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

[Old school]

I love riding my two. Have been pleasantly surprised by my six year old. She has always been a saint. I often go home from our first experience at something feeling like a child after their first PC rally. Thrilled. I was extremely anxious about taking on a young horse. I have failed before to click with a horse and sought a more suitable home. The older boy is a gem. No words really. Lolls about at hacking, never fails out hunting and brings home rosettes from the islands two biggest shows.

No longer looking at other gorgeous partnerships wondering how they got it so right. But definitely did when I was mismatched.

Have had few who got tense under the saddle. Always gave them lots of extra days off after vaccinations or any other excuse.

Owning a highly strung sports Connie, I realise my riding skills are not up to scratch for her. The pro loved her. But I don’t need that ‘every day is her first day’ type to ride. Looking forward to breeding her this season.

 

[Snow Falcon]

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

I'm loving it! Have got brave and popping a few logs.

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

Yes, I wouldn't be riding her if I hadn't lost my beautiful Flicka last year. I'd rather be riding her.

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

Nope. I've owned her since a foal so know her well. We backed her a couple of years ago so no issues there.


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

No, I just wish she was a little bit bigger, but she's a pocket rocket.

 

[clinkerbuilt]

As a non-owner, taking/paying for rides where I can, the rule has to be: take each horse as it comes and find something to love. I think that approach is why so many people will reply positively, even if it looks like they're not having a great time.

When I get to sit on a horse I've loved before, after a break, that feeling comes back, and it reveals how great it could be. But that's the Big Sporties that I rarely have access to (and cannot buy). Apart from one "schoolmaster" who can get me off violently if he feels like it, I tend not to feel intimidated. Wary on a fresh day, yes. Never sat on a Grand Prix horse, though, so probably just a reflection of access.

 

[2 Dragons]

This is an interesting thread and I was pondering my response all day. I have 2 horses that I ride.
Horse C- I love riding him. I wish I was braver and jumped more which is his favourite thing. I wish he had some ambition to do dressage. Lucky we both love to hack. But what I love most about C is watching my daughter ride him (we share him but he is more mine as she is away at uni)- I love their bond and seeing both their confidences increase.

Pony R - we first got R 10 years ago- she taught both me and my girls everything. 5 years ago it was clear the girls needed a different horse to progress. We sold her to a friend of a friend. In May, in the saddest of (human) circumstances, she came back to me. Our bond was there again from the moment she got off the lorry. I love riding her - I sometimes feel she understands my thoughts. I feel every ride with her is a bonus. We have no ambition beyond happily getting old together

 

[BronsonNutter]

How much do you like riding your own horse(s)? Little TB - he is pure happiness and enthusiasm to ride, I couldn't not be happy when on board him. Hacking he marches round with his ears permanently pricked and a smile on his face, anywhere and everywhere I ask. He has never been nappy (my pet peeve with horses). Schooling and jumping he was tricky mentally, but generally in a really busy brain/overload/offering you everything you didn't ask for kind of way, rather than a pigheaded awkwardness. He's wonderfully forwards and light in the hand too.

Little connemara - I don't 'enjoy' in the same way as Little TB. Whilst he is very well behaved you only really get what you ask him to give you - he offers no more than that. He's sensible, kind, well schooled, and I do like him, but just doesn't have the same spark for me. Yet he is the one that everyone else prefers when I take him out hunting, to fun rides etc.

Do you find yourself wishing you were sat on something else? Not when I'm on board, but I do wish little TB could go jumping etc again.

How often do you find you feel nervous or intimidated by your horse's behaviour under saddle? No - little TB can be an idiot sometime but he's also like putting on a pair of slippers so... Connemara I occasionally get a bit anxious before something like jumping, but this is not his fault, he's been helping me regain my confidence after an accident off another horse.

Do you ever feel like your horse isn't athletic/sporty enough for you? Connemara - yes. Little TB - absolutely not!

