I rode him!

OldandNew · #1 13th Jul 2007, 08:18 AM

Hi everyone

I'm the novice over-60 who started riding lessons just this year! Up until now, I always rode the same horse - he's big but pretty reliable and quite a plodder. Anyway, he's on holiday at the moment (wish I could get sent away to a farm in Surrey!) and this week I had to ride a different horse. He's the biggest horse in the yard (but very sweet!) and I was quite scared to be honest.

But it went fine - after a few minutes I got the measure of him and it was a really positive experience. It also boosted my confidence. I'm booked to ride him again next time and from now on I've decided I'm going to be brave and ride as many different horses as I can - weight permitting as I'm not exactly petite!

Do others agree, it's good to ride different horses? As a beginner, having the same horse every lesson was a bit of a security blanket but I realise there's no point only being able to ride one horse.

horse_crazy · #2 13th Jul 2007, 08:30 AM

yes, deffently.

I have been at my current rs for 6 months, and in that time I have rode 5 different horses, and I have lernt so much,as there all different,they have there own little things they find hard to do, and their own little personalitys and ways of avading you.

well done . it's not easy getting on a different horse.

NicP · #3 13th Jul 2007, 09:16 AM

Well done!

I think that when you first start, riding the same horse can be good to get you used to the paces etc. and get your confidence but would definitely say you should progress to riding different horses to build on your skills and balance etc.

D&D · #4 13th Jul 2007, 12:58 PM

yey that is great

lh-sc · #5 17th Jul 2007, 04:23 AM

I think you are GREAT for taking up riding at this point in life! And to want to further challenge yourself even more with continually choosing new mounts.
It's good experience to ride a variety, but maybe at some point you'll find one that you really "click" with, and then you can also gain a lot by just settling in getting to know each other well. Sort of like getting experience while dating around, til you meet someone you want to go steady with!

sancho · #6 17th Jul 2007, 07:50 AM

Well done you!

Its fair to say most people have a favourite horse at the RS and want to stick to that one for as long as poss but its the best feeling when you ride another one and realise you can ride lots of horses now!

I think it is a good idea to swap horses as you have to concentrate on different things and it will help your confidence no end.

Skib · #7 17th Jul 2007, 08:16 AM

So glad it is going well.
Riding lots of different horses is a fundamental of learning to ride.
Getting intimate with one particular horse and its requirements and reactions is important too.
As so often in life and in horsemanship, the answer to your question lies in moderation. Enjoy both, but neither at the expense of the other.

My own experience is that when one has certain darling RS horses, after a few years, it is hard to opt instead to ride a new horse that one doesnt know. But I had one lesson on a different horse recently when my usual was going on holiday, just like you, and I am smitten by that horse too.

The dilemma for a riding school rider is worse than for someone who owns two horses. For us riding one RS horse means not riding the other, so there is a break in our relationship. Whereas if one owned two horses one could ride both on the same day.

ShariN · #8 17th Jul 2007, 04:34 PM

Congrats!!

When I was younger,, I would ride any horse wither I knew them or not.
As I got older... I liked to get to know the horse first.
Now...well.. I have to know the horse before I get on.

You are very brave to get on a horse new to you!!

teabiscuit · #9 17th Jul 2007, 04:42 PM

that's good, i'm glad you're having such a lovely time with your horse riding

xxxkristinaxxx · #10 17th Jul 2007, 06:47 PM

Well done, it can be a little scary at first when changing horses for the first time in ages.

Quote:

Do others agree, it's good to ride different horses?

Yes, definitely! It improves your ability to adapt to riding different horses, and will boost your confident knowing that you can ride more than one horse. Its also good riding different horses because you will learn their quirks and personality and get to know each horse more.

Have fun riding xxx

Brandy Snap · #11 18th Jul 2007, 09:01 AM

sharin - I'm the same as you! I like to know what their quirks are before I get on! Dont like suprises! lol!

oldandnew - its definalty good to ride diffrent horses. But I'd say dont chop and change too much. You want to ride them each a good few times till you can say "right, I know his/her quirks and I can cope with them"
When I was having lessons at a RS I had a group of about four or five horses and ponies that I liked to ride. Mostly I'd ride one but if he was already booked or having a day off then I'd go for one of the other ones. Something else. If your instructor suggests you try a particualr horse, try it!! They will have seen something in your riding (or confidence) that could be improved by that horse. Good luck with the lessons.

OldandNew · #12 19th Jul 2007, 01:17 PM

Thanks to everyone for their continued encouragement. At my RS there aren't that many horses that I could ride (as I said I'm not petite!)

I will definitely have a few sessions on each horse, as suggested.

smellyheather · #13 19th Jul 2007, 03:04 PM

well done and in respose to your question, yes, it is good to ride different horses. so you can self asses which horses are good or 'your type' and like you said yourself, it will be a great confidence boost for you. onece you get on a different horse each time your riding skills will broaden as you have to ride each slightly differently.
once again well done!!!