horses. But I won't go out day after day and ride a horse who I just can't relax on. It isn't failure, it's just that not all horse/rider relationships are love matches. In that situation, after trying Relate counselling, (good trainers) an amicable divorce, in my view, is far preferable for both sides ?.
.

 

[Gloi]

Temperament is everything to me. I think you can tell in a yearling how they will be when you start to ride them. The few times in the past I've ignored my instincts with a youngster because I was taken by their looks I've ended up regretting it. Hopefully I've learned now.

 

[Upthecreek]

A good temperament and a nice willing attitude are always top of my priority list and I believe a horse either has them or they don’t. You can train to improve ability, but if the horse doesn’t have the temperament and attitude for the work you will constantly feel like it’s hard work and progress will be slow.

If you’re a professional with a string of horses I guess you would sometimes sacrifice temperament and attitude if the horse is particularly talented, but for amateur riders doing it for enjoyment it really isn’t much fun if you feel like the horse is against you all the time.

 

[milliepops]

I think a horse can have an awkward temperament and still be trainable, but it sure is a lot harder than one with an easy temperament.

I'd agree with the posts above that for an amateur, a good temperament is really important and there's no shame in parting ways with a horse that you don't enjoy working with. especially when you only have one, it's horrible when you have a bad ride and can't see regular progress.

My competition horse has a fairly awful temperament but she's remarkably trainable despite that, you just have to be extremely flexible and take it on the chin when things are difficult. but I wouldn't have chosen her, we just sort of got thrown together and figured out how to make it work

 

[paddi22]

I have a few that are super quirky and hot enough rides, but as soon as you put them in an arena or give them a job they focus and give it their all. A horse will either do that or it won't and I wouldn't have any horse in my yard that doesn't do that. I think people waste so much time with mismatched horses and hang on way too long as some kind of self-punishment or to prove some imaginary point to themselves or others. I've had some project horses that absolutely broke my heart, but you just have to step back, see a wider view and enjoy the process and the small victories with them, and appreciate how much they have taught you. But for people with one horse on livery, I think people are barmy not to change and get a horse that makes them smile and one that they can go out and have fun on.

 

[paddi22]

I just find it really sad when you get asked to come out to school someones horse and when you ask what they'd like to be doing they say they'd like to be doing fun rides, or a dressage show, but the person's world has literally become SO tiny that they are scared to canter, or go into a field or even down one end of an arena. and you just think 'there are thousands of lovely kind horses out there and at this moment you could be sitting on one creating a lovely memory, but instead you have just chosen a bad match that isn't working for either of you, and now you think you can't canter or jump". it's just really sad for both rider and horse. and I know some people persevere for years and become stronger, but most don't.

 

[CMcC]

I have an 8 year old. He was backed at 5. I spent the first 18 months of riding him feeling a complete failure, in tears and comparing myself to everyone on Facebook on their youngsters doing all the things I couldn’t do. We took things slowly, found out what we enjoyed doing. Sorted saddle out (3 times). In the first 18 months his temperament was often “can’, shan’t, won’t“ and other times “OK, maybe”
Now he is 8 and he is fantastic, takes on anything I ask him. All quite low level but gaining confidence all the time.
So maybe just a youngster going through an uncertain phase and worth sticking with.

 

[nikkimariet]

Temperament becomes less important the higher up the professional tree you go, but I'd say for the average amateur rider it is essential, only preceded by soundness.

This.

 

[Jango]

Completely agree with what everyone is saying, but it's important to note that even for amateurs different horses suit different people. One of my mares is v spooky, her initial reaction to something new is 'OMFG LEAP IN THE AIR' weirdly her spooks are dramatic but not hard to sit to, after the 2nd or 3rd time she is absolutely fine. So she's trainable it just takes a bit of time to get her used to new things. I loved riding her, my friend who has her on loan does too. But she's not for everyone! If her spooking scared you it would be a disaster. My other mares is like a teacher's pet, her reaction to something new is 'ok, done' so much more anyone's ride. But secretly I'm sometimes a bit bored riding her on familiar routes and play on my phone. When you get into a slightly sticky situation e.g. dirt bikes or a out of control dog, out hacking I am very grateful to be on her though!! What I'm trying to say it what matters is how much you enjoy riding them and how you feel. If after a number of years you don't enjoy the majority of rides then definitely look for something else. Your horse might be perfect for someone else who either don't want to make her do what she doesn't want to or enjoys the challenge.

