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Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

Original poster

High energy horse for high energy human?

31 replies

Niassa · 29/09/2023 17:13

I’ve returned to riding after a long break and am starting to plan for my own horse within the next year or so.

Natural horsemanship has really taken off since I last rode regularly many years ago and seems to place importance on matching energies of horse and rider but does this mean as a fairly high energy person should I be looking for a high energy horse to match? Or a low energy horse to balance out mine?

OP posts:
Original poster
Niassa · 07/10/2023 18:53

Such great advice, thank you all.

I ride at a livery yard rather than a paid-for riding school so the horses are all exercised for 1-2 hours per day but no more.

You make a good point about Winter- the TBs I ride who seem manageable now might be a bit different after a few days in during bad weather! I’ll soon see over the next few months…

The Lusitano festival looks amazing- I’m not planning to aim for high level dressage but if annIberian horse might be happy with hacking and lower level riding club stuff they do sound like a great option for a smaller rider.

OP posts:
Newuser75 · 07/10/2023 20:27

maxelly · 29/09/2023 22:24

I know it's a boring answer but when buying a 'first horse' you really need to dismiss thoughts of wanting a certain breed/type and purely consider the horse in front of you. Breeds have certain stereotypes attached but they really don't always play out at all, e.g. the safest, quietest most saint-like horse on our yard is an ex-racing TB and the hottest/trickiest is a Welsh X. And of course the majority of what a horse is like is down to how they've been brought up and trained.

I know it's hard because you probably have been building up to getting the horse for a while and have an idea of the physical type/looks you have in mind, and it's easy when you've been used to riding ploddy types to yearn for something more high-powered but it's so, so much easier and more fun to 'razz up' a naturally bit too slow/quiet horse than it is to quieten down a too sharp/hot one. And like others say a horse that can seem very quiet/slow when you try it will often get a bit trickier when in a new home, unsettled, regularly ridden by a novice so for all these reasons I'd always say pick the horse which objectively and unemotionally best meets your needs (as as per PP your needs now not your imagined needs in however long when you expect to be a better rider/more confident/going BE100 or whatever). I say this in an entirely non judgmental way and as someone that has overhorsed themselves several times because I fell in love with their face/personality (I'm not into natural horsemanship at all but I get what they mean by energy), and it's always, always ended in tears - a horse is such a huge investment both financially and emotionally/practically you really need to not run silly additional risks. Not to say you shouldn't like/click with the horse at all but fixating on wanting an arab or a grey with a long flowing mane or whatever is probably counter-productive (although of course if you find the dream horse that also has the ideal personality and training level and at the right price then of course grab it with both hands!).

Totally agree with this. It's not the breed you need to be looking at but the individual horse.

Find a horse that sounds like it would be a good match. Ideally one that's doing the job you want to do. Nothing with potential. Be very honest with yourself and the seller about your level of riding. Take an instructor or experienced person with you. Try the horse a few times in different situations if possible. See it being handled and groomed, loaded, hacked etc. Get it vetted. Enjoy your new horse!!

Newuser75 · 07/10/2023 20:31

MissCordeliaPreston · 05/10/2023 21:04

I share a pony with my two daughters. There's something in the energy thing. He is completely different with each of us. My youngest is high energy and he feels it and is much sparkier with her than me or the other daughter. My eldest is a perfectionist and that adds to the pony's stress but he demonstrates that stress differently with her. I just want to re-learn to ride and do simple things with him - the first time he was tense, as was I. As I have relaxed so has he and he has become much calmer with all of us since I started schooling him in the very basics.

Our's is a Connemara. He's perfect for all three of us size wise (for now, my eldest will grow out of him..., about 14hh2 and has a good temperament despite being highly sensitive. There are other Connemaras on our yard and they aren't at all the same personality, but are all forward going. I didn't pick him for the breed - some of the best horses I know are proper mixes.

He's a grey and honestly if I could pick and choose I wouldn't get another grey but mainly because I'm a lazy groom and he likes rolling in shit.

😂. We have a grey Connie and a grey Welsh A. Goodness the chestnut Welsh is a lot easier to maintain!!

RiderGirl · 07/10/2023 20:55

OP, as a first time owner for goodness sake do yourself a massive favour and do not get a thoroughbred! From a sheer management point of view they are harder to keep than many other horses, they take a lot more feeding in winter for example and are prone to issues such as kissing spines which a novice owner may not be able to spot the signs of. I'm absolutely not dissing TBs by the way as they are fantastic horses but in my opinion are definitely not suitable for a novice.

Is there an option for you to take on a share of a horse for say 6 months to a year before you commit to buying? That would give you a good insight into what ownership is like, the management aspects of it etc.

If you're a slightly built lady I'd definitely be looking for something that isn't too big for you to manage on the ground - 15.2 would be an ample height. Don't go for flashy or hot headed no matter how pretty it is. Look at the individual horse, give it a fair trial and get it vetted before buying, and remember that a new horse may take some time to settle and you will probably ask yourself "what the f@!* have I bought?!" a lot at first.

JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon · 08/10/2023 10:52

I agree with the advice not to get a TB.

They can be brilliant horses are generally are pretty good on the ground, and have seen plenty of life but they are hard to manage well.

While they aren't all high energy buzzy types they can quickly get a bit full of themselves which can be intimidating for a novice.

The main thing is that they are sensitive and delicate and bred for one very specific purpose. So you need to expect things like mud fever, gastric ulcers, poor feet, sugar sensitivity, kissing spines, excess wear and tear, one-sidedness, stable vices, sensitive skin, fine coats and a metabolism that means even with huge feeds they look ribby.

They don't all have all of the issues, and many can be managed and eventually make good riding horses but they need careful management which is an extra learning curve. I look at the ones I know and it is really noticeable how much more high maintenance they are than my fairly high maintenance little sport horse.

Unless you are buying an older TB out of training for years and already doing well in a private home that is known to you I would steer clear.

twistyizzy · 08/10/2023 10:54

@JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon and that's why as a lifelong TB owner I am skint, constantly on the edge of a nervous breakdown and pay for my vet's new Range Rover + annual skiing holiday 😄

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