is there anything that indicates to you, if someone can ride?

Wow I'ved managed to start a thread with lots of replies with no argueing! :)

Thinking of what me and horse went out looking like today - I think we would be judged badly, looked like a right pair of scrubbers!! Me in a hoody, jeans and hunters - horse fairly filthly!! A also fashioned his bridle with a lose bailer bind "brow band" because he had stitches in his head and I didn't want his regular one to rub.. but they are out now and I've not quite got round to changing it. Maybe we should smarten up!!

Kerelli - I ALWAYS ride in jeans!! Well unless I'm going hunting/to a comp. What does it do to your saddle? Mine is about 30 yrs old and a hand me down from my dad! Hopefully my jeans will break it eventually so I can buy a new one!! ;)

Oh and whoever said about new boots, totally agree!! My old ones fell to bits, so I got some new ones, I hate new boots anyway because they are sooooo uncomfortable, I joined a new hunt this season (quite a posh one with big jumping country), I wanted to make a good impression and wished I had my old boots!! So stupid I know!!
 
Daisydo said:
I agree, I like to amble along on a hack, it is time to relax and ejoy life, the school is where I do my 'work'
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Suppose it depends a lot of what you do, and what you get out of riding. I'm not really into hacking for the sake of it and being mainly a hunting person, it's normally for fittening work, so ambling seems a bit pointless to me.

I do think though that you can relax, and have your horse walking on at the same time. :)
 
brighteyes said:
Yes. They don't go on about it.
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*clap clap clap* - Needs "like" button.

*Dives back under parapet along with Hi Viz jacket, "Polite" Tabard, Woof Hi Viz Brushing boots, Hi Viz Exercise sheet and Westropp knee/brushing boots*

NB I am a crap rider. So there!












lol
 
jnb said:
*clap clap clap* - Needs "like" button.

*Dives back under parapet along with Hi Viz jacket, "Polite" Tabard, Woof Hi Viz Brushing boots, Hi Viz Exercise sheet and Westropp knee/brushing boots*

NB I am a crap rider. So there!

lol
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Do I got on about it??? Sorry if do!
 
No - I just meant SOME people who are obviously brilliant riders spend lots of time going on about it, posting pics and generally looking like Anky/WFP/etc etc and complaining that their right eyebrow is STILL not in line with their left, and can they have some CC on it? (Not necessarily on this Forum!)
I am being tongue in cheek! :D
*hides again*
 
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jnb said:
No - I just meant SOME people who are obviously brilliant riders spend lots of time going on about it, posting pics and generally looking like Anky/WFP/etc etc and complaining that their right eyebrow is STILL not in line with their left, and can they have some CC on it?
I am being tongue in cheek! :D
*hides again*
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That certainly wouldn't be me then!! I'm more of a "if I can stay on and my horse is willing to do stuff I'm happy" kind of girl! Do admire people who strive for perfection though but it's all too much effort for me!
 
DragonSlayer said:
We mosey along at a snails pace often, because we want to. I like going along at a snails pace when the mood takes me, horses neck stretched long and low.....I also often let her have a sniff about.....

Depends what mood I'm in. Sure, hacking to get and keep fit is one thing, out for an afternoons amble is as good for the horse as it is for me if I were out with the dogs.....

Why does everything have to be done at full speed all the time?
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QR- not read all replies.
Agree with DragonSlayer. It is about being able to control the pace rather than what pace it is.

Also indication of a good rider for me is their seat, can you imagine them staying without the stirrups etc? Are they balanced? Are they hanging off the horse's mouth? etc.

FDC
 
Tharg said:
When I see people out hacking with no hi-viz I think 'Desperate for a Darwn award'

I mooch if the mood takes me.
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Me too, to both. I dread to think what Fany and I look like when go mooching a long nosing over the hedges and generally enjoying each other's company.

Nothing to do with my ability to ride. I could ride very well many years ago, now too injured to ride often, so when I do ride it is for a relaxing and bonding time with Fany. No idea to impressing others.
FDC
 
Starbucks said:
normally with ridiculous amounts of Hi Viz and boots?
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To me there isn't a ridiculous amount of hi viz a horse or rider can wear. Regardless of whether a rider makes their horse walk on or not.

