What do we mean by 'good temperament'?

H

htobago

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 March 2007
Messages
2,937
Location
Oxford and London
Visit site
We all use this term a lot, but I get the impression different people have very different views on what constitutes a 'good' temperament.

For some people, 'good' means laid-back, calm, easy-going - but others are happy with a more 'hot', excitable, fizzy horse, as long as it is friendly and willing and not aggressive...

What do YOU mean by 'good temperament'? Does a horse have to be 'calm' to qualify? Can a high-strung horse have a 'good' temperament?
 
a good temperament to me means the horse is willing and happy to do what i ask him to do,without biting,kicking and other agresive behaviour , i have a cob who has a good temperament she is very calm and laidback, but my tb he is fizzy and sometimes spooky but he trys really hard to please so i would say he has a good temperament as well.
 
I would agree with Bunty, a horse who is willing, and without aggression. My mare is the spook monster but is never malicious, I feel she has a good temprement.
 
To me it just means a horse that is pleasant to be around.

My girl is calm, and has a good temperament - she's friendly to people, horses and generally amiable.
My other mare is calm, laid-back etc, but definitely hasn't got a good temperament - she can be nasty to other horses, defensive with humans, and can be very awkward to handle.

My YO has a sharp mare (competes bsja at high level) and she's got a good temperament as well. She's sweet in the stable, out in the field, and is generally obliging to ride. She's just travelled to spain like a seasoned pro, despite only being 5, and not used to long journeys, or being away from home.
 
Watching a little 9 year old girl lead Donkey out to the field this morning, and Donks then lowering her head to have her head collar removed I think qualifies!!! (I kept yelling watch your feet!!!!)
 
I agree with bunti - "good temperament" = a kind, willing horse who is a pleasure to be around and tries hard for you (and doesn't bite!). My share horse has her "moments", but she is never malicious or nasty, and she is very gentle around small children.
 
Emerald!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, seriously though I agree that a pony/horse with a good temperament needed be dull, Ems mum is full of herself and very forward going, but a complete darling to be around.
 
I pretty much agree with everyone else really.... my boy is very 'fizzy' and 'hot' - he can prance around on the end of the lead rope when you're just leading him to the field but he would never dream of pulling you or treading on you! He is a perfect gentleman at all times! Although, not a particuarly cuddly horse, he will allow me to kiss him because he knows I like it and isn't aggressive in any way (you can walk under his belly and he doesn't do anoything).

I have a friend with a very laid-back horse that will think nothing of pulling you along/ pushing you out of the way/ barging etc... to me that is bad manners and not a good temperament! He is far too bossy!
 
I think 'good temperment' needs to stretch to behaviour with other animals as well - I would expect a horse with a GT to be trainable, willing, happy, friendly, nice to his fieldmates etc.

Sometimes I think temperment and manners get confused - a horse with a good temperment can still have bad manners (that's down to the handler!
wink.gif
)
 
Very interesting - thanks everyone!

Glad to hear that for most of you 'calm' is not an essential element!

I would describe my boy as having a good temperament, although he is 'hot' and high-strung, as he's very sweet-natured, friendly, affectionate, happy and eager to please. I can put up with any amount of high spirits and fizziness, as long as the horse is basically willing and cheerful.

Good point about temperament and manners, jumpthemoon - manners are indeed about handling, although of course it is easier to train/handle a nice-natured, willing horse...
 
[ QUOTE ]
Emerald!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, .

[/ QUOTE ]

she is the perfect example - she has her own (very firm) ideas of what she likes to do, and where she likes to go, but will willingly co-operate with her rider/handler and doesn't have a mean bone in her body.
I totally agree that a horse with a good temperament doesn't need to be a plod though
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top