How would you describe an 'honest' horse?

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amzy

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My new pony of 3 days has not put a foot wrong so far, taking everything in his stride and only showed concern when passing a field of squealing pigs yesterday when we took him for a walk to show him the area. He does exactly what he's asked without any disagreements, doesn't nap or spook at anything that isn't genuinely scarey (a pheasant flying up behind him) and, to me, he seems a real honest sort but I'm not entirely sure what an honest horse is.
 
I always think an honest horse is one that will do whatever is asked, even if there is the odd questioning of why the daft rider is wanting to do such daft things such as go over clattery bridges. An honest horse will not surprise you with nasty leaps out sideways at either jumps or strange items. An honest horse will giv everyrthing a damn good go. Sorry if I'm rambling, but I have one of those and I don't know if I'll ever ride her again. Your new lad sounds lovely
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I would call Bear honest.
He was broken in in 4 weeks, never put a foot wrong, maybe a bit lazy with the lunging. That was 2 years ago.
He went in his 1st ridden class last year and was an angel, 1st XC was an angel, 1st hunt he was an angel!
He will carry novice/nervous riders, theres silly things he'll spook at with me but he doesn't look at anything with novice people on him!

I have the odd whinge about him but he's my perfect horse!
 
I think an honest horse would be willing to have a go at things he has never done before and go to new places without being too phased. However, I think an honest horse will also tell you if there is something that upsets them, like something genuinely scary that you need to reassure them about. No horse is totally bombproof, but an honest horse will give you warning if they don't like something rather than just spooking or napping suddenly, if that makes sense.
 
Merlin is honest - i see a horse as honest if they genuinely try for you - like jumping on what ever angle you ask and if you miss a stride they still keep going.
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and if something surprises him when jumping he keeps going and dosent stop.

I have quite high standards to call a horse honest
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(but I accept bucks and the odd leap of enthusiasm as "quirks"
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)

tbh, if a horse didnt put a foot wrong ie. spooking or messing about, I would just say that they are quiet and not honest as such
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[ QUOTE ]
I think an honest horse would be willing to have a go at things he has never done before and go to new places without being too phased. However, I think an honest horse will also tell you if there is something that upsets them, like something genuinely scary that you need to reassure them about. No horse is totally bombproof, but an honest horse will give you warning if they don't like something rather than just spooking or napping suddenly, if that makes sense.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thats exactly it!
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A kind horse who will not look for and take any opportunity to

a) skive
b) dump you
c) p!ss about

IMO can often amount to a bit dull.
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I agree with the others, I wouldnt class an honest horse as a quiet horse or a plod but a 'what you see is what you get' sort of horse. One that is willing to try for you.

I class my horse as honest, if she see's something shes scared of she may have a jump and a snort but once shes worked it out she will walk past it no probs. Same jumping, even when we have the wrong stride she will give it a go. If shes excited she will be on her toes and not concentrate but she'll NEVER buck or tank off or anything. Shes not a plod but I always know where I stand with her. Shes also calm and focused in a crisis. Like when her pal next to her in the horse box freaked out or when we had a plane nose diving at us.

A horse that isnt honest will use the situations to be a pig or dump you.

Thats what I think!
 
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