 

[FlyingCircus]

My Connie I found quite boring as I knew him inside out and he just did what was asked. No more, usually no less.

My Welsh I loved riding and really hope she comes right so I can ride her again. She's tricky and clever and keeps me on my toes.

Whilst my 2 aren't rideable I've been riding anything on offer and have to say...I completely underestimated how little I'd like riding other horses! The only exception has been a schoolmaster lesson but the rest I've struggled with as they haven't been as switched onto the aids as mine nor as forward.

 

[Jellymoon]

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!)

Gosh, you could be me, feel exactly the same about our two! And I struggle to get it right and either over horse or under horse myself a bit…

 

[Peglo]

I loved hacking my first pony. She was super brave and enjoyed seeing what was going on. She was a lot of fun and safe, even though I fell off her frequently.

There was something so special about galloping Flo flat out. It was amazing. She was a ex racer though so she was built for speed but I hope I never forget that feeling.

but Tali just feels right. She’s not as brave as my other 2 hacking but I still feel so safe with her. She very quickly gave me all my confidence back as I’d had a break from riding after retiring Flo. She’s an absolute joy to have around and makes me smile the whole time. I couldn’t imagine how she could be any better (well, she technically could be with a better rider) but she is everything I could’ve hoped for in a pony. She just makes me so happy and feel so lucky I get to spend time with her.

 

[iknowmyvalue]

I adore riding Pepsi. Yes, there are some things I’d change about him (mostly things in his past, as I think had that been different most of the things I’d change would be resolved) but also I love every bone of him. He wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea, he’s a sensitive soul, but he’s just the kind of horse I like. Basically kind and trustworthy, but with some quirks and personality so you’ll never be bored. And honestly, most of his t**t behaviour isn’t really that bad, and usually it just makes me laugh because it never makes me feel unsafe.

He makes me feel happier and more confident than almost any other horse I have ever ridden (and I used to ride for other people, so I’ve ridden a fair few!). And though I’ve come off him, he’s never tried to deck me. The only other horse I’ve enjoyed that much was my mare, sadly not with us anymore.

I didn’t enjoy my previous horse so much, he was lovely and what I needed at the time I got him after a nasty accident. But much as I adored him, we just didn’t “click” in the same way Pepsi and I do. Once I got back to wanting to make progress towards where I was before the accident I found him partly frustrating because he didn’t want to do that job, and also a bit boring.

 

[Griffin]

I love riding mine, she is my perfect horse now (she wasn't when I first got her, we had quite a tricky time trying to undo some of the damage dove to her in previous homes). I actually think that she is so right for me, I am unlikely to get another after her.

She is genuinely fun to ride and very safe but with a good turn of speed when needed. My heart still bursts with love every time I see her.

 

[Boots*McGruber]

I absolutely love my ginger x cob! She is so quirky, whizzy and fun! I’ve swapped with a few friends on camp/ on hacks but honestly nothing compares to my crazy little ginger mare She is nearly 21 and I’ve had her since she was 6 and she truly is my pony of a lifetime

Wow, she looks like a turbo cob!

 

[maya2008]

I love my little mare because I can trust her absolutely - to take care of the kids and their ponies, to help instil manners in the young ones when I first lead them out before being backed, to help me out whenever needed (from staying put when I abandon her to do things all the way to dealing with my jumping nerves and taking over if needed). She’s amazing. Would another hand in height have been perfect? Oh yes. But it helps me keep my weight down!

Husband’s cob is that extra hand bigger and feels the perfect size - but is much more effort to ride because he truly dislikes thinking for himself. My little mare is my partner - she will take the initiative and act to help. Him…you have to ride every stride. Initiative, even to keeping his own feet on the path, really isn’t his thing. Safe as houses but much more work!!! Husband loves him, horses that take the initiative make him anxious as he feels out of control, so we both have the perfect steed!

