what defines an experienced rider????????

[la society]

i have been trying to find a sharer fo my gelding, and put in my advert that he isnt a novice ride, so looking for an experienced rider,
but all i seem to be getting is people that say they are experienced, and when they arrive, you can clearly see they are far from an experienced rider,
what are your opinions on what classes as an experienced rider,?????????????????????????????????

[Trewsers]

Hmm, this is difficult. You see own a naughty connie mare who scares the pants off most folk with her antics, but doesn't bother me (much) but, I would still class myself as not that experienced. Ie, if I was asked to walk, trot and canter and even pop over a jump on a strangers horse I'd be too scared! I might walk and trot but that would be about it! When I bought my mare she wasn't and still isn't a novice ride - but like I said, I don't know what is classed as experienced. I hope you find somebody soon, it must be difficult. I'd be honest about the horses quirks etc and you might encourage the right rider - some people may be scared off?

[baxter]

Tricky question.... my friend was looking for a pony on loan for her stepdaughter and was discounting those that said "suitable for a novice" as defined her stepdaughter as not novice, depsite said child only being able to just canter, and having only been taught at a riding school for a few weeks.

I'd like to think most people would understand what you horse requires and having gone through the whole sharing process, and got rid of a 14 year old girl in the process, i've now gone back to my original sharer who couldn't afford my boy. To be honest now i've found my ideal sharer, money isn't an issue for me, as i now know he'll be looked after and ridden to the standard i require....

You have to have an enormous amount of patience it seems.

[teabiscuit]

Tricky question.... my friend was looking for a pony on loan for her stepdaughter and was discounting those that said "suitable for a novice" as defined her stepdaughter as not novice, depsite said child only being able to just canter, and having only been taught at a riding school for a few weeks.

.

:eek: that's a shocker

[la society]

i know what you mean about patience, i love my horse to bits, and want to find him the perfect sharer, but ive had so many people come down now, that have insisted even after all i say that they are an experienced rider, one girl only got on for a few seconds, bounced down so hard on poor winnys back, that he bucked her straight off,(cant really blame him) his only 7, and had a not very nice start in life, so after a few people doing much the same thing, he now wont let anyone ride him, if ive ridden him first, obviously now he thinks everyone is going to bounce around on him, and it really scares him,
so i tell everyone that calls, that he can be spooky, and you must be a quiet gentle rider, but also confident,
and i still had the same thing,
i know people like to think they are possibly more experienced then they really are, but how do you filter out the genuine ones?

[baxter]

Yes, but not entirely her fault, if you were classed as a "novice" at something, you might think, "well i can do that so i can't be novice" Unfortunately with riding and horses, there's a lot more to it than meets the eye and Non horse owners and people unaware of horses in general tend not to know this... you learn a lot when you have your own, in fact i think you learn to "ride" when you have your own horse, rather than lessons... Probably gonna get shot down with a gun for that!!:rolleyes:

But the reality is just that, and that's what i hate about brackets and people defining themselves as a certain type of rider, intermediate, novice, whatever...

Good luck OP in your search.:)

Overlapped, on that post, with regards to filtering, i tended to discount anyone who sounded too "know it all" and others who spoke with text speak, and i let one girl ride my gelding for all of two minutes and asked her to leave when her friend was more interested in what my horses cost, and how much i paid for each of them.... lots of worms/frogs/joyriders out there!

[la society]

thank you xx
i have a great lady who helps with my pony, she hacks her out during the day, as she hates being ridden in the school, at 28 yrs old shes done her fair share of that,
she is fantastic, and i love her to bits, she does everything the way i like it, and loves my pony like i do,

i need another one like her!!!!!!!

so there must be a super auntie for winny out there somewhere,::)

[summerguest]

I would think everybody has a different opinion. BUT
I would say an experienced rider...is a balanced knowledgable rider who can give clear precise aids and ride a horse in good form, capable of improving it.


