Peoples definitions required please!

i would think 'sharp' is very responsive, a bit spooky maybe, doesn't need much leg..?
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My lad is very responsive to light aids....can be spooky ( but we're working on that!)...forward going and needs to be lightly ridden, .....I would class him as 'sharp', rather than like OH's mare which is a bit like riding a wardobe around the woods....
 
Normally if a horse being sold is 'sharp', it's their conservative way of saying that it can be a bit of a s***! Maybe not too bad, but as post above says, often when spooking they will do it VERY quickly and without warning and poss throw in a few bucks/dropping shoulder at the same time! Also, don't discount the horse, as some are only sharp when not worked enough, or if put in a particular situation etc...
Good luck!
 
May also be their way of ensuring they only get people who are confident, experienced riders. Of course, there'll still be the chancer novices who think they can handle it.

My definition of sharp would be a horse who is quite nervy, very responsive etc.
 
I have a couple of sharp horses. They are ones who are super-well trained and will react to the slightest cue, so they can't be ridden by either heavy handed people or people who do not have full control over their legs.
 
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Ok, what would you think if it was a re schooled ex racer who was sharp? (been left to graze for around a year)

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I would assume it needs a sensitive rider (of a decent calibre) who knows how to ride calmly and quietly.
 
Sharp means, by my book, quick - will spook easily, has a buck, will overreact where the chance is given BUT tend to be very soft/responsive when they're willing to work.
 
I would descirbe my ex-racer as sharp (though he didn't used to be!). Think "can travel 20 yards in about half a second sideways", "can buck and whip round 180 degrees if a midge looks at him funny", "must be ridden with sensitivity and a good seat", "dangerous". Most of those cover sharp as I have experienced it of later
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I would descirbe my ex-racer as sharp (though he didn't used to be!). Think "can travel 20 yards in about half a second sideways", "can buck and whip round 180 degrees if a midge looks at him funny", "must be ridden with sensitivity and a good seat", "dangerous". Most of those cover sharp as I have experienced it of later
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Ok thanks for the replys, dont think he may be for me then
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im not as confident as i used to be but im used to sensitive horses wiith mine, i dont really have to use my legs that much

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Dont automatically assume that a sharp horse wont suit you - I would never, ever have thought I could have coped with anything sharp (having had a long line of push-button ponies) but when I found Ellie, we just clicked. Now, if I were to be looking for a horse again, I would actually look for something sharp - I just love the uber-intelligence and quirky, impulsiveness that a sharp horse can offer you!
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you are not allowed to fall asleep whilst riding them, I would describe our anglo as sharp. She is forward going and you have to be there before she is (in her brain) ie if a tractor is coming you have to take charge before she thinks about it

She is not a difficult ride though just wouldn't be suitable for a complete novice so I wouldn't be put off trying sharp horses.
 
LOL at these responses - I'd describe my mare as sharp because she picks things up quickly, is always in front of your leg, and sensitive to the lightest aids - you need to be one step ahead of her all the time and ask her to do things correctly.

I wouldn't call her difficult as such and she is definitely not spooky - more 'quirky'.
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As with all phrases used when selling horses its open to interpretation, so I wouldn't write this horse off just yet - its worth a look if its fairly local.
 
Very reactive, both to the rider & outside stimuli. Often a drama queen about things that most horses wouldn't be too fussed about. They also tend to be intelligent & need to be kept occupied. In the field they're the horse that's first to spot something, react in a quick & extreme fashion & are the last to settle back down afterwards.
 
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Very reactive, both to the rider & outside stimuli. Often a drama queen about things that most horses wouldn't be too fussed about. They also tend to be intelligent & need to be kept occupied. In the field they're the horse that's first to spot something, react in a quick & extreme fashion & are the last to settle back down afterwards.

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Pretty much like that, mine are sharp, they spot things in the distance, they are quick brained and can be fast moving. Some things can be a drama, but not in a 'bad' nasty way, more a sensitive twit way.

Bucking, rearing, napping, no brakes etc isn't included in sharp for me - that's ill mannered/badly schooled.

It is a relative term though, so ask advertiser what they mean by sharp?

I recently advertised a pony, and told someone that she could be a little "jolly" if not worked for weeks on end. By that I meant that she would prick her little ears and get a bit onward bound, (but still pulled up for a 6yo in a snaffle in an open field). Enquiring person assumed I was admitting that she wasn't suitable as a first pony - on the contrary, she was a fab all round schoolmistress first pony (and has gone off to be one again)

Do ask if it's putting you off.
 
mine is definitely sharp. he's a nervy type, but i'd still say he's safe. hacks out in heavy traffic fine. gets wound up in the school, tends to rush, is quick off the leg and slightly lacking in brakes out hunting, but generally very well behaved. i'd still have gone to see him if seller had described him as sharp, although i dont believe that word was uttered. if it had been i might have been more prepared when i asked for trot and he buggered off with me round the school in a very fast canter - something to do with my coat making a rustly noise lol! i still bought him.
 
I think 'sharp' means lively, but in a mean way - maybe just ultra sensitive to aids and balance, but possibly prone to unreasonable spooks that may include whipping round, bucks that are meant to get you off, rearing, a temper... even inclined to bite or kick... that kind of thing. Anything but generous! There are plenty of lively horses that will play, keep you on your toes, but really aren't looking to dump you - sharp ones often want to do just that.
 
When selling I think people often say sharp when it is either a loon, very spooky or they are scared of it
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Most of ours are sharp though, as in on the button, constantly anticipating your next move and being very responsive, too responsive in most cases, need very little leg or contact and can't tolerate being kicked in the ribs or pulled in the mouth yet never spook. Doesn't in anyway mean they are bad, if anything it is what makes them good but not suitable for anyone nervy or novicey...
 
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