Talking about Horses:

Choosing a Horse: Personality Matters

When you are choosing a horse—whether it is your first horse or you have had several horses it is important to pick a horse with a personality that meshes well with yours.

If you are a regular at a stable you will want to consider this as well—nothing is more miserable than being on a horse that doesn’t work well with you! It can turn what should be pure pleasure into plenty of pain!

The bottom line is going to be how you and the horse fit together—not what anyone else tells you about picking a horse. Sure there are some guidelines…but remember they are guidelines. Other people’s opinions mean nothing when it comes to love and compatibility between horse and rider!

When I was in high school, back in the dark ages, I rode at the local stable. I was there as often as possible. I developed a bond with a particular horse—a gorgeous dapple gray named Diamond Jim.

I would request Jim every chance I got. I thought I was really lucky because I was almost always granted my wish! So Jim and bonded even more.

I was pretty much a Western rider but I had a good friend who rode English…so I decided to give it a whirl. I signed up for lessons.

When I got to the stable on the first day of class they asked who I wanted saddled up. When I replied, “Diamond Jim” the hands shot funny looks at each other. One of them asked if I was sure. I said “of course” and so Jim was brought around.

Well, Jim and I had a wonderful lesson. At the end of it the instructor came over to me. She told me that she almost made me get another horse when she saw me come in with Jim. She knew she could ride Jim English but she didn’t think someone just learning would be able to handle him!

Not long after that experience I showed up at the stable and asked for Diamond Jim. It was the first time in a long time my request was denied. I thought someone else had fallen in love with “my” Jim and had him out on the trail. Then they broke the news to me: the stable owner had sold him! It turns out I was the only person who ever wanted to ride him.

The owner had gotten all sorts of complaints that Jim was stubborn, that he bit or kicked and was just impossible to control. And for me, he was none of those things…

When you find a horse that is your Diamond Jim grab hold of him. I wish I had been given the chance to hold onto mine…even if he was a diamond in the rough!

Terry
Horse Salt