 

[shamrock2021]

A good temperature and a nice work attitude is something that extremely important especially if your inexperienced with green horses. Op there is no shame in selling a horse when not working out. . When I bought my first horse she was green but extremely backward thinking and didn’t have a good work attitude.

 

[LEC]

I wouldn't call what you are describing temperament. I have put two examples, both have been tricky so its about seeing the wood for the trees. Are they going to do what I want? Do I enjoy riding them? Can I fix the issues they demonstrate with training/time?

If the horse is a nice person in the stable - that's temperament. All mine are nice people on the whole they just have strong opinions about certain things. My grey is an absolute pain in the arse. Just to wash her is a mission in preparing right to get it right. She is 17.2hh and freaks out at everything. She is just a giant scared horse all the time. Hacking is problematic, doing fast work is tricky, everything takes desensitization before doing it (clipping prep takes a week before actually doing it). I broke her in and she used to be worse. But she is a tremendous competition horse. She has a great work ethic and is getting better and better now I am not being dumped from being spooked off, or hairing across warm ups because someone has got too close. She has been incredible since day 1 with the work ethic and ability to learn. So I put up with her difficult behaviour which is essentially down to being scared of life.

The grey's sister is the absolute opposite. She is an opinionated cowbag but essentially very sweet. Her work ethic was terrible but some of that was down to strength. If she finds something hard she gets pissed off at you. Since her strength has got better, her behaviour under saddle has got better. I do think there is a direct correlation. I broke her at 3 as always had an attitude, but she has done nothing much till July this year as downhill so physically unable to. I have had to work pretty hard to get her to the stage where she is enjoyable to ride. Now she is. She went xc for the first time and dazzled me with her ability to pick it up. I just didn't think she would be like that. That motivates me more than anything to keep going, a hint of talent/ability.

 

[ihatework]

I’m not sure I even know how to actually define temperament!

It seems to just be a mixture of nature and nurture that also requires the right human thrown into the mix at the right time.

So a bit of default friendliness, some work ethic, ability to learn and try and crucially no bad experiences that make them hate people. I’ve seen plenty of horses that might be considered to have a bad/good temperament changed for the better/worse under different management

 

[Michen]

I think it can be changed and redirected though or in some cases it's a lack of expertise to get the best version of the horse "out". My (now 8) youngster had what I, and other professionals, described as a "difficult" temperament as a 5yo. He was opinionated and explosive and he defied you at every single point. Everything was met with a NO. I'm not ashamed to admit he was too much for me at that point, I wasn't good or experienced enough to "make" him. I was advised to sell him by the instructor who knows me best.

A job (eventing low level) and a bloody good jockey later and he's the most willing, genuine little chap. It was always there, but it was hard to find and draw out and it needed a lot of tact. But once we did, my god you've got a horse who will jump the moon for you and who will now ALWAYS seek to do the "right" thing, whilst still being a hot cheeky so and so!

I'd have sold a really, really great little horse if I'd done it based on his character as a 5yo.

 

[Orangehorse]

Well, it can be down to rider's experience and knowledge, but some horses seem to have the attitidue "make me." And if you don't have the experience to work round this, then it presents as the horse being difficult. I have made plenty of mistakes in the past and I feel sorry for some of the horses I had when I was younger and I wish I could apologise to them.

But some horses just don't seem to mind, are eager to come out and do something and as they say they are "very forgiving" whereas something like a TB might never forgive you, maybe because they are more intelligent, braver.

But you want to enjoy a horse and like being its owner and not dread an interaction whether handling or riding.

 

[windand rain]

I think a good temperament is vital. I dont want to live with a foul horse I do because I have to but he is less foul with me than anyone else. He is unsellable he is miserable as he crave attention but no one wants to give it as they are scared of his unpredictable temperament. On the other hand all the girls are lovely in your pocket, what can I do to help good temperament and I have no doubt they would be a pleasure for anyone to own. They are also very trainable and are happy to go along with their riders wishes. Jingo was born bad not his fault or anyone elses you could perhaps have predicted it but he has the worst of all genes from his parents and no I didnt breed him he came with the mare

 

[Gloi]

Jingo was born bad not his fault or anyone elses you could perhaps have predicted it but he has the worst of all genes from his parents and no I didnt breed him he came with the mare

My friend had a nice native mare, good looking but highly opinionated. She had several pure bred foals off her, nice ponies but not the easiest to deal with. One year she decided to breed a bigger animal for her to ride and put her to a sports horse. Hell, that foal was the devil incarnate. He had the wilfulness of his mother combined with a real nasty streak. Only time I've met a yearling that would fly at you teeth bared for no reason. Anyway he grew up , was too much for my friend to manage, bucked , reared and napped. A local confident young woman bought him off her who quite enjoyed battles and hunted him. He's around 20 now and still an awkward, ornery git.

