Island Life Magazine Ltd December 2012/January 2013 | Page 79

EQUESTRIAN

Picking the right horse
After 30 years of rider and horse training, I

to get results. Another thing I often hear from

built to pull so can be a challenge as a riding

have come across many different types of

riders who have a nice horse is ‘He’s wasted

horse. The thoroughbred is bred to race so

horse and rider combinations.

with me’. Maybe if they continue with training

is hot-headed and on the go, whereas the

they may gain confidence to do more.

heavy horse is slow and quiet. Our modern

Some of them work well together and some
have been a disaster. This is mainly due to

Picking the right breed and type of horse for

picking the right or wrong horse in the first

your ability is very important and the breed of

day sports horses are a combination of the
two, and you can go a bit more toward the

place. Sometimes you only have one,

thoroughbred for eventing, the good mover for

maybe two chances to view a horse before

dressage, or the jumping bloodlines for show

having to make a decision if he is the right

jumping.

horse for you.

For the not so ambitious rider you would

All horses are different and require

perhaps steer towards the less blood horse

different needs and what appears to be

with maybe a touch of native breed that is

a nice, quiet horse with one person can

going to be less sharp and more suitable for

turn into a raving lunatic with another. Or

Riding club activities and hacking etc.

one that’s been jumping 1.30m showjumps

Temperament is often talked about as

with one person won’t jump a stick on

being really important but it is the hardest

the floor for another. Finding that perfect

thing to assess. Most horses have trainable

partnership is not easy and it requires

temperaments but bad habits can occur.

work and determination, but having the

Knowing the history of the horse can also

right type of horse is a good start.

give an insight into his behaviour and

The common problem I have as a trainer

background. Upbringing is very important;

is over-horsed riders; someone who has

a well-handled horse is going to be less

brought a horse with a view to do this and

work then one that has been left to his own

that, and not having the basic knowledge

devises.

or riding ability. Horses react differently to

All sorts of things can change a horse’s

different riders so can easily get confused,

horse gives an indication to its temperament

outlook, like change of owner, rider,

and buying one that’s been well trained is a

and ability. Studying bloodlines can help

environment, company, work, feed and

start but not a guarantee to success.

by indicating whether the sire or dam has

routine. Work and routine are very important

progeny in the discipline you wish to take up,

to the horse’s behaviour, so when choosing a

or if he or she has competed to a level.

horse choose one that is going to fit into your

The riders who start with the basics and
take time and effort to build a relationship and
understanding with a horse are more likely

Some breeds are bred to drive and are

lifestyle and routine.

Equine trainer Robert Booth BHSI • Rodgebrook Horses • Tel: [phone] • rodgebrookhorses.co.uk

www.visitislandlife.com

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