Over-horsed or under-ridden?

[Celtic Fringe]

Slightly mischievous lockdown musing
Are there more people who are over-horsed than horses who are under-ridered (if that is even a word)?

I know my horse is capable of much, much more than I can ask of him - this is blatantly obvious every time I watch his trainer ride! However, I enjoy some gentle hacking with him and don't feel over-horsed.
Is this more typical than where people are over-horsed but sometimes don't recognise their own limitations? Just musing as there seem to be many posts where people claim they have been 'mis-sold' a horse they cannot cope with.
Hopefully the majority of us are quite happy just enjoying our horses at whatever level they and us can manage?

 

[Bonnie Allie]

Yep - I proudly am in this situation. I have my husbands super duper talented show jumper. Amazing horse, beautifully educated and just a stunning ride regardless of what you want to do.

I do lots of low level riding club stuff with her, no stress for her or myself. She loves hacking out and gets along with her ears pricked interested in everything around her.

I know folk behind my back and occasionally to my face declare the horse is wasted with me. Don’t care. Love her to bits and I think she is happier with me as there is no pressure put on her.

I know my limitations and whilst experienced, I’m not a talented rider but I’m ok with that. I couldn’t take on anything a bit quirky or tricky as I know my limitations.

 

[Caol Ila]

Depends on whether or not you think there is a forum out there where horses are writing stuff like:

"I see myself as a future grand prix dressage horse, but I was bought by this person who can barely sit the trot, and all she wants to do is go hacking and show some Novice dressage. Now that really is beneath me. My neighbor thinks I should suck it, because she pays my livery bills, buys me lots of new clothes, brushes me endlessly, and stuffs my face with haylage and sweet mixes. He says I should think of the starving horses worked to death in Africa. But I just feel I could do so much more! I didn't ask for this rider. Should I listen to my stablemate and continue to be pleasant and cooperative, or should I start bucking and bolting and hope she gets scared and sells me to a better rider? Would that be a dick move?"

-TheNextValegro.

 

[awelshandawarmblood]

Depends on whether or not you think there is a forum out there where horses are writing stuff like:

"I see myself as a future grand prix dressage horse, but I was bought by this person who can barely sit the trot, and all she wants to do is go hacking and show some Novice dressage. Now that really is beneath me. My neighbor thinks I should suck it, because she pays my livery bills, buys me lots of new clothes, brushes me endlessly, and stuffs my face with haylage and sweet mixes. He says I should think of the starving horses worked to death in Africa. But I just feel I could do so much more! I didn't ask for this rider. Should I listen to my stablemate and continue to be pleasant and cooperative, or should I start bucking and bolting and hope she gets scared and sells me to a better rider? Would that be a dick move?"

-TheNextValegro.

Haha! Spot on!

Horses are happy as long as they're care for & fed with turnout etc etc. They don't have aspirations of getting to the next Olympics.

My youngster is being started this year & people keep asking me what I'll do with him as he's bred to jump etc, my answer is whatever we're both happy with & if thats hacking & low level RC, thats fine by me.

 

[Lots of Gift Bags]

Being "over-horsed" to me isnt having a horse that's capable of doing more than you want to do, it's having a horse that you can't handle because your riding and horsemanship level is not at the same stage as the horse requires. Usually this is because they're a flighty and spooky competition horse, bred and trained to be ridden at a different level. Some competition horses are quite happy simply going on gentle hacks but a lot of them need more exercise and more training to engage their brains (and less feed!).

It's the same with dogs, I've just taken on a 1yo border collie who's already had a couple of homes where they were "over-dogged"! He's a high energy intelligent dog, he needs a home where he's trained and given his boundaries and discipline as well as affection and love. Already I see improvements in his behaviour because his brsin is being worked.

 

[Kaylum]

My first horse, 40 years ago, was an idiot and schooling with lots of riding out to see things made him worst to begin with. Even on the ground he had never been tied up so had to be tied loose.

