is it the horse or the rider which makes things work...?

O

oliviacharley

Well-Known Member
Joined
18 September 2006
Messages
1,250
Location
the moon!!
Visit site
Just a question to see what people think....
Do you think your horse makes you a good rider, or have you made your horse great because you are a good rider...?
Or is it a partnership...?

I believe I have managed to bring out more confidence with my horse because of my past experiences. He has also helped me build my own confidence with horse - as I was only used to ponies so I believe it is more of a partnership....
 
I dont belive a person can make a horse how it is, its a mixture of both. If the rider is amazing but the horse and rider dont click together you wont get anywhere, so on that basis it must be a partnership.
laugh.gif
x
 
I believe a large amount does depend on the horse, but it's down to the partnership I would say.

George is a difficult horse to ride and, at the age of 17, I believe he's reached his level really with a bit of schooling/small jumps (used to big jumps but was badly treated), hacking, hunting and some local shows and dressage. I don't find him easy to ride by any means, but every instructor I use/have used, says how well I ride him and how well he goes with me. Compare this then to how he goes for my husband and it's like a different horse. My husband is an experienced horseman, but George just does not listen to him and there's no bond there, like there is with me. So while he's not a superstar achieving horse, the way he goes depends on the partnership.

On the other hand, I've ridden horses and looked like a much better rider than I do on George, and I've ridden horses and looked like a sack of spuds. I believe you honestly have to click as a partnership and both parties have to have some good aspects to teach each other.
 
Horse, mostly IMHO. A numpty on a grade A showjumper will beat a super-talented jockey on a riding school cast off every time. Obviously a decent rider helps but I reckon its mostly horses and the cash to buy goods ones that the main factor in how successful a rider is. Wasn't a top showjumper quoted as saying something along the lines of, the only thing dividing the top riders in the world is horse-power? Competing horses may be fun but one thing it is not, is a fair, equal test of riders. Real riding competitions ought really to be done on the same horse, IMHO.
 
Partnership, definitely. You can have a fantastic rider on a good horse, but if there is no bond (as Carrie1983 said) they will never achieve as much. Horse and rider have to work together, and want to work for each other and there must always be mutual respect.
 
I'd say it's a 50/50 split.

A great horse can remain a great horse with a great rider. A great horse can easily be ruined by a useless rider.

A useless horse can be taught and trained by a great rider to find it's niche in life and although may never end up being great in every discipline, it won't then be useless in everything.

A useless horse with a useless rider will simply always appear to be useless.
 
a bit like me and my horse really..
Everyone who has ever sat on him, including some really good trainers have said he will take forever/if possible to get him into a good riding horse.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top