Minimum Standard of Riding Needed for Own Horse?

but you sound sensible - have researched into horse management etc and know when and where to get advice. the majority don't - they know everything - and that's what's scary. the day any individual stops learning is the day they should give up (and preferably die!!!)
 
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I think people these days have got so much more confident and see themselves as a capable rider and it's not until you get an opinionated bu**er of a horse that you realise that you know nothing and should of stayed at that riding school.

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Well, I've certainly ridden my share of opinionated horses at riding schools!
I actually don't think it comes down to riding ability - more attitude. As long as people know their limitations and know when to ask for help I don't see why anyone shouldn't be allowed to own a horse.
As for reaching the required standard of riding I'm a little confused as to how to achieve that as according to some on here I will never really learn to ride at a riding school as they are all terrible and consist solely of 'riding school plods' and 'push button horses' yet I am not good enough to own my own horse and learn that way.....
 
Anybody reading this threads is going to be scared to buy their own horse now! We all had to start somewhere, and I am sure that most, if not all, of us thought we were pretty competent at the time. Aged 9 I thought I could win the Olympics on my Fell pony...! If only I knew then what I know now in terms of horsemanship, riding etc. Not everyone is a perfect rider but most caring owners seek to improve with lessons etc on their own horses.
 
I waited to buy my own until I had "outgrown" (ability-wise) school horses. If I had bought any earlier, I would have either over-horsed myself, or grown out of the horse very quickly.

I choose well and Charlie and I have "grown up" together.
 
Aran, Yes unfortunately you're right.A little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing.
I'd like to think that private seller's who genuinely cared about where their horses went would screen/ vet prospective purchasers but lots (including lots of dealers) might not be so scrupulous. I know I was thoroughly vetted for Min. It was done very casually, over a glass of wine after I'd tried him but it was important to his previous owners that he went to a loving, life-long home, where he would be well cared for. I also had to tack him up/ untack him, put his rug on, etc under very watchful eyes. I don't believe my riding skills were the selling point!!!!
 
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I think people these days have got so much more confident and see themselves as a capable rider and it's not until you get an opinionated bu**er of a horse that you realise that you know nothing and should of stayed at that riding school.

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Well, I've certainly ridden my share of opinionated horses at riding schools!
I actually don't think it comes down to riding ability - more attitude. As long as people know their limitations and know when to ask for help I don't see why anyone shouldn't be allowed to own a horse.
As for reaching the required standard of riding I'm a little confused as to how to achieve that as according to some on here I will never really learn to ride at a riding school as they are all terrible and consist solely of 'riding school plods' and 'push button horses' yet I am not good enough to own my own horse and learn that way.....

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well said Sunflower!
 
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Don't know about minimum standard of riding because riding a school horse doesn't always prepare you for riding your own, that's just something that comes with practice.

A minimum standard of horse care knowledge might be useful though.

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True, but the school horses I rode were working liveries and the 1 I rode was so batty that his owner barely dared to get on him! I competed (and won) at XC on him.

Level of horse knowledge required depends on whether the horse is on full livery or not.
 
As long as they know how to care for the animal I cannot see what the problem is, as long as the horse is appropriate.

I bought my first horse (first and only) after just 6 months of lessons and it has done neither of us any harm. I bought him as a plod and he is anything but due to getting over excitable on haylage (even horsehage blue) and unable to eat hay!
He has taught me more than I would learn at any riding school and now I am freasonably competant at caring for my horse and having lessons to improve my riding but happily hack and pop jumps without hanging off his mouth.

Even someone with little experience in caring for them can succeed with support.
 
i got a share in a horse when i was 12 could walk trot and just about canter could muck out and bed down and that was it 9 yrs on i have bought the horse work in a livery yard/riding school and compete at affiliated level dressage. for me this was perfect as my auntie had a livery yard and is a riding instructor so i rode every day with my own teacher but not such a good idea for every one else unless they have the same sort of help
 
The majority of my liveries are beginners. I have a couple of intermediate riders but they are definitely in the minority here.

My beginner riders do just fine. They always ask for help when they need it and I am happy to give them a hand. I have 3 who are backing their horses themselves (with help and advice from me) and they are doing great. Every time they come up the ownera and the young horses progress so much and I am really really proud of them all.

I don't think anyone should need to be able to ride to buy a horse; they should have a level of common sense and they should board at a yard where they have help. I was always in two minds about beginners buying youngsters, however any reservations I may have previously had, have been dispelled now. My lot are doing just fine.
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I suppose Hubby and I fall into the category of not riding for long but buying our own horse. But like Tia above our yard owner is lovely and extremely happy to help out with all our questions - even the dumb ones. Sid is on full livery as there is no way I would compromise his health and safety whilst we learn the ropes. If i couldn't afford for that I'm not sure we would have bought him.
Sid is no riding school plod and having him has been an utter education but one I wouldn't change for the world. Neither hubby nor I (particularly me) will ever set the world on fire with our riding ability but having lessons every week and asking peoples advice has meant I think we're doing ok as owners.
 
I don't think that being a novice is a problem - after all until we get our first horse we are all novices in a sense - and not all novices think they know it all. Unfortunately this woman sounds as if she is not among those. I feel sorry for whatever poor horse has her as prospective owner as she sounds a bit pigheaded, it's a problem of attitude, not lack of knowledge.
 
jacksprat - I think you've summed it up perfectly actually in saying 'a problem of attitude, not lack of knowledge.'

I have read these replies with interest & have been quite surprised by some of them too, people I thought would have a certain opinion taking quite a different view, which always makes it interesting!

We are however, it would seem, all agreed that the often shocking lack of knowledge on how to take care of a horse or pony, even basic everyday tasks, is a problem however, especially if people are not willing to ask for help!
 
I think that it's true that there should certainly be a minimum amount of stable management knowledge needed. With riding, I think what is more important is a realistic view of one's own riding ability, and also an appreciation that it can be a good idea to continue having lessons.

I don't want it to seem that I am really against novices owning horses - I am not. But it seems to me that the kind of people who would post here are interested in learning more, and the people who worry me are the ones who think that they know it all after just a little bit of experience.

And a decent livery yard to keep your horse at is a big help. I will definitely be looking for one where there will be someone to help me out when I get my own horse
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Isabelle
 
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