The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Pets & Working Animals => Horses, ponies, donkeys & mules => Topic started by: Orinoco on December 06, 2014, 08:01:15 am
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Hi
I have just started riding again after 27 years, having been presuaded to buy a 13.2 coloured cob after a gentleman in the village died, I had intended getting her re-trained and finding her a nice family home, but I woke up one morning and thought lets see what I can remember and felt confident enough to take her out for a ride.
I'm now hooked and other than getting my fitness levels to where they need to be I feel quite confident, it seems to be like riding a bike (probably the years of weekly lessons), I am starting lessons again in the new year on mine and at a riding stable to make sure I am remembering things correctly, but do feel a bit silly riding a 13.2 cob (I'm only 5'3 but), I am looking at getting her re-trained for driving next year as I'm sure she has done plently in the past.
I've started looking for my next one but all the adverts say not a novice ride or not suitable for a novice as young and green etc. I would love to progress to a bit of dressage and hunting and don't want to buy a horse that just wants to plod along but I also don't want to over phase myself.
When does a rider stop been a novice rider????
Any advice, thanks
K
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As an ex cavalryman,we stop being novices after we have passed out ! Ie finished the Army kit ride =18 weeks of hell ! But id say being a novice or not is down to yourself to decide ,if you sit on a horse and feel comfortable and able to handle anything it decides to do then go for it ! I'll happily sit on any horse but still don't consider my self as good as I could be !!!
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Thanks that was helpful,
I think if I give myself 6 months of lessons riding different horses and riding mine every other day, if I still feel comfortable and have experienced a few different problems that might be the right time to buy my next one.
I think some people put on 'no novice riders' because they want their horse to go on somewhere their education will be continued and not have bad habits develop due to the lack of knowledge of the rider as opposed to the horse been 'not a novice ride' because its a handful etc. In fact there is only about 5% that say novice ride and this is followed by the words plod along or needs a bit of getting going.
Well I have a plan (will keep looking though if only to help me decide who/where/how/what to buy, window shopping).
K
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I came back to riding after a long children break and was searching for a sensible all rounder, my confidence was delicate to say the least but I ended up buying a five year old cob. I went to see him determind that I wouldn't have him as he was to young etc etc but he made me feel so safe, I went back again a week later hell bent on finding something wrong with him but didn't so I bought him. I can honestly say it was the best money I ever spent, my confidence soared, and he goes as steady as I want but ups the pace when needed. We have competed in dressage, been hunting, done farm rides and my then 10yr old took him showjumping and xc!
I'm 5ft 8 and he's no bigger than 15hh but a proper traditional cob so he rides big.
Hope you find something as good as I did and don't rule out all cobs as they are so versatile :love:
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Don't be put off by the phrase 'novice ride', it doesn't necessarily mean it is a plod, but that it should be safe and bombproof safe (although some will be plods!).
I probably won't ever buy another horse as I breed and back my own, but to be honest, even as an experienced and confident rider, an advert saying 'not a novice ride' would put me right off, unless I knew the horse rt the vendor, because I just can't be bothered with anything with issues. Again, just because it says 'not novice ride' it doesn't mean there is anything wrong with it or that it does have issues, but there are so many adverts to go through, it would thin them out a bit.
Also, although driving is brilliant fun and I wouldn't want to discourage you from that option, please don't worry about riding a 13.2 at 5'3" - I am 5' 10", here are a couple of photos of me on the 13.2 I've just started this year (the teeny dapple grey:
(http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee282/xantia135/IMAG2230.jpg) (http://s232.photobucket.com/user/xantia135/media/IMAG2230.jpg.html)
(riders in this one from 5'6" to 6'1", nothing bigger than 14.2!)
(http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee282/xantia135/ghillieandjessie.jpg) (http://s232.photobucket.com/user/xantia135/media/ghillieandjessie.jpg.html)
(http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee282/xantia135/DSCF6104.jpg) (http://s232.photobucket.com/user/xantia135/media/DSCF6104.jpg.html)
(http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee282/xantia135/DSCF6105.jpg) (http://s232.photobucket.com/user/xantia135/media/DSCF6105.jpg.html)
My legs are a bit long on her, but she is brilliant fun.
