What's your type?

[Wagtail]

Just wondered what type of horse personality you go for. I realised today I seem to be attracted to strong personalities in horses, especially affectionate, opinionated mares. What do you go for?

 

[Michen]

I wouldn't change a thing about Basil's personality and he's fiery, cocky, kind, incredibly cheeky and a little bit overemotional

 

[Wagtail]

I wouldn't change a thing about Basil's personality and he's fiery, cocky, kind, incredibly cheeky and a little bit overemotional

Sounds like a character!

 

[zaminda]

I like them full of life. Sharp in some respects but not nervous, with their own mind, so they can get themselves out of trouble. My little mare is perfect for me. She is opinionated, but loving, knows immediately if she likes someone and bares a grudge. She is also sharp, but very sensible when it counts.

 

[Dave's Mam]

Previous loan - Opinionated, elderly (but fit), chestnut Welshie B.
Current own - Opinionated, 4year old Exmoor. Very loving, bit stroppy, very handsome, very strong, did I mention opinionated?

 

[Wagtail]

I like them full of life. Sharp in some respects but not nervous, with their own mind, so they can get themselves out of trouble. My little mare is perfect for me. She is opinionated, but loving, knows immediately if she likes someone and bares a grudge. She is also sharp, but very sensible when it counts.

Full of life is a good way of putting it. Your mare sounds just up my street. I don't like bland horses.

 

[Wagtail]

I like them full of life. Sharp in some respects but not nervous, with their own mind, so they can get themselves out of trouble. My little mare is perfect for me. She is opinionated, but loving, knows immediately if she likes someone and bares a grudge. She is also sharp, but very sensible when it counts.

Full of life is a good way of putting it. Your mare sounds just up my street. I don't like bland horses.

 

[Wagtail]

...

 

[Wagtail]

Previous loan - Opinionated, elderly (but fit), chestnut Welshie B.
Current own - Opinionated, 4year old Exmoor. Very loving, bit stroppy, very handsome, very strong, did I mention opinionated?

Lol, love opinionated.

 

[Dave's Mam]

It's character building. LOL

 

[be positive]

Bright and interested would probably fit, I don't mind them nervy I like working on building confidence, I don't mind them strong and willful or anywhere in between but they must take an interest in life and what goes on around them, even if they are a bit spooky or challenging.

I think aloof is the one type I would struggle with the most as it can be hard to decide what makes them tick, I like them to look at things and want to be involved, of the 9 currently in the yard none are aloof and just one is a bit detached although he is coming round and more interested in life and what we are doing.

 

[Equi]

I think i like all types. My big boy is somewhat aloof, bolshy, non-human involved but totally 100% trustworthy undersaddle. My little ones all are different too - my stallion is very comical and cheeky but a big softie, my gelding is a labrador in the body of a horse, my older brood is aloof but she will make an effort to be affectionate now and then, especially when shes been a bit naughty. My younger brood is very aloof. She will use and abuse you but LOVES to learn and will actively look for learning tasks. Foal is just the most snugglabledinkywizz ever.

I think my type is "quirky but safe to work" lol

 

[tankgirl1]

Not aloof, but not sharp.. my mare is perfect! Opinionated and can be wilful, but she's affectionate and we trust each other and she's great out hacking.

Only just getting to know my little man - so far he's cheeky but well mannered

 

[only_me]

Personality wise prefer a happy, easy going type horse. Still with character and a spark but generally happy!

think it reflects me tbh, I'm an optimistic person and generally look on bright side of life but I do have plenty of character or so I'm told

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Mine are all very different, so I definitely don't go for exactly the same personality, but I do have to like them.

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

I don't like rude, bolshy horses but I do like them to have a bit of "something" about them. Having said that I have to say I'm a complete sucker for a softy affectionate type lol.

 

[FfionWinnie]

I like impeccable manners but that's training not character. All of mine have lovely characters. All different but all are genuine and honest with a willingness to learn and work with me.

 

[Goldenstar]

In all the years I have had horses I have had a couple who I did not like as characters they both belonged to MrGS and did their job .
I like sharp clever reactive horses I like them to be naturally very forward in their thinking but they all have different characters if I think of the ones I have at the moment they have very different personalities .
I do love a horse who makes me laugh .

 

[Cluelessblonde]

I love the good locking curious smart with a little cheeky but still hard working.

I think my lad is like this once he understand otherwise he has a teenager moment does his own thing and gets annoyed when it doesn't work haha

 

[zaminda]

Wagtail I think bland is a great way of describing horses I don't like!! My little mare is lovely, a few people recently have said they need one just like her. She's been with me 16 years next month, and is going to be hard to replace.