I remember PMSL watching a clip of someone on a Friesian horse who was obviously very well schooled. And the rider had to look down to work out with leg it was lifting when it was doing Spanish Walk... I'm not a fantastic rider but can figure out where each leg of my horse is at any one time. Particularly when with Spanish Walk the horse pitches over to one side or the other, or at least this one did in the clip. So that indicated to me someone who couldn't ride, along with the gripping with their legs and a very tight hold on the horses mouth.

The very best riders look like they are doing nothing whilst their horses go beautifully. I am in awe of them!
 
Oooooh rubber boots, 20 odd years ago I used to have a pair Aigle (I think that's what they were called) they were really comfy and warm and great for hunting as they stuck like glue to your saddle, was unable to afford leather boots. I feel a bell of shame coming up also I used to ride out in a pair of shorts when it was hot (wouldn't dare embarrass my horse by wearing that out now) teenager and mature adult spring to mind! I don't think that made me a crap rider? Now it is smart clothes, and a hi-viz fleece - God how things have changed :rolleyes:
 
I don't ever wear hi viz, butt then i never hack on the road as we have lovely off road hacking at my yard, I always wear joggers to ride only jods I own are white and for shows, neither of my horses are cobs, i often just stroll along when hacking, and I am one of only a handful of people who can actually 'ride' at my yard, by that i mean work our horses in the correct way or compete with good results on a regular basis.
 
Slow hacks are sometimes on the menu if Kel has her stubborn head on - and I often enjoy a slow stroll around the farmland! :) she's very slowly recovering from lami due to cushings so at the moment that's often all she can do!
However, have to agree with the skull cap without silks - it probably isn't always true but it just reminds me of the riding school hats!
Often people who ride in trainers give me that impression. Or people plodding along holding the buckle of the reins. I'm probably wrong!
K x
 
DragonSlayer said:
We mosey along at a snails pace often, because we want to. I like going along at a snails pace when the mood takes me, horses neck stretched long and low.....I also often let her have a sniff about.....

Depends what mood I'm in. Sure, hacking to get and keep fit is one thing, out for an afternoons amble is as good for the horse as it is for me if I were out with the dogs.....

Why does everything have to be done at full speed all the time?
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I second that. I wear hi-viz and will often amble along as I like to chill after a hard week at work, nothing wrong with that, I do not care what people think but I think people should not be so flaming judgmental
 
BSJAlove said:
i love your threads. if i see someone in trackies riding i finer bred horse i automaticly think your a speed freak show off chavy person who rides their horses with all the latest tack. however if i see someone in trackies riding a cob, i automaticly think chavvy person with no riding ability what so ever - however please dont be offended, as i have ridden in trackies quite alot so i have no idea why i think it. it just springs to mind. (or people going to the yard in ugg boots - why!)
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Oh No!! I rode briefly today in tracky bottoms as could not be bothered to put johds on.... but not a cob, a rather fine appaloosa. Never normally ride in those silly trousers...
seriously tho, i agree about folk who literally walk slower on the horse than a person can, not exactly doing much for fitness. however, as always, I'll say 'each to their own'. I see plenty of so called experts riding very badly, it has to be said, and also see 'experts' beat up their horse. Nuff said.
 
I agree with what someone else said several posts ago - about someone showing up to have a lesson/view a horse wearing spanking new gear, already wearing their hat and grasping an unused crop with sharp new gloves. We all love new gear, but how many people do you know who use it brand new all at once? Obviously a brand new rider, and usually they aren't very good!!

Oh and as for chavvy riding gear I think I can add my daughters to the list with their full length chaps worn over shorts - only the chaps didn't quite meet where the shorts ended and there were a few inches of flesh showing. Thankfully they were quite a bit younger and I don't think chavs had been invented in those days ..... :)
 
We mosey along at a snails pace often, because we want to. I like going along at a snails pace when the mood takes me, horses neck stretched long and low.....I also often let her have a sniff about.....

Depends what mood I'm in. Sure, hacking to get and keep fit is one thing, out for an afternoons amble is as good for the horse as it is for me if I were out with the dogs.....

Why does everything have to be done at full speed all the time?

