When would I no longer be considered a novice rider?

[iaej]

I am looking for a bit of feedback/advice regarding when a rider is no longer considered a novice please.

After having a few group lessons about 12 years ago, I took up weekly private lessons again the beginning of February 15. Since Feb, I have had nine lessons (plus a lovely long hack) on two different RS horses (both with their own little quirks) and am absolutely loving it. To give you an idea of the types of horses I have been riding; one proved a bit lazy but I have now got the hang of keeping her going and the other tries to turn to the right so I also spend my lesson correcting him. I can rise to the trot, have done schooling (basic pole work, diagonals, circles etc) during lessons, have started jumping (small jumps) and have started to learn to canter with bum slightly out of the saddle (my RI said this is easier when first learning canter and that we will work on staying seated once used to it). Last weeks lesson finished with RI saying I did very well with canter and jump position, I hope this doesn't come across as me being arrogant, just wanted to give an idea of where I am with lessons. I have helped out with grooming/tacking up with several of the RS horses/ponies ranging from about 11hh to 16.3hh and will hopefully continue to do so if they are happy to let me. I have also helped two friends in the past with grooming and had a short ride on their non-RS horses.

My questions are at which point would I be considered a novice rider rather than a beginner, and, when will I no longer be considered a novice? I ask because I am hoping to buy towards the end of 2016 with the intention of having a go at competing. I will continue weekly lessons and occasional hacks in the meantime and plan on continuing the lessons once I have a horse, which fingers crossed and depending on availability, will be kept at the RS as they also offer amazing value DIY livery for non-RS horses and are highly rated by the BHS.

The main reason I am asking is that I am drawn towards the thoroughbred, warmblood types but I am aware that many are advertised as not suitable for novice riders due to their temperaments/quirks. I do not want to waste both my own and seller's time looking at horses which would not be suitable or which a seller would not consider me suitable for so I am hoping that those of you with experience can help me out please?? I would have support from a close friend who loaned for six to seven years (Arab/Thoroughbred x and a Thoroughbred x), she is keen to help me out when required as she misses it and I will hopefully have support from the lovely people at the RS yard if on livery there. I am also doing an online course in basic horse care and management currently.

Thank you in advance

 

[FlyingCircus]

It's hard to say and is different depending on who you ask.
I'd say someone "novicey" is someone who has usually only been riding a couple of years, BUT it depends. If you're only riding weekly, you could be novicey at 3 - 4 years but if you ride everyday you could be seen as quite competent in the same number of years.

Gut instinct says a TB/WB type probably isn't ideal as you'll have only a few years riding experience under your belt. This isn't just from a riding point of view, but management too as these sorts are usually hard keepers. Meaning you have to get their management "just so" or you end up with a skinny horse or a loony one.

I'd probably say just don't look at horses that state "not for a novice" etc...You will still be a novice when you look for a horse and that's fine! Look for something you can have fun on and will help you out rather than something that is going to test you too much.

 

[SpringArising]

It doesn't sound like you're a beginner anymore really!

I class a beginner as someone who doesn't know how to tack up or rise to the trot etc.

As to when you're no longer considered a novice - that's a matter of opinion!

I would class someone as an intermediate rider when they can walk, trot and canter easily, can competently jump a course of 2'3-2'6 and can sit the odd small buck.

I wouldn't worry too much about what sort of horse you want. You say you like TBs but you'll probably end up with some chunky hairy thing that you'll fall in love with!

But if it makes you feel better, my mum is a novice, and one of her first horses was an Irish Draught x Thoroughbred, who was incredibly lazy and laid back!

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

I would say that someone who is at your stage of riding should consider sharing a horse rather than buying.
Until you are at the stage that you can pop on almost any leisure horse and are able to both assess him and school him that you are taking an unnecessary risk.
A lot of people buy a horse because it looks cheap compared to the cost of lessons, unfortunately there are a lot of hidden costs as well as unpredictable costs which can be thousands of pounds.
But you also need to continue lessons otherwise you don't really improve much. I am a bit tough when it comes to riding, and there are not many people who have your experience who have sufficient skills to school a horse. Beginner/novice are just terms, what I am looking for is a good rider, someone who has nice balance, nice hands and knows what they are doing, so that they have a dialog with the instructor rather than just a pupil teacher relationship.

