Does your horse like to be ridden??

I swear mine does! He behaves so much better, stands when being tacked up, is more respectful, stands when being mounted (never really even taught him that), and I feel like he pays more attention and I get the feeling like he wants me to be there lol (ya I know sounds crazy).

We hear so much about horses that are fussy or sour, ect. Maybe I'll come to those things in the future, but right now, it feels like he likes it! How about your horse...really into it or no?

I would say Jubilee definitely loves to be ridden. She has so much get-up-and-go in her. Yes, she'll have her stubborn moments, but she's such a trooper. As long as you're gentle with her mouth, she'll be an angel!

Ya I feel bad right now because I cna't be super gentle with his mouth since he's learning, but I feel like he wants me there as opposed to doing groundwork!

That's great that Jubilee loves to go! It kinda sucks if they just plant their feet and don't move lol and don't WANT to move

Both T and Walka love to be ridden, But NOT in the roundpen or an arena. They are truly trail horses and I get a sense from them when we work in the roundpen that they are not happy and want to go on the trail!
Maybe because I'm bored and want out on the trail

Ya that might be part of it too, they follow our moods hmmm that's a thought! I can't wait to do trails this summer!

Our mares, too. In the ring they are bored...you can almost hear them saying 'how many times do I have to do this same boring pattern?'

Thank-you! Sometimes I think I'm imagining things

"ya I feel bad right now because I cna't be super gentle with his mouth since he's learning"

Umm... it's always been my understanding that the idea was to be extra extra gentle on a young/learning horse's mouth, and only by being light on the reins can you achieve a light and responsive horse... right?

Yes this is true as well, but until they pick up on it you do have to keep more constant pressure on their mouth until they understand what it is you are asking. It takes time for them to become soft in the mouth or even sensitive to it. Just like the kicking doesn't start at just a squeeze, they don't understand. You have to be a little more firm until they understand then you can soften it up. At least this is what I am being told. I will have another opinion tomorrow on what will help with softening his neck and nose.

And I don't mean that im yanking and reafing on his bit, I mean that there is more constant pressure. Sorry bad wording.

It's fine. I don't think you're abusing your horse by any means. Sounds like he's very much loved... and likes being ridden!! ^_^

My pony could really care less whether we ride or not, but if we haven't been out for a little while our horse (Kasja) is sometimes irritable when she first sees us. Like "Where have YOU been? I've been waiting on you!" It's quite funny actually, but when we start grooming and tacking up she usually cheers up... especially if offered a few carrots.