People have problems with their horses because they don't let them go fast enough!

[Devonshire dumpling]

HAHAHAHA This has amused me greatly!

I used to keep my horse with my farrier, used to hack out with him and were very good friends, hes an old farmer type who hunts with the staghounds and spends everyday with horsey ppl!

Anyway saw him at a horse show today and he was yapping away to me ( haven't seen him in 13 yrs!) anyway I was laughing at how when i went for a hack with him ( hes also a racehorse trainer) his TB mare reared up and sat him on a wall and how it frightened me, and wished he didn't get back on!

He then proceeded to tell me how he has one who gets so fizzed up at the moment it plants itself and bucks but is fine if you kick her on and let her get it out of her system, shes fine for hours then... I laughed and he said:-

The trouble is with alot of the riders these days is they are afraid to let there horses go fast, the horse only needs to walk speedy and they are fussing trying to get it to slow down and holding it tight and winding it up, this is why you have so many problem horses! Some of these people never let their horses go fast!

He is 79, still shoeing, still hunting and still hacking out twice a week haha

He did speak some truth, just put it rather bluntly, I do love the older generation!!!! XX

 

[siennamum]

I think he's completely correct. I would substitute forwards for speed, but think many problems are caused by people hanging on instead of having the instinct to kick on.

 

[Devonshire dumpling]

I think he's completely correct. I would substitute forwards for speed, but think many problems are caused by people hanging on instead of having the instinct to kick on.

He's absolutely right!! Just made me chuckle I love him!

My husband rides a 5 yr old who is a hot ride, but a nice boy, I rode him out a few weeks ago and he was a bit hot and I held him back and he just flipped out, my husband said he has NEVER seen him so excited and wound up, absolute proof I did that!

When he broncs with hubby, hubby screams at him, well come on then lets see what you got!! and boots him on and off they go into the distance having a broncoff haha!! XX

 

[Kellys Heroes]

Totally right!!! My mum used to ride an 18.1hh mare who was a bit of a one, to be honest - she used to power walk back to the yard (and at that size, it really was a power walk!) and the more you pulled her to slow down, the more stroppy she'd get you just had to let her get on with it.
My friends horse who I ride regularly can be the same - if she starts to get giddy when we head for home, you just have to loosen the contact a little bit and trust her and she is much better behaved then when you try to pull her back.
I think its instinct to gather and sit tight when horses start to mess about but sometimes its easier just to trust them and let them sort themselves out!
K x

 

[Azura]

Hes right really.

Ive ridden a few that are ridiculously nappy with their owners who keep them at quite a slow trot/canter because they are amost scared to ride them on, when actually riding them forward will become much more engaged and enjoy their work more.

Horses should be given their head more.

 

[quirky]

I agree, I know people who have never galloped their horse .... ever!

Ooh, that feeling of a horse opening up and giving its all is one I'd like to bottle. It never fails to make me smile .

 

[siennamum]

He's absolutely right!! Just made me chuckle I love him!

My husband rides a 5 yr old who is a hot ride, but a nice boy, I rode him out a few weeks ago and he was a bit hot and I held him back and he just flipped out, my husband said he has NEVER seen him so excited and wound up, absolute proof I did that!

When he broncs with hubby, hubby screams at him, well come on then lets see what you got!! and boots him on and off they go into the distance having a broncoff haha!! XX

Blimey, I think I could do with your OH on my 5 year old. He sounds quite handy!!

 

[Devonshire dumpling]

He worries me sometimes! He's also a firefighter and seems to have no fear for anything, a bit of self preservation isn't a bad thing is it! He thinks I am such a wuss!! lol and I am not scared to admit it!!

I always tell my daughter who is a nervous rider, that whens hes sat there doing nothing and the horse is peeking over the hedges etc, its going to nap! Get after it, ride it on, have its hears on you and then it won't look for trouble, it definately works, but not always easy telling your head that when you are up on top eh? XX

The elderly farrier in question also giggles that horsey ppl like purple spray on wounds because they can see the dye and it makes them feel better, he is a gem lol XX

 

[Devonshire dumpling]

I agree, I know people who have never galloped their horse .... ever!

Ooh, that feeling of a horse opening up and giving its all is one I'd like to bottle. It never fails to make me smile .

