Horse is different with me riding versus his owner

[Indy]

Horses are smart. Sometimes their behavior differs based on how they’re being ridden by different riders (or with different tack stet-ups) and sometimes it differs based on who they think they need to take better care of.

My former mare was a typical chestnut TB who had strong opinion on how she should be ridden. She had a huge stride, would do the leave-outs given the chance, and if you even thought about looking down or leaning up her neck she would dodge right at the last second every time. It took me forever to figure her out and even 10+ years into our relationship had many a disagreement. Everyone who rode her, regardless of ability, had Holly stories about doing a 3 in a 5 stride or winding ass-up in a jump. However there was a tweenaged boy who lessoned on her for a while that she LOVED. She would crawl along with him over the bittiest of jumps, add strides, and never offer to stop. We always joked that she loved him because he was up there thinking about what he was going to eat for dinner that night instead of worrying about strides and distances. It was really adorable and also a little infuriating

[jvanrens]

My coming 32 year old mare was like that. She was the perfect pony ride mare. With me, not so much. LOL Would babysit my daughter or any other child on her back. Perform the QH death march like a pro which young ones on her back. Once my daughter got older, Dancer decided the kid could start fending for herself.

[equest]

I leased a jumper when I was getting back into showing consistently. He was a totally different (lazy) ride when I jumped around 2’6 versus anything 3’ plus. Many horses will light up with bigger fences, especially jumper types.

[atl_hunter]

I have seen this play out before and it could be any one of the following, or even something else:

A - you are bringing a passive energy to the ride, and the horse is reacting accordingly by being unenthusiastic
B - the horse isn’t receiving the same aids as it gets from more advanced riders, and is reacting accordingly
C - you aren’t strong enough to use the aids correctly
D - horse’s diet changed and it’s got less energy, horse is lacking vitamin E due to winter and is somewhat lethargic right now
E - horse has some type of issue and doesn’t want to move forward. Could be tack fit, could be a health issue.

[Pennywell_Bay]

I don’t know the horse but I’ll give you my experience. I bought a jumper bred to do the GPs, but just didn’t quite have the scope.

It is the longstanding joke he does his “mom trot” with me, will double add if I ask him. I wasn’t “timid” but I’m not a jumper rider - lifelong hunter girl right here.

I will tell you- on the days I am game (this is after a few years partnership) - GIRL!! He will TAKE me and is GAME ON. But not every ride because honestly- that’s not me.

I was at a Sharon White clinic and she told me to let him do his big trot big gaits. He will, he just needs to know that’s what I want.

Same clinic we came around the corner to jump (after being told to let him be big) and I literally told him “go get it”…… and he did… and ok we didn’t need to go get it. He knew exactly what was expected but then tuned in to my request (because he loves to jump and was YEE HAW FINALLY).

Personally- I love having a smart horse that is so tuned in to his rider.

No- you aren’t ruining him. He sounds smart.