 

[FlyingCircus]

I would say that someone who is at your stage of riding should consider sharing a horse rather than buying.
Until you are at the stage that you can pop on almost any leisure horse and are able to both assess him and school him that you are taking an unnecessary risk.
A lot of people buy a horse because it looks cheap compared to the cost of lessons, unfortunately there are a lot of hidden costs as well as unpredictable costs which can be thousands of pounds.
But you also need to continue lessons otherwise you don't really improve much. I am a bit tough when it comes to riding, and there are not many people who have your experience who have sufficient skills to school a horse.

This is a VERY good idea.
The horse you need for the next maybe 1 - 2 years will be a lot different to the horse you want after, most likely.
You maybe find that when you have got the hang of everything, the horse you now have doesn't have the talent to compete in whatever you decide you favour

 

[LeannePip]

Compleetly agree with FC above - it doesn't really matter when you stop being a novice when looking for a horse, buy a horse that is suitable for your riding ability at the time - especially when its your first horse, there is no point saying 'i will learn to ride it' because it really isn't that easy! buy something that is quiet, you can have fun on, get used to owning and once you've got it all sussed you can always 'upgrade' in 6months/12months/18months down the line but there really is no point over horsing your self from the off!

But in the mean time, just enjoy - have you told your instructors your plans to own in the next 18months or so? they may be able to offer some stable management courses or let you shadow one of the staff for a day so you can see how it all works with feeding etc?

 

[ChesnutsRoasting]

You are a novice at the moment - riding & management wise. That's nothing to be ashamed of, we've all been there. My advice is to continue your weekly lessons, read, read & more reading regarding horse management, try & ride different types of horses as possible & get practical experience by working at your RS. I cannot say what type of horse would be suitable - age, temperament, experience etc as well as breeding all play a part.

 

[paddi22]

getting a share or a loan would be a great idea for a year or so to get the hang on it.The majority of tbs aren't suitable as first horses, I know theres always dopey quiet ones, but they are a tiny minority.

They are sensitive horses who take a lot of riding by confidence experienced riders. My tb is great, but a normal small spook from him is extremely quick and difficult to sit. i wouldn't trust him with someone who has had 10 years of riding lessons, hes not bad natured but just very sharp. . The theory of buying a tricky horse and learning to ride it never works! All that happens is the person loses their confidence and can't get out and have fun like they should be. For a first horse, the horse should always know more than you. So if you wanna hunt, then get a horse who has done it, same with jumping, get one who has done a few shows and who will give you confidence.

 

[Tobiano]

To be fair, OP has said she plans to buy a horse in 18 months' time not tomorrow!

OP are you planning to continue your lessons up until then? If you do (and I'd recommend private lessons every time) then you should be pretty capable by then! BUT…. the one thing I would say is, that it is a WHOLE different kettle of fish being on your own with your horse, than being supervised and under instruction whether hacking or having a lesson. For that reason, I agree with those suggesting a share or loan before buying - because you learn a completely different set of skills. I speak from experience - after riding for about 15 years I bought 2 horses, one after the other, whom I got on with brilliantly at my riding school, not minding their little foibles and enjoying every moment - but with both of them (2 years apart) when I was on my own with them on a livery yard I found myself horribly over-horsed - as there was nobody there to reassure me or tell me what to do when they started to play up so that I could nip it in the bud, and I ended up being afraid to ride.

I am extremely old and unfit though, so it would be a bit different for a younger person - but my advice is to see what you can do to create the circumstances where you have to work out what to do for yourself, so that you can develop a set of skills that you can't learn in the riding school.

(PS i have finally learned my lesson and now have a horse who treats me like bone china and I love him to bits)

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Um, sorry, am being a tad brutal here.

You've had Nine lessons.......... yes??? and you are thinking of competing - and buying a Thoroughbred/Warmblood to do it on???

You're funeral, not mine, is all I will say!

Sorry, am not trying to be horrid. We've all been where you are at and as someone else has said, that's nothing to be ashamed of. What is important, though, is that you recognise your own limitations. All you would achieve by competing too early, and particularly on the wrong horse, would be to thoroughly frighten yourself at best, and at worst you could injure yourself very badly.

