Your Novice Horse v My Novice Horse

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Parkranger

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My novice horse (ie something I can handle and not feel worried on) is my mare, I've only been back in the saddle for 3 years so class myself novice:

14.2
Very looky/spooky on hacks
Regularly needs a smack on the bum when she doesn't like the look of something - if you were scared of smacking her she wouldn't go off the yard - end of.
Honest personality in that she doesn't bolt, buck or rear
Can be quite bolshy on the ground (went a bit ferrel over the last year in the field)
Straight forward to jump
Quite well schooled although the mistress of evasion

This pony, for me, is a dream - she isn't perfect but I don't need perfect when she's 14.2.

If she was 16hh I would poo myself when she planted or ran backwards or jumped sideways on a hack.

So what is the main thing that makes a comfortable horse for you?
 
I think you either click or you don't. My new on Micah is really quite a good lad, but I do know he has quirks under the surface just waiting to show as already had a little glimse of the odd attempt at napping and a threatened rear. However he is so far my perfect novice horse.
I had a nasty fractured ankle in Jan and needed something that would not scare me but that would do more when I'm ready
 
For me it is as simple as how the horse feels, and how it thinks. My last horse was a strong gitbag. After being a masters horse for several seasons, he was unstoppable in anything but a kimblewick, and god forbid another horse overtake you - he would find a 7th gear! He liked nothing better but to dance and prance around. He would spook at the most ridiculous of things and to top it off, he was a headshaker. But I never once felt scared on him. And that was because of his attitude. Everything he did, all the naughtiness, was out of excitement to be out, and enjoyment for what he was doing. He always looked after me.
I have been on horses that have wanted you off, and for me, that is the thing that really gets to me. One of my old rides actually rode her owner straight into a tree at a gallop just to get him off. That is what makes me really uncomfortable. Attitude.
 
my mare is as green as grass, but 100% safe and trustworthy, she is bombproof yet only 6 years old and only just broken - in a years time she will be amazing as she is so willing to learn
 
This is an interesting post and something I have thought about a lot recently as I have recently bought a 16.1HH horse, there is a lot of her, and I am horrified at myself as it takes so little for me to get scared on her. She has never done anything really bad but I still struggle for confidence in her. On the other hand I used to ride a 14HH pony who would spin and run for home, buck rather alot and take off and I thought it was funny and never felt unsafe. I dont think its just the size as i used to ride a 17.2 and I never felt unsafe. I'm not sure what it is that makes the difference the only thing I van think of is that my new horse can be sharp and is very light on her feet.
 
mmm I suppose it is attitude. Moo is a witch sometimes but she doesn't appear to have a nasty streak in her......that said, I realise now that I'm basically scared of anything over 16HH!
 
similar to hm my first horse ive had 3 years is 15.2 and now 14 had me off lots on putting stops in before a jump but feel that what evershe does i can hold her but my new 4 yr old 16.2 ishxid is so different a little bunny hop and wary but just starting to turn corner and get her up village on own and feel come summer we will be bonded and fine.
 
My 5 year old ID x TB she has been my confidence giver after having a knock to my confidence in summer, buying her has really brought my riding on to get me back riding in ways i never thought would be possible again.

I feel so safe on her can go out hacking on busy roads and she stays so focused and doesnt let anything fase her. Am really looking forward to spring with her and getting her jumping.
 
I think it has a lot to do with how you feel riding them, I have ridden several horses that would rear, spook, take off - but I felt safe. I have also ridden horses that have never even nearly done any of those things - but I felt less safe on them for some reason!!
My mare can do a runner, go sideways etc and I'm fine, if my gelding does it - I panic and think he's going to have me off! I think some of it is how aware they are of their surroundings and where their feet are - I know my mare is balanced and in control - I'm not so sure about the gelding!! But it is just me other people ride him and think he is really well behaved - and he taught my boyfriend to ride!
 
At my old riding school it would always be me that got on the naughty ponys that were bronking and generally being stupid they were always 11.2-14hh they were fine, I brought a 14.3 gelding total confidence giver really exactly what i want
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but I'm now riding a friends horse for her-safe happy hack perfect he's 15.3 verging 16h I cr*p my self if he flinches it's weird.
 
You are right it is about feel - when I tried out my 16.3 ISH I was dubious as he is only 4 and I wanted something safe to give me back my confidence after a really crazy horse and a break but as soon as I got on it felt like I was riding my 1st pony from years ago (12 hh Welshie) he was so calm and honest - and now nearly 6 months on he is just fab still. I feel safe even if I know he needs considerable persuasion past scary stuff (dogs, walkers, road signs
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) he hasnt seen much or done alot but usually trusts me if I say it is ok - I have never felt out of control or even worried - he is my horse in a million !
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I feel safer on a bigger horse because it's what i was always used to. I started riding when i was twelve, because my then 10 year old sister wanted riding lessons for her birthdaay, and i got sent along. She, of course, took to it like a natural, and then there was me, who cried for the first 2 lessons on a beautiful 14.2hh riding school pony. 3rd lesson, i was given Carragh, a 16hh gentleman. I clicked with him, and it began - my 18 year journey at falling off, professionly. I fell off at least 300 times while learning to jump, and i mean at least 300 times. I think i own that arena at this stage, i landed in it often enough. It took me 3 years to master jumping, as i started to sit right back to prevent the falls, amazing what the body will do to try not to fall off. Finally figured it out and started working in the riding school, and gained loads of experience. At one point,, i was actually confident enough to ride any horse and even rode some horses for their first time. Make a career out if it for a while. started hunting, and as much as i loved it, it killed my confidence. Fell off so many times out hunting on crazy horses, that i lost count. Then went and had babies, and was away from horses for nearly 7 years. Was back to square one when i got back in the saddle, but was too embarrased to cry at 27. Aquired Cooper, ex riding school horse that was lame, and fixed him(even if it was only for a while). He was 9, scared silly of anything that moved, especially tractors or trucks. It took me a year to get him to leave the yard by himself, but i loved him and trusted him, and was never scared on him, even though i probably should have been. I got the mare around the same time, and i really should have been totally at ease on her. She actually is the quietest horse i have ever met, nothing phases her, but i was more confident on Cooper. It sounds mad, and it probably is, but i think it really does come down to trust. If you trust the horse, you'll cope with the quirks.Sorry for the long reply, but you kinda need to know how wussy i am to understand the trust i had in Cooper. (Poor boy was PTS 2 weeks and 5 days ago - still broken hearted but i'll have to get over it). That's Cooper in my profile pic.
 
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