06/09/2021
A beginner rider wants to work on intermediate horsemanship. An intermediate rider want to work on advanced horsemanship, but an advanced horseman works on the basics.
This is scarily true!
I know of so many people who come and try horses and expect them to walk trot canter, pop a jump, hack alone and in company and generally do anything asked.
Yes to some extent the horse should.
It shouldn't buck or rear or tank off - obviously there's a huge problem there.
But when things are less than perfect so many people will walk away...
Here's a few things to consider - the horse doesn't know you... he's trying to work YOU out.... through your nerves of riding a new horse, she must some how be that paragon of virtue.....
Yet he doesn't know your aids, isn't used to your energy, you have different balance to me, different length stirrups, softer or harder hands, quicker or slower expectations of the horses reaction to aids...
The horse in that trial will guess what you want, try to work out how to please you. Give them some time too... Time and basics are what build that Perfect Partnership you all want....
So next time you try a new horse - consider what the horse is going through.... its nerve wracking for you - and confusing for that horse.
Give that horse time, go back to the basics and you'll have more than you could ever have wished for....
(Stolen from someone else) but 100%!!