I started riding when I was 7 years old and had my own pony at 13. I'm now 53, and in all that time have only ever had a break from horses of 8 years. But I'm what is commonly referred to as a "happy hacker" - and my version of "competing" is stuff like TREC, Horse Agility, and a few pleasure rides. I consider myself a "novice".

If thinking of buying a horse, I think you should be guided very much by your instructor. He/she will know your ability & confidence levels, and rider fitness. Yes a thoroughbred or Warmblood may well be your hearts desire, but it may be that you need to, for now, set your horizons a little lower maybe and settle for something nice and steady to give you confidence. There are some super confidence-giving horses out there - something like, for e.g. a Cleveland bay or native cross, and you could still have a great deal of fun competing at various disciplines, hunting, pleasure rides etc., and THEN at some future date progress on to what you desire.

 

[SpringArising]

Um, sorry, am being a tad brutal here.

You've had Nine lessons.......... yes??? and you are thinking of competing - and buying a Thoroughbred/Warmblood to do it on???

You're funeral, not mine, is all I will say!

She said that she was thinking of buying one at the end of 2016, which is over a year away. She didn't say she wants to get an OTTB and immediately take it round Badminton! Crikey, loads of novices have their own horses, compete locally and do very well.

I started riding when I was seven and got my first pony when I was eight. I went to loads of local shows and did fine! I think the main thing if someone wants to get a horse is knowing basic stable care. The riding side of things is pretty much a drop in the ocean compared to everything else you need to do & know! And FWIW, I've known loads of lazy TBs!

 

[Luci07]

Well done for having goals, and asking advice. Keep up the lessons, see if your RS runs a camp, think about taking on a share - that way you can really see what you want to do competitively and learn so much.

I have always had TBx's. All wildly different. Current boy is beautiful, talented and sharp. We had a glorious hack today in the sunshine after a busy weekend. He still threw in a couple of massive spooks to keep me on my toes..and all my TB x have been like that!

 

[ClobellsandBaubles]

Um, sorry, am being a tad brutal here.

You've had Nine lessons.......... yes??? and you are thinking of competing - and buying a Thoroughbred/Warmblood to do it on???

You're funeral, not mine, is all I will say!

Sorry, am not trying to be horrid. We've all been where you are at and as someone else has said, that's nothing to be ashamed of. What is important, though, is that you recognise your own limitations. All you would achieve by competing too early, and particularly on the wrong horse, would be to thoroughly frighten yourself at best, and at worst you could injure yourself very badly.

I started riding when I was 7 years old and had my own pony at 13. I'm now 53, and in all that time have only ever had a break from horses of 8 years. But I'm what is commonly referred to as a "happy hacker" - and my version of "competing" is stuff like TREC, Horse Agility, and a few pleasure rides. I consider myself a "novice".

QUOTE]

Sorry I don't mean to be rude but I know sometimes newbies get a bit of a hard time here. Did you miss the bit about continuing lessons for a least another 18 months, having lots of back up and taking courses. I think the OP sounds very sensible and like she is doing the right things, as long as she has lots of backup which she seems to I don't see a problem with the scenario.

 

[touchstone]

It might be worth doing something like the BHS stages examinations, it will give you a good foundation of horse management and riding skills before buying your own and it gives you something to aim for. Good luck with your lessons and future purchase!

 

[Clodagh]

If you save your pennies you can get a perfectly sane horse suitable to compete on. Keep it at full livery on a yard with a good instructor and you would be fine, I am sure. Keep your lessons up in the meantime. Good luck and have fun.
I have been riding all my life and wouldn't buy a horse that says in the ad 'not suitable for a novice', if it has a quirk I am happy for the seller to tell me but if it has to be said at step one I assume it is a total fruitcake.

 

[Spot_the_Risk]

OP, well done for how far you've come so far. I have ridden on and off since I was six, finally purchased my first horse at 28, am now 46 and would consider myself a competent novice. Rather than decide on a type keep an open mind, and when the time comes consider many different types of horse, and take good advice. You could also look at the new owner section on here, there will be many good and bad stories on there of first purchases which will make thought provoking reading.

