Your definitions of a "novice ride" please

[charlyan]

As title really- just wondered how you would define a novice ride horse/ pony?

I consider myself to be novice rider but i wouldn't define my horse as suitable for a novice- certainly not a complete novice or beginner.

He is very safe and was sold as a novice ride but is excitable, spooky and very forward going and takes his confidence when hacking alone from his rider, will try and nap if he doesn't feel confident in his rider and can be strong and opinionated given the chance! he's also very responsive and quick off the leg.

I see so many horses advertised that I would discount as they are described as not suitable for novices but reading the descriptions they don't sound so different from my own horse, who i cope with fine.

So just wondered what you would expect a suitable for novice horse to be.

 

[brighteyes]

For a novice which actually is a novice (as opposed to someone who genuinely underestimates their capabilities and is always looking to improve

) my answer has to be brain dead and/or a saint

Oh, and priceless.

 

[spike123]

a horse who is good to handle in every way,will respond to the leg but is forgiving of incorrect aids given by the novice rider and will not tank off,rear,buck,bolt or any other vice.Is safe to jump and doesn't get overly excited by jumping and is generally a nice kind natured animal who will put up with most things that are thrown at him without reacting severely. A horse who spooks,has bad manners or is nervous is definitely not suited to a novice. My own horse was described as a suitable mother daughter share when I brought him.In reality he was easily worried by anything he was unsure of,bit,kicked,bolshy to lead and completely green under saddle. Most definitely not as described.

 

[Ranyhyn]

A novice ride is a horse with the patience of a saint, it does not nap, bolt, rear, kick or bite. It will put up with an out of balance rider, flailing their legs around and flapping their elbows. It will do everything asked of it no matter how unconfident or scared the rider is.
I don't believe there are many horses truly suitable for novices - the riding schools have them!

 

[HayleyandBob]

Ditto the above

I always wondered why a riding school sold on my cob...o yer thats why

 

[eahotson]

I have one

Actually I like the pony club discription of a first pony. Something that will do anything (within reason obviously) asked of it,but has to be asked first.Is calm enough/experienced enough to cope with mistakesand unbalanced riders.DEFINATELY not spooky or nappy.