I had many accidents but stuck with him. I mis-bought but was so excited to have a horse I didnt seem to care.
Working him everyday helped him and my confidence. We also said if you could ride him you could ride anything. He used to rear if he was away from others, I took him to a show once and he reared and carried on so much, I had to take him home, he would not load. I managed to tag along with some girls who were riding my way, he was ok until they left and then he reared and threw me off. He ran back to the show along the road.

He had to be worked everyday and his jumping was really coming along and went onto be a brilliant showjumper.

That horse taught me so much.

 

[Muddywellies]

If someone is over horsed it means they don't have full control some of the time due to lack of experience or confidence. Can be very dangerous, and often comes about because someone obtains a horse who is unconsciously incompetent, believing they are more able than what they actually are.

 

[teddypops]

I also think that over horsed is when someone has a horse that is outwith their capabilities as a rider rather than not doing as much as the horse is capable of. I do see this sometimes, and I think it’s because some people think they are better than they are and/or they have plenty of money and buy a flash horse to show off.

 

[Lipglosspukka]

Agree with others that your description of being overhorsed is not how I interpret it.

However in answer to your question. Yup. My horse has worked at a much higher level with a previous owner. A level I have absolutely no inclination to achieve.

 

[HufflyPuffly]

I think Skylla is on the edge of this for me, I'm just about not over-horsed (she is very sharp) but I definitely think with a better rider she would be beyond amazing!

 

[dorsetladette]

I think there are a lot more over horsed riders than under ridden horses. People these days think they are the next Zara Phillips or (insert name here) after a couple of lessons so go out and buy a horse that they cant ride one side of because they arent realistic about there abilities.

At the same time over horsing yourself to me can mean just riding a horse that has a bigger action than you are fit enough to sit to. I've always ridden welsh D's but I doubt (with out work) I'd be able to ride the trot or canter of some larger big moving breeds. I'd probably look like I'd never ridden outside of a riding school to be honest.

 

[Orangehorse]

I have just read an book by a lady who took two horses and her boyfriend on a tour of Ireland, starting from Cornwall. At the very last minute the horse she was going to ride went lame. The only other horse available was one that hadn't been ridden for a couple of years. It had been broken in, but it had twice bolted with her and she hadn't ridden it again. It wasn't bothered by traffic, but it was hysterical about drains covers, any sort of drain, bad to load, unsafe basically. But there wasn't an alternative. To start with it was unshod and she led it and walked.

The first time it was shod it was sedated - good timing that a vet happened to be at the yard where they were staying otherwise previous attempts had not been successful.

To cut a very long story short, by the time it had been ridden from one end of Ireland to the other, and been transported back, it was transformed into a quiet riding horse, good to be shod and in every way (not great a loading but it got back home).

So, work is a great thing for horses!

 

[Jellymoon]

Unless we’ve got the likes of Carl Hester and Michael Jung on this forum, I would have thought that all our horses are ‘under-ridered’ aren’t they?!

 

[Winters100]

Using this definition I am 'over-horsed' even on my angel of a schoolmistress since I am pretty certain that all of mine could perform better with a better rider than me. And I suppose almost every pro is also 'over-horsed' unless they are the top top handful. As others have said if you can safely control your horse it really doesn't matter that someone else could make it do more.

 

[pansymouse]

I prefer the concept of being appropriately horsed rather than over or under horsed. If you and your horse are working together as a happy, relaxed partnership, irrespective if what you're doing, you are appropriately horsed; if one you is is not enjoying it, you are inappropriately horsed.

I don't think horses have any concept of ambition, they live in the moment and if they are doing something way below their full capability and are enjoying it, it's OK for them to be doing it.

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

Unless we’ve got the likes of Carl Hester and Michael Jung on this forum, I would have thought that all our horses are ‘under-ridered’ aren’t they?!

This exactly.
My horse is happy and that is all that matters to him.

 

[HufflyPuffly]

To be fair though, there are plenty of horses out there that just aren't 'that' capable, they are the super sorts who ace riding club level but aren't cut out for 1m+ jumping, advanced dressage, etc. For most amateur riders they are appropriate mounts for the riders skill sets and ambitions.

There's the other side with very athletic, powerful horses who are just 'too' much for some riders.

