Not a Novice Ride- What would you class as novice??

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sparky78

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Hi there

I have been looking at horses for sale daily for a few months now, especially on Horsemart as I have been trying to get an idea of prices and what is out there for when I am ready to get my second horse. I have been out of the saddle for a few years hence I have started having lessons again etc.
But it amazes me how many horses out there have ads with "No novices or timewasters" or "Not a novice ride" or not suitable for novices.
So my question is what would you class as a novice?
 
Maybe someone who has no experience of, or cannot cope when something a bit out of the ordinary happens. I.e. spooking, shying, horse not doing what it's told... Very tricky to define but I think thats what the sellers are thinking when they write that.
 
I would say someone that can ride ok, but just doesnt have the hours in the saddle/experience. Also may have a limited riding experience (like in terms of different horses)
 
Writing 'not a novice ride' in an advert basically covers the seller to a certain degree. It might need a strong, confident rider as it naps, it might buck like stink, the term could cover a multitude of sins.

On the positive side, it may just be rather forward going which may unnerve a novice rider.
 
If you think thats hard to work out, try this one - 'intermediate teenager'.
I had a girl email me the other day asking if a horse I have for sale would be suitable for one.
I refrained from replying, 'can you ride or not?'
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Well someone told me that, bizarre as this may seem, some people go to view horses to buy that have never learned to ride at all AND a riding instructor i knew said she had given lessons to people ON THEIR OWN HORSES whohadn't even mastered rising trot!
 
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Well someone told me that, bizarre as this may seem, some people go to view horses to buy that have never learned to ride at all AND a riding instructor i knew said she had given lessons to people ON THEIR OWN HORSES whohadn't even mastered rising trot!

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Well me and my dad bought a horse when my dad wasnt able to canter. This was because he is 6ft 3 and the only horse he could ride chucked him off badly and he lost his confidence. Without pickle he wuld have probably never ridden again! Allthough I am exerienced which does change things slightly
 
I consider a novice to be someone who cant cope with some of the quirky things horses can do, eg. bucking, jogging, strong horses etc.
A not novice ride is a horse that can be a challenge at times for some reason or another.

I think you should find out why the horse is considered to be 'not a novice ride' before you dismiss it though, it could be something that you would never have to deal with, such as if the animal was advertised as not novice ride because it got fizzy when jumping, if your never planning to jump then it would be fine wouldnt it!
 
I class myself as a novice - I learnt to ride at a riding school when I was little, gave up for 10 years and took it up 2 years ago, and have been owning/loaning for the past year and a half (3 different horses).

I would agree that it's not being able to cope with the unexpected, and also not having the knowledge and experience to teach the horse much yourself, and iron out any little problems.

I also think, to a certain extent, it's a state of mind - some people are perfectly good riders but underestimate their own ability (not me though, I'm just rubbish!).
 
A push button pony, you kick, it goes faster, you pull, it stops. Dosent need any extra effort to get it going nice and wont take the pee.

Saying this though, A friedn is selling her horse, but has a bad wrist so I have been riding it for her when people come to view him. I find him perfect, couldnt put a foot wrong, but a lady got on him the other day and couldnt stop. See I would of had him down as for a novice, but obv not. So you have to be careful.
 
I think the term can be very tricky.

I recently sold a horse that was advertised as such. Its not because she was unsafe or silly, but she was quite forward going and needed a capable rider. You wouldn't believe the amount of people i had that came to ride my mare that were quite clearly novices and totally unsuitable. (This includes the boy that rode my poor mare into the fence
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)

I would talk to the owners as much as possible before you head out. Why is it 'not a novice ride'.... some things you might feel you can deal with, others not.

A novice can be a multitude of things....anything from a complete beginner to somone who has been riding a while but hasn't had much experience with different horses or in a particular field (like jumping).

Its a tricky one...maybe if you really like the sound of something have your instructor come out with you to ride it first, they should have a better idea of what you can cope with.

Good luck!!
 
I would call my self very able compaired to most, but can't be arsed to look at horses advertised as "not novice ride" as will prob be more hassle that it's worth (depending on how much they want for it obviously) for £500 i will go look at anything, haha.
 
I think the term can vary a great deal. Some sellers used it to describe a horse which is a nutter whilst some will use it for a relatively safe horse who has a few quirks. If I was to sell my daughter's pony I would probably advertise her as 'not a totally novice ride' - she doesn't rear or bolt or do anything too awful, but she is very quick to sum up the competence and confidence of the rider and take a mile for every inch that is given! Yet she is capable of appearing the perfect Pony Club pony if the rider has a certain degree of skill and confidence!
 
Thanks for that it is interesting to hear it from the sellers point of view too. It is a hard one as I find anything with the term "not a novice ride" puts me off but at the same time I am quite capable of sitting on something that pulls or is a little silly but I have had limited time in the saddle recently so would class myself as novice again.
Anyway thanks for the advice and I think if I see something I like I will ring and find out anyway but I think some people are novices themselves, can't ride the horse so sell it as "not a novice ride" It's a hard one!
Cheers
 
I dont class many horses as novice rides at all! I usually always put "no novices" in my horse sale ads, even if the horse is totally sensible. Simply because Ive had such idiots try my horses in the past, people who are basically beginners!! So I hope this puts them off a bit.
 
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I think some people are novices themselves, can't ride the horse so sell it as "not a novice ride"

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Definitely... bought it, can't cope and want to sell it on but know a novice won't survive the test ride...

OR

it's seriously good horse and a novice would wreck it. I forgot to put that on my last pony when I sold him and ended up asking several teenagers to get off. This is the problem with being an adult riding ponies... the point and kick brigade think this is the only way to ride...

good luck

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