Views of changing horses!

Shavings

Well-Known Member
Joined
8 October 2011
Messages
2,082
Location
Middle of some where
Visit site
There is a lady at are yard who has 1 horse already (very quiet little cob was a RDA pony in his younger years)
She's now gone out and brought a rather high strung 3 year old
( not that there is a problem with that it is her own choice!!)
But she has been telling every one at the yard any horse is change - able to be a novice ride, what she means by this is that any horse in the world with the right training is suitable for a novice.
What do you guys think? Do you agree with her or not so much?

I personally don't agree I believe with the right training every horse can be "safe" for the correct rider but not ever horse can take a novice (just my view don't shoot me!!!)

Ps my first horse was a little x racer who was 16 when I got him and was (still his) a complete gent so I know many horses can be come suitable for novices through re-training but I don't believe every horse can
 
Rubbish. We had to put a racehorse down because we could not keep him sound and he was a professional ride, he had been on the premises for all his working life and was buried on the gallops.
Only the best riders were ever allowed on him. I would say we had several which would not have been considered for re-training, and quite a few which would never be novice rides, no matter how long they were rehabilitated.
I hope the horse works out, but I think there is trouble ahead.
 
Last edited:
Absolutly not! I wouldnt let a novice within even a 100ft of my luso, she is strong and hot headed by nature and would never in any lifetime with any trainer be suitable for a novice to handle or ride!

I do think that most with the right training in the right enviroment could be, but certainly not all.
 
I think with the right training a horse can be made easier, but I disagree that any horse can be suitable for a novice, it's down to selective breeding. A working border collie will never be a happy lap dog. Sport horses are selectively bred to produce better competition horses, cobs are selectively bred to produce quiet family ponies. Yes there's exceptions to every breed but that is generally how it works.
 
Agree with the others above, my lad is Mr Laid Back and treats novice riders like spun glass, my mum's mare would freak out literally if a novice got on her! She doesn't even do lead rein without being incredibly uncomfortable so it's not worth it for the stress it causes her. We had a couple of incredibly experienced riders/trainers ride her regularly for a while and they agreed that she would never be suitable for a novice rider.
 
I completely disagree. You can never change the integral temperament of a horse, that it is born with. My gelding is very quirky and not amount of maturing and training will change that. He's certainly easier than he was at 3/4 years old (he's now 8) but I would never dream of putting a novice rider on him ever just down to the fact that he is so sensitive and somewhat unpredictable.
 
I agree with those who are disagreeing. Some horses by their nature will never be a novice ride, they won't put up with ineffective or confusing aids or general rider/handler bumbliness or they're just really sharp or spooky, perhaps at aged 3 it is too early to make the call on that particular horse, but if he's highly strung anyway it has to be more of of a challenge.
 
Er, no. Fundamentally, if a horse is hot or sensitive, or both, putting a novice on will result in disaster. You cannot change a horse's temperament. Heck, people find it difficult to change themselves, and we have insight AND motivation to do so.

I suspect this lady may quickly find out she is incorrect.
 
Think about is it really logical to think that with different training say Glock Undercover would be a novice ride I don't think so .
However if the horse is a suitable ' type ' and kind natured and she has enough money to spend on the right type of training and enough time to be consistent and enough desire to work hard there's no reason the horse will not be want she wants eventually .
 
Lets hope she realises her logic is flawed before it breaks something! Why do people think they can take on young inexperienced horses when they do not have the experience to deal with same, someone might be able with time and skill turn this horse into a novice ride but a novice cannot teach a novice, she will frightened the horse and herself. Seen this so many times with disastrous results, I always wonder if these people are stupid or have an overrated opinion of there own abilities - probably a bit of both and they will talk the talk and then walk the walk before they end up on the floor and the horse is disappearing into the distance!!
 
No I don't think you can turn any horse into a novice ride. Temperament and personality dictate that. With training a horse can be made easier, but some horses always need good or pro riders, its simply the way they are. I hope for everyones sake she gets help, or the horse in question is in possession of a nice personality.
 
I agree with those who are disagreeing. Some horses by their nature will never be a novice ride, they won't put up with ineffective or confusing aids or general rider/handler bumbliness or they're just really sharp or spooky, perhaps at aged 3 it is too early to make the call on that particular horse, but if he's highly strung anyway it has to be more of of a challenge.
It makes the matter worse that a three year old needs an experienced rider who will not over-react to the normal reactions of a young horse and be sufficiently experienced to teach a horse.
Its a bit like saying anyone can put on a pair of skis and set off down a black run......... everything is possible to attempt, but it wont last long.
 
Think about is it really logical to think that with different training say Glock Undercover would be a novice ride I don't think so .
However if the horse is a suitable ' type ' and kind natured and she has enough money to spend on the right type of training and enough time to be consistent and enough desire to work hard there's no reason the horse will not be want she wants eventually .
She probably needs a plod
 
She probably needs a plod

Who knows what she needs .
But horses can and do learn jobs if they have the right training and work.
If the owner of the three year old try's to go it alone without good help and support it's more likely than not to not to end well but with time and the correct help why should it not as long as the horse is the right type for the job.
We all learn how to do things at some point .
 
Top