There are lots of factors that go into choosing a horse, whether you are leasing or buying. Today, I will explore personality. Much like finding a partner to share your life with, not only do you want to have things in common (i.e both horse and rider want to do the same sport, cross country is not fun on a horse that doesn't like it!) but you must also have a personality match. Horses, like humans have their own characteristics and mannerisms. Some typical classifications:
- Hot: This is a horse that is naturally forward and can easily get "wound up", takes a tactful calm rider to get the most out of this horse.
- Lazy: This is a horse that needs to be encouraged to go forward and do just about anything. This horse can do really well with a more nervous rider.
- Alpha: This is a leader, a horse that likes to be in charge and will be in charge of any horse he/she comes in contact with and will often fight to show it. When you ride them you have to have a delicate balance of being in charge but in a partnership. These personalities are usually best suited for professionals, or a tactful amateur.
- Follower: This is a horse that is a bit more submissive; he/she will join the herd and go with the flow without too much fight. This type of horses enjoys a rider that can be their leader; they will relax and bloom when they are not stressed about being in charge.
- Looky/Spooky: Some horses just notice all the little things going on in life and are more reactive to them. They usually need a rider that can ignore their behaviors and can get on with the ride and someone that has patience and won’t get mad at a horse for their insecurities.
- Sensitive: This horse usually listens the first time or already thinks they know what you are going to ask. They will often get flustered when you use large aids, they want to be asked not told that to do.
None of the above traits are good or bad per say and you will come across all sorts of crosses of the above. One of my favorite horses, Spiderman a Thoroughbred, was a hot but lazy horse. In his case that meant I needed to motivate and engage him even when he felt forward and working, as he was often faking it. Regal on the other hand is more sensitive but mellow and very smart with an inclination to get bored quickly.
Another aspect that will prevent or make a partnership between horse and rider is work ethic. This needs to be examined from both the rider and horse's side. Some horses have great work ethic, they want and are willing to try new things; they learn quickly and do not get too frustrated. Others are a bit slower to learn or quickly get overwhelmed when something new is introduced. I once had a horse in training that would close his eyes and try to lie down when he felt overwhelmed, in his case it was learning to canter. He went on to be a great horse after some more maturing. This I found frustrating as I like a horse that will at least try even if it means fail, rather than an outright "no". But that is My personal preference. The latter horse is best matched with a rider that doesn't mind being a motivator, nearly all the time. Typically some of the draft crosses or Warmbloods (there are several breeds of Warmbloods that are considered more “hot”) fall into this category. The first type of horse can really be matched with nearly everyone, though you have to watch, if the rider is not up for keeping the horses, engaged and interested this horse can quickly get bored and look for fun and exciting ways to spice their rides or barn life up, this is usually in the form of some sort of misbehavior.
So what does this mean to you as the rider? Whenever you meet a new horse, try to take a quick inventory of their traits. Do they come up to you when they are at liberty in their stall or field? Do they make grumpy faces to try and intimidate you? Does the horse require a spur or stick to get forward? Do they spook if anything changes in their daily surroundings? Ask if the horse minds multiple riders or prefers a single rider. Note: A horse that prefers a single rider is usually more sensitive or an alpha personality. Take notes and don’t rely on breed generalizations, horse are individuals too.
When horse shopping or trying a horse for a lease, make a list of what type of horse you like to ride. Make a list of your own characteristics. Then decided what you must have and what secondary requirements are. For example a timid rider should have a bold horse, where as a more aggressive or bold rider can encourage a more timid horse. I often find less mature riders who do not have total control over their emotions do better with a lazier/mellow horse, they often get the more sensitive horses jazzed up with their own emotions. BE HONEST with yourself, if you aren’t, you and the horses will suffer in the end. Your goals will not be reached and frustration will rule.
Lastly, have someone that knows either the horse really well or you as a rider give you an outside opinion. There are so many wonderful horses out there, don't get matched up with the wrong one!
One of my favorite young horses for sale right now:
http://tennantsporthorses.com/horses-for-sale/fernhill-cascum-marco/
- Hot: This is a horse that is naturally forward and can easily get "wound up", takes a tactful calm rider to get the most out of this horse.
- Lazy: This is a horse that needs to be encouraged to go forward and do just about anything. This horse can do really well with a more nervous rider.
- Alpha: This is a leader, a horse that likes to be in charge and will be in charge of any horse he/she comes in contact with and will often fight to show it. When you ride them you have to have a delicate balance of being in charge but in a partnership. These personalities are usually best suited for professionals, or a tactful amateur.
- Follower: This is a horse that is a bit more submissive; he/she will join the herd and go with the flow without too much fight. This type of horses enjoys a rider that can be their leader; they will relax and bloom when they are not stressed about being in charge.
- Looky/Spooky: Some horses just notice all the little things going on in life and are more reactive to them. They usually need a rider that can ignore their behaviors and can get on with the ride and someone that has patience and won’t get mad at a horse for their insecurities.
- Sensitive: This horse usually listens the first time or already thinks they know what you are going to ask. They will often get flustered when you use large aids, they want to be asked not told that to do.
None of the above traits are good or bad per say and you will come across all sorts of crosses of the above. One of my favorite horses, Spiderman a Thoroughbred, was a hot but lazy horse. In his case that meant I needed to motivate and engage him even when he felt forward and working, as he was often faking it. Regal on the other hand is more sensitive but mellow and very smart with an inclination to get bored quickly.
Another aspect that will prevent or make a partnership between horse and rider is work ethic. This needs to be examined from both the rider and horse's side. Some horses have great work ethic, they want and are willing to try new things; they learn quickly and do not get too frustrated. Others are a bit slower to learn or quickly get overwhelmed when something new is introduced. I once had a horse in training that would close his eyes and try to lie down when he felt overwhelmed, in his case it was learning to canter. He went on to be a great horse after some more maturing. This I found frustrating as I like a horse that will at least try even if it means fail, rather than an outright "no". But that is My personal preference. The latter horse is best matched with a rider that doesn't mind being a motivator, nearly all the time. Typically some of the draft crosses or Warmbloods (there are several breeds of Warmbloods that are considered more “hot”) fall into this category. The first type of horse can really be matched with nearly everyone, though you have to watch, if the rider is not up for keeping the horses, engaged and interested this horse can quickly get bored and look for fun and exciting ways to spice their rides or barn life up, this is usually in the form of some sort of misbehavior.
So what does this mean to you as the rider? Whenever you meet a new horse, try to take a quick inventory of their traits. Do they come up to you when they are at liberty in their stall or field? Do they make grumpy faces to try and intimidate you? Does the horse require a spur or stick to get forward? Do they spook if anything changes in their daily surroundings? Ask if the horse minds multiple riders or prefers a single rider. Note: A horse that prefers a single rider is usually more sensitive or an alpha personality. Take notes and don’t rely on breed generalizations, horse are individuals too.
When horse shopping or trying a horse for a lease, make a list of what type of horse you like to ride. Make a list of your own characteristics. Then decided what you must have and what secondary requirements are. For example a timid rider should have a bold horse, where as a more aggressive or bold rider can encourage a more timid horse. I often find less mature riders who do not have total control over their emotions do better with a lazier/mellow horse, they often get the more sensitive horses jazzed up with their own emotions. BE HONEST with yourself, if you aren’t, you and the horses will suffer in the end. Your goals will not be reached and frustration will rule.
Lastly, have someone that knows either the horse really well or you as a rider give you an outside opinion. There are so many wonderful horses out there, don't get matched up with the wrong one!
One of my favorite young horses for sale right now:
http://tennantsporthorses.com/horses-for-sale/fernhill-cascum-marco/
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