Quote:
Originally Posted by DragonSlayer
That's the problem with the world today, everyone is in such a rush, we should take a minute to slow down, and view whats around us.....even in the supermarket!

And me ride? hell no! I have no clue! I just bought 5 horses one after the other coz I thought they was cute!

I feed them pizza and chips, and I make all my tack from baler twine.

The Fuzzy Furry said:
I thought you were me till I got to the 5 horses bit, cos I've had a few more over the years (last count up was too many)- and mine all smoked whilst supping guinness :D
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I thought you both were me too! But unlike you guys I've only had two horses! Incidentally, both hacked out happily on a long rein, enjoying the occasional sniff at things. Clearly I can't ride for toffee either. Sure my horse can work in an outline in the school but I don't see the need for it out hacking. To go back to the original question, to me the sign of someone who can't ride is keeping a hard contact on their horse's mouth at all times and never letting the poor thing stretch down - see it all the time! And the sign of someone who can ride is keeping a leg on either side of their beast at all times and having a laugh when it does a massive spook or bronc while holding their reins at the buckle!
 
Can I start the argument now?!! I always associate skull caps without silks with jockeys exercising racehorses (and therefore very competent and confident riders) and thought using a silk was a bit girly, but maybe i'm out of date!
 
LeneHorse said:
I thought you both were me too! But unlike you guys I've only had two horses! Incidentally, both hacked out happily on a long rein, enjoying the occasional sniff at things. Clearly I can't ride for toffee either. Sure my horse can work in an outline in the school but I don't see the need for it out hacking. To go back to the original question, to me the sign of someone who can't ride is keeping a hard contact on their horse's mouth at all times and never letting the poor thing stretch down - see it all the time! And the sign of someone who can ride is keeping a leg on either side of their beast at all times and having a laugh when it does a massive spook or bronc while holding their reins at the buckle!
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Can I just point out that my origional point of a horse walking on out on a hack does not mean that it has to be in an outline! I don't have my horse in an outline hacking and let him mouch along on the buckle end half the time, but he does his at a reaonable horse walking spead, not slower than human walking spead, as I often see.
 
In my opinion, a good rider is someone who never goes on about their riding ability :) also, whenever I see someone riding really quietly, with quiet hands and when I can't see their leg aids, I always think wow, I wish I could do that! :D
spoken by an incredibly average rider by the way!
 
attheponies said:
Can I start the argument now?!! I always associate skull caps without silks with jockeys exercising racehorses (and therefore very competent and confident riders) and thought using a silk was a bit girly, but maybe i'm out of date!
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Don't they normally have a silk on?? They do when they get to the races. :p

So men should be aware - skull cap + silk = big girls blouse. ;)
 
I must look like I haven't a clue according to most of this:
- hi-viz galore (had enough people drive into me in cars, my horses are too precious to risk on main roads without);
- whatever leg wear was clean that morning (skinny jeans/trackies/work trousers if evenings);
- on the bit (I have no school, so hacking=schooling as much as anywhere, and a couple of them aren't all that trustworthy so prefer them to be paying attention etc!)
- occasionally (if hacking baby scaredy pants alone) look worried at intervals, as horse attempts to throw itself in road due to shadows/funny noises, and I have to intervene to keep us in one piece!
- amble sometimes, if taking out something I can trust to do so it's rather fun actually!

I have been riding for 27 years, honest!
 
I'm not shallow enough to judge people by what they're wearing - my instructor is a very good rider but she wore trackies to hack out with me this morning. I judge a rider by their riding - hands carried level with the horses neck and out to the side tells me they don't really know what they're doing, even if they think they look good.
 
Starbucks said:
Can I just point out that my origional point of a horse walking on out on a hack does not mean that it has to be in an outline! I don't have my horse in an outline hacking and let him mouch along on the buckle end half the time, but he does his at a reaonable horse walking spead, not slower than human walking spead, as I often see.
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?? I wasn't getting at you - sorry?? But there are loads of people round our way that seem to think their horse should be in an outline at all times. Thats what I was getting at.
And I'm afraid my horse naturally walks quite slowly so I'm still a bad (or lazy) rider anyway. It takes all kinds.
 
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