1. A good trainer is hard to find but a trainer that understands you is even harder to find!
When you do find a trainer that gets you and your horse, it’s then really difficult to not let them rule you. You may not yet have the knowledge but you should always take anything that you’re uncomfortable with very seriously. If you don’t know, ask someone that does. If they don’t know ask someone else, read a book, watch a vodcast from a reputable trainer. Never be afraid to question your trainer, that’s how you learn.
2. You won’t always like your horse... and that’s okay!
So my big boy Oscar is 17.1hh and bargey. I was walking him up from his paddock to the stables one day and he decides to not listen to me, turn into another paddock and jump a gate... He stopped on the other side and just looked at me like.... wat?
3. Riding your horse isn’t like anything you will have experienced on school horses.
It’s magical! I mean, it is amazing! This is your horse that you are working with and having lessons with and engaging with on the regular. It is next level! It’s like a drug!
4. Always make sure you have a good saddle and you get it fitted to your horse!
Now I’m not saying that not having a saddle fitted to your horse is the end of the world. It isn’t but, if you don’t get a good saddle and get it fitted you may encounter issues with your horses behaviour, the horse may develop back problems and could lose muscle on their backs. The reason this may happen is, your horse is in pain, it’s uncomfortable and the only way it can let you know that is by acting out which is dangerous for you. This leads me to my next point...
5. Make sure you have a good farrier!
A good farrier is really hard to find!! They’re so important! Your horses hoof is even more important. Ever heard the saying “no hoof, no horse” it is 100% accurate. They need their hooves to be horses! We need their hooves to be able to ride them! The hooves are important!!!!!
6. Find a good horse dentist and make sure you get your horses checked every year if they’re grown and every six months if they’re still growing.
Seriously guys... Dentist... Do it... If you’re using a bit in your horses mouth, you need to make sure their teeth are healthy. If you want them to keep condition, you need to make sure your horses teeth are healthy. It’s just a basic thing.
7. Always wash your bit before you use it and after to stop the metal splintering.
It’s a thing... Sounds strange but it is a thing. It’s super simple to clean the bit as well. Just run it under a tap once you’re done riding and before you go for a ride. Saves you money and stops your horse from getting a sore mouth.
8. Groundwork is incredibly important!
Groundwork leads to saddlework. Developing a relationship with your horse is helped through groundwork. You develop trust and establish good habits in you and your horse that will carry you through tough situations when done right.
9. Getting your horses feed right is key.
They need different things depending on breed, age, level of work, type of work.. you name it, they need it. This was a tricky thing for me because there are just so many different types of feed and so many people telling you different things. Best advice I ever got was from a fodder store owner who asked me what type of horses I had and what I wanted. From there we worked out what I should feed them. And finally....
10. NEVER ASSUME YOU’RE DONE LEARNING! YOU HAVEN’T YOU KNOW NOTHING! EVEN THE MOST EXPERIENCED RIDERS AND OWNERS WILL SAY THEY KNOW NOTHING! AND THAT’S OKAY!!!! That is why we ask for help.
Love your horse and NEVER give up! You got this!
areudirty
jbbartram-illu
kianamaiart
