What is a novice?

[Girlychu]

I have just had a lovely telephone call from my friend and as usual we got around to our horses. Not so long ago my friend had to pts one of her lovely girls and is now on the look out for a new friend. She has phoned and enquired about a few and describes herself as a novice rider. I have pointed out to her that she is hardly a novice when she has an ex-race horse which rears and can be quite naughty - and she stays on board. She feels she is a novice because she hasn't mastered leg yeild etc yet.

So my question is what is your defination of a novice rider as a would say she is a competent rider.

 

[bumper]

Novice would suggest a passenger....who can sit to walk trot and possibly canter, but who couldn't....umm...ASK for those, or steer, in general terms.

 

[xxMozlarxx]

Agree with Bumper, can trot, canter even jump but no independent seat and rely on the horse being compliant, couldnt cope if the horse played up for instance

 

[charlimouse]

IMO a novice can walk, trot, canter and jump a small fence in balance, but they are unable to deal with any difficulties which may arise.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

IMO a novice can walk, trot, canter and jump a small fence in balance, but they are unable to deal with any difficulties which may arise.

I agree, plus a novice can't adapt their riding to suit or improve different horses.

 

[Girlychu]

Thanks for your thoughts. I tend to agree with you.

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

IMO a novice can walk, trot, canter and jump a small fence in balance, but they are unable to deal with any difficulties which may arise.

I agree, plus a novice can't adapt their riding to suit or improve different horses.

agreed.
A novice can also do basic stable management under direction, but they might not be able to put a headcollar on anything that wont stand still.........
they might well not notice when an animal is lame, nor if it is off colour etc etc

 

[intouch]

Sorry to hear about your friend's loss.
A novice is someone who doesn't know what they don't know. Your friend is obviously aware of her shortcomings, so I wouldn't call her a novice.

 

[thinlizzy]

I think its always better to underplay your riding abilities , i think your friend is right , i class myself as a novice for safety reasons i have a youngster, but i know him ,i wouldnt jump on someone elses , and i find classing myself as a a novice always covers me lol !

 

[luckyoldme]

novice is a word which is used in many ways.Quite often it is used in a derogatory manner. They can come in quite usefull though to dump all the old and knackered horses on.... I am most definately a novice because i dropped my cigarette while out riding.