 

[Xmasha]

So many great replies, not sure i can add anything new. But will try. For me temperament is everything. Horses are my hobby, and they help relieve the stress rather than create it. Our two IDs are a great example, both trainable, will work all day, but more importantly want to help you out. Ive had the same response from different trainers about my mare, they all say shes just so willing, and tries hard to please. Apparently as foal she was easy,and her mother was the same. Her sire is a legend,and also gives them a good brain. Im having more fun on her than any other horse ive ever owned.
I chose Ramiro B to put on a young SJ bred mare, purely because i was told he stamps them with a good trainable brain. Hes now 3 and just backed, and all through his life so far has been easy to do. ( has had the odd knobby moment, but what youngster hasnt ).
If you feel the partnership is not working for you, then make some changes. Dont be afraid to sell her on, and try again,

 

[scats]

I would personally get very little enjoyment out of working a horse who makes it pretty obvious they don’t want to do the job. That said, I do enjoy working with horses who are a little quirky and not necessarily easy, but I think they need an innate willingness to want to do the job for me to feel it’s worth persevering. My jumping pony had developed a horrendous reputation prior to me having her as a complete lunatic who was fantastic at the job but virtually unrideable in any other way. We just clicked and I never had an ounce of trouble with her and we did everything together- hacking, farm rides, showing... and obviously jumping. We just seemed to have the right match of personality. I never fought her and as a result, she didn’t give me anything to fight. I was more than happy to sit on her out hacking while she cantered sideways down a path and I knew we only had a 4 second window of opportunity at a junction before she stood up. She never scared me, and I never once felt out of control. Riding her is the safest I have ever felt in my life and I’d have ridden her into battle if I’d needed to.
Arguably Polly is probably the more talented out of my two, but her temperament will always let her down. She’s hot, very opinionated and can be very silly as a result. If you push the wrong button, she’ll think nothing of letting you know. Millie, on the other hand, is so trainable. She’s not perfect and she is very spooky and can lose focus, but I enjoy riding her more because of her willingness to please me.

 

[palo1]

Mmm, there are different sorts of temperament and much depends on what you like though I absolutely agree with Cortez, that after soundness, for an amateur temperament is the most important thing. I have horses of very, very different temperaments; one of mine is very hot, very sharp, quite opinionated but also very easy to train, extremely polite generally and a joy to ride. We have another horse here who is the easiest horse alive in every way; he is utterly, unendingly obliging but I find his gentle, easy temperament quite 'dull' (without finding the horse at all dull - we all adore him). My young mare has, for me, an admirable temperament; she is very bold and has needed some boundaries to be set but she is also hard working, honest and lively. I like all those things and enjoy training her enormously too. Personally I like a little bit of 'heat' in a horse as well as a mind of their own but not everyone does. It is perfectly possible to have a very trainable, genuine horse that requires quiet and sensitive handling but I don't know if that need would be counted as a temperament 'issue' as such.

 

[conniegirl]

A horse with a good Temperament makes having horses so much easier. It becomes a joy not a chore!

 

[windand rain]

Mmm, there are different sorts of temperament and much depends on what you like though I absolutely agree with Cortez, that after soundness, for an amateur temperament is the most important thing. I have horses of very, very different temperaments; one of mine is very hot, very sharp, quite opinionated but also very easy to train, extremely polite generally and a joy to ride. We have another horse here who is the easiest horse alive in every way; he is utterly, unendingly obliging but I find his gentle, easy temperament quite 'dull' (without finding the horse at all dull - we all adore him). My young mare has, for me, an admirable temperament; she is very bold and has needed some boundaries to be set but she is also hard working, honest and lively. I like all those things and enjoy training her enormously too. Personally I like a little bit of 'heat' in a horse as well as a mind of their own but not everyone does. It is perfectly possible to have a very trainable, genuine horse that requires quiet and sensitive handling but I don't know if that need would be counted as a temperament 'issue' as such.

I agree with most of that but would say all have good temperaments a horse doesnt have to be dead from the neck up to have a good temperament. Probably easier to desribe a bad temperament than a good one. A horse that has a bad temperament is one who is difficult to handle, tries to kill you or other beings, is uncooperative and mean spirited and one who quite frankly needs a superb rider to coax a modicum of performance from. A bad temperament might produce moments of genius but those are not worth the effort for most riders