 

[Boulty]

Ask me again in a year or so when he’s finished going through a very belated 5 year old phase! I miss being sat on a horse who feels like he’s trying his best for me rather than one I have to fight for every little bit of forwards motion. He’s tried to retire himself a few times before being fully backed so unsure he’ll have a long ridden career before he figures out a way to end it anyway. But exercise and movement are good for him and I sorta feel I’m allowed to want something back for the large percentage of my salary that he eats up! Had been making some steps in the right direction but kinda feels like we’re going backwards again. I don’t enjoy him as much as I enjoyed the orange welshie (who I didn’t enjoy as much as the hairy Irish pony that came before but achieved more with). I just don’t tend to get the feeling he ever really enjoys work & he would definitely rather be chilling with his mates. He enjoys being rewarded with food for doing certain things but that’s as far as goes I think.

 

[Bob notacob]

At 67 I am feeling my age . I have all winter felt a sense of guilt about not riding Bob enough. It was just such hard work .Bob is a full on ,hot blooded ISH ,also of advanced years. I cannot do the kind of riding I was used to ,and I do miss it . I only have to look at a line of practice steeplechase fences and .......... But I cant and in fairness Bob shouldn't (partly because of his age and partly because he is the clumsy clutz that aged me 10 years.)
Editors note from Bob, My lawyers will be in touch!
Today , Bob saw me in the yard and was calling to me from his field. We went for a lovely hack together in the warm early spring evening .I felt renewed . I think Bob also felt it because he didn't even try to pretend to bite me when rugging up!

 

[j1ffy]

It's an interesting set of questions! I'm sure there's a fair amount of confirmation bias for us as horse owners, after all we've all invested a lot of money and time into our horses so we'll want to like them. As for me....

How much do you like riding your own horse(s)? 6yo Chilli is my main riding horse now and I absolute love riding him. I feel that my other Spanish boys (Pocholo and Indio) have prepared me for Chilli and I'm now able to handle the added athleticism and eagerness of Chilli. TBH I've loved all three of my Spanish horses but felt my abilities outgrew P and Indio - I'm very grateful to them for teaching me so much and always giving 100%, and still love hopping on them occasionally (they're both teaching loaners how to ride Iberians now!). Chilli is very forward, bold as brass and always keen to learn. Also great to hack, he's brave, interested in the world around and he puts a big grin on my face.

I didn't enjoy riding the warmblood that I had on loan, even though he was very consistent and I got far better dressage scores with him than on any of my other horses. He was a bit of a lump to school and had an unpredictable streak - I never felt we were a partnership.

Do you find yourself wishing you were sat on something else? Nope!

How often do you find you feel nervous or intimidated by your horse's behaviour under saddle? Chilli went through a nappy phase in his late 4yo / early 5yo months and was very challenging at times. Despite that there was only once where I felt nervous and that was due to a loose girth! Even when his tension boils over I feel like he wants to keep me in the saddle.

Do you ever feel like your horse isn't athletic/sporty enough for you? Chilli has all the ability I need, as long as he comes sound and stays that way...

 

[Accidental Eventer]

this is a great question. I love riding both of mine but feel quite guilty because I would pick Henry any day of the week to ride over Coolie. Hes just up for it and happy to go out. He enjoys the work more, though coolie enjoys it more these days now I have found what really works for him.

Both of mine are like coming home, though I'm much more connected to Coolie. He can be a twit but I know what he will be a twit about and I laugh when he does anything silly. I think something and he does it, he thinks something and I know what he's thinking.

Poor Henry I laugh at less because I have a bit of PTSD form another horse. Henry hasn't really ever done anything wrong, he's such a lovely horse. I just need to relax a bit more I think. It's very much a me problem! I don't love riding him when he has separation anxiety but I can manage it and have decided to avoid the situation all together this year. Honestly he's the horse that makes me proud because i produced him and he really is pretty perfect. even just thinking about riding I get a buzz. poor Coolie, he's not as enthusiastic about working so I get a buzz when he's buzzed but it's more like hard work. Having a hard time trying to motivate stepping up his work this year as i just don't seem to find enough time/motivation for him. Not that he cares, he's fat and happy!