If you find a sharer like that you are VERY LUCKY!


From personal experience it seems people are happy with sharers if they are atleast as good as themselves.

My main concerns are...is the rider going to be safe, will they damage my horse?!

[Skib]

But there may not be? This is not the first recent post by someone looking for an experienced sharer.
I have a friend who has been looking for over a year.
You see, experienced riders who have no horse of their own can usually find plenty of riding without needing to pay to share. Sometimes they even get paid for exercising other people's horses.

[jenren!!]

Tricky one.

I think saying 'not novice ride' can be misleading. I certainly get confused by it, as i have been riding 10 years yet i would class myself as a novice, but more of an 'advanced novice'. Be more honest in your advert, be more precise about what you want. What kind of experienced rider? Perhaps state a reason?

I agree Skib but there are those that dont have time to commit themself to a horse and there arent always those horses out there to exercise for free. Most people would rather people paid to ride their horse (like a loan). Those who get paid for it, well, theyre laughing. Its not very often you get that type of opportunity.

[la society]

so what suggestions could you make, as to wording on an advert,

winny can be quite spooky in the school,less so out hacking, and when he spooks he does it very quickly, so one second your one side of the school the next your the other,
hes quite forward going, his sensitive to his riders, ie dosnt like it if your lower leg too far forward as you sit to far back in your saddle,wont have people sitting heavy on his back, as this scares him making him shoot forward, and then he may buck if given the chance,and dosnt like it if your heavy handed with him, if you ride him with confidence and quietly his fine,

HELP!!!!!:rolleyes:

[Bay Mare]

I think that it would be best to specify what skills they should have rather than just saying 'not a novice ride'. Doesn't stop the numpties from coming for a free ride or the egos from thinking that they are better than they are but at least you have a starting point. If, when they phone they don't satisfy 'x, y, z' criteria then at least you can start to weed them out a bit earlier!

I remember going on a riding holiday and being put in a class with and 8 year old and a 10 year old. I was a bit :eek: until the senior instructor dragged me out of the class (another instructor had done the allocations) asking me what the hell I was doing in there :) Apparently they'd written on their booking form that they were about a month away from competing at the Olympics in all three disciplines and the numpty RI had taken it at face value and stuck me in with them (not because I'm a month away but because the other available classes were beginners classes). As it turned out they weren't even off lead rein :rolleyes: The doting parents obviously wore rose tinted specs when they watched their lessons!

Good luck, I don't envy you!

[JustJas]

I say my horses are not novices rides... one a very flighty arab and other a strong young green cob. I would not trust a stranger on them. I have had many people come to ride my horses- some are too harsh on the,m and some just can not ride.

I have been riding over 30 years- and never feel happy to comment on my ability- I can ride most hosrse but never as well as their owner.

[sheryl]

Hi,
I've had this problem a lot in the past:rolleyes: . In the end I gave up. I decided my horses were safer in the field, than out with a less than experienced and knowledgeable rider.
I think the problem comes when non-horsey parents ring on the behalf of their children. They think their child can ride, just because they've had a few riding lessons.
Don't wish to offend anyone, but after my experiences, I wouldn't consider anyone under 18. I had a lot of young riders who I thought I could trust (were capable riders), but found out later that they were doing completely dangerous and ridiculous stuff behind my back.
One teenager led my pony across a dual carriageway with just a leadrope looped round his neck:eek:
Another was told to stay in the village when she hacked out. Then one day I had a phonecall from her in tears. She had taken him about 10 miles from home, and done one of his tendons, and he was hobbling on 3 legs:eek: .

I had one lovely lady though, who was completely reliable and trustworthy, but she had to stop coming when she did her back in. I was gutted!

I think to be trusted with someone elses horse (and baby!), is a huge responsibility, and one that most teenagers under 18, are not ready for. I have met loads of capable young teenage riders, but theres more to it than just riding ability. At what age do we get common sense, and a fear for our safety? Plus a respect for an animal that is worth the world to his owner?

