Weird question.... how much do you like riding your horse?

[tristar]

only seen one photo of your 6 yr old but he looks fabulous, i love his breeding and would love to see a side on confo pic some time?

of the three i ride at the mo the old horse is a unicorn, beloved by all, he is a dream come true, he is always the same, always gives his best, a ride on him sets me up for the day, a son of his is a big horse and comfortable as a sofa, with paces to die for, i feel like a queen sat on him, lucky to have those two to ride.

the other is a rescue, the youngest, he is to die for, one look into his face/eyes and you are a gonna.

i love riding all of them because they want to be with me, work with me, the first two are very well bred, so i don`t feel the need to look elsewhere....ever

 

[mustardsmum]

I had one years ago I didn’t like riding. We never clicked, and I can say I never had a ride where I actually enjoyed myself. Eventually, he went back to the people I bought him off. I never missed him, but it broke my heart that we never bonded. Since then I had the most wonderful connie but as he got older he could do less and less. I lost him last year and finally, after a two year hunt, have my oversize New Forest who I adore! I had a started to wonder if I would carry on riding after I lost my old boy. This new little horse makes me smile every time I ride him. So do I enjoy my horse, definitely!

 

[Vermeer]

I love riding my little mare - she's forward going, quiet, sensible and enjoys hacking out. I've ridden others who have been equally enjoyable, but having had my pony for so long she really feels like a comfortable pair of old slippers that just feel right. There are not many horses I haven't enjoyed riding... But the ones I didn't enjoy were quite ploddy. I've been lucky to have an active but sane pony who enjoys mooching around the countryside as much as I do

 

[Boughtabay]

That’s something I’d never thought about! I have never disliked riding any of my horses over the years - despite some being exceptionally “challenging” (probably had issues but I was too young and indoctrinated in the “get it going” mindset to address that at the time, for which I’ll forever feel guilty). Even so I loved them they were great fun and exceptionally talented on their good days. Until this very moment I hadn’t realised but I really LOVE riding the lad I’ve got now. Broken in last summer and only hacked, he’s on an extended winter holiday (hoping to get back on this weekend if the bl**dy weather clears!) but he’s just SO EASY under saddle and trustworthy. Maybe it’s his nature, maybe I’ve done the job right but I have no nerves hopping on him, or if I do it’s gone the moment my bum hits the saddle and I love it. That’s not to say he doesn’t have baby moments - he naps to his friends and can be stoppy if he sees something worrying… he also doesn’t load reliably which is frustrating (hoping that’ll be fixed taking the partition out as that’s how he was travelled previously with no issues) but my god nothing under saddle is a battle and I just love it. I hope I get a chance to get back on this weekend!!

*I’ll have tempted fate now and he’ll explode the moment i hit the saddle for the first time ever

 

[SEL]

The one I miss the most is the one who came to me as a companion with dodgy legs. I can count on my fingers the times I rode him in the 7 years I was privileged to have him in my life and I came back from every ride grinning (& plastered in mud). But I loved his personality even more and when it was obvious his legs couldn't take work I just loved having him around. Very much missed.

I try not to compare the ponies to horses that have gone before - I haven't got the nerve to ride the warmblood of my 30s. I love riding both the ponies and they suit the rider I am today.

I did stop enjoying riding the Appy. She never felt 100% and never felt happy. On the days she was sound and happy I adored riding her though.

So a mix really!

 

[shortstuff99]

Of all of my horses I've had, my first pony was probably my least favourite to ride as he was a sod and pretty un-genuine which can be a bit disheartening when you're young.

The old Spanish potato can be annoying to ride as everything is a bit of a drama but she is also often my favourite to ride as she is 100% predictable and I know how she will be everytime, there is nothing that will ever catch you out

Baby Bean is really chill which makes her really nice to ride, but sometimes I would appreciate a bit more oomph (but not too much )

Bear (the maxi cob) is brilliant fun but has a hella sharp spook on him that can come from nowhere which I don't always appreciate!

 

[Spotherisk]

I adored riding Harley, had my fair share of falls of him over the 20+years we rode together. I’m not competitive and he was generally was the best type of horse for me, completely traffic proof we hacked for miles for many years. As others have said on here he was like putting on my comfy slippers, but our relationship is like an older marriage, deep love with some underlying angst and grumpieness! I adore him still, and he acknowledges me as the food provider.

Tinner I adored as a personality, and he adored me.His riding career (and his life) were cut short, and he wasn’t so much fun to ride. As he didn’t travel (in hindsight he had quite a few issues) I couldn’t educate him in the ways that I wished, and so we did very little really. However his opinion of me was as a dog who loves his mistress - he would choose to spend time with me rather than other horses, would come to call, moved between me and another horse who was lining up to kick me etc etc.

