I got back into riding a year ago having not ridden for over ten years. After testing out lots of unsuitable horses, I found my current share horse. He has been perfect for me (nervous novice) to get back into riding - he is perfect to handle in every way, great stable manners, super safe and sensible, I can hack out and he is not scared of anything. He is a bit slower than others horses on hacks (lots of trotting to catch up) but generally he is great to hack and I can put up with the slight slowness as overall he is a safe and enjoyable hack.
The problem is he is just so lazy and ploddy in the school. He is 20 and has never really done much school work (except for a bit of jumping and pony club with the owner's kids when they were younger) so I don't expect to be doing advanced dressage, but even getting him to canter an entire lap of the school is an achievement - I can only get a few strides and then he stops. Admittedly I am a novice rider so I am sure part of the blame lies with me.
I just don't really enjoy riding him in the school as it is such hard work for little reward and I am often forced to ride in the school as there is no one to hack with on some days (and I don't want to hack on my own as a novice rider and being very cautious).
I would love a horse that is a little more forward going in the school, but still remains safe and sensible for a novice - is that asking too much?
Do you think I should keep on working with this horse - would it be worth having some lessons on him? I feel like at the moment my riding is not getting better - for example I can't really concentrate on my position in canter as all I can concentrate on is keeping the horse going.........I am also worried that by always riding such a lazy horse I will forget how to ride more responsive horses.
I am just really unsure what to do. As I lack confidence, and I am a novice, the last thing I want to do is take on a horse that is too much for me and 'overhorse' myself. I would rather stick with my current slow boy than that!
Any advice appreciated.
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Would really appreciate some advice about my share horse
12 replies
TheConsultant1889 · 27/10/2013 21:37
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