I know exactly what you mean!!!! I am always out of breath after a gallop, I am sure I forget to BREATHE!!!!!!! That power is awesone!!! Every hack I go on has a canter or gallop, I hunt them out lol xx

 

[Kokopelli]

Totally agree with him, if I let my lad bowl on a bit we have no problems. Same with jumping if I make him slow down we have poles if I compromise and let him go at a faster pace than what would be considered normal he's happier.

 

[muddypony]

when my horse gets a bit stressy sometimes he will make a beeline from mounting block to arena and do a few laps in canter bucking and 'bunny hopping'. no time to tighten the girth or sort yourself out before he's off on one. luckily it's quite easy to sit to and he doesn't turn sharply or anything! i just sit up and let him get on with it - once he's finished with his little episode he'll be good as gold and i'll be struggling to keep him going again.
if i didn't let him do it i think he'd go absolutely nuts, if i even had any chance of holding him back.

 

[kirstie]

I do agree that it is easier... But isn't it down to training, time and patience to let the horse learn a few manners and listen to the rider rather than wind itself up and throw a strop when they don't get what they want?

That said, I do love a good gallop, just on my terms.

 

[Devonshire dumpling]

when my horse gets a bit stressy sometimes he will make a beeline from mounting block to arena and do a few laps in canter bucking and 'bunny hopping'. no time to tighten the girth or sort yourself out before he's off on one. luckily it's quite easy to sit to and he doesn't turn sharply or anything! i just sit up and let him get on with it - once he's finished with his little episode he'll be good as gold and i'll be struggling to keep him going again.
if i didn't let him do it i think he'd go absolutely nuts, if i even had any chance of holding him back.

This made me LOL..can imagine you talking to someone as you mount saying sorry can't talk for a min BRB hes just having one of his turns!! HAHA xx

 

[haycroft]

I agree, I know people who have never galloped their horse .... ever!

Ooh, that feeling of a horse opening up and giving its all is one I'd like to bottle. It never fails to make me smile .

oh , you cant beat a good old gallop to blow those cobwebs away eh

same with dogs..alot dont let them off the lead

 

[madmav]

Agree in the sense that the horse I ride spooks at everything, so drive him on every time he does. He's lazy, so the faster we go, more effort for him, so eventually he gives up with the shying. But on the other hand, I do like to be in charge. When out with others, he can pull like a train, which I find equally annoying. He's a lazy/bit-pulling cherry-picker!!

 

[Godknows]

After reading alot of replies to this thread. I'd have to agree with an earlier post about finding a happy hacker. Alot of people on this thread seem to think it's funny that their horse is stressy, bucks around an arena to start with and has no understanding of what is being asked. This is why there are no good horses around. People just have no idea and think it's just acceptable and then wonder why they can't sell their horse when they get frightened to ride it and advertise it as 100%.

 

[Devonshire dumpling]

After reading alot of replies to this thread. I'd have to agree with an earlier post about finding a happy hacker. Alot of people on this thread seem to think it's funny that their horse is stressy, bucks around an arena to start with and has no understanding of what is being asked. This is why there are no good horses around. People just have no idea and think it's just acceptable and then wonder why they can't sell their horse when they get frightened to ride it and advertise it as 100%.

I hear you! but I think the wrong rider on a "happy hacker" can make it fizzy and uptight, I didn't mean you should kick on naughty behaviour etc etc, i was aggreeing her was right by saying alot of ppl are scared of a horses natural pace and hold it back etc etc............

 

[Megibo]

i totally agree with him!!
i ride my mare nice and loose and if i gather my reins she expects to go faster but that's how i've taught her, drop the reins in trot and she'll stop

agree that a canter on a field is the best ever, if you canter on my mare across a field you don't stop til you reach the end and if you try to pull her up halfway she'll buck give her her head and come out the saddle and she's the best ride ever

not that when i come out the saddle she gallops or anything

 

[Firefly*]

Speed up - match the energy and add four ounces - Pat Parelli

 

[Devonshire dumpling]

There is absolutely nothing worse than seeing someone sitting on a horse who is tiptoeing down the road, eyes on stalk, walking with the handbrake on, get after it, ride it on, have its attention on what you are asking of it and not looking over the hedge for trouble, amazing how they stop napping if they have to work!

 

[muddypony]

This made me LOL..can imagine you talking to someone as you mount saying sorry can't talk for a min BRB hes just having one of his turns!! HAHA xx

i always have someone to help me get on as he is a bit of a fidget especially on his crazy days. as soon as i'm on board and he's on his way i have to just shout 'thanks' over my shoulder! instructor says 'right, i'll just go in for a drink and i'll be out by the time the rodeo display has finished.' i'm beginning to think i might have a future in bull riding.

