I'm horse back riding since a year ago is it better to ride an almost a green horse or a schoolmaster horse

Question

I'm horse back riding since a year ago is it better to ride an almost a green horse or a schoolmaster horse

Answer 1

A schoolmaster, don't get on a green horse yet whatever you do.........otherwise you won't want to ride anymore!

Answer 2

Riding is a sport that takes time and patience. I commend you for sticking with it through a full year, however you must make sure you understand the difference between a school horse and a green horse. School horses for the most part are tried and true--those are the ones that help you win your first blue ribbon. Green horses are unproven; they have just as much to learn as you do. Trying to teach a green horse everything it needs to know AND learning all the things that will make you successful at the same time just won't work. You need to find a school horse that will tolerate the mistakes, yet work with you while you correct them. A green horse just isn't for you at this point in time. Once you become more sure in your abilities and have more time "behind the wheel," green horses can be a joy to work with and teach.

Better be safe than be sorry. Best of luck in your riding!

Answer 3

In general, with a year of experience, you want to ride the horse that will enable you to safely learn the most from it.  

The operant word here is safely.  The worst wrecks I've ever seen are people who were overmounted on green horses they couldn't safely handle.  People can lie to their trainers about how much experience they have and how much horse they can handle, and they can lie to themselves.  But you cannot lie to the horse you're mounted on.  A person cannot let their ego write checks that their experience and ability cannot cover.  So I think you have to ask yourself, very honestly:  in a worst case scenario (e.g., you're confronted with something that takes you to the limits of your ability), can you safely handle the "almost green" horse?  Do you want to take that chance?

For myself, I think I'd choose the "babysitter" type horse unless both I and my trainer were very sure that I could not learn anything more from him.  FWIW, I've been in the position of having to try to teach the green horse and also getting to ride the "push-button" babysitter, and until you are a very, very, very experienced rider, the babysitter is going to be the better horse for you for one good reason:  you don't have to worry about him.  You can put him on autopilot and worry about you:  about getting your position more correctly, you can learn about pace and collection better, work on getting quieter and more independent hands.  All of which will serve you better when you finally do move up to a less "pushbutton" horse.

Safety has to be the paramount consideration here, and you have to be very honest about yourself and your capabilities.  Also how much you still have to learn.  For myself, I've seen and known people who regretted taking on a green horse before they were ready, but I've never known anyone who regretted what they've learned from a "babysitter."

Good luck.

Answer 4

A schoolmaster as they give you more confidence & are easier to learn on.You never know what a green horse may do in the blink of an eye!Have fun & enjoy!

Answer 5

A schoolmaster is the safer bet by far!  Schoolmasters are more laid back and have loads of training.  A green horse is one that's freshly started under saddle (think : LOTS of bucks and minimal steering).