My advise would be to not entertain anyone under 18, unless supervised. And, fully vet anyone else. I think you can tell just by talking to someone roughly how experienced they are:) .

Good luck in your search!

[Selle Francais]

Unfortunately with riding and horses, there's a lot more to it than meets the eye and Non horse owners and people unaware of horses in general tend not to know this... you learn a lot when you have your own, in fact i think you learn to "ride" when you have your own horse, rather than lessons!

I couldn't agree more! When I got my boy I was aware that I was ignorant, even after years of regular riding, what I could never have grasped then was just HOW ignorant I was.

Until you have owned and loved your own, you are at best a very good and understanding spectator - I certainly learned to RIDE when I took that ownership step. (If for no other reason than - he wouldn't let me get away with anything less!)

I know some lovely riders who are non-owners, but they have all worked on yards, so they know what's what. Outside that I reserve my doubts and for me to give someone the chance to ride him is a rare privilege.

SF

[coverblown]

Until you have owned and loved your own, you are at best a very good and understanding spectator

SF

and somebody like that is unlikely to want to share someone else's "difficult" horse.

A good experienced sharer for an advanced horse seems as difficult to find as a first loan / share / purchase.

So how does anyone ever get their ideal ??? I envy all you perfectly matched on here...

[Ptaty70]

Maybe use 'knowledgeable' or 'sympathetic' instead of experienced. Even after 10 years of having a horse and 23 years of riding, I would still not say I was 'experienced' and would probably baulk at replying to an ad asking for such a rider whereas I only let calm, knowledgeable people ride my horse as he can be very difficult - so surely that would make me 'experienced' plus I have 'experience.

I liken riding to skiing... i used to work at a ski resort and would look forward to guests coming skiing with me/us. ALL of them apart from true beginners said they 'could ski'. All flipping useless. It's only when you realise what you DON'T know that you realise how far you have to go. There has to be that understanding in the first place (oh and despite having skied now for the equivalent of 20 years for most people, I would still say I was an intermediate as I know what the REALLY good skiers can do.... like we do with the likes of Carl Hester and Pippa Funnell etc)

Just being able to sit at canter does not a rider make...

Maybe don't use the usual words and really think about what kind of rider you want and say it.

Good luck! must be very difficult!

[Skib]

I had one lovely lady though, who was completely reliable and trustworthy, but she had to stop coming when she did her back in. I was gutted!

This is me. Reliable, quiet rider. I went to see a perfect share last week and she was too wide. And I hurt myself trying.

[amylou_84]

Hmm....Im not going to shoot anyone :p but i have to stick up for the non owners :)
I dont own a horse. I have had numerous lessons since i was a child. I am no experpienced rider, id say at my highest point i was an experienced novice, going on to intermediate.
I totally agree that when you have your own horse you experience a whole different type of riding. You ride more, you learn to become more intune with your horse, therefore you can learn the language of that horse, rather than a riding school horse that is dead to your senses. You can experiment more, you spend enough time with htat horse to experience the change in that horse. The horse will not be a 'safe' riding school horse. S/he will have a personallity where you need to tune your riding into. You need to use your skills to work with hte horse. You cant just sit there and 'ride'! You need to think about how you are riding and how to change your riding and skills.
Just because you go to riding lessons doesnt mean you cant ride, just that you havnt had hte chance to use your skills properly. You get hte basics with lessons. Basics enough to sit on a horse that is a novice ride.....to me an experienced rider is someone who does it for a living - all day everyday!

I hope iv got my point across....:rolleyes: There is a difference between the way owners and lesson folk ride. Though (depending on what stage the lesson folk are at i might add) lesson folk can ride.