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ours are only 14.2 ish so I wouldn't worry about height if you have a nice up-to-weight pony. ours are highlands so there is no way they are too small for me, Im 5ft 4.
my friend had a lovely 12.3 new forest pony and she was only small, he was a cracker but she did get embarrassed by riding a little pony.
as long as they "fit", don't worry about what other people think. it sounds as if your pony is ideal. as long as she is fit, there is no reason why she cant hunt etc.
not novice ride - often means complete beginners, I used to put that on my adverts when I sold young ponies as I didn't want them to be hauled about by someone who didn't have a clue, and to have a happy life with a competent horseman. selling highlands often attracts beginner riders. :innocent:
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This is my boy with me attempting dressage and my daughter jumping.
(http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff102/chuckie956/imagejpg2-3.jpg) (http://s237.photobucket.com/user/chuckie956/media/imagejpg2-3.jpg.html)
(http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff102/chuckie956/imagejpg1-4.jpg) (http://s237.photobucket.com/user/chuckie956/media/imagejpg1-4.jpg.html)
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He is a lovely boy :thumbsup:
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He's stunning, Sbom!
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I'm 5ft 4 and sometimes ride a 13.2hh Fell pony. Her owner is in fact 5ft 6. Cobs "take up the leg" so you don't look as though you're swamping them as a rule and they are certainly weight carriers. If you're happy with the cob you have, stay with her. Some snooty teenager types might scoff but stuff 'em. Feeling safe and confident is all important as you get back into the swing of things.
There is plenty of support for adults riding ponies:
http://www.ponyriders.org.uk/index.php?page=about-us (http://www.ponyriders.org.uk/index.php?page=about-us)
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So chuffed with the replies, not having a horsey group to say do I look daft to, left me assuming but your all right, I'm soo enjoying riding I don't think I care, I will still start with lessons for both of us, (shes a 9 year old who is still fairly green herself and spent a long time just left in a field, she also struck out with her front legs when we first got her, previous bad treatment (we were advised not to touch her, but all other options for her were bad), it took her 6 months to actually trust us and we can do anything with he now).
Thanks
K
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Yay!!
Sounds as though you're building a great relationship with her! You look after her and she'll look after you!
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I agree with everything said. I have 2 Fells and thought I would need roller skates! The smallest is about 13.2 I think but so forward going and fun to ride even though only 4. Sometimes you need to look at the breed as I know someone that sells on her ex point to pointers and always puts down not novice ride as they can take a bit of holding.
I would have said mine needed experienced riders purely because young and green but to be honest they are safer than most of the older bigger horses I ride out with. Both are excellent in traffic and not spooky. I sometimes forget they have only been ridden for 5 months.
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I also agree with everything already said. Sometimes I think 'not novice ride' is used as a catch all, so if something bad happened the seller can say they told you it wasn't a novice ride.
I lost all my confidence with my ex racehorse - to the point where I almost couldn't get on any horse. I had a few years off riding before I felt ready to get another horse. I ended up with a 5 year old coloured cob that had been hunted in ireland and was certainly on his toes - but he felt right and I felt safe riding him which is the most important thing to me (he was a complete nightmare to handle on the ground though but after 5 years we are pretty much over that). I'm 5foot 10 (and a bit) and cobby is not quite 15hh I realise I look a bit big on him but I feel in balance and safe and that's the most important thing to me. Incidentally he's almost 700kgs so perfectly capable of carrying me too!
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Thanks all
Such lovely looking ponies/horses, the most notable thing is how much fun everyone is having
K
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My largest Fell is 13.2hh. I'm 5'5". As said, they 'take up the leg' as they are so wide. And they are so chunky, an adult doesn't look at all amiss atop 'em.
