[justsambam08]

For me personally, I like a horse who has a mind of its own. If its been beaten down, broken in and worn to the point where it just has no more personality, I don't want it. I like my horses to have a little bit of life in them. I like my horses to have an opinion. That does not mean I like horses who are hard to handle....that just means I like to have my horse be a product of the amount of time I put into him. If my horse thinks something isn't smart, I want him to tell me about it, but then I want him to do what I ask. When did having a horse as a partner become so undesirable?

This is sort of a rant over something I read here on the forum today--no disrespect to the person who wrote it at all, but why in the heck would you want a horse who just comes to you and doesn't care if you run him off a cliff? Yes, my gelding can be a handful at times, and I like him that way. I would rather have him test me than accept any idiot who thinks they know how to ride. When he challenges my authority, it means he's got some brain left in him. When he accepts that I'm still the leader, that means he's using it. I like leaders. Followers to me, seem dangerous. Am I alone in this thought process? Or do all people really want anymore is an overgrown puppy dog?

 

[ridergirl23]

my mare can be very strong minded, and stubborn...haha so am i, some people think thats a bad match, but when we train its mroe like having a conversation then telling her what to do, if i tell her what to do she gets frusterated and mad.
i like them to have some mind in them. i think they are very fun to handle, and matched with the right person they could go to the top! if other people ride rena they usually say: shes stubborn!,shes grumpy and mean! nad just stuff like that, but when i ride her we will have our little arguements, but we 'understand' eachother. im liek you, i like thinkking horses.

but i guess for other jobs having a horse that doesnt think might be alot better for that job. i guess you jsut never know

 

[sillybunny11486]

Am I alone in this thought process? Or do all people really want anymore is an overgrown puppy dog?

I posted a thread on here not to long ago about working with my weanling (ground work). A few people said just let him grow up, and leave him alone. That would work, if I wanted to wake up one day to find a have a 1000lb overgrown baby. No thanks. Ive had enough bruised toes in my life thus far lol. I am lazy with things I dont feel I need to do. Like my room, its always a mess, and my laundry gets down when I run out of dress pants for work. But my horses, I would never put that off. (I think they have cleaner "rooms" then I do.)

 

[Cheshire]

I personally like a little bit of fire under the hood. Lilly certainly has that...lol. Took her out for her first trailride today at the new place, she was very bright and alert...and she has an opinion alright! She doesn't fight you or is hard to handle, but she ain't deadpan and totally dissinterested in her surroundings either. It was an interesting and altogther lovely ride. I think that little spark of hers will help us out a lot when we begin going on longer and longer rides to build up for endurance.

 

[Sophie19]

I agree. I like my horse that challenges me occasionally. If not then it gets boring to me. A 'perfect' horse just doesn't sound like much fun.

 

[PaintHorseMares]

... but why in the heck would you want a horse who just comes to you and doesn't care if you run him off a cliff? ...

I agree completely and this topic seems to often spark heated debates about trust that make me chuckle to myself. When one of our mares wants to take a moment and think about stepping somewhere...or even refuses, I will get off and have a closer look. I ride off the trail a lot, and they have saved me from running into old, rusty, half down barbed wire fences hidden in the leaves and brush more than once.
I call them smart horses.

 

[my2geldings]

For me personally, I like a horse who has a mind of its own. If its been beaten down, broken in and worn to the point where it just has no more personality, I don't want it. I like my horses to have a little bit of life in them. I like my horses to have an opinion. That does not mean I like horses who are hard to handle....that just means I like to have my horse be a product of the amount of time I put into him. If my horse thinks something isn't smart, I want him to tell me about it, but then I want him to do what I ask. When did having a horse as a partner become so undesirable?

This is sort of a rant over something I read here on the forum today--no disrespect to the person who wrote it at all, but why in the heck would you want a horse who just comes to you and doesn't care if you run him off a cliff? Yes, my gelding can be a handful at times, and I like him that way. I would rather have him test me than accept any idiot who thinks they know how to ride. When he challenges my authority, it means he's got some brain left in him. When he accepts that I'm still the leader, that means he's using it. I like leaders. Followers to me, seem dangerous. Am I alone in this thought process? Or do all people really want anymore is an overgrown puppy dog?

It's a very good opinion and I view this the same way as you; but having said that, not all riders have the confidence or experience you have.

I will take me as an example. I have had some pretty severe injuries caused by horses and rider mistake. Tho as posted above, I will always want a horse who is trained but as a bit of personality, if I were to come accross a horse who is very quiet and a happy go getter to the point where I have nothing to worry about, would be a great opportunity as well.

