Horses are HORSES

[Scarlett 001]

I think many mature novices are much more likely to question themselves and are willing to reevaluate and perhaps alter their approach rather than be stuck in a way.

Indeed Karin, I agree. I think maturity in terms of attitude and willingness to learn and listen to horses are perhaps more important than novice or non-novice distinctions. Respect for the animal is also very important I think.

There are all sorts of crazy and often cruel contraptions and approaches out there for horse training and such that many very so-called experienced riders and novices use. Geez, some professionals use some methods I consider to be cruel. I don't think blundering or misguided novices take the prize for poor training abilities or horsemanship. Just because someone knows how to use what I consider to be a cruel or misguided training method the way it was intended, it is still unkind according to my beliefs.

 

[ajhainey]

Don't forget though, that forums like these distort...In the the 'old days' you only found out about people you knew personally - now a forum like this attracts everyone in the english speaking world who is having a problem with their horse or a mad idea they want to try. It makes it seem like everyone and their brother is buying foals to keep in the garden (ok, ok, not that but you know the kind of thing I mean), when in all probability this kind of thing is almost as rare as it ever was. The person that had a year or so of lessons, shared a horse for a couple of years then bought a safe and sane teenage allrounder from a friend who had outgrown it/their school/local well known dealer etc etc doesn't end up coming on here at all 9 times out of 10.

That said I do think the over complication and regulation of the sport is meaning most people buy earlier and with far less practical experience that perhaps was common, and as communities break down, and horses become less common, there is less backup available too, not everyone has a close horsey friend or relative to ask for advice or to help ease the transition from 'rider' to 'owner'. At many schools horses must be tacked up by stable hands, only ridden in the school and feet firmly in the stirrups at all times. In addition insurance and land costs mean lessons cost a lot of money. So to get 'horse time' and the resulting experiences that help you form realistic expectations, and decent horsemanship skills you have to get a horse of your own, but you don't know enough to handle one on your own when you get it - it's an interesting conundurum...

aj xx