Comment

Comment by Linda White on December 3, 2009 at 6:10pm

I agree we learn more if we don't ride push-button horses, but I have spent 50 years riding young, inexperienced, spooky horses, and I am more than happy to ride my older mare who can jump what she's pointed at, loves to race thoroughbreds across fields, will trot for hours, never balks at rivers, bridges, or busy roads and is, in a word, honest. Honest does not mean push-button. Laid back doesn't mean push-button either. Riding a horse like mine still means you have to stay alert, but you can also trust she'll be using common sense and experience when she sees something new. When I say I don't want to have to deal with what a young horse has to offer, I mean I don't want to put the years and the miles into her gaining experience with turkeys tearing out of the woods, or a dog running up her backside, or a back-firing truck - all the while with risk to me. I'm willing to leave that to the younger riders. I've done my time on horses that have so much to learn. And while I would never say "I've learned it all" about any facet of my life, I can say that I have learned a dependable, honest, courageous horse of any age, beats a nervous, unsure, spooky horse of any age. I will continue to learn; I'm just choosing to learn while exposing myself to less risk.

Comment by Shirley on December 3, 2009 at 4:54pm

The sponge wants to know what 'the bounces' is.
We do learn so much more if they aren't push -button broke. One of the things I've learned is how to take care of serious bruises. I also learned I don't break as easily as I tought I would. Why aren't football players all bruised up all the time or maybe they are and we just don't see it. The last time I took a nasty spill, I got up after a few minutes and said "I AM A FOOTBALL PLAYEER!" Just keep on playing the game and trying not to get hit too hard. Ya gotta love it!

Comment by Sherry Cassetori on December 3, 2009 at 1:15pm

Not to change the subject, but my young guy is now learning the bounces. My trainer did not know if he had this type of training, so we started from the ground up. I am really excited about this because I am involved, in the training. He does catch on fast , but we still have work to do. I just wanted to share my excitement.

Comment by Chris Gloin on December 1, 2009 at 11:08pm

Jackie I couldn't agree more- my horse has turned me into a better rider, and my worst falls have happened when I was so busy thinking about something else I forgot to ride. Now because I am always riding actively I push him through many potential spooks and refusal situations that many people don't even recognize as happening. We are learnign together - but he regards me as the boss, and is starting to trust me more and more not to put him in a dangerous situation. I ride outside and in, but hate hate hate the mud.

Comment by April Keays on December 1, 2009 at 12:06pm

Oh I don't mind riding when the weather is cold and clear, and even snow if the roads and trails are not icey, but we on the West Coast don't get much snow (last year being an exeption). I'm talking RAIN. RAin, rain and more rain. Last month it poured just about every day and as luck would have it on the occcasions when it wasn't raining I was working.
So, yes, my boy has a little too much energy these days. It is suppose to be nice this weekend, and he's getting new shoes on Friday so, here's hoping.

Comment by Jennifer Lamm on December 1, 2009 at 11:51am

I see people riding in my neighborhood and their horse is calm and relaxed and apparently push button..... I don't think I would be bored with that... I would take him everywhere...... find camp grounds, go on exciting trails, water crossings and drag him all over this country finding friends I've made that ride... but he's not like that.... so his personality will be indicative of what we do..... I am not daring like you guys... broken pelvis and collar bones are just not where it's at for me..... my trainer can ride him and he can be my rescue.... a horse that isn't dead because I rescued him... but me getting seriously injured is not where it's at for me.... so I go super slow.... and Oliver and I grow a little teeny bit every day... I think when he has confidence, he will truly be awesome.... but he has to have confidence in me... :)

I have a bolter too... My toby... see the white horse above.... he's a spinner.... :) and he taught me how to ride.... he is not an easy horse at all.... he's an old horse with all the tricks, even rubbin you off on a tree... .... :) The baby is actually more push button, but lacks confidence... and I look forward to the boredom of it all..... he does not spook much and he does not spin... when he spooks he plants.... in fact it's harder to get him to go than it is to get him to stop. :)

Comment by Jay and Kathy Whittington on December 1, 2009 at 9:23am

I would also love an indoor arena , but we are mainly pleasure riders and can't justify the expence. But we live in a very high snow belt area and I winter ride often. If you bundle up and put proper shoes on your horse, it is very enjoyable. I don't go galloping off through snow but quiet rides on the trails or side of the road are lovely in the winter. I put bells on my saddle ( okay, they are still there from hunting season ,and before that for the bears) and the snow is pretty and I love it. We got 5 inches here last night and I'm heading out now to ride. The suggestions to persevere with problems with your horse are correct I think. I have a mare that a few years ago ,if ridden alone would bolt with me or refuse to go forward. Bolting is my biggest terror and I would tense up do all the wrong things and usually end up coming off. For almost a year I only rode her in our pen. I finally started to do as people told me. Used my brain and not my gut. I relaxed stayed with her if she spun and asked her properly to slow to a walk. She did in short order and we are good now. I needed to get past my personal terrors and respond properly to her, before she would respond to me.
My two cents worth, Have a good day and enjoy the winter, it can be a great time to be with the horses

Comment by Jackie Cochran on December 1, 2009 at 9:05am

Two points from personal experience:
Riding a push button horse can get boring.
Even a push button horse can all of a sudden "break loose". For security there is no substitute to actively riding your horse every second you are on his back.
I also think that the horse thinks he is the leader if his rider does not actively ride. Over half of my falls have occured when I was trying to relax totally in the saddle, and my normally stable horse spooked at something inconsequential. Eventually I learned my lesson.

Comment by Sherry Cassetori on December 1, 2009 at 8:24am

way to go Chris there were times I wish I had a push button horse, but as I look at some of the other women that do, I realize am becoming a better rider, I am learning how to read my horse and react to his actions. What to do to stay in the saddle .

Comment by Chris Gloin on November 30, 2009 at 8:49pm

I have had some wicked falls off my green thoroughbred, and struggled with some confidence issues because of falls I am 57. I have learned to ride through almost anything now, but I am always riding - there is no not paying attention, and things are getting better -but I ride defensively - my leg is on and I sit up and I am very alert for changes in his body. You maybe need to work through this with this horse. I have a friend who rides a Canadian mare and she is an incredibly sensitive type. Sometimes I wish I had a more pushbutton horse -but this boy is what I have and I will do my best to help him become the best allround hrse he can be.

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