So, with reference to my other post, WHEN are you ready?

A

Agent XXX999

Well-Known Member
Joined
17 October 2006
Messages
5,082
Visit site
Only I really dont feel I am, even though I am probably ready, to start and school a young horse.

So when is the best time?

Seriously, the thoughtof it makes my stomach go!
 
If you're that worried you're probably not ready.

ETS What I mean is if you are that nervous the horse will pick up on it = Disaster!
blush.gif

 
umm, when you have some inkling of how horses' minds work, and you are very patient, have total control of your temper, and are kind... in my book, anyway.
and when you think you can, i guess.
i don't know, really. i helped start quite a few with other people before i did my own, and my first one on my own was a coloured cob who was pretty easy. the first time i got on him, 9 Hercules planes flew over the field really low, and he just looked at them... nice start though!
i did try lunging him with 2 reins in the corner of a massive field on a windy day, and he tried to run off and then spun round and wrapped himself up like a fork in spaghetti. big lesson, there. luckily he was smart enough to stand still when he realised he couldn't move his legs any more...
i really do think it depends so much on the individual horse's attitude. some are easy and willing and happy to please, others are more confrontational, other are seriously tricksy.
ditto about older horses, too, obviously. if you can cope with the tricksy older horses, why not be confident enough to try starting a youngster... or, even better, help someone else who has done lots. willing bodies are usually very welcome, in my experience.
wink.gif
 
No I would say you probably are not ready if it worries you so much.

I always backed our young ponies when I was a child, therefore it was not much of a leap up to move onto backing young horses; it's just something I've always done so it has never worried me.

You have to be calm, totally in control and exude confidence to a young horse - if you can't do this, then it is better to stick with older horses.
 
[ QUOTE ]
No I would say you probably are not ready if it worries you so much.

I always backed our young ponies when I was a child, therefore it was not much of a leap up to move onto backing young horses; it's just something I've always done so it has never worried me.

You have to be calm, totally in control and exude confidence to a young horse - if you can't do this, then it is better to stick with older horses.

[/ QUOTE ]

See thinking about it, if it was a pony I would be fine....and I have ridden countless three and four year olds, and been first up on countless...but doing it on my own, and having that responsibility? Paaaarp! No! I am getting nervous thinking about it!

Is this a bad thing? Maybe I am not as much of a 'horsewoman' as I thought!
 
Then why don't you go out and buy a young pony, something a bit larger than you have done previously? Or get a small horse; somewhere between 14.2hh and 15.2hh? That way you will gradually work your way up rather than just leaping in at the deep end.

I have to say, I have no time for huge horses these days; they are not my choice of rides and I much prefer smaller horses (always have to be perfectly honest). I was riding a 3 year old 17hh earlier in the year and everything was fine, except the horse was incredibly lively and flighty, but I wouldn't particularly have enjoyed it regardless of whether the horse was young or a schoolmaster - that size just doesn't do it for me anymore. I purely did it because I was being paid to do it.
 
[ QUOTE ]

Seriously, the thoughtof it makes my stomach go!

[/ QUOTE ]

It's not obligatory! It's not the mark of a real horsewoman or anything of the sort - it's an informed choice and not one that is right for everyone - not necessarily because they aren't 'capable.'

Personally, I only think you are ready when you are willing to accept how much you don't know and seek guidance accordingly.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

Seriously, the thoughtof it makes my stomach go!

[/ QUOTE ]

It's not obligatory! It's not the mark of a real horsewoman or anything of the sort - it's an informed choice and not one that is right for everyone - not necessarily because they aren't 'capable.'

Personally, I only think you are ready when you are willing to accept how much you don't know and seek guidance accordingly.

[/ QUOTE ]


Its what I dont know that scares me!
 
If you are worried, then you are not ready.
I'm very confident in handling my youngsters....but not foolhardy...hat, gloves, etc and I carefully think ahead to ensure I don't get us into any no-win situations.
You have to have the ability not to dwell on their mistakes/naughtinesses and become paranoid.
At heart, I believe my horses are sensible, kind people so I can forgive them little errors (and I make a few myself).
Wait a while til you've had more practice/gained confidence.
S
smile.gif
 
That's dead right Shilasdair, every thing they do, spook, nap, refuse, whatever, if you take it personally and dwell on it you are not horsey. That's what separates those capable of dealing with horses from those who are not.

Gaving said that, I haven't broken a horse, just a little pony, that was to harness.

Of course you shouldn't do it alone anyhow Feufolet, if you take this on, do it slowly and always have a person with you for the next step. That way you can take from their confidence, but don't do it if you are not confident or it'll just not work.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top