OK, what really is a 'First Horse'?

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TheoryX1

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The other day Mini TX and myself were out hacking and having a conversation about the love of my life, my little black 14.3 hh 17 year old coblet. I've had him for six years and he's really my horse of a lifetime. We were having a hypothetical conversation about selling him and I said he would be a perfect first horse. Mini TX looked down from the great height of her 15.2 hh horse and sneered 'God no mum, he is total t*t, I wouldnt sell him as a first horse'. Her reasoning is that he although he is bombproof, he is very 'looky' and has been known to spin around, plus he can be a handful on the ground and has a great line in barging out of the stable door and rolling into the arena behind the stable block. OK, he is great to ride - forward going but safe, he does not buck or rear, he is great to box, shoe, clip, catch etc, all the usual things, he is just quirky but snaffle mouthed except for hunting! Deep down I know he isnt a total novices horse and I know I maybe should not have bought him, as he can take the piss a bit with total beginner, but got me thinking, what is a 'First Horse', as believe it or not, he is my first horse (and yes, we have worked on loads and come out the other end smiling)!
 
Depends on what you've been doing before you get your first horse. Daisy was my first horse and she wa a right s*d when I got her but she was completely the right horse for me.

Years of working for rides at a riding school taught me to sit an evil buck and to ride with fiesty determination when an evil native was having a tantrum underneath you.

I bought Daisy from someone who'd had three or four hroses before her but found her too much to handle whereas for me she turned out perfect. A couple of months of battles and she became very sensible.
 
i always think 'first horse' ness come from their temperament and attitude. Schooling etc can be worked on by any semi-competant rider.

A first horse needs to be forgiving of mistakes and try to help the rider/handler, not take the P. Something that's willing and wants to please. And most importantly, doesn't rely on the handler for confidence.

It can be hard to get the right mix of independence and self-confidence without the bulshy stroppy headstrong-ness.

I have had various horses, some would be good first horses, others not.

One was a sensitive, headshy cob who was the PERFECT first horse. She was confident, gentle, kind and sensible and not a bulshy bone in her body. Yet she was also overly sensitive to raised voices etc and didn't much like her face being touched. But still perfect for any nervous novice.

I've had a totally chilled, laid back standardbred who had perfect manners, totally bombproof and easy to do in all way. But he's be a horrible first horse - he was dominate and constantly tried his luck until he was sure you were in charge and masked his lack of confidence with bulshy behaviour. He was perfect for me but frightened a good many nervous novices.

I have a 3yr old coloured cob who would be a perfect first horse, even now. Takes life in his stride. Quiet, confident and gentle and desperate to please. Not at all bulshy. He'll be suitable for any rider once he's broken.

I also have a 7yr old welsh cobx. Gentle, affectionate and eager to please. But is anxious, stressy and has seperation and trust issues. Suitable for a novice rider to have a shot on (due to much schooling and training!) but definitely not suitable for a 'first horse'.

I've done a fair bit of horse-shopping for nervous or novice friends and i always look for self-confident but unbulshy horses for them.
 
Kallibear said:
i always think 'first horse' ness come from their temperament and attitude. Schooling etc can be worked on by any semi-competant rider.

A first horse needs to be forgiving of mistakes and try to help the rider/handler, not take the P. Something that's willing and wants to please. And most importantly, doesn't rely on the handler for confidence.
Click to expand...

Totally agree with this.
 
To me a first horse is obliging, willing and honest. Doesn't muck about and take the p. (If you find one of these then please let me know ;))

From your posts I'd say your daughters horse sounds like an ideal first horse, she sounds very geniune, she had some experience before you bought her and just sounds like a fab little horsey! :)
 
A first horse to me are ones that are just as easy on the ground as they are to ride, if they are truly your first horse you need a horse that will forgive mistakes.
 
I don't know what a 1st horse should be, but what they should not be is:

- Slightly bonkers with no brakes to speak of.
- Have 4 gears: Jog, Sideways canter, Gallop and Reverse
- A very strong character (top/dominnte mare in the herd).
- A complete lack of respect for children.
- Be completly responsive to the slightest change of weight or leg aid
- Be that blxxdy intelligent
- Terrified of sheds.
- Convinced that cows were born to be chased (herded).

Guess what my first 'horse' was? ;)

Well technically she was my mum's mare who I decided I wanted to learn to ride...
 
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