What's the most important lesson you have learnt?

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kat2290

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Following on from the 'how experienced do you need to be' thread, I thought it would be interesting to hear more about the experiences of people who bought a horse or pony when relatively inexperienced. What was the most important lesson you learned?

I'll start, when I bought my two mini Shetlands as a complete novice the most important thing I learned, off HHO no less, was how important it is to make sure they have forage to last then the full night when stabled. Thankfully I learned this very quickly (I'd only had them for a couple of days) and looking back I can't believe how stupid I was not to realise!

Since helping out with a horse on a local yard the most important thing I've learnt is that actually the horsey world isn't that scary after all! Everybody is lovely and actually nobody cares if you don't do things perfectly all the time! :D
 
not to be blinkered when horse hunting about the type you want. I was insistant I wanted 15.1hh - 15.3hh sports horse type or connie x. NO cobs, NO natives. NO feathers. Several mismatches later I have the horse of my dreams... a 14.2hh Welsh :D
 
When we got our first pony my dad tried to tack up for me (i was 8) . It took a bit of time to explain that the circular rings either end of the bit were not ear holes though he was most insistent that it was cruel to have metal in their mouth ...
 
Neversaynever that's sounds advice, Its so easy to get so blinded by what we think we want and not see the bigger picture.

Rebels - that is just awesome frankly! I can so imagine it :D
 
Do not walk into a field of 8 horses with a feed bucket in your hand trying to get one of them to come in :D

Queue me chucking bucket in the air and sprinting out of the field for all I was worth as 8 horses came charging towards me
 
. . . that horses need boundaries - a horse who doesn't know what the "rules" are (and for whom those rules are inconsistent) is an unhappy horse.

Yes, kindness definitely has a place, but so does firmness.

P
 
oh god loads ?!

when your mare is getting fat and her feed/exercise hasn't changed it's not fat...

Foals are annoying and bite lots

Don't take your freshly clipped, not been riddden for a week on an icy morning onto a stubble field and not expect her to give a bit of a rodeo bronk

That my dad petrified of horses is very good at removing a rug without the aid of a leadrope without being asked because she looked to hot :cool:
 
kat2290 said:
Haha Abbie I think you have learned the biggest lesson of them all :) ...about your dad obviously :p
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We were so shocked held up in traffic and he was home alone, got back and the rug was off, folded neatly.... apparantly she just stood there for him while he spent a while confused and tring to pull it over her head before undoing it :rolleyes::D
 
Oh, that i spend to much time round horses and that i must concentrate when driving my car. Damm thing didn't whoa at all when asked until i woke up sufficiently to brake!
That horses are addictive
They are not a hobby more a lifestyle choice
They are tough as anything when abandoned by some cretin but try and keep them sound in luxury and you have no chance
 
That being the owner of a dominant mare isn't easy but is very rewarding as long as you work with her. Also, taking time to step back and look at things from a horse's perspective - they are not out to be naughty, it's up to you to be their 'leader' and determine the boundaries and expectations, but also be there for reassurance and a good scratch. :)
 
That actually, it doesn't matter if its not perfect. After all "those that mind don't matter, and those that matter don't mind".

And to complete my top 3:

2) a Tarrsteps euphemism- "don't try to teach a pig to sing, it annoys you and irritates the pig"

3) horses have no ambition other than to be fed and cared for. I hate it when people are conned into selling a horse by some guilt tripping expert because they are "wasting it".
 
To not make any plans outside of horses, because you won't have the time or the money to do it anyway :o
 
That being able to accept bad days, results and accidents just as you would good ones is essential when it comes to succeeding!

People treat you like you treat your horse.

And lastly, the higher you sit on your horse, (metaphorically) the harder the thud when you fall! :cool:
 
Rebels said:
Oh, that i spend to much time round horses and that i must concentrate when driving my car. Damm thing didn't whoa at all when asked until i woke up sufficiently to brake!
That horses are addictive
They are not a hobby more a lifestyle choice
They are tough as anything when abandoned by some cretin but try and keep them sound in luxury and you have no chance
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Spot on!! Especially your last sentence!
 
Go with your gut instinct. Went to view a horse as a project. Wasn't sure on it so offered low, was almost relieved when seller said no. Seller phoned next day and accepted low offer and couldn't wait to deliver him. When we got it home turned out my gut instinct was right!
 
Always listen to what your horse is trying to tell you - they are the real experts.

Whatever you do, however you keep your horse, you will tick someone off and be told it's 'wrong'. As you can't please all the people all the time then just refer back to the point above.

Also, always allow twice as much as your first estimate be that time, amount or cost.
 
Llanali said:
3) horses have no ambition other than to be fed and cared for. I hate it when people are conned into selling a horse by some guilt tripping expert because they are "wasting it".
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^^^You've expressed one of my most passionate sentiments in relation to horse ownership.

Another one? To thine own self be true regarding the subject of field ornaments. Horses DON'T have to have a job. Just the fact of their being is enough for me. My horses, my land, my money, my blood, sweat, and tears...nay sayers be damned!
 
RutlandH2O said:
^^^You've expressed one of my most passionate sentiments in relation to horse ownership.

Another one? To thine own self be true regarding the subject of field ornaments. Horses DON'T have to have a job. Just the fact of their being is enough for me. My horses, my land, my money, my blood, sweat, and tears...nay sayers be damned!
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I actually slightly disagree with you two on this one! :)
I completely understand the dislike of the word "wasting"! It has the potential yes, but I also have the potential to train for a marathon, yet because I havn't doesnt mean I'm wasting :p

The only thing I disagree with you on is my own mare has a passion to win :rolleyes: Put her into a speed round and if you arn't careful she will have turned before I'm ready and I'm out a side door! Also, if we open the lorry doors and she is loose, she will be straight onto that lorry before you could catch her!

I do though agree that if she hadn't been broken, riden, jumped she would never know hence kind of agree, but also disagree that my mare gets in a foul mood if she isn't ridden! Depends on the horse I guess! :D
 
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