As for advice re riding, if you can afford it consider a riding holiday which isn't schooling, I follow Trans Wales Trails on FB, that always like good fun for confident riders! Hacking out is very important, dealing with traffic, dogs, difficult gates etc are all quite different to school work.

 

[Firefly9410]

If you are going to buy a horse straight after a couple of years of weekly riding school lessons I would not advise a TB or warmblood. I would instead go for a TB x native to give the horse a bit of sense and increased toughness to go with the TB athleticism. There might be a little excess hair for your liking but you can trim that off and everything looks smart freshly bathed and plaited for a show. You will be wanting something safe and sane as well as sound and up to work, with basic training established. That will not come cheap. A few thousand probably and might not have the talent to take you as high as you want to go but will be fine for riding club level competing.

Alternatively go from the riding school to horse shares and ride some more quirky characters, which you will not find in the riding school due to health and safety, with the assistance of an instructor whenever necessary. Then progress to owning either the TB / warmblood type you like, or an ordinary horse needing a bit of schooling but who will not cost the earth to buy.

It does depend on your long term aims. If you want to compete affiliated successfully you need a horse with the talent to get you there, but to get from the riding school to affiliated competing you will need to go through a few more ordinary horses first. There is nothing to stop you buying then selling as you outgrow their talents but if you get attached and do not like to sell, shares or loans are less permanent and the horse goes back to its owners at the end.

 

[Nightmare before Christmas]

After 9 lessons I would class you as a beginner still. I know sone novice people who have been riding most of their life but never really moved forward. Totally depends on your natural feel and progression keep enjoying it and wanting to learn as that's what it's all about

 

[loobylu]

This is like some sort of bizarre racism- why on earth would you write off tbs and wbs? An older, nice natured, well educated sports horse could be perfect, and very likely better than the green as grass cob most novices seem to end up with.
OP, get in as much riding and horse time as possible, find a set up with knowledgeable support and enjoy the process.

 

[tallyho!]

I like your enthusiasm OP and long may it last!

I think we here in HHO-land can only give you best/worst case scenarios and it is the people around you that can will give you the best indication of when you may be ready and life can take you where you least expect!

Just be sure at each stage, you're confident and follow your heart! Consider a GOOD horse, forget it's bloodlines.

 

[paddi22]

i think people would write off tbs as a first horse because if you do a search here on them 95% of the posts are people having problems with napping, rearing, brakes, feeding, hoof quality, sharpness etc. They are sensitive horses and a novice doesn't have the experience to know if the feed or turnout routine isn't working. They are also sensitive clever horses who take their confidence from their rider and don't forgive mistakes as easily. A spook on the road from a tb is 100 times more dangerous that a spook from a cob, there is no comparision with how fast and reactive tbs are.

i wouldn't recommend a tb the same way i wouldn't recommend a ferarri to somewho whos learning to drive.

 

[Firefly9410]

This is like some sort of bizarre racism- why on earth would you write off tbs and wbs? An older, nice natured, well educated sports horse could be perfect, and very likely better than the green as grass cob most novices seem to end up with.
OP, get in as much riding and horse time as possible, find a set up with knowledgeable support and enjoy the process.

Not racism, practicality. I cannot speak for anyone else but I write them off for novices because people fresh out of a riding school full of an instructors encouraging comments about their riding often have no idea what the reality is of a horse with quirks who is getting 3hrs work per week not patent safety horse with 20hrs like in a riding school. Having seen on many livery yards the owners out of their depth and losing confidence with riding and the horses accidentally neglected because the novice owners cannot meet their needs through lack of knowledge or finance, I consider it a poor choice of horse for the circumstances. Green cobs are only marginally better but it seems there is less chance of horse or rider coming to harm. I would not be advising a green cob either though!

 

[DressageCob]

It would completely depend on the horse though. I'd sooner have a novice purchase a schoolmaster TB or Warmblood than a green native. Riding school horses are very different, due to the amount of work they do, but from the OP it appears that she is completely aware of that.

There are TBs and warmbloods that I'd put my granny on and cobs that I would not. It's not as simple as all that. So long as the OP gets the experience of riding different horses, dealing with quirks etc (as she appears to intend to do) there's no reason she shouldn't own a horse.