 

[MiCsarah]

After reading alot of replies to this thread. I'd have to agree with an earlier post about finding a happy hacker. Alot of people on this thread seem to think it's funny that their horse is stressy, bucks around an arena to start with and has no understanding of what is being asked. This is why there are no good horses around. People just have no idea and think it's just acceptable and then wonder why they can't sell their horse when they get frightened to ride it and advertise it as 100%.

Completely agree, I think a rider is a much better rider if their horse is behaving and well mannered, not when their horse is rearing and buckng.

 

[muddypony]

After reading alot of replies to this thread. I'd have to agree with an earlier post about finding a happy hacker. Alot of people on this thread seem to think it's funny that their horse is stressy, bucks around an arena to start with and has no understanding of what is being asked. This is why there are no good horses around. People just have no idea and think it's just acceptable and then wonder why they can't sell their horse when they get frightened to ride it and advertise it as 100%.

i'm certainly not saying it's acceptable, my horse has got a lot better since i first got him, it doesn't frighten me and it is quite a rare occurrence now. he would never be advertised as a 100% quiet happy hacker because he is an ex racehorse and has these moments although he could do the job perfectly well for a more confident rider. my point was that i ignore it and don't try and pull him back or egg him on either. he hacks like a dream, though.
i would agree about there being very few good, quiet horses around, i was looking for one myself and ended up with the one i've got now.

 

[Godknows]

i'm certainly not saying it's acceptable, my horse has got a lot better since i first got him, it doesn't frighten me and it is quite a rare occurrence now. he would never be advertised as a 100% quiet happy hacker because he is an ex racehorse and has these moments although he could do the job perfectly well for a more confident rider. my point was that i ignore it and don't try and pull him back or egg him on either. he hacks like a dream, though.
i would agree about there being very few good, quiet horses around, i was looking for one myself and ended up with the one i've got now.

Muddypony I was not pin pointing you I was just trying to say that people just accept the behavior in young horses and buy horses that are unsuitable for the job intended which I also beleive is the fault of breeders trying to breed for the certain disaplines and crossing with highly strung things that produce nightmares which are then passed on as they have not turned out good enough for the purpose they were bred for

 

[tallyho!]

Aww that made me smile

I've always thought horses NEED to run and let off some steam Yeeee hah!!!

 

[Cahill]

yes,agree with OP
frightened to unleash the power = biong biong

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

Yes I agree!!! My mare is fine if you let her go but just gets more and more wound up when your holding her back.

Oly time I cant let her go as fast as she wants is when there are jumps coming at us lol

 

[Happy Hunter]

When he broncs with hubby, hubby screams at him, well come on then lets see what you got!! and boots him on and off they go into the distance having a broncoff haha!! XX

HAHA! People on the yard thought I was BONKERS doing that with the youngster, she soon grew out of it when she realised its just tiring and didnt help!

Ooh, that feeling of a horse opening up and giving its all is one I'd like to bottle. It never fails to make me smile .

Oh yes! Love it! - Esp when you have the luck/horse/confidence to sit back and really enjoy it!

 

[rhino]

After reading alot of replies to this thread. I'd have to agree with an earlier post about finding a happy hacker. Alot of people on this thread seem to think it's funny that their horse is stressy, bucks around an arena to start with and has no understanding of what is being asked. This is why there are no good horses around. People just have no idea and think it's just acceptable and then wonder why they can't sell their horse when they get frightened to ride it and advertise it as 100%.

Understand and appreciate what you are saying, but I can guarantee that my boy will be a bombproof 'happy hacker' IF he has a confident rider. Like most horses, he does love to have a gallop; he always pulls up with no fuss, but I know he would get frustrated if he was constantly held back and niggled. Likewise, he's the one of the least spooky horses I've ever ridden but sometimes needs a 'strong' leg on to go past something.

A confident rider makes a confident horse; a nervous rider can ruin a genuine one.

 

[tallyho!]

Understand and appreciate what you are saying, but I can guarantee that my boy will be a bombproof 'happy hacker' IF he has a confident rider. Like most horses, he does love to have a gallop; he always pulls up with no fuss, but I know he would get frustrated if he was constantly held back and niggled. Likewise, he's the one of the least spooky horses I've ever ridden but sometimes needs a 'strong' leg on to go past something.

A confident rider makes a confident horse; a nervous rider can ruin a genuine one.

That makes sensible reading