to share or not to share?

pixie

Well-Known Member
Joined
21 July 2005
Messages
4,984
Location
Malton, N yorkshire
Visit site
So I tried out a lady's two horses the other day.

One was a small arab. Very forward going and leaping into canter, taking a while to stop. Apparently a couple of weeks ago it had another girl off who broke several bones.
The other was a big warmblood, which was lazy, so when I tapped it on the shoulder with a stick when it wouldn't go into canter it leapt forward bucking and almost having me off. It did this when I asked for canter afterwards without using the stick.

On the one hand I'm really missing riding, and this way I'd be able to ride several times a week and have more one-to-one time with them. On the other hand I am the sole earner (my husband is doing a phd), so if I did fall off (which seems likely at some point with either of these two) and did end up hurting myself I wouldn't be able to work (I have a very physical job) then we'd be buggered.
Would I be better off just sticking to "saner" ridingschool horses for a while with less one-to-one, and probably less chance off falling off, but also improving myself by having lessons?

Your opinions, please!
 
both horses might ride better when you get used to them, it might be that they need a little less leg if the owner has been riding them differently. Sharing is always difficult, determining where the boundaries lie on who does what and how much control you have because of course the veto rests with the owner who might do things quite differently to you.

A one to one relationship with a horse will progress your riding much more quickly IMO, it might be worth going back with an instructor you know and trust for a second ride?
 
I suggest you find your local BHS committee, they would be able to point you at a good local instructor who would be independent enough to assess the horses for you and it would be a good intro into the local horsie community
 
Top