I'm getting old and cranky, but ...

I'm SO old and cranky that I want to blame the poor standards of teaching, training and riding for being much of the problem. And the lack of true experience VS. reading lots of horsey "how to" books and magazine articles (sorry H&H). Oh, and feeding lots of uneccessary crap, and thinking that a 20 min pootle twice a week is "work".
 
Jftd - I agree. There are certain horses I would never want to get on as I know I would be well overhorsed. I think it's important they are suitable for the job they are being asked to do :)
 
But I like nothing more than a huge, big moving poncy WB, preferably German. And I couldn't afford a ready made one, so I have to put up with a few years of being overhorsed until my baby horse learns some manners and calms down a bit. If people are willing to put the time, money and effort into learning to ride a horse they really love, what's the harm?
 
MrsB - you are so right - imo. I can generalise with the best/worst of us cranky old gits. No offence to anyone intended, I'm definitely old, have always been cranky, and can most, days, be git-like. I have a 15.3hh purebred Arabian. Sometimes he too can be a cranky git, but isn 't old (8). We do a bit of everything, at a low, local level. He is a capable, bold and honest chap and has the capacity to be a very successful competition horse. I love Arabians and have had them for years. Mine are kept 'plain' - loads of turnout, loads of fibre and careful long fittening excercise. I've had the benefit of many years of tuition by old fashioned nagsmen/women. I would be totally overhorsed now if A wasn't kept plainly and excercised properly. He enjoys his work, I enjoy riding and caring for him. We have loads of fun together, and I don't think he's "wasted" because he's not competing at higher levels.
Sorry for the rambling post - I think that a lack of knowledge and humility plus a quick fix, throw away, materialistic ego driven culture is the main cause of "overhorsed syndrome" rather than the size/breed of the animal in question.
 
I am 58 bought my first ever horse at 56 Took me a year of perusing the ads Found my dream. Had not ridden for 35yrs took some lessons to cstch up and got myself a beautiful dale X 14hh. She can be a bit cheeky but is a sound girl never bolts or rears and is good in every way. People say I am lucky no I,m not I had the patience to find the right one that suited me. I have arthritis my fingers are quite bad so only hack but enjoy every minute of it, most of all doing horsey things, yes I'm going through my second childhood. Hmmm can you still buy Jill and her ponies:D.
 
Dobermann Girl said:
I am 58 bought my first ever horse at 56 Took me a year of perusing the ads Found my dream. Had not ridden for 35yrs took some lessons to cstch up and got myself a beautiful dale X 14hh. She can be a bit cheeky but is a sound girl never bolts or rears and is good in every way. People say I am lucky no I,m not I had the patience to find the right one that suited me. I have arthritis my fingers are quite bad so only hack but enjoy every minute of it, most of all doing horsey things, yes I'm going through my second childhood. Hmmm can you still buy Jill and her ponies:D.
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Well done, on all counts :)
You probably can find the Jill books, but you certainly can still put cheese sandwiches in your pocket, buy ginger beer and have half melted chocolate bars, half way round a hack :D
 
JFTD said:
hehe I didn't notice anything else, just the clashy hi vis! He looks massive - or are you a hobbit? :o
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Chester is only 16.2...its the house thats little!
My introduction to horses was exercising hunters for rich folk from the age of about 12.
That meant riding out all winter . The result is Chester has been festering in the field for about 5 months now. Im just about ready to get the shoes back on him and get out and about again. Im evan worse than an overhorsed novice numpty. Im strictly only a nice weather rider too!
 
Evie91 said:
Mrs B - I do agree with your post but not with some of the replies! Perhaps this makes me super cranky! I don't agree that all happy hackers have to be of the Cob,native, hairy persuasion!


P.s plenty of ex racers on our yard who have been very sane and sensible.
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I was specifically looking for something quiet, safe and sane as my other half is novicey (although confident) and we wanted his kids to be able to have a pootle around on leadrein/lunge and eventually more as they grow. However I also wanted something young and am not into cob types so it needed some element of TB/WB. This was going to be difficult...

We've ended up with a 4 year old ex racer (well, she just turned 5 but was 4 when she arrived) and she is great for our needs. Totally laid back, can put on a burst of speed when you want and an allround sweet girl who we got from a friend who recommended her so we knew her background for the year between leaving racing and us buying her. I'd NEVER have looked at an ex racer for our situation but there you go; you can never tell! Most people would think we are mental and 'overhorsed' but she is working out amazingly for our family.
 
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