Picking the Young Hunt Prospect

[whicker]

Hinderella,

Do you feel more comfortable on one of the bigger horses that you ride when you are down here? (Hunter’s Rest horses are so made that they tend to do exactly what is needed at the time.) Sometimes the style and size of the horse makes a difference. Thinking in terms of vehicles, a short coupled small one can be like a mini-cooper. A longer coupled one might be more of a sedan. It also makes a difference if the are built downhill. (withers lower than croup) The downhill ones have to put more energy into raising the front end.

I’ve found with my little 15.1, short coupled Trak, Wren, that I do have to think and react quicker than I do on the longer coupled Dressage Diva. They are within an inch of each other, but Wren has the quickness of movement of the small bird. I have to be faster reacting and keep the amount of the movement of my body to a minimum. She requires me to be a better rider. She thinks quickly, sizing up the situation. She is very aware of everything around her. She’s a bold alpha, who doesn’t trust other horses until she knows whether they have manners.

I think she will be happiest in the back of the field, since she will have the most opportunities to analyze what is going on. She already follows the fox and tunes to me. I expect that she will take to eventing, too.

[Ponyclubrocks]

[QUOTE=Hinderella;6165554]
This is a very interesting thread. I like the bit about middle or bottom of the pecking order. I’ve never given that sort of thing much thought. My pony is bottom or near the bottom in most groups. If she has an opportunity to be the alpha with a really timid horse, she’s a “benevolent” alpha…keeps order, but isn’t nasty about it.

Ganymede, I worry that my pony will be too quick for me because I’m a timid rider. She approaches jumps enthusiastically, departs briskly and rarely hesitates. Meanwhile, up on top, her rider is pondering…“can I do that? Yes? No? Maybe?” I’m also concerned that if I can get her out in the hunt field she may get a bit caught up in the excitement and be difficult for me to hold or slow. Also, she’s a pony, and that small size seems to allow them to change direction or stop so much faster than the big guys…but perhaps that’s my imagination.

I’m working hard on my confidence, and I’m saving my pennies to see if I can ship her down to Hunter’s Rest in the fall and allow a more experienced rider to take her out and evaluate her potential.[/QUOTE]

Why not practice by doing some small group trail rides where you alternate between slow and fast paced action. Once you get into the faster groove in a controlled setting your confidence should increase. Remember to keep your eyes up, don’t get wrapped up in staring at the ground and worrying about where your horse is putting his feet. Your job is to focus on where you are headed, their job is to place their feet! I hope you have fun and enjoy!

[Hinderella]

I will be trying to get out more when we have some warm weather in the spring . My barn is almost all teens who ride show hunters, so it’s hard for me to find someone who will ride out with me. One of two of the kids are a little bolder, I’m hoping to encourage them to try some trail rides with me. I often wish for a trail buddy with a calm horse to join me on rides. I had a couple of unfortunate spills on trails with my previous horse, and even though the current pony is totally different, I still have to work hard on my confidence.
You’re right about looking ahead. Last spring, on each trail ride I would look down the trail to a particular spot, and tell the pony “we’re riding to the big poplar tree” and focus on that as my goal. Each ride, I just tried to go a little farther.

[Hinderella]

And I’m sorry, whicker, I didn’t answer your question…yes, I always feel more comfortable on a Hunter’s Rest horse, but I don’t think it’s the size. It’s just that I know that those horses are calm and reliable, so I can relax and focus on riding and learning.
I’m comfortable with my pony’s size, but she’s probably more like a sporty motorcycle than even a mini cooper. I have wondered if she might have been a barrel racer in a previous life, because she can take a really tight corner at high speed, and can go from straight ahead to left turn before I have any idea it’s coming. That quick turning ability, combined with the slight downhill build and low head position, has led to several unplanned departures from the saddle