buying a horse as a nervous rider

[holi]

Gosh it is hard when nerves take over isn't it. My mare is quite forward going and can spook but I've had her 4 years so know her and can't take her to shows because of her injuries. Tried it once and she got very tense and not listening. So trying a new one the dilemma is do you go for a quieter one, not so sharp off the leg and change your riding or go for more forward and perhaps have confidence wobbles every so often?? I've sat on loads so far and feel even more confused!!!

[alonerawnut]

Do you have someone who you trust who could go with you or at least give you some advice? Someone with plenty of experience who could either agree with a safe choice or encourage you to push your boundaries a bit?

[holi]

Not really have to go alone. Hopefully I have enough knowledge about what I see but just hard to really be truthful about my abilities. I keep saying I'm nervous but actually my mare can be sharp. I manage her at times but want to compete and know ill struggle with her at competitions as she stresses when things change. So do I buy now or for what's to come?? Wish I had a crystal ball!.

[antares]

It's important to differentiate I think between sharp and forwards - you can have a forward going horse without it being sharp. Sharp is not necessarily forward off the leg, although they can be but they can also be forward through anxiety but reactive to sights and sounds (a bit like your mare)

You can take a not very responsive not very forward horse and train them to be more responsive and more forwards. You can take a sharp horse and make it less reactive through desentisation and training but they will usually be inclined to still be sharp in new or scary situations

Having gone through confidence issues myself I would suggest finding something relatively quiet but with nice paces / a bit of talent on the flat or jumping if you want to jump and then working with a good sensitive instructor to help with responsiveness.

[mags]

I'd go out looking for a horse that is confident in himself and leave forwardness/lack of as a secondary consideration. If you have a brave, inquisitive horse that doesn't worry too much about what other horses are doing around, then I think you stand a much better chance of successfully training for more/less forwardness. An insecure horse might end up being jumpy, nappy or high strung at events and won't be able to concentrate on your aids.
Of course, you can also work on desensitization etc., but I do think there's an innate part to a horse's character and confidence that is difficult to change with training.

[Deleted]

I agree with Antares sharp and forwards are different and if you're having confidence wobbles I would definitely avoid anything sharp as a nervous rider plus sharp/nervous horse can end up in a downward spiral.

I'd suggest buying a horse for now, not what might be in the future. It's entirely possible to get a steadier horse who will help you build your confidence who will take you through most riding club competitions and as you progress in confidence then you can school them to coming off the leg better. Don't forget some horses who are dead to the leg are like that because they're safe and get novices put on them who nag nag nag so the horse switches off but when they're regularly ridden by a more sensitive rider they tune back in to lighter aids anyway.

[holi]

Thanks you've all confirmed my thoughts. Have found a lovely mare aged 9 - green in terms of flat work but not ruined. In fact a nice blank canvas. Safe, sane and gorgeous to look at!! Not sharp off the leg but I can teach her that as she has a straightforward brain. Going to try her again when I get back from holiday.

[Cobstar]

Holi - fingers crossed that the mare is just as lovely when you return from holiday.

[kafee]

Oh that's wonderful, holi. Hope she lives up to your expectations when you see her again.