One-man/woman horses hard to sell?

[trundle]

I've seen a lot of posts recently where people have remarked that they didn't like other people riding their horses, or trust anyone else to care for them properly, and along with this, remarks on how these horses simply don't go well for anyone else. So, my question is this. If you have a very "one-man" horse, that isn't ridden by anyone else and who goes badly when someone else rides him, does it make him a hard proposition to sell?

If your horse only goes well for you, and you don't like anyone else riding him, what happens when you come to sell him, and I come to try him out? He'll obviously dislike having me on his back.

 

[ihatework]

very true.
I have a friend who breeds horses and backs them herself etc.
she actively encourages other people riding them for this very reason (obviously not any old person, just trusted capable riders)
I personally can't understand people that are ultra precious about never letting anyone ride their horse, I think in moderation and with the right rider it is good for the horse.

 

[dieseldog]

But can you ever actually imagine any of these people selling their horses?

 

[comicduo]

There may come a time when they will have to, I have been to look at a few "babies" because people can't afford to have them or they want them to go further. You get some people that will show you something that they have bred and backed themselves that is the most wonderful horse in the history of the world and when anyone else gets on it is a spolit monster.

 

[Parkranger]

I don't know if I'll ever be able to sell Ty - he has trust issues and it's taken him a while to accept my YO and my friend also rides him quite a bit.

I've gone back to the drawing board with schooling so hopefully this will make him a more 'well rounded' horse.....I like other people to ride but unfortunately he's known to rear with other people and I just can't take that risk!

Really need to get a sharer by end of summer so hoping to nip it in the bud really. Definately improving though.

x

 

[Tierra]

Mine is very much "my horse". He was passed about quite a bit before i got him and the last owner did nothing but lunge him for about 10 months because she was terrified of him.

My trainer kept riding him a little for me and she noticed a gradual change to the point that he started getting extremely arsey with her when she rode.

I have no doubt it would be an issue if i sold him, but he'll be with me for life as he's giving me an amazing opportunity to learn from him.

I dont believe i ride him better than anyone else might i add. I think he's just used to HOW i ride him and we know each other well

 

[jumpthemoon]

I think if the horse is schooled correctly and responds to the aids in the correct way there shouldn't be a problem - it is when one person rides the horse all the time and they are riding the horse in their own 'style' that difficulties arise...

 

[Tierra]

Hmm not sure on that. Ive had a a number of years of lessons with the same trainer and indeed her trainer. Even assuming i dont ride "correctly", I do ride very much as she does (both classically trained primarily with the same person). Yet he makes it absolutly clear that hes not keen on her riding him and im sure its just because he has a temper and feels he should be allowed to choose who gets on (or gets ejected back off

)

 

[jumpthemoon]

I'm sure some horses are different, as they are live creatures and all have different personalities. If we disregard their personality though, as I think that is a separate issue, generally speaking if they are taught properly anyone should be able to ride them. I've had quite a few horses and usually I'm the only person to ride them. (my instructor has a sit on sometimes) They have all had other people on them when they've been sold or as a one off and have been fine.

If you bring personality into it though, some horses do prefer to have a more 1 on 1 relationship and maybe they should be introduced to other riders occasionally if you might want to sell them one day. At the end of the day though, if you buy a new horse, it takes a while for you to get to know each other anyway. Thats my opinion.....

 

[MagicMelon]

Agree with jumpthemoon, for some its more the relationship you have with the horse. For example, I am the only person who rides my horses. Im not saying that nobody else could ride them better (wouldnt be hard!) but with one of my horses, I know he'd go ok for someone else but he wouldn't be his "true self" with someone else. Its taken ages for me and him to get a relationship going as he is a difficult horse. I know that if I sold him, he'd behave for say 5 days and then I think he'd start giving them hell! Because thats the sort of horse he is, he tests everyones limits!

Otherwise I just think some people gel with their horse better, by way of simply suiting each other. You learn what your horse likes and doesnt like, which doesnt make them a 1 person horse but I guess thats why some people might think they are.

 

[Parkranger]

Just wanted to add that I'd never want to end up with a horse that only I can ride.

Ty has had major issues with other people in the past but schooling will get him through it - it will make him more confident in himself and therefore accept people more.

Saying that my novice boyfriend can get on him and he is like a lamb with him - typical.

 

[harrihjc]

I think some horses take a while to build up a bond with new owners, and for you to really understand eachother. My horse isn't naughty at all, but it takes a lot to get the best out of him and it's really taken us months to build up a partnership, but now we have he's very much a 'mummy's boy'. I think it depends how much effort people are prepared to put in

 

[Parkranger]

[ QUOTE ]
I think some horses take a while to build up a bond with new owners, and for you to really understand eachother. My horse isn't naughty at all, but it takes a lot to get the best out of him and it's really taken us months to build up a partnership, but now we have he's very much a 'mummy's boy'. I think it depends how much effort people are prepared to put in

[/ QUOTE ]

Couldn't agree more but a horse should have foundation manners so that anyone can get on them (within reason

)

I didn't properly click with Ty until we moved to our new yard....that was in March - I'd had him 9 months by then.

x

 

[not_with_it]

[ QUOTE ]
I think if the horse is schooled correctly and responds to the aids in the correct way there shouldn't be a problem - it is when one person rides the horse all the time and they are riding the horse in their own 'style' that difficulties arise...

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree with this. Only me rides my horse, why would I want anyone else to ride her? I have put a lot of work into Gin and I know from past experience that it only takes 5 mins to undo my work. I also dont trust her 100% not to do anything stupid. I dont care if she injures me but would feel extremly guilty if she injured someone else. My intructor occasionally gets on and has no problems. She actually comments on how nice she is to ride.