[Afellpony]

[FONT="Century Gothic"]I couldn't put a novice on Falcon. he doesn't even buck or anything. It's just that his reactions are so quick. If he sees something in the distance that he's unsure of and he doesn't know you, or he feels you're not confident, he's off!!
If you're one of his 'in crowd', then he's fine!!!!![ So, really only an experienced rider could ride him./FONT]

[CrisO]

I think Riding Schools are partly to blame, they are too ready to put people into an advanced class and then people not knowing any better think they are advanced riders. I remember hearing a couple of women talking where I used to ride. They had been riding about 6 months and scraped into the advanced class after getting a stage 1. "oh we're advanced riders now" they said. However the horses they were riding were the quiet ones used for that level not the sensitive ones that were used for stage 3 and 4 training.

And these are the people that are looking for their first share. Your boy will be alot more sensitive than most riding schools will have.

However there are a few good people out there who have owned horses in the past but are not in a position to own one now. Or at the yard where I share I've seen experienced riders from abroad who are not settled in this country to get their own horse but want to continue riding. What I don't know is how you vet people so your poor horse doesn't get upset by all these people. You almost want to see them ride something quieter first so you can assess them first.

[Afellpony]

What would you class as an advanced rider though?

[amylou_84]

In this instance i would ask for someone who has owned a horse before hand and ask what kind of horse they had. If they had a similar kind of horse in hte past they will be able to handle htis one. I would check for any BHS stages done. I would ask for references from previous YO and RI.

I say an advanced rider is someone who has experienced many different horses. They can handle a horse in all 4 gaits and can do jumping but not neccessarily be an expert at it as i say its an add on. They need to be calm and confident in there skills. A nervous rider sends the wrong signals and can make a horse worked up, therefore the horse does not work as they should. They should be able to tack up etc too.

[CrisO]

Personally I would class an advanced rider as someone who can get on any horse regardless of breed and\or temperament and get it going reasonably well depending on the horse's level of training. They would be secure enough to handle the unexpected. I would say the person would have been around horses for a long time and to get that depth of experience and would have either worked with or owned horses.

I don't think being able to walk trot canter, stay on over a small crosspole on an amenable riding school horse counts as advanced.

But that is just my opinion and I'm sure we'll get lots of other definitions.

[amylou_84]

I don't think being able to walk trot canter, stay on over a small crosspole on an amenable riding school horse counts as advanced

Neither do i :) I say that is novice.

[CrisO]

Amylou's comment about the stages gave me a thought. Riding schools that do stages will have horses as well as riders classified. If you are riding stage 3 or 4 horses they are likely to be sharper and more of a challenge though still co-operative if ridden correctly.

[jenren!!]

Hi,
I've had this problem a lot in the past:rolleyes: . In the end I gave up. I decided my horses were safer in the field, than out with a less than experienced and knowledgeable rider.
I think the problem comes when non-horsey parents ring on the behalf of their children. They think their child can ride, just because they've had a few riding lessons.
Don't wish to offend anyone, but after my experiences, I wouldn't consider anyone under 18. I had a lot of young riders who I thought I could trust (were capable riders), but found out later that they were doing completely dangerous and ridiculous stuff behind my back.
One teenager led my pony across a dual carriageway with just a leadrope looped round his neck:eek:
Another was told to stay in the village when she hacked out. Then one day I had a phonecall from her in tears. She had taken him about 10 miles from home, and done one of his tendons, and he was hobbling on 3 legs:eek: .

I had one lovely lady though, who was completely reliable and trustworthy, but she had to stop coming when she did her back in. I was gutted!

I think to be trusted with someone elses horse (and baby!), is a huge responsibility, and one that most teenagers under 18, are not ready for. I have met loads of capable young teenage riders, but theres more to it than just riding ability. At what age do we get common sense, and a fear for our safety? Plus a respect for an animal that is worth the world to his owner?

My advise would be to not entertain anyone under 18, unless supervised. And, fully vet anyone else. I think you can tell just by talking to someone roughly how experienced they are:) .