Which was the best horse for me? Riding horse - Harley. Big pet - Tinner.
which one do I miss riding? Harley, he is retired in the field at home, I wish I could turn back time and ride him for the next 15 years.

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

How much do you like riding your own horse(s)? I love riding my horse, I feel like I know him inside out

Do you find yourself wishing you were sat on something else? I do occasionally wish I was riding my old horse, if I could transport my old horse Bobby into a body that worked properly he would be my ideal horse. He just had the best temperament and we had some great times together

How often do you find you feel nervous or intimidated by your horse's behaviour under saddle? Never, he is usually a very well behaved boy but without feeling boring IYSWIM.

Do you ever feel like your horse isn't athletic/sporty enough for you? Yes and no. My current horse is a fell pony and Bobby was an Irish sport horse, so obviously there are differences. But I wanted something completely different to Bobby so I couldn’t compare them.

 

[Jango]

Your 6 year old is very special dude though! I don't think they make many like him.

I didn't enjoy my old horse a lot of the time, but kept up with her for ages as shes a lovely mare and we were doing what I wanted to do. But wasn't really enjoying it and was envious of other people on their sportier, sharper horses. Eg at camp, my mare was the only one who didnt stop/run out a single XC fence over 2 sessions. But I would have prefered to be riding any of the others.

My old horse is on loan and I've got a new one who is bigger, sharp and athletic and I am SO much happier! She's a idiot at times and I have had some dodgy rides, but I've also had some super ones and really loving the challenge.

 

[palo1]

I have 2 horses currently but have ridden and owned a number...I don't particularly enjoy riding my OH's horse even though, technically he is the most capable of the bunch. He's just a bit too laid back for me and I find it hard to up my game with him but I very much like him as a character! He is also massively reliable so I enjoy knowing what I am going to get. My current two are both horses that I feel immensely lucky to have and I adore riding both of them. My sporty Arab x just makes me feel young, bold and switched on; he is sharp as, hugely intelligent and I trust him with my life. I love everything about him and love his speed, athleticism and floating action. My little Welsh D mare is completely different; she is powerful, interested in learning, affectionate and loves jumping (which the other isn't so interested in). She is learning more complex stuff at the moment and I love her attitude to that; open to lots of different questions. I love her power, confidence and pony like cleverness. I look forward to riding both of them immensely and do not feel nervous or intimidated in the saddle or on the ground. I don't wish I was riding anything else but have learnt that in time I will ride and enjoy other horses too - I suppose I just know there are other horses to look forward to!

Sadly I think there are many people who don't or can't enjoy their horses; through a mis-match, through fear and lack of confidence about their skills or communication or because they are in a bad situation which impacts on their enjoyment. I don't think it is easy for people to admit that they are not actually enjoying their horse as so much time and money is tied up with that as well as the usual sense of sadness that a 'dream' is somehow disappointing.

 

[Caol Ila]

I really like riding my horses. Both the just-backed 4yo and the neurotic Highland. I liked riding my old horse.

I can't think of anything else to say. I just look forward to riding them, every day, and have to make myself give them days off.

 

[SOS]

I have been luckily enough to ride plenty of horses through working at yards, university and friends with professional yards. As a teenager I’d ride anything. I think now my ridden horse enjoyment falls into three categories: don’t enjoy/ can’t ride the horse, can ride the horse and actively enjoy riding the horse. Those I don’t enjoy don’t necessarily have to be doing something wrong, just some horses aren’t my cup of tea, I’d turn down another ride nowadays unless being paid. The second category I can get a tune out of but I wouldn’t take it home or beg for another ride. The third type makes me smile and gives me a little feeling of wanting to really work with them.

So where do my horses lie:
How much do you like riding your own horse(s)?
Horse A: Like putting on an old pair of boots, ridden him since he was young and know him inside out. He’s been my absolute hunter of a lifetime and I have and do trust him with my life. Doesn’t mean I couldn’t have a serious fall off him but he always looks out for us. I will never find a better hunter and loved being out with him, I wouldn’t have wished to be on any other horse. But he’s now retiring to a steadier life, so he has a lovely person riding him who enjoys just that. In a perfect world where I had the money and the time I probably would keep him all to myself and hack him, as I adore him. So yes I would say I like him!
Horse B: I have only had a short while. I really like riding him as he’s clever and a quick learner. Completely different kind of horse to horse A but enjoy him just as much for different reasons.

