If you had to choose, character or riding ability? :)

[Tonty Tont]

If you had to choose one or the other, would you rather have a horse that had huge, scopey jump and fantastic paces ect, or one with less ability but had a much nicer charater and temperament?


Nicole

 

[Chellebean]

I am a pain in the arse when it comes to horses! If I get on with them and have a bond then I will work through any ridden issues but not if we don't get on! Does that make any sense at all lol

 

[Snowysadude]

Huge scopey jump and paces! I love my horse and spending too much time with them all..... but i also love winning

 

[CanadianGirl]

I would choose character and temperament. I get more pleasure out of the bond that I have with my horse than when she does something spectacularly athletic (which is admittedly rare).

 

[Nailed]

Lol i chose character and temperament.. but if you look at my own horse i should of picked the other lol shes a bugger to handle.
Lou x

 

[wellsat]

Having had a horse with a nasty attitude, temperament every time. Lil had a bad attitude at shows and would canter backwards at other horses trying to double barrell them. Could have been the most talented competition horse ever but no point if you get asked to leave the warm up on a regular basis because your horse is trying to take chunks out of people.

 

[Tonty Tont]

Thank you for replying

I was having a discussion with my friend today, and she said she would prefer a horse with more ability than one with a friendlier temperament, where as i'm the opposite

I just was wondering what all of your opinions were

Nicole

 

[Cedars]

Character and temp, because atm I'm not riding much but am handling our zoo alot.

However, I think if either my OH or I were aiming at great heights in eventing, say, then their ability may overtake. xxx

 

[nessiehhorse]

Go for character & temperment everytime now. We ride to relax & enjoy our horses - leave the quiky talented ones to the professionals. I did have one of these that a professional refused to get on!

 

[ladyt25]

I say character and temperament as I don't think I would want to put up with an overaly quirky or dangerous horse just because it was fanatastic at its chosen discipline. If I rode for my job/living then maybe I would feel differently. However, I also feel a horse with a great temperament will try it's hardest for you anyway so you can have both talent and great temperament!

 

[MrsMozart]

Nailed! How the heck are you m'duck??

Hm.

I want the performance, but if something happens and the horse can no longer perform, one is then left with a grump hoss and no benefit....

 

[spotty_pony]

The Character

 

[sidsmum]

I'd have to hold out for both but I wouldn't get a horse without any character so I reckon that's slightly more important to me.

 

[FanyDuChamp]

I voted character, if you are going to spend your leisure time with this animal you have to like it, in my opinion. I don't mean they have to be easy characters just that you have to like them or what is it all for? Rosettes?

FDC

 

[babymare]

def character and tempremant as I see that as the bond with a horse which is important regardless if you a happy hacker or competeing

 

[Jesstickle]

Huge scopey jump and paces! I love my horse and spending too much time with them all..... but i also love winning

/\\/\\/\/\

This for me. Naughty but talented (within reason, I don't mean unschool-able) is fine by me.
Although I understand why lots of people want a 'nice' horse to ride I would be incredibly frustrated by a horse with no scope or which moved like a camel.

 

[Hollycat]

Has to be character and temprement every time. The most talented horse in the world will not get very far if it won't work for its rider. A not so talented horse that gives its heart will get a lot further.

I sold my young horse to a pro. He rode a lot of hot and sharp horses in his job, but for his own horse he wanted one that after a long hard day he could ride and get off smileing from ear to ear as she was a real trier and lots of fun (she was also very talented but just didn't scream top international GP prospect).

Irrespective of he comp side I get emotionally attached to my horse and want one I can really bond with and just enjoy being around

 

[el_Snowflakes]

i wouldnt choose....i have both

 

[Starbucks]

Both lol!

Woudn't want something that was a git no matter what it could do, but wouldn't want something with 0 talent either.

My horse is pretty genuine, has the jump and gallop but not the paces. I'm happy with that for my £2800.

 

[martlin]

Providing it is trainable, scope and ability - I can handle grumpy/quirky etc, but they have to move well and be able to jump.

 

[Enfys]

Temperament every time, I breed for temperament and character. I wouldn't consider using a mare, or stallion, that was in any way nasty, it would be straight away to market.

Fortunately my horses are all dopes on ropes, not dull, slow, or stupid, just calm and happy.

 

[dibbin]

Personality every time I don't mind a horse that's a pain in the a*se to ride if they've got a nice character.

 

[AndySpooner]

Character for me, I love horses far more than rosettes.

 

[L&M]

Temperament every time - you can improve their talents under saddle but can't change their personalities!

 

[Kallibear]

temperament: ability's useless is the temperament's not right.

I have a very talented, athletic horse who is useless as a competition horse: he's not brave enough for jumping and far too stressy to preform well away from home.

I also have a very very easy horse who was hiding behind the door when athletic ablility was handed out but you can take him anywhere and do anything with him because he's sensible and tries so hard.