 

[Wagtail]

I often wonder if we're attracted to our opposites in horses. My sister is very extroverted, has absolutely no hang ups and is the most confident person I know. She mixes with quite a few well known people and has done all her life since a teenager. She just gets to know them and they become part of her life. I am the complete opposite. I don't like the limelight, avoid socialising if possible, am shy and introverted, although I am not afraid to speak my mind and stand my ground. My sister likes horses that are shy, nervy and introverted. I like horses that are confident, affectionate and extroverted and a bit naughty. So we like the opposite to ourselves not just in horses but in dogs too.

 

[oldie48]

I go for something that will do the job for me, and that means well mannered and trainable. However, I think it takes a while for the true personality to come out, Mr B was rather bland for the first 6 months but actually he's not bland at all and he makes me laugh with his silly little ways, he's the most affectionate horse I've ever had and I adore him but he does like to "take over" on occasions. The old TB was rather aloof and independent when I first had him but 17 yrs on we are a bit like Darby and Joan and riding him in his later years was like putting on a pair of comfy slippers. I definitely avoid sharp nervy horses!

 

[LHIS]

I like a quiet and kind type, but with a streak of cheekiness. They have to be affectionate, I need my animals to need me if you know what I mean.

 

[Amye]

I like a quiet and kind type, but with a streak of cheekiness.

I think this is probably me too. I don't like aloof as i'm never quite sure what they're thinking. I'm not too keen on sharp and nervy as they make me a bit nervous! I don't mind many other personalities tbh, i don't mind something quirky but I do like a horse that is laid back and kind. Which fits my boy! He seemed bland when I first got him but now he's opened up a bit he's just a gentle boy with a bit of cheekiness thrown in when he feels like it. He's quite affectionate too

 

[milliepops]

Anything that is interested in life will do me

I have one who doesn't need people at all but enjoys her work and is highly trainable. She is nosy, self assured, enquiring, entertains herself and gets up to mischief.
The other is much more person-centred, could be described as affectionate - wants to be in your pocket all the time and is generally fun to have around. She lacks the self confidence that I find attractive in a horse but likes learning and usually wants to do her best. I'm hoping she will get braver as we go on - had her for 2 years so far and she's come out of her shell a lot in that time.

Another that doesn't 'do' bland - I like big personalities especially in mares. But they have to want to do the job, want to be a partner, even if they don't know how yet.

 

[mums the groom]

I like Honest, dopey but willing geldings preferably ones that think they're dogs who follow you and your daughter round the field in hope of a cuddle... just like the Section B I have. I would also like a grey that didn't like rolling in the mud but that is wishful thinking

 

[starryeyed]

Personality is so important to me, I've been horse hunting for a while now but struggling to find one I think I will click with. I like the fizzy excitable ones - not total lunatics, but horses that are quick thinking and forward going with a real zest for life, but that love what they do and want to work with you. My mare has the perfect personality for me, has a real sparkle about her and is always bouncing about and has such a bright and happy personality. She's certainly not everyone's cup of tea as she's very quirky, but I completely adore her. The only downside is that I bought her with horrendous ground manners and years later am still working on them - she is a nightmare to handle, especially at parties and regularly attracts an audience much to my embarrassment. She is definitely my "type", however I do have to admit a new found appreciation for the easy & straightfoward members of the yard that you can literally do anything with!

 

[Lintel]

I'm much more drawn to flightly forward silly horses.
But that being said I love the bones of my stubborn cheeky highland.
So... I had to put other!!

 

[Cortez]

Any that I own and don't like will usually be the first to go when any changes are needed, but I am used to just getting on with it if the horse is one I actively dislike. My favourite are usually the shy, frightened ones that need reassurance. I get bored with "good" horses, and I don't like the type usually described as "affectionate" - this just means rude to me.

 

[Annagain]

I chose other, because all my horses have been totally different and each one has their benefits and attractions! I love that Arch needs me, he always wants to be with me and loves a cwtch, but he's quite anxious and that makes it quite difficult to deal with him sometimes. M is the total opposite, you can do anything to him, which is lovely but he's quite aloof and he doesn't make you feel your relationship is special. I think Eb was the one though. He had it all. He was opinionated, arrogant, stubborn, bolshy and would literally walk all over you rather than around you if it suited him, but he was also very affectionate, fiercely loyal and once he realised that I (if most other people tried, he'd just walk all over them) meant business, he would stand like a statue for me - except for having his mane pulled, nobody was doing that to him and I admired him for taking that stand! I got the impression he didn't need me like Archie does or tolerate anything like Monty but rather chose to work with me and that made me feel like we had something special.