really simple stupid novice question, pleae help.

PerdixPerdix

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okay deep breath, im actually really scared to ask this cos im going to sound like a right muppet, but i havent ridden in a long time...

i think i know what it means but what is forward going???
i want to get back into riding but alot of people are advertising shares and loans as 'forward going not good for a novice'..

also what determines a complete novice?

thankyou
 

Sol

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I'd define something 'forward going' as being eager to move forwards, not needing a lot of leg! Opposite of lazy? (more or less...)

Perhaps rather than looking for a share/loan immediately, it would be better to go for a few lessons first and ask an instructor what level they think you are? :)
 

Jenni_

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forward going defines a horse that is happy to go off the leg and isnt lazy.

doesnt necessarily mean its hard to ride, just that it can maybe be a bit excitable and isnt for a complete beginner.

complete novice would be someone who had not a smidge of riding / stable management knowledge....
 

Kat

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Forward going generally means quick to move off the leg and energetic.

Often people think a novice rider needs a plod along and that is why you'll see forward going therefore not suitable for a novice.

If a horse's worst fault is that it is forward then there isn't much wrong with it, but it could also be advert speak for, complete nutter with no breaks and a tendancy to bugger off at speed at the slightest provocation!
 

Bug2007

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Forward going is normally something that is off your leg, doesn't need to be kicked along.
These are not normally considered good for a novice as generally speaking they prefer something that has breaks and isn't going to take off with you.


A complete novice i'd read as being someone that can walk, trot and canter but just learnt to do this and still needs alot of help with their riding and needs confidence building.
 

Iceni

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My ex racer is very forward going, you just need to think 'move' and he's off. He also might try and move up a gear before you ask it of him!

My cob is what I think of as nicely forward going, you only need ask once with a 'usual' and nice amount of gentle pressure or squeeze and she's moves up a gear straight away, but never tests me and tries for more than I ask - perfect!
 

trina1982

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I don't think thats a silly question at all. I think it's very subjective - one persons 'forward going' is another persons 'crazy nut'. Just depends.

On the subject of 'Novice' - well, i had a lesson at a riding school a week ago. I had to fill in the forms and i had to declare myself as a novice. Definition being 'can walk, trot and canter (including no stirrups), schooling and hacking. Now, i frequently ride a very sweet but zippy TB mare who i would have said 'not novice ride'. However, if they can do all that then they would be fine......so, basically, my definition of novice is not the same!

Best bet is to ring the advert and have a good chat. Also, have some lessons at a riding school, they can then assess where you're at with your riding and at what level.

Best of luck with finding something

Trina x
 

PerdixPerdix

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ah, well im not that! and thats what i thought it meant, i learned to ride on ''an intermediate eventer'' and she fits that description.

so what would i be..ive worked on a yard (pretty much by myself, i learned fast) and i can ride/jump (id be rusty) and i can handle a horse, but im not up to scratch with alot of the terms and such. obviously im not that confident at the moment, its been a good 5 years since i last sat on a horse.

oh i dont know, am i a lost cause, its been my complete dream to own a horse, i have the capacity to own one now, two big stables+grazing. i just want to get back up to date and remember stuff again.
 

Honey08

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Hey, don't ever feel stupid or scared to ask a question. Thats how you learn..xx Its the people that don't ask that are the muppets... As has been mentioned, perhaps find a good riding school or equestrian centre and have a few lessons to get back into it. You'd be amazed how quickly it all comes back!

I'm someone who had a ten year break from riding, despite having my AI, and having worked with horses for years before. I had a few lessons before deciding to get my own horse again. Like I said it all came back very quickly, and I didn't feel as "backward" as I'd thought I'd be. When you ride, you will discover if you are still as confident as you were, and that will help you decide what you are - I doubt you'd be a novice at all...
 
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hamish1

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i would say forward going should mean a horse that dosn't need much leg-willing to go forward but...it could mean you have to hold the horse quite a bit or a horse that will tank off with you if you're not experienced enough to deal with it.
I never know how to define a novice and i think many people have different perceptions of what it means. Some people would say a novice is someone who can walk,trot and canter on a calm horse but wouldnt be able to deal with a tricky horse, others would say walk,trot,canter,jumping, some lateral work,be able to deal with a few little bucks or small issues that may occur.
Good to hear your getting back into riding! I would say depending on how confident you are lessons at a good riding school are the way forward-but I have no idea how you ride or how long you've had off so you could be ready for a loan with the right horse. good luck:)
 

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Why don't you go on a riding holiday for a week? That would give you an intensive course in riding and horse care.

I've found adverts are a minefield. Forward going can mean anything from a nicely trained horse who responds to the aids to a psychotic nightmare who will bolt off without any regard for its rider. 'Canters in a straight line' means just that, canters in a straight line, straight across motorways and ditches until it meet the sea and has to stop! Be careful and take you time.
 

Steorra

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Not a stupid question at all.

If you run a search on here there was a thread a while back about defining 'novice riders' - there were loads of posts on it so you might want to have a look.

I would describe a novice rider as someone who can walk, trot, canter and pop a small jump on a well trained horse, either in an arena or out on a hack. However, I would expect them to be still developing the sensitivity and 'feel' that is needed to ride a sharp horse, perhaps to have some faults with their position, and to be easily unbalanced by a spook or buck.

A forward going horse is one who wants to be on the move, responds quickly to a light leg aid, and may be lively and sharp. They are often not suitable for novice riders because they will react strongly to a clumsy or unsubtle aid - they need balanced, sensitive riders, and those things normally come with experience.

If you have not ridden for a while then I would suggest you want somehting a bit quieter to start off with. Alternatively you could have a few lessons at a good riding school, and ask them for an assessment.

Hope that helps :)
 

jendie

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Why don't you go on a riding holiday for a week? That would give you an intensive course in riding and horse care.

I've found adverts are a minefield. Forward going can mean anything from a nicely trained horse who responds to the aids to a psychotic nightmare who will bolt off without any regard for its rider. 'Canters in a straight line' can means just that, canters in a straight line, straight across motorways, hedges, ploughed fields and ditches until it meet the sea and has to stop! Be careful and take you time.
 

Pearlsasinger

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Not a stupid question, at all. You won't know what other people's definitions are if you don't ask.
To me a forward going horse is one which only requires a subtle aid. This would make it unsuitable for a novice as novices tend to use very definite aids. Only you will know what your aids are like. The suggestions of a riding holiday or a series of lessons are good ones. You would then get an unbiased opinion of your ability.
 

PerdixPerdix

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thanks everyone. ive emailed a riding school near me so im a bit excited.
once i know where i am with it i have a few friends who are more than willing to let me on thier horses, i just dont want to take on more than im capable of.

thankyou for not making me feel silly.
 

hamish1

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arr great that sounds like a plan even if you have a few lessons just to top up your confidence-you sound like you've had a fair bit of experience in the past so im sure it'll all come flooding back once your in the saddle. let us all know how you get on :)
 

Steorra

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thanks everyone. ive emailed a riding school near me so im a bit excited.
once i know where i am with it i have a few friends who are more than willing to let me on thier horses, i just dont want to take on more than im capable of.

thankyou for not making me feel silly.

Have fun - hope you will give us an update :)
 

soulfull

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also just wanted to add that a novice doesn't want/need a horse that you have to keep kicking to make it go, it makes you lose your position too much!!!!! I know I have been there.

/Some adverts say not for novice as forward going what they sometimes mean is it is strong, or too forward and doesn't listen!!

A TRUE safe forward going horse would be perfect for a novice
 
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