Good luck in your search!
Ok, you do make valid points, but i am 17, and i would NEVER do anything like that! Puts me in a bit of a difficult position as i am automatically crowded into the silly teenager group as 'silly' and 'untrustworthy'. Merlin who i am about to part-loan was advertised for someone over 18, but that was simply because she'd rather she had someone she knew she could trust. She has not bat an eyelid at my age because she knows i can be trusted, and she really can trust me, so she is right to be. Plus i have experience of alot of things.

and somebody like that is unlikely to want to share someone else's "difficult" horse.

A good experienced sharer for an advanced horse seems as difficult to find as a first loan / share / purchase.

So how does anyone ever get their ideal ??? I envy all you perfectly matched on here...
Well, i might be a decent example. I have owned 2 horses and have ridden alsorts. I ride most horses well, im not a silly rider, im a very sensible rider and have brilliant riding skills. Im not 'experienced' but i am experienced to an extent that i know what im doing and respect each horse i ride. My only problem is my confidence sometimes. You'd think id be buying a new one, but im taking up a part-loan for the winter so i can focus on my A-levels and save up for a new horse.

People have their reasons, and i truly believe not everyone experienced is snobby and simply 'has' to own a horse. The sensible ones with commitments will look into these options. Of course there is the oter group who state they are experienced etc etc yet cant ride at all. It is up to you to differentiate.

Jen x

[Briony]

I am currently looking for a horse to share and have classed myself as experienced. I have done my BHS stage 2 and have been told by a BHS trainer that I would get my 3 no problem but I don't like jumping strange horses over Xcountry fences!
I also have an equine studies degree and have had my own horses/ponies since I was 9 years old. The last horse I owned was an arab who I took to college with me and competed at dressage. I have worked on a racing yard with NH horses and at a riding school including some teaching.
I don't have the time/fianances to have a horse of my own at the moment and have had two shares since I sold my last horse. One of which was an ex racer who broke her leg and the other was a connie who I schooled until the owner sold it.
However, having ridden plenty of silly horses over the years I am now looking for something that doesn't buck, rear or bolt. I just want something fun to hack and school. It doesn't have to be a novice ride, just safe, but I'm having no luck at all.
It seems that the problems work both ways!

[marchhare2006]

It's also a question of getting used to a horse though. For example, I've been riding since I was a child (20 years) but I'm still not a great rider. More of a happy hacker, but I can still ride my sister's flighty Arab mare because I learnt to ride on her (admittedly she's calmed down a bit now in her old age) but because I know what to expect on her she never surprises me and we trust each other. However, if I were to get on a stranger's flighty Arab mare, she'd probably bolt off with me because I wouldn't be confident enough to ride her. When you own a horse you get used to them and learn how to ride that specific horse. In other words, you get to know their personality.

I am myself considering a shared horse so that I can actually get more experience of looking after horses, but the very question you raise makes me apprehensive. I know I'm not a 'good' rider, although I have 20 years of being around horses. The experience I have is on and off and not very intensive. However, as an

[marchhare2006]

As an 18 year old, I was confident enough to think I was a fairly good rider. I wasn't but I was happy enough to go out and exercise people's horses for them. Now I'd be worried about doing that as I'm aware of my inexperience.

[casey]

You see, experienced riders who have no horse of their own can usually find plenty of riding without needing to pay to share. Sometimes they even get paid for exercising other people's horses.

I agree.

[sheryl]

Sorry Jenren!
Of course there are always exceptions!
And 17 is very nearly 18!

What I was also going to say was, if you know someone who is younger, and you know they are trustworthy, grab them quick! Its different if you don't know them though.