 

[ycbm]

This is a great idea for a thread Rachel, a really interesting set of questions.
.

 

[Hannahgb]

Maybe its different as I broke in my last 3, so didnt know when I bought them if I would like them?

Zig I adored riding at the start, he was everything. Then over the years as more issues cropped up he became dangerous and unpredicatble. Therefore for investigations etc, I started to dislike riding him as never knew if we would come out hurt

Ferdi was just a saint, he tried his hardest at all times and had talent to burn but safe as houses, forward, responsive. Could ride him for hours

Hope was perfect on paper, but as much as I loved her, she wasnt my cup of tea to ride. Not as sharp, a hand smaller than my preferred size. She never put a foot out of line, but I rarely got the same buzz us I did out of the boys. Still adored the bones off her

 

[Hallo2012]

the 2 i have now i genuinely love working with, they are similar in that they are hot and clever, very much *on it* 100% of every ride.

but i have certainly had a few in the past that as much i adored and cared for them , were a bit more of a grind to get on and work with, so know where you are coming from.

 

[leflynn]

How much do you like riding your own horse(s)? LOVE it
Do you find yourself wishing you were sat on something else? Nope
How often do you find you feel nervous or intimidated by your horse's behaviour under saddle? Sometimes I question my sanity if he's in full TB spookmeister mode
Do you ever feel like your horse isn't athletic/sporty enough for you? Nope

Love him to bits, he can be a challenge but I trust him and I'll never forget when I went to try him (I went to try another but didn't get along with truth be told), it felt like home and he put a huge smile on my face and still does, ridden or not

 

[pistolpete]

Well I couldn’t have loved riding my old boy Pete more. He was forward but safe. So willling and straightforward. Love love loved him! The highland well that was very different! Retiring him through injury was a relief as we’d never clicked in four years and god I tried! Hope I find another ‘Pete’ in this lifetime!

 

[Tarragon]

How much do you like riding your own horse(s)? .... well, my current riding pony is my project pony and only really just backed, so my definition of "riding" at the moment amounts to very little time in the saddle, but goodness me, that feel I got when I first sat on him, and that first walk, and that first trot has been so special. I rode him from the stables for the first time last week, and to feel that strong stride beneath me and those happy ears ahead was very special. perhaps because I have had to work so hard to get to this point!

Do you find yourself wishing you were sat on something else? ... no, not at the moment. very happy with everything at the moment. Every now and then I wish our progress had been faster, but it is what it is

How often do you find you feel nervous or intimidated by your horse's behaviour under saddle? ... I have had to work so hard building up the relationship I have with hours of in hand work, what little riding I have done I haven't felt nervous or intimidated.

Do you ever feel like your horse isn't athletic/sporty enough for you? ... I don't know the answer to this one yet! I do like to ride a horse that likes to be ridden and is as keen as I am to ride all over the countryside. We shall see.

 

[ihatework]

Over the years I have gone from loving riding for ridings sake (and enjoyed riding anything and everything) to where I am now which is pretty much out of love with riding.

It’s an effort for me to ride even nice horses! So it has to be something super special for me to be itching to ride frequently.

I like athletic but not huge moving. Forwards without being batshit. Intelligent but on the riders side. Uphill and fairly compact. Nice mouth. Supple.

Of my current horses, my hombred 7yo I’m happy to ride but I wouldn’t choose him as a horse for me. He is too strong and a bit wooden in his gob.

4yo turnip is a sweetie. If I were inclined to want to go competing she is probably the sensible choice. ButI don’t love riding her enough to be swayed in that direction.

4yo Millie may well tick the boxes, we will see. She has the potential to be too much horse for me, but if I ride her alongside pro eventer under pro management it might be a go-er

 

[Mrs G]

How much do you like riding your own horse(s)?
Love it, I start to get narky/moody if I go longer than a few days without riding him.

