I loved seeing people on my old gelding. Before I got him he’d never been ridden by anyone but professionals, and I am far from a pro. I taught him how to take a joke about distances and most else in life under saddle too. He was beautifully sensitive and forward, so I didn’t let anyone with rough hands on him as I didn’t feel like he should have to put up with that, but as long as you were a soft rider he’d try his best and then stand waiting for the well deserved cookies and love at the end on the ride.
My mare now has only had two other people on her back. I’m not opposed to other people riding her, but they’d have to be better riders than me for me to want to let them. In a few years that might not be the case, but right now she’s green and tries very hard to figure out what each aid is. I don’t want to deaden that at all and confuse her. She’s certainly not at all dangerous though, so I hope that once she’s got more confidence I can help the occasional junior out. Many people were very generous when I was a junior and I’d like to repay that favor.
