ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: Horse/Rider Compatibility/Mismatch?

Re: Horse/Rider Compatibility/Mismatch?

Joyce Kellenberger (joyce@homer.ca.boeing.com)
Sat, 1 Feb 97 16:48:29 PST

>
> At 06:46 PM 1/31/97 +0000, you wrote:
> questioning how to evaluate the horse/rider combination and how to determine
> when
> it is appropriate to sell a horse versus when it is necessary for the
> rider to keep on working with the same horse?
> You went on to discuss your now 13 year old Arab mare and seem
> frustrated by the fact that, although you have overcome her shies and
> spooks, you have not achieved the horse/rider bond that you seek.
>
> My comments on the subject:
>
> Please don't forget that you are dealing with a mare. In general,
> mares are most definitely out for # 1, and #1 is rarely the rider! A mare's
> prime natural purpose is to rear young and, in order to do this
> successfully, she must be able to avoid danger, hence her watchfulness.
> If you can keep in mind the above as being possible underlying
> reasons for some of your problems, a mare can be enjoyable -- but the most
> you will likely get is a constantly arbitrated partnership.
> I think you will be more likely to find a gelding more likely to be
> that willing partner who listens for your every wish.
> I have a mare somewhat like yours, although I learned early on that
> I wanted to be the SENIOR partner. We still debate, but I will tell you
> this, the mare is not boring.
> However, if you want to keep improving your horsemanship, don't be
> too quick to give up on your mare!!
> My "other" horse sport is dressage and I joke that I'd never waste a
> dressage entry fee on my mare. However, I can tell you that I do as well as
> I do in the dressage ring with my gelding because I practice at home with
> the mare.
> She also happens to be an excellent long distance horse, once I got
> "tough" and quit listening to her moan and groan, "The trailers are over
> there, you just took the wrong turn, this is stupid, I could be eating
> grass, etc., etc."
> MUCH as I'd love to be able to ride her with subtlety and have my
> mare respond intuitively, I am accustomed to the need ot having a short
> "attitude adjustment" early in a riding session. I notice that I have to do
> less and less to convince "Miss Sweetness" to see things my way.
> Just try to be herd boss -- you might enjoy the results!
>
> Any comments from the rest of the group?
>
>

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