Do you find yourself wishing you were sat on something else?
No else I wouldn’t own them.

How often do you find you feel nervous or intimidated by your horse's behaviour under saddle?
Horse A: nowadays never ever, haven’t had anxiety about getting on him in a long time.
Horse B: He hasn’t done anything to make me feel that way, I would definitely say I get a little more anxious when hearing up to doing something unknown but once I’m sat on him I’m happy.

Do you ever feel like your horse isn't athletic/sporty enough for you?
Horse A: I could have been frustrated that this horse was unimpressive to school and definitely wasn’t a fan of coloured poles. But he was fabulous at his job and cleared all country easily so no. I do feel he is an anomaly to his stamp though and would often get comments on well he could jump.
Horse B: No, he’s the perfect stamp for what I want to do in the future.

 

[Season’s Bleatings]

I love riding my horse. Until his tendon injury, he was probably the nicest horse I had ever ridden and I’ve had huge amounts of fun with him. He is a big, civil gent and just a lovely person.
He has been on box rest since May- had surgery in June and has been on a walking regime since two weeks post surgery. He is now fairly fit and we are starting basic ridden work.
I am very happy to be back in the saddle but it is a bit stressful. He isn’t a sharp horse but he is a spooky sort of chap and naturally athletic so it’s a fun combo
We just have to slowly make his world bigger to keep that brain in line. Rehab is tough!

 

[DabDab]

How much do you like riding your own horse(s)?
Do you find yourself wishing you were sat on something else?
How often do you find you feel nervous or intimidated by your horse's behaviour under saddle?
Do you ever feel like your horse isn't athletic/sporty enough for you?

One of the reasons that I don't plan to have any more after my current lot is that Arty as a riding horse for me is virtually irreplaceable and having Pebbles as a number two is pretty flipping fortunate too.

So answering for Arts:
Love riding her, she is perfect

Nope. I have been lucky to ride many beautiful, generous, well bred horses, but none quite like her for me.

Never. She has never been anything other than foot perfect under saddle. That answer applies to Pebbles too though, but I cheat as I have/train them from pre-backed youngsters which makes it more straightforward.

No, she has just the right amount of athleticism for me, which is one of the reasons I enjoy riding her so much. I'm not a massive fan of the movement of the more modern super-capable warmblood type

 

[poiuytrewq]

He grew on me..then I hated riding him, he’s growing again…slowly

 

[Fieldlife]

RachelFerd said:

>>How much do you like riding your own horse(s)?



Most of the time. Occasionally wish he was more forwards on the flat. Or more willing to gallop. Or more willing to show off at dressage competitions (yawning and rubbing his nose on his knee unfree walk isn’t quite the same )



Problem is I want a horse that’s

• Safe in open country at speed in a group and solo.
• Copes with open country exciting busy hacking and racehorses being exercised
• Great solo hack
• Safe for a middle aged amateur
• Talented at dressage
• General all rounder
• Easy for to take anywhere solo

He’s still the best horse I’ve owned, and the one I’m having most fun with.



I’ve had zippier horses with less talent and that were scarier. Horses that love showing off in dressage arena (but struggled solo hacking)



Not sure perfect exists.



I ride 5 times a week, mostly before with, and do groundwork and few times a week. I’d ride him twice as much if I could!



>>Do you find yourself wishing you were sat on something else?

• Not often. Occasionally see horse with more energy in arena that looks fun. Or when left way behind on gallops!

>>How often do you find you feel nervous or intimidated by your horse's behaviour under saddle?



Not really which is part of what I love about him! It’s pretty easier to feel intimated in our extreme hacking environment. And this is priceless.



>Do you ever feel like your horse isn't athletic/sporty enough for you?



No he’s super talented but not always motivated to show it.

 

[Jellymoon]

Such an interesting question! I have one I really like riding, he’s very comfortable and gives a nice feel on the flat and over a jump, he’s willing and forward so I don’t have to make a huge effort. He can sometimes be a little too lively and bouncy out hacking, which I don’t especially enjoy at the time, but I have realised this is the small price to pay for him being nice and forward in the arena!
I find him comfortable to ride, he doesn’t jiggle me about too much.
Our other one is my son’s pony and I don’t really enjoy riding him that much. He’s very sweet and safe but he’s such an effort to motivate. Feel really guilty saying that though! Son absolutely adores him and he’s much loved. He’ll never leave us, but I’m so happy in the school hols when I can just ride my one all the time!
I guess I’m just very lazy and prefer one who can just carry me about.