For me the 'under-ridered' horses are those which 'could' over horse people but are kind enough souls to endure the bumbling antics of an amateur (me ), but have that mythical potential to be epic!

 

[shamrock2021]

I think a batter word would be horses not be used to there full potential. Like a horse could jump 1.20 but rider only jumps 50cm and the rider is happy hacker. This isn’t amid at anyone I just using this a example. I generally think people shouldn’t be judge for what they do. I have people tell me what the point of owning a horse because I don’t compete.

Over horse in my opinion is someone who can’t safety riding or control a horse. Like a horse is constantly bolting and rider can’t stop the horse.

 

[oldie48]

A great many horses owned by amateurs are capable of doing more than their rider asks tbh I don't see that as either a problem or that they are over-horsed. As others have said, I don't think horses care if they reach their potential provided that they are comfortable doing what they are asked to do. I'm also sure that lots of horses are under exercised for the amount of food they are getting, sometimes it makes them misbehave and sometimes it makes them fat and lazy. I find the term "over horsed" means something rather different and often it's a polite way of saying that the rider doesn't have the skill or experience to ride the horse, sometimes perhaps the horse just needs better training.

 

[blitznbobs]

So Over horsed is dangerous, under ridered is fun? Ie I borrowed an event we that was sane sensible and capable of doing a novice - I hopped round an 80 on her and it was a riot ... no brakes but never once did she miss a beat - despite my lack of skill jumping she looked after me, ignoring me if she thought I was wrong - she knew her job and did it despite of her rider! Not over horsed though cos she was sane and sensible and never once was I really out of control and happy to leave it to her ... I’ve ridden horses where I’m over horsed and it’s a scary place to be.

 

[Sir barnaby]

I have owned horses that are far more capable of what I wanted to do, but they were happy horses, well looked after and settled in their workload. I think it is up to the individual as to what they want to reach their potential and if they have the horses that have the ability to do that then that is great. Horses that are very gifted would still be happy turned out in a field in their natural environment doing very little. However I have come across horses that do thrive when in a working environment and thoroughly enjoy their work be it hacking SJ hunting or showing, so it all depends on what their expectation is of their owners and horses.

 

[HufflyPuffly]

So Over horsed is dangerous, under ridered is fun? Ie I borrowed an event we that was sane sensible and capable of doing a novice - I hopped round an 80 on her and it was a riot ... no brakes but never once did she miss a beat - despite my lack of skill jumping she looked after me, ignoring me if she thought I was wrong - she knew her job and did it despite of her rider! Not over horsed though cos she was sane and sensible and never once was I really out of control and happy to leave it to her ... I’ve ridden horses where I’m over horsed and it’s a scary place to be.

Yes I think this is what I was thinking. I actually think for the leisure side an under-ridered horse could be a good thing, horses care nothing about potential and if they are built to be capable of a lot, then asking a little of them could mean a longer partnership, rather than the horse being stretched to the limits of its ability.

 

[Green Bean]

As someone who has over-horsed themselves, I agree it is where the horse becomes a danger to you because you either don't have the talent to ride it (as referenced where a trainer makes your horse look amazing but for you she is a giraffe) or the time to give it the consistent work it needs. I now have a horse who, whilst opinionated and grumpy has taught me to be such a better rider than I have ever been. Whilst she may scare others due to her attitude, to ride she is amazing and considerate to my learning curve - the way you learn with a good teacher, rather than a bad one who expects you to teach yourself!

 

[Celtic Fringe]

I prefer the concept of being appropriately horsed rather than over or under horsed. If you and your horse are working together as a happy, relaxed partnership, irrespective if what you're doing, you are appropriately horsed; if one you is is not enjoying it, you are inappropriately horsed.

I don't think horses have any concept of ambition, they live in the moment and if they are doing something way below their full capability and are enjoying it, it's OK for them to be doing it.

