If a horse is unwilling to work because they're uncomfortable - the saddle does not fit, they are sore somewhere - then I not only don't enjoy riding them, I will either scale down the work or get off altogether. (I've done that, £££ or not - if a horse is lame, I'm not riding it.)
If the horse is unwilling because it expects being ridden to be uncomfortable, I see it as my duty to show him otherwise; it's a service both to the horse and to the next rider. Many horses who have had bad experiences with riding school riders are ridiculously grateful when they find a rider who rides light and gives precise aids.
They're not my favorite rides, but I love being able to make them go, and I do admit to a soft spot for a horse that will say NO when the rider gets too rough.
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Date: 2011-03-05 10:38 pm (UTC)If the horse is unwilling because it expects being ridden to be uncomfortable, I see it as my duty to show him otherwise; it's a service both to the horse and to the next rider.
Many horses who have had bad experiences with riding school riders are ridiculously grateful when they find a rider who rides light and gives precise aids.
They're not my favorite rides, but I love being able to make them go, and I do admit to a soft spot for a horse that will say NO when the rider gets too rough.