 

[AntiPuck]

It always feels like a real privilege to me to ride my horse, even just walking down the lanes I feel so lucky to be up there, or even to be walking next to her in-hand.

I find her more and more fun to ride over time, as she has grown up a bit and become less anxious, and also as I've been able to train various ways of going that make her a better and more responsive ride. She is never fizzy, is good in traffic, can be trusted in open spaces, gains wings when she jumps, and is a good, solid build and size, so she ticks a lot of my boxes.

I trust her so much when ridden, and did from the very first ride, not really sure why as she's huge, and spooky, and used to be incredibly nappy, and I'd not really trust her with a novice just yet, but I somehow just feel at home up there. It has taken a lot longer to get that same feeling on the ground with her, but have still had her less than a year yet.

 

[Cloball]

I loved riding my new pony when I went to try her, I didn't want to get off and felt like a teen again. My anxiety as a new owner has slightly taken over now she's home although she's been a delight and done nothing untoward so I am sure I will get there again.

On the other side have definitely ridden horses I did not enjoy riding. Usually they are very heavy in the hand or require a lot of leg, usually both. I find it funny how horses can surprise you by being so much fun to ride even if on paper they shouldn't be. Surely that's one of the reasons we do it.
Some of my favourites straight off have been a Highland pony I was rehabbing post stifle injury she's was so forward and cute and came on so nicely despite a bus trying to run us over once, a tiny Hispano arabe who was like riding a bouncy ball but had a mouth like butter and was bombproof. Others such as my loan pony as a teen took a lot of work and lessons but turned out to be fantastic.

 

[KEK]

This is a very interesting thread and really confirms I probably should sell my pony. I don't particularly enjoy riding him. He requires a huge amount of leg to motivate /keep going and he's also young so I don't really trust him although he's not at all spooky and the worst he's ever done is pigroot into canter. Hes super wide, and i have pelvis issues and find him uncomfortable too. We've just put sooo much effort and time and money into him though- got him as a just started 3.5yo and he's been schooled 3×/week for the last 3.5 years by my pro SJ neighbour. And I'm not good at moving animals on. But it does feel like an effort to do stuff with him. I might actually be able to ride if I'd put all the money into lessons for me that I have educating him..

 

[Bernster]

Interesting topic. I’m a tricky mix of wanting a safe, straightforward confidence giver but I like a bit of oomph and forwardness too. Not an easy ask and I tend to slight under- and then slightly over-horse myself!

Of my two current rides, Finn is a bombproof superstar - very special horse and we’ve done so many fun things. But, and I do feel a bit guilty about it, I do prefer riding Bertie. Finn is just a tad laid back (exc when he’s hunting, when he’s awesome). Bertie is more sensitive to ride and it took me a long time to get the hang of him. But he’s so much fun. I love how keen he is, and his happy outlook on life. Now that we seem to have bonded he is what I was hoping he’d be - safe but forward (I’ll reserve judgement fully until we get back out xc on grass!). He’s also adorably cuddly and gentle. It’s an inexplicable thing though as I probably won’t be able to do as much with him as I have with Finn (not sure I’d brave taking him out hunting!)

 

[SadKen]

I thought I would never enjoy riding any horse as much as my previous mare, but boy have I dropped lucky with the one I have now. She’s forward yet completely safe, responsive, tries so hard to please, enjoys working with me, incredibly independent and quite frankly perfect. I’ve had her from newly broken and riding away at rising 5, she’s nearly 8 now. I never wish I was riding anything else. I don’t think I can ride many horses very well, as I don’t like anything that’s spooky or stupid, and I have little sympathy or talent to deal with messing about.

I’ve had plenty of horses that I didn’t like riding but after frank conversations with myself about what I am capable to ride and what I actually like riding (regardless of what anyone else might think), I seem to have picked two on the run that I’ve really loved.

 

[Ceifer]

This is a really good question. I found that as I worked with horses for over 10 years and rode literally 100s. I didn’t really know what I liked. I knew what I didn’t like so when I purchased my own I brought a horse that was nice but didn’t make me feel enthralled to ride him. I then repeated that mistake another 3 times until finding my current horse who I totally adore.

I love riding him. He’s great to hack, school and just a pleasure to deal with. No nasty quirks but a decent brain so not boring. He’s one in a million.

 

[Jenko109]

Not much. Not a reflection on the horse whatsoever. I just have lost the love for riding in general.

I love riding him if we are out at a fun ride or on the beach or at a jumping lesson. However to do these things, it means having a fit horse by riding in all weathers and mundanely hacking or schooling which I just absolutely cannot be bothered to do.