I love Fells - when they do spook at something it's only a wee skip to the side, then a good look and maybe a snort. None of this histrionic stuff you can get with the 'leggy horses'! :D Even when Dave was really frightened of a muck spreader which still had its chains going, he just pranced on the spot 'cos my hands were telling him not to go forward. :love: :horse:
I only ever think about his height if we are out on a ride with 'leggy horses' and I find myself looking up to talk to other riders! But most people around here have natives - Fells, Dales, Highlands and one Exmoor - so we're in good company.
And most of the natives I know are good honest forward-going creatures. One or two may be a bit inclined to buck-kick now and again - and most will take exception to anything but very occasional, and must be deserved, use of the whip - but on the whole they are interesting and enjoyable to ride, and capable of working hunter level competitive work. The conformation of the jaw and neck means they find higher-level dressage a challenge; they simply can't get their heads pulled in that far without pain, but if you don't mind them carrying their heads comfortably, many are willing. (And some just think dressage is silly and would rather go for a proper ride ::) :D)
I've ridden a couple of cobs in the past, and I think most of my comments about natives would apply to them too (although they perhaps were less likely to have their own opinions and the intellect to make those feelings known!) Whether all cobs are temperamentally similar to natives, I don't know - but if you are enjoying riding this mare, and she's already yours... I'd stick with that for a while and see how far you can go with her. Once you're out and about with her, you'll come across others doing similar, someone will know of a nice one, etc...
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Give me a cob any day. Cheaper to keep, less vet bills and so much fun. Sometime not for a novice rider can mean the horse is green and lacks experience of a well schooled animal. I would love to ride again but bad back means a no go. I did break one of my Shetlands to drive which gives me the chance to go out on a hack when my granddaughter is riding.
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if you are confident on your cob, she can carry your weight and you get on well together theres no reason to change. Buying a horse is such a risky business so if you have a good one stay with it. If you think your girl is a bit too slow for you schooling can make her a bit sharper off the leg. Id say that a bit too ploddy is always better than a bit too sharp....especially for those of us who might be called "mature" riders!
I count myself in that group by the way at 55!
And BIG has its distinct disadvantages too. My horse is 17hh and husband's RID is pushing 17:2hh. We cant open gates from their backs, finding a re-mounting spot is a nightmare and their farrier bills are eye-watering! We get a good view from up there though 8)
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Mowhaugh, that's a lovely photo of the 4 horses together. Im very interested to know about their breeding. They look like they have Native in them. Are any of them Highlands?
My 17hh ISH boy has his health issues and when it comes time to find another ride Im thinking of a smaller breed. I keep looking at Highlands. What do you breed?
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Mowhaugh, that's a lovely photo of the 4 horses together. Im very interested to know about their breeding. They look like they have Native in them. Are any of them Highlands?
My 17hh ISH boy has his health issues and when it comes time to find another ride Im thinking of a smaller breed. I keep looking at Highlands. What do you breed?
They are all Highlands, which is what I breed. I love them. I have since measured teeny pony properly, and she is actually only 13.1! We wouldn't make the best picture in the showring, as my legs are long on her, but she's loads of fun. I would definitely recommend them as a breed, although like with anything, you get a huge variety within the breed, from the really quiet ploddy kickalong, to the more turbo powered (which I prefer!)
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A-hah!
They are gorgeous. And not as hairy as I was led to believe. If you ever sell any I would like to keep you in mind if I have to retire my boy, if that's OK.
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A-hah!
They are gorgeous. And not as hairy as I was led to believe. If you ever sell any I would like to keep you in mind if I have to retire my boy, if that's OK.
Of course!
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A-hah!
They are gorgeous. And not as hairy as I was led to believe. If you ever sell any I would like to keep you in mind if I have to retire my boy, if that's OK.
Of course!
keep me in mind too mowhaugh! They are stunning!! Ive gone from a 16.2 Irish hunter who I hunted and competed, to a 15hh connie, who was totally traumatised in Ireland. Next pony is going to be a "pony"!!! Love your Highlands, they look perfect!!