There are some beginner riders out there, or even seasoned riders that simply enjoy the company of their horse. They enjoy being able to tack up their mount and go enjoy a nice ride out on the trails knowing they won't have to worry about spooking or bolting. Not every rider is experienced enough to ride a horse with more of a personality or temper.

It's rider preference. Nothing wrong with going either way.

 

[AlmostThere]

There are some beginner riders out there, or even seasoned riders that simply enjoy the company of their horse. They enjoy being able to tack up their mount and go enjoy a nice ride out on the trails knowing they won't have to worry about spooking or bolting. Not every rider is experienced enough to ride a horse with more of a personality or temper.

It's rider preference. Nothing wrong with going either way.

Yes, for example: for my first horse I'm mostly looking for a been there done that animal. It will be the first horse my children ride and I want to fine one calm and reliable, so their first experiences are happy, not scary. I want them to build confidence, and fall in love with riding like I did as a kid.

If I was looking for a horse only for myself, I'd probably look for one younger and more interesting to ride :wink:.

 

[rocky pony]

I know what you mean. I never have understood why people want their horses to be, basically, stupid. I love when they have spark and personality. it's the reason I'm in this horse world, and work so hard to be there. I like to work with them. if I want something that will do whatever I say and require no thought or effort, I'll just stick to driving cars. I have horses because I like horses! I feel like these people just like the thought of having horses or something, but don't really truly like them.

 

[1dog3cats17rodents]

What's wrong with wanting a laid back, non complicated horse? And how does that transfer to no personality?

Ben is laid back and fairly uncomplicated. But he is just as difficult as a horse with "spark". A laid back horse just has different challenges, such as getting the horse in front of your leg, motivated, and uphill. And he certainly has personality, he's a big goof ball!

 

[rocky pony]

What's wrong with wanting a laid back, non complicated horse? And how does that transfer to no personality?

Ben is laid back and fairly uncomplicated. But he is just as difficult as a horse with "spark". A laid back horse just has different challenges, such as getting the horse in front of your leg, motivated, and uphill. And he certainly has personality, he's a big goof ball!

I don't think it's necessarily about either being laid back or forward..they can be really laid back, even dead lazy, and still have spark. maybe the better word for it is personality. a mind of his own. rather than a horse who's clearly been beaten into submission and will, like in the example, blindly follow you off of a cliff.
what I'm saying I don't want is for my horse to be "stupid" and have no mind of his own. I actually have a horse like this and he's very hot and sensitive.

 

[1dog3cats17rodents]

I don't think it's necessarily about either being laid back or forward..they can be really laid back, even dead lazy, and still have spark. maybe the better word for it is personality. a mind of his own. rather than a horse who's clearly been beaten into submission and will, like in the example, blindly follow you off of a cliff.
what I'm saying I don't want is for my horse to be "stupid" and have no mind of his own. I actually have a horse like this and he's very hot and sensitive.

Oh, that makes more sense! Yeah, Ben is fairly stupid (he's not the sharpest crayon in the box) But he has a ton of personality and certainly has a mind of his own!

 

[Indyhorse]

I don't think it's anything new. I've seen both types, and they seem to be two very different types of people, over all, down to the reasons they ride and what they want out of their relationship with their horses. One isn't particularly better than the other, or right or wrong, IMO. For my own part, I'm with you, from my first horse to my current horses, I have always had horses that are challenging. To me a horse that just goes where you point him isn't much fun. But then, I no longer compete, I no longer show and I ride just for the pleasure of riding. Back in my contesting days my challenging horse was the bane of my existence. I can look back on it and love her now, and don't get me wrong, I loved her then too, but I sometimes wonder if it would have been nice to do my learning on a horse I could stay on top of more often. But, on the other hand, I don't think I'd have half the appreciation, or be half the rider I am now, if I had had an easier horse. I can appreciate where a tough horse got me, and I'd have it no other way, now - a horse that didn't test my skills from time to time would bore me to death. :lol:

 

[Lis]

Some people have very stressful lives and don't want a horse that tests them, they want a bombproof horse that will just let them ride without mucking about. They want to enjoy riding their horse without worrying about it.

 

[Jessabel]

I completely agree with everything you said. That's exactly what I love about my horse; he's not belligerent or blatantly mean, but he has fire and a mind of his own. I never know what to expect with him, in that he doesn't always do whatever I ask and he keeps me on my toes. He's so intelligent it's almost unnerving, but that's just another reason I love him. The super obedient, puppy dog-like ones just don't do it for me.

It infuriates me when I come across people with the mentality that horses should be infallibly subservient. The kind of people who have huge egos and take pride in being their horse's "boss". There's no partnership or mutual respect in a relationship like that.