How nice it would be to afford full livery to include riding so I could just go out hunting at the weekend on a ready to go horse!

 

[First Frost]

I've owned my older boy since a 4 year old, he is 19 now. He is my soul mate and like an old pair of slippers. He can be sharp but always forward and fun. We adore hacking (I would and have taken him anywhere) and jumping together but not so much schooling anymore. He has always got tense in the arena so now he is older we just do suppling work out hacking and occasionally school in the field in the summer.
My younger horse now 8 I have also had since a 4 year old. I really enjoy schooling him and also jumping. He learns quickly and is very relaxed and talented. I also enjoy hacking him but not quite as much as the old boy, especially when on my own. Probably don't trust him quite as much which is actually rather unfair as he is a good boy!

 

[Ceifer]

Not much. Not a reflection on the horse whatsoever. I just have lost the love for riding in general.

I love riding him if we are out at a fun ride or on the beach or at a jumping lesson. However to do these things, it means having a fit horse by riding in all weathers and mundanely hacking or schooling which I just absolutely cannot be bothered to do.

How nice it would be to afford full livery to include riding so I could just go out hunting at the weekend on a ready to go horse!

I understand this. I went from full livery to horses at home. Which I love from a management point of view as they get all year turnout, something when I moved area I found is scarce. However I do really have to make myself ride - especially in winter after mucking out, poo picking , water buckets etc. it can take the joy out of horses.

 

[scats]

I was thinking about this last night when I took Millie out for a hack. Only my third time back in the saddle since my accident and I just let her look after me while I faffed about finding comfortable positions for my ankle.
She is absolutely incredible, but I remember that for the first 2-3 years, I hated hacking her out because she was so spooky and daft. She would spin and run or teleport from underneath me. I used to have to pluck up the courage to hack out and would feel relieved at getting back in one piece

It was definitely a relationship that grew with me and Millie!

 

[PSD]

I absolutely love riding my horse. He’s so happy and forward, he can be soft and babyish sometimes but he’s a welsh and that’s just him. He’s safe and just such a lovey boy. I do sometimes wish I was riding my old horse, simply because I adored her but she was a fool and I couldn’t enjoy a nice ride out on her as she was so silly.

I wish I had more time to ride but working full time with 2 young children it just isn’t possible most days but he’s a superstar and has never given me a bad ride. I’m lucky as he’s the type that I can leave for weeks and just get on and he acts like he’s never had “time off”.

I did fall out of love with riding and horses in general when I lost my Connie in 2020, but I stupidly bought a youngster and quickly realised I didn’t want to go through all that process again and just wanted to enjoy having a horse. So I sold her and got my welsh and I haven’t looked back.

The bonus of not having much time to ride, I throughly enjoy it when I do get the time to.

 

[skint1]

I only learned to ride in my 40s, have never been great at it- never competed or anything. I have had 3 horses of my own.

How much do you like riding your own horse(s)?
I liked riding all of my horses, though sometimes I was nervous or lacking confidence

Do you find yourself wishing you were sat on something else?
When I got the second horse after losing the first in tragic circumstances, it took me a while to bond with him, he was very different from her- so sadly, I did wish he was my first horse, it took me a while to appreciate him for the rough diamond he was I never wished the 3rd was any other horse, didn't really get to ride her long enough to get that far. Oh wait, one time she bucked me off and I wished she was either one of the other 2 who had never bucked.

How often do you find you feel nervous or intimidated by your horse's behaviour under saddle?
Never on the first horse, frequently on the second. last couple of times I rode the 3rd I couldn't get it out of my head that she wasn't happy and wasn't right, so I didn't enjoy and felt nervous


Do you ever feel like your horse isn't athletic/sporty enough for you?
Haha not even for a moment. If anything I am probably not athletic or sporty enough for them!

 

[Deleted member 163966]

How much do you like riding your own horse(s)? .... The old boy - now retired - loved riding him. He's safe enough to be a fun relaxing ride, but not so stodgy as to be boring. The new one not so much, sadly. As safe as you can expect a fit, opinionated 8yo mare to be, but not as relaxing as I'm never quite sure what she's going to do next.

Do you find yourself wishing you were sat on something else? ... See above. I usually wish I was on the old one, when I'm on the new one. (Typing that has made me feel a bit sad .... )

How often do you find you feel nervous or intimidated by your horse's behaviour under saddle? ... sometimes, if I'm honest. Might have over horsed myself a bit ...

Do you ever feel like your horse isn't athletic/sporty enough for you? ... no. She's just right in many respects. Athletic enough without being too energetic.