Do you find yourself wishing you were sat on something else?
Never - I think hes the best (most beautiful, intelligent, athletic etc) horse I've ever come across. I can appreciate other horses and their abilities and Ive sat on some lovely, well schooled horses but theres nothing like riding your own is there?!

How often do you find you feel nervous or intimidated by your horse's behaviour under saddle?
Actually, despite the fact I adore him, I have and still do (10+ years later) spend a significant amount of time feeling nervous and/or intimidated by him - when his blood is up he's a unexploded bomb more than capable of going off and sending me flying! I no longer jump as he gets too excited and I have to be very careful about doing anything in a group (eg group lesson - I have to think v carefully about venue, size of group, activity etc and prepare for it well in advance).

Do you ever feel like your horse isn't athletic/sporty enough for you?
Quite the opposite - I KNOW I'm not athletic, sporty or brave enough for him - he could have done so much more with someone else - its a good job HE doesnt know that (well - as I said - he's very intelligent - so maybe he does know it...!)

 

[Annagain]

Having had a rough time with a previous horse, Wiggy has restored my faith in the equine race. He's 99% safe but responsive, nicely forward but not strong and beautifully polite.

His only slight issue (we've had two instances now) is if he's following another horse and they spook, he follows suit but a bit more dramatically. Both times I very nearly came off. Luckily he seems to realise that I'm in trouble and slows down until I'm back in balance (albeit with one stirrup and my hat over my eyes yesterday!) He never spooks in front so that would be the answer but he's not the fastest so some friends struggle to stay behind us.

 

[Poppy+MrDarcy]

Sometimes my riding 17 year old tests me, he is a right cheeky monkey when it comes to jumping and field work, but I always enjoy riding him! Unless it's the first ride after a fall or in my case being bucked off!

 

[McFluff]

I love riding my horse, and just being with him. I knew as soon as I saw him - there was just something about him. When I first sat on him I felt at home. I still have to pinch myself at how lucky I was to find him.
The first couple of weeks I did think I’d over-horsed myself, but he never did anything bad. Now we know each other better, I can laugh at him (he ‘forgets’ how to slow down, he can be spooky, he makes his own entertainment). He is fun, forward and safe. More than athletic enough for me. I love his positive can-do attitude to life. He always tries.
I always feel it is a privilege to be around and ride horses, but there are some I’d really not suit, and some that would scare me too much.
I’ve never wished I was on another rather than my own, even when he’s being a pain to load, I’m still glad he’s mine.
I have supported a friend through having one she had to steal herself to ride. It shot her confidence, and as much as she loved him on the ground, selling was the right thing to do.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Nerves and beating myself up about them have been getting in the way of my enjoyment of new share horse, but it's getting better. I think he's just right for me to progress on and not be over-horsed - forward going and safe, forgiving and not sharp. He does really march out on hacks which I need to get used to, I would not say that he makes me feel unsafe though. I miss my previous share horse who was not so forward going and we had all off-road hacking which was bliss, so sometimes I wish I was with her although if I was I am sure I would now miss new share horse! Over the past couple of weeks I've got off all my rides with new share horse with a big smile on my face, I can feel the relationship building and my confidence growing as I take the pressure off myself.

 

[gallopingby]

I like riding but not in the rain and wind. One of mine couldn’t care less about the weather but hates schooling the other will happily do whatever you want as long as it’s dry.

 

[GrassChop]

Thinking about this has made me a little bit sad at the reality of it I think! I love my mare, she's my absolute world and I enjoy riding in general but... I suppose how she feels to ride isn't what I would dream of. She's a very dainty pony and moves like one too. She's forward and buzzy and has a big jump, just has little strides. If I could have her exactly as she is but a little bigger with a bolder movement, where you can really hear their hooves landing and it feels like you float, that would be the perfect one. Perhaps it's one of the reasons why I don't get as motivated to ride either, I hate to say that I get a bit bored. Hopefully my yearling will be different when we get to that time.