*sigh* some people ...

[giggles mum]

A friend is looking for a horse to loan, and found something which is 16.2 and says "can be exciteable so needs competent rider". This girl has ridden at riding school for several years and is reasonably good by riding school standards - but in terms of forward going ones she only has experience of ponies...and doesn't seem to understand that a 16.2 is a completely different kettle of fish!

(she is now 5ft9 so not too short for a 16.2, but she isn't used to them.) I tried explaining that there are different kinds of forward-going-ness, and the fact they put "exciteable" rather than "strong" could mean it's soft in the mouth...and then had to explain what "soft in the mouth" meant.

She asked me to think of one at the riding school who is soft in the mouth and I had to say "well so-and-so was when she first came, but is like a rock now" etc - we don't have any forward going, soft-mouthed ponies really!

What would you say to her without being horrible about her riding ability?

 

[kerilli]

"if you've only ever driven fiestas, aren't you going to feel all at sea in a F1 car?"

sorry, but i think it's true. if the loaners are saying "needs competent rider", they're being honest for a reason... to stop someone getting hurt. "competent" means more than riding school experience, i guess.

 

[jesterfaerie]

I totally agree with what Kerilli says, I really hope your friend finds a suitable horse.