I have known plenty of teenage riders, who are better riders than a lot of adults. They are generally more confident, and confidence goes a long way;) .
Its just the silly things that a lot of teenagers do, that spoil it for the rest:rolleyes:

[la society]

Personally I would class an advanced rider as someone who can get on any horse regardless of breed and\or temperament and get it going reasonably well depending on the horse's level of training. They would be secure enough to handle the unexpected. I would say the person would have been around horses for a long time and to get that depth of experience and would have either worked with or owned horses.

I don't think being able to walk trot canter, stay on over a small crosspole on an amenable riding school horse counts as advanced.

But that is just my opinion and I'm sure we'll get lots of other definitions.
That is the person i am looking for :)

[summerguest]

Jenren ...One of my best sharers was 14 she stayed with me till she was 17.
She was honest reliable trustworthy, she hacked my arabs out, and competed at shows on them, She had lessons and was a nice quiet confident rider. I'd take on another teen like her any day!

My daughter is also 13 and I trust her with sole charge of my horses if I'm lucky enough to get a long weekend away with hubby.

If you can get a recommendation from someone it helps.

Or give them lessons to get them up to scratch!!! ( if you are happy with the rest of the package but riding a bit rusty ) I did that then she ended up buying one of mine off me!

[Ptaty70]

I am therefore a beginner... I have been riding for 23 years, have had my own horse for 10 years, but as we have seen on this forum, even the best horse riders have problems of confidence, so I would say that experienced and 'can get on any horse' is not the way forward. Getting someone who 'gets' your horse is more important.

plus someone you get on with!

So maybe 'intuitive' is the best way forward???

[veradonja!]

I am the mother of a very able 14 year old and even though I started out loaning ponies for her I would not loan or share with any child - I had a really bad experience with my cob when I put her up for loan - ending when the girl just got off her and left her in a wood!!

I had checked out the girl and her parents - Her mother was a teacher at my daughter's school and really sold her daughter to me - it was only when I spoke to her father after this incident that I found out she had some real issues and they were hoping that sharing a horse would provide some sort of theraphy.

Bottom line though was that she needed more of her parents time! They just used to dropped her of at the yard and leave her to her own devices

It turned out well in the end because I sold my cob to someone on our yard and we still get to ride her.

[carrimclaren]

This really worries me sometimes as i'm thinking of selling my mare next year and i know i'll get the same problems so fully understand your dilemma.
We have a woman down our yard who describes herself and her daughter as experienced riders. I don't class an experienced rider as someone who has to ask what yar rield is. That by the way is leg yield. She got it very very worringly wrong. Her daughter now rides a youngster who she is "schooling and bringing on". :eek:

My ten pence worth is an experienced rider is: someone who is not fazed by any situation and deals with it sensibly and efficiently, someone who tries to get the best out of every horse and someone who has confidence in themselves and their abilities. Ideally i'd think that they would need to have expertise in at least one area e.g dressage, eventing, showjumping etc.
I'm sure it's the same for every place but we seem to attract a lot of people who believe their own publicity and think they're the next michael whitaker. Example; One of these people riding a green 4 year old, schooling i believe it's called, wheeling round 20m circles at about 20mph booting the poor unbalanced mare whenever she tried to buck or slow down. Luckily the owner decided she didn't like the teaching method and never had the girl again. I'm not saying the girl isn't talented because she was a good rider, a brave rider but her problem was she was a hard, ignorant and arrogant rider.

[eml]

I think the problem is that 'experienced' is relative to the person using it.

I class my self as a competent nonstylish rider, horses generally work well for me, my flatwork exceeds my jumping ability, I can cope with the odd problem although serious bucks get to me...although not rears strangely!

My daughter is better, stylish, able to improve almost all horses and will try with most inspite of their naughtiness with a quiet seat and has turned round many so called problem horses.

However we reserve experienced in our terms to her RI who sits on anything appearing not to move ! His qualification....FBHS, eventer etc etc.

However in another context I would use 'experienced' in the riding school for those I could put on any horse and they would get correct work most of the time

[la society]

Hi , Everyone , I Am Still Having No Response From Anywhere !!