And yet, I would argue you can learn to handle the spooks and misbehaviors, because despite being spectacularly unathletic with the breathing/fitness issues I mentioned, I learned it. Being short waisted and therefore having a center of gravity near the saddle is actually an advantage there, but my trainer (who is a gifted teacher AND works to learn how to teach better all the time) worked with me for months to teach me the reactions for the times my horse went explosive. The hardest part of it was the mental aspect of teaching myself to respond appropriately every time, so when my horse blew up on me I was able to stay with him. But it’s doable. Again, it plays into my mental strengths - but the physical ability is there for nearly everyone, as I was able to develop the physical skills even with half my body nerve damaged and not working properly at the time.
I think recognizing our own strengths and weaknesses is very important for those of us who are amateurs to learn to pick good matches for ourselves. I have a prozac like effect on horses, so I buy hot and very sensitive horses because I don’t want to have to deal with slugs. I also do not trust my ability to ride the hind legs under a horse who tends to travel out behind. However, I don’t mind the fact I had to really work to get my TB swinging his back, or that my mare takes work to get her lifting through the withers. My TB is naturally extremely uphill and impressive in his movement, and my WB has a super easy natural piaffe. Different strengths, and both are nice things to work with - and with each, we work to improve their natural weaknesses.
Part of growing as a rider is seeing where we lack natural talent and developing the skills to make up for it, just like part of growing as a trainer is seeing where our horses lack natural talent and developing them to be able to do things better.