I agree with the other posters that it is not about labels (like beginner, novice etc). The way to judge progression isn't about what label you can put on your ability, but rather about what you can handle, what you can do, what you have done etc.

 

[Ben2684]

I would still consider myself a novice, I have been riding since I was 6 ( I am now 30) following a disastrous purchase around ten years ago where I was completely over horsed I am now only just starting to really gain confidence and improve. In that time I have had a Percheron and a cob/TB x that I have owned and a couple of loans. I now have a slightly quirky ISH. When I bought him my YO came with me and her exact words were 'he's not a horse suitable for a novice, but he's the horse that will take you from being a novice to competent rider' and it has rung true. He's scared the **** out of me on several occasions, I have cried/fallen/got off when my confidence has majorly wobbled but feel I have come through it all and we are now having an amazing time, jumping and all sorts. The horse you need now won't necessarily be the horse you want in the future, but confidence is a precious thing-Once lost extremely hard to regain!! Just build up your experience bit by bit and seek advice from those who know you and your ability as you go. Lessons are great, but out hacking the unexpected will always happen, it is these times you need to be be able to deal with as well as in the school.

 

[loobylu]

I stand by my point that a horse with some decent level of education, with a sensible nature, is far more likely to be enjoyable for the OP, and allow her to progress her seat and riding with the help available.
Not all tbs are the physically screwed up weeds that change hands for £500 in the free ads. Not all wbs are bred to go to the olympics. They're just horses.
The most dangerous horses on the roads are the bone idle unschooled creatures who are labelled safe when in actual fact the rider has no influence over them at all. If it doesn't have a move over button then they shouldn't be allowed out in a public place.

 

[Rivendell]

I agree with people that have said to lose the terms. I think you can get too carried away trying to fit yourself into a category. I have never once thought about what 'category' I fit into, or any other person I've seen ride/work with horses for that matter. I say drop that thinking. Focus instead on what you need to know to get where you want to be, and the steps it will take to get there.

It's a bit hard to plan the type of horse you will be wanting in 18 months. But go into it with an open mind. First horses are seldom lifetime horses. It is relatively common to need an upgrade when you have progressed past the horses ability.

Don't rule out TBs and WBs, but also don't rule out the other horses advertised as well. Pedigree and looks aren't always what they are cracked up to be (speaking from experience!). My advice would be to find a safe, quiet horse to build confidence and experience with, and after a few years you can look for your dream horse. You may find that the plain crossbred you bought is actually your dream horse after all!

 

[Jnhuk]

The more you learn about horses and riding, the more you realise that there is to learn!

An independent seat is what you needing to gain and this comes with riding mileage.

Like other posters I am always wary about categories as they are very subjective and a wide ranging definition. What is classed as a novice rider in a riding school will be completely different to someone who has their own horse for several years but still classes themselves as a novice rider. Look at British Eventing - Novice level is jumping 1.10m tracks plus.

My advice to you, is to be a sponge, learn as much as you can from as many knowledgeable people - don't be shy to ask questions and learn, ride as many different types of horses as you can.

You will find in time that you prefer a certain type. So the type of horse you end up liking, may be completely different for what you expect just now and also often what you end up buying!

Share a non RS horse for awhile, as that will give you an appreciation of the difference and may once again help you find what type of horse you wish. Think about taking something like the BHS horse owner certificates to get your stable management knowledge up there, ready for you looking for your own horse.

Most importantly - enjoy it and don't worry about labels and horse adverts just now.

 

[NZJenny]

To me you are still very much a novice. It is a bit like learning to drive a car; you can have all the lessons in the world, but you don't really learn to drive until you have your unrestricted licence (sorry, not sure what you call it in the UK) and are driving every day in different locations, weather, conditions and vehicles.

Same for horses - different horses, different situations (some very out of control) and hitting the ground a few times can all change your perspective quite considerably. I think the suggestion of getting a loan or a share is a brilliant idea.

 

[Kat]

OP if you want to be able to benchmark your skills and label the level of your riding have a bash at the BHS stages. They will give you a solid foundation in horse care and test your riding skills. You can learn lots without your own horse.

 

[fiwen30]

I consider someone not-a-novice, once they move from working the horse at it's current level of education, and start improving it instead.