You have exactly expressed my thoughts - and more clearly than my original post

My horse is fairly happy plodding round with me but he does seem to enjoy stepping up the gears with his trainer and learning new things. A varied routine suits his brain and his little cobby body allowing him plenty of time to develop as a willing, relaxed partner

 

[PurBee]

So Over horsed is dangerous, under ridered is fun? Ie I borrowed an event we that was sane sensible and capable of doing a novice - I hopped round an 80 on her and it was a riot ... no brakes but never once did she miss a beat - despite my lack of skill jumping she looked after me, ignoring me if she thought I was wrong - she knew her job and did it despite of her rider! Not over horsed though cos she was sane and sensible and never once was I really out of control and happy to leave it to her ... I’ve ridden horses where I’m over horsed and it’s a scary place to be.

i rode a pony like that on a round during a RS pony day as a kid. Had only a couple of jumping lessons so wasnt experienced at all, but the pony flashed through, did the job, so long as i pointed her in the right direction and kept a good seat. It was such a thrill! Especially considering in the previous lesson i was given ponies that liked to refuse jumps unless kicked or whipped before every jump.
So an inexperienced rider can gain a lot by riding a more experienced horse, in some respects, providing the rider isnt inhibiting the horse with harsh reins, seat or legs.
Problems seems to arise where a horse thats used to an active sport life suddenly is deposited into a happy hacker environment and its mind and body cannot process the new set-up. Just like a human athlete would go stir-crazy if off the track and suddenly living a sedentary lifestyle. A transition period of still giving it stimulation/exercise is needed, while it settles into its new job.

 

[Caol Ila]

Dear HHO,

I've been jumping 5' jumps in affiliated competitions, but then I spent a couple months in hell, trapped in my stable. It was baffling. I don't understand what offense I committed to end up in horsey prison. Everyone said it was for my own good. But then just when you think things couldn't get worse, they did! I got a new owner, and while I'm turned out all day with a bunch of mates again, yadda yadda, all my rider and I do is hack around the local country park. WTF? I want to go back to hurling myself and my rider over 5' solid objects at speed. This hacking is boring as sh1t. What should I do? Is my rider appropriate for my needs? Would it be considered giving up too early if I sold her and got a new one? Do you think she has PSSM and that's why she doesn't want to jump? I could call the vet and get her tested.

-MissingTheJumps

 

[Nevin's Run]

My horse would be flipping incredible with a brave rider, say a competitive teen. Unfortunately he has me. Whilst he undoubtedly LOVES the fun bits we do manage, I don't think he has the capacity to appreciate he's missing out on anything when we do stuff at my level. And he certainly knows how to entertain himself if he does find my plans a bit boring

 

[Red-1]

Unless we’ve got the likes of Carl Hester and Michael Jung on this forum, I would have thought that all our horses are ‘under-ridered’ aren’t they?!

No, I don't think so. I think Rigsby would be over-ridered with either of those. he is rising 16, a cob who has only ever hacked, has many, many medical issues. He is now with me, we are starting schooling, but after 4 months, we only do up to 20 minutes on the school, and our best session included 5 laps of trot one way and a bit less the other. Mostly we just walk. My ambition for him is that we enjoy hacking and maybe do a prelim dressage, pop a X pole or two (he has never jumped).

I think either of those riders would do a wonderful job of producing him, but don't think that he is under-ridered by having me instead. I think that they may find them selves over-ridering him as they would probably be bored by the fact he is medically limited and limited in athletic ability. I am biased and thing he would somewhat entertain them with his personality tho.

I was under ridered with my last horse. He *could* have gone 4* with a pro, but he had a nasty rearing habit that came out under pressure. He loved his mum, and became a sterling BE 90/100 horse. No rearing, no messing, no worries about jumps either. I don't think under ridered is a bad thing, sometimes the best horses come from homes where they were under ridered as they have become experts of helping riders out.

Being over horsed is awful, to me it means the horse is too much for the rider as in not controlled or the rider can't sit the paces. Usually ends up with a rider scared and the horse becoming defensive as they aren't having their questions answered and mental needs met.

Being Under-horsed is another matter too. To me that means your horse isn't capable of what you would like it to do athletically. Or, it could mean it is too small. Either way, the rider tends to be frustrated, the horse feels he can't win. Not a happy situation.

 

[scats]

Now I’m older, more prone to breaking and no longer find it fun to be riding idiotic behaviour, I’d far rather be under horsed than over!