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The tack room

Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

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Original poster

"not a complete novice" what IS a novice?

10 replies

palehorsey · 18/09/2013 09:36

So I'm looking for a horse to loan or share and every advert says "not for a complete novice but very safe."

So what IS a complete novice? what do they mean by this if the horse is very safe?

Just reading one now and it looks perfect, very safe, hacks alone or in company - not for a complete novice. I don't even know if I am a complete novice, what IS a complete novice?

OP posts:

Gilbertus · 18/09/2013 09:39

It means its mental :-D

No, you'd have to ring and ask the seller but usually I suppose it means it wouldn't be a first horse - probably strong on the ground or when ridden, or maybe has some sort of quirk that if you are used to horses you may not mind.

willyoulistentome · 18/09/2013 09:47

Having searched for a loaner for my horse before, I would take it to mean that the horse is safe and well schooled and the owner doesn't want a novice fucking up it's schooling. I.e needs to be someone who can ride the horse nicely in an outline and won't let it take the piss.

Original poster

palehorsey · 18/09/2013 09:49

I never thought of it that way - I do tend to let horses get away with a lot and I'm forever been told off for it.

OP posts:

Gilbertus · 18/09/2013 10:10

dd2s pony is 'very safe' in that he is bombproof on the roads, never rears or kicks BUT he wouldn't be suitable fora novice as if you whip him on the bum he bucks, he can be strong on the ground and nappy sometimes. He's safe, but difficult

AnnaBanana101 · 18/09/2013 12:10

I had this issue when looking for my share.

I am a novice. By that I mean I can walk, trot, canter, identify the right diagonals/canter leads, pop over a small jump and hack safely. I can do this on a well schooled easy horse. I can also handle a well mannered horse on the ground.

However I would struggle to deal with bad behaviour and lack confidence. I do not have any advanced skills such as dressage, cross country, jumping a course, hunting etc.

If you fit this description, look for a horse that is described as suitable for a novice.

I went to see several horses that were described as suitable for a novice but they were not suitable. Some owners lie as they want the money, other owners forget what being a novice means (ie if they are very experienced and find the horse easy they might not realise that behaviour they can easily deal with could cause problems for a novice). Be very careful and if possible take someone experienced with you.

In the end I did find a lovely share horse who really is a novice ride - a bit lazy at times but at least I feel safe and my confidence is growing.

Good luck.

Jellypoppingcandy · 18/09/2013 21:38

All the horses we bought were advertised as 'not a novice ride'. One has a mouth like reinforced concrete, another is very spooky, the third one won't stop and the fourth one bucks if hit and naps when hacking alone. I am a nervous happy hacker and love and can manage them all. Make sure the owner gets on the horse first if you go to try it. And if ok hack it put alone from the yard. Good luck

Jellypoppingcandy · 18/09/2013 21:38

OUT not put!

SlowlorisIncognito · 22/09/2013 20:47

If it's for loan or share, they probably just don't want a loan or share with a complete novice- who may mess up the horse, and with a share, may need a lot of supervision which the owner doesn't want to commit to.

I would be ringing those you are interested in and ask exactly why they've put that in the advert. At least if they are putting it in, they are more likely to be honest about the horse's quirks- which is better than being told a horse is 100% safe and then being tanked off with.

I agree with always getting the owner to ride first. If they won't, and don't have someone available to ride the horse, then it's not worth the risk of getting on.

AnnaBanana101 · 22/09/2013 21:07

I turned up to view a horse advertised for share and the owner said he hasn't been ridden for over three months, do you want to ride first or would you like to see me ride first?

As you can imagine there was no way I was getting on a strange horse that has not been ridden for three months!

dappleton · 23/09/2013 06:48

i'd take someone with lots of experience along with you to find out. It could be that they just don't want a novice riding the horse, it could be that the horse needs someone to take charge i.e. it can piss about a bit or get stubborn if in novice hands, it could just be a horse that's forward and might therefore scare a novice a bit. ..only when you see it (and ride it) and speak to the owners in depth will you know.

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