Those of us who think we are not good enough for their horse learn from my mistake

soulfull

soulfull

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My young WB is a lovely sweet but sensitive soul and although I've only had him a few months we've built up a real bond
Anyway he is struggling a little with canter and I didn't feel I was helping him. So I asked someone on my yard who competes at a higher level in dressage and is a nice quiet rider to try and help him
When she got on I could see he wasn't happy so walked with her and talked to him. He settled then. However at first when she was trotting he was tense and as he came past I was sure he knickered at me
Still convinced I was doing the right thing I let her continue. He did then relax and do some nice work. Canter wasn't as good as I get myself so I was a little disappointed that my idea of helping disnt work and on top it I had upset him
Lesson today with my dr instructor, I explained what had happened and she told me off (nicely) saying I am more than capable and that he has such a bond with me he would be happier if I made a few mistakes rather than someone else ride him
She is right he was so much happier when I rode him today than he was when the other person rode him, despite her being the better rider.

So those if you in the same boat think carefully before thinking your horse needs a better rider!!!! It really isn't always what is important to them :):)
 
Ah, what a lovely story! It's also very satisfying to achieve things yourself (though I'm certainly not above letting my trainer school mine to work through issues when needed!).
 
Aww well that's great for you and hopefully with that boost you will get your canter!!

Lovely for the instructor to note also....

I think you can often learn watching some one else ride your's though and personally love it as never get filmed riding and its nice to see what every one else does ;-)
 
The personal bond you have with that horse will take you far, trust is worth a lot!

However I will be letting others ride my horse more for its 'educatuon' as I intend to do some showing - I dont want the ride judge getting the wrong impression of my lovely girl :)
 
I wouldn't say she was a "better" rider, just a different rider. You are obviously the better rider for your horse! To my mind empathy with a horse , any horse, makes a better rider.
 
My friend rides my horse in the school for me and they both enjoy it, however it wasn't always like that in fact it almost didn't happen as my girl did not like it at all and made it quite clear.:eek:

Now, she whickers when she hears my friends car coming up the track and I'd like to think at she's looking forward to the fun she's going to have.

Give it time OP. I love to watch her being ridden and my friend adds to Elz's education. I feel lucky to have her and I'm sure they enjoy each other which is nice. My girl will always love me the bestust though. ;)
 
Thanks. I didn't necessarily mean I won't let others ride him. More that sometimes we are still the best person to help them through a training problem
I too will do some showing as I thinks it's a fab education. Therefore he will have to let others ride him, but maybe until he is more established only me and instructor who he likes. Most probably likes because he knows her, he didn't really know this other girl. Tho he won't know the ride judge either lol
 
I think horses being flight animals have a preferred leader and with that they take confidence from their leader. I am not sure I believe in the whole bond thing as I do not think horses, think that deeply.
 
Happy Hunter said:
The personal bond you have with that horse will take you far, trust is worth a lot!

However I will be letting others ride my horse more for its 'educatuon' as I intend to do some showing - I dont want the ride judge getting the wrong impression of my lovely girl :)
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I think that's a necessary skill for any horse, frankly. It's a mark of good training if a horse will go for someone else competent and better for someone with a higher skill set, because it means the basics are installed correctly and the horse is confident in itself and its work. I joke that good training is health insurance for horses, as no matter what we may intend, we never know what the future will hold and life is much easier for horses that can live comfortably in the world.
 
Thats a lovely story, thanks for sharing it. :)

I gave a horse like that, my little one GK. If I go out with a friend for a trail ride, I always have to ride him and whichever friend comes with me has to ride my other horse Bo.

GK will only tolerate one person other than me riding him when Bo is being ridden also, otherwise he is a right tool. Even if it is that one other person riding him, he throws little temper tantrums if she doesn't let him have his way... He never gets away with that behaviour, but it is funny to see him try.
 
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