Should I keep new horse?

C

Cor

Well-Known Member
Joined
20 September 2011
Messages
100
Visit site
Hi, I have bought a well schooled horse six months ago, with the aim of improving my dressage skills. The horse is at a higher level than I am, however he is not a schoolmaster as I expected him to be, I think mainly due to his young age, in the sense that he does not allow for mistakes. So my dilemma is now, do I keep him and patiently and as long as it takes, try to ride him the proper way (and the way he is used to), or do you think I should just sell him and buy another horse that would be more willing to teach me?
 
Some lessons might be an idea - most "schoolmasters" teach you by only doing what you ask. If you are not experienced enough to ask correctly, you will not get the movement you were aiming for!

Schoolmaster does not equal mind reader. You get out what you put in :)
 
If your aim is to improve your dressage skill and an experienced school master is a struggle, then swapping for a plod is hardly likely to help improve your dressage. Do you have lessons?
 
Is there not instructors or schools somewhere local that you can go to and get help with lessons.

Or even going to a local school when there are dressage lessons going on and ask to sit quietly so you can watch? It may give you something to go on actually seeing things done.
 
I think this is entirely personal opinion. Do you love the horse enough to put up with a few falls here and there (potentially seriously harming yourself) or would you rather something you know you can rely on? When it comes to riding there is no "proper" way, just the way that suits your horse. If you can find out what part of your riding style your horse is objecting to (ie. heavy hands, bouncy seat) you could easily try and fix this. If you really think the horse would do better in someone else's hands or you think he is going to dent your confidence i would say try to find something more suitable. If you feel you could work and resolve the issues keep at it with the help of a good, sympathetic instructor :)
 
Do you have a dressage trainer, what do they think? I have a similiar situation I got a 6yr old 2 years ago and have now move it on to way beyond my initial level and now we are both learning. She is not forgiving either (a typical chesnut mare) but I have the most fantastic dressage trainer whi has helped me loads. depends how much you want to keep this horse, with mine I know exactly how talented she is and would be hard pushed to find it again so I just got on it.

Main tip get a good trainer
 
Interesting point of view that a schoolmaster horse will "teach" you, it may be that this horse is unforgiving of your mistakes but even a true schoolmaster will usually test the rider to some extent unless you know how to press the right buttons.

If he is generally uncomplicated and willing to work with you, you just need to work at finding those buttons, plenty of lessons with a trainer that will get on and keep him working well, they will then be able to help you make more progress.

If he is less accepting and ungenerous or difficult it may need a different approach.
 
I hope Ludoctro doesn't mind but I thought there was some good stuff posted on this thread, which sounds a little bit like what you might be going through. Sounds like OP in that one decided to stick with it, with much help and hard work, and good on him/her as it seemed to be coming right. But if you feel you aren't up for this or can't commit to what's needed, then moving the horse on might be the better option for you.

So tough for anyone else to know as there are so many factors at play which we don't know about but hopefully you'll find some useful stuff in here :)

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=506657&highlight=made+massive+mistake
 
A schoolmaster will teach you to ride correctly, by only responding to the correct aids. He isn't a mind reader, so won't be able to guess what you want!

I would seize the chance to have a well schooled horse and get some instruction and the sky is the limit!
 
Cor said:
The horse is at a higher level than I am, however he is not a schoolmaster as I expected him to be, I think mainly due to his young age, in the sense that he does not allow for mistakes.
Click to expand...

Then he is exactly what you want - a schoolmaster. He is teaching you to ask for movements etc. correctly, and getting you to improve your riding.
 
Many thanks for your replies... I have been riding my other mare for the past 3 months, but not him as I paid a professional rider to ride him for the past 3 months. The result is that he got much stronger and fitter. Problem is that I always think that if I get on him I will not be able to ride him properly, so I don't... My mare is of a much smaller height, and easier to handle, but she enjoys jumping more compared to dressage, so I don't think I can improve my dressage skills on her. I am a bit confused as I am willing to invest on him, time and money, but sometimes I think that with a less advanced horse I would progress more. As the rider who has been riding him is a man with really strong legs, I have invited a really good female rider to ride him and see how it goes..
 
A schoolmaster will if you press the right buttons do what you want them to do, however if you make a mistake you will get a different reaction as the horse will do what it thinks you have asked it to. A true schoolmaster is often a sensitive and responsive ride not a horse that if you give them the wrong signal does nothing as it will have been trained to a level when everything you do does give it a signal to do something!

You don't really elaborate on what is not working out for you with this horse, are you nervous of riding it as it is too responsive?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top