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When is it “ok” to buy a green horse?
I am not a fan of green riders–whether they are totally new to horses or are re-riders trying to re-learn what they used to know–buying green horses.
I want to buy a green horse.
I’m a re-rider.
Yes, I know. Green + Green = Black + Blue.
The thing is… (and isn’t there always a “The thing is…”?) I’ve never had a chance to really work with a green horse for an extended period. I’ve had plenty of small training opportunities, and I loved them, but never a greenie. It’s something I always wanted to do.
It’s just the danger of failing what could otherwise be a very nice horse scares me. And I know that’s a very real danger for re-riders, who know more than their bodies can actually do.
Six months ago, what I knew and what I could do weren’t on the same page. They weren’t even in the same book. Or library. Actually, I doubt they were in the same time zone. Right now, I’d like to think I’m back in the same book. It might be a very thick book, but I’m pretty sure it’s the same one. Only this time it has footnotes, as the things I used to know sort of “click” what what I’m doing now.
I’d just like to know what page I need to be on by this time next year so that I can get a green horse and not worry quite so much that it’s a completely inappropriate decision.
Where’s that magic checklist? You know the one: you get one point for each of the following skills that you can do right this moment, and a quarter point for each of the following skills that you used to do, plus five points for every day you would be able to work the green horse, plus ten points for each of those days that would be in lesson situations with an experienced trainer, and if your total points are X or more, you may buy a green horse.
The sad thing is this whole “green or school master” anxiety thing is sooooo misplaced. It’ll be at least a year before I can buy a horse of any color, and who knows where I’ll be, skill wise, this time next year? More importantly, who knows if I’ll even meet my financial goals? I shouldn’t worry about this question until I’m ready to start looking.
For all I know, all I’ll be able to afford will be a My Little Pony.
I wonder if there are any green My Little Ponies?
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On Apr 23, 2007, totsied said:
Me again. My first horse (at the grand ole age of 12) was green. She was ‘saddle broke’ according to the newspaper ad and very sweet. I didn’t care what she was as long as I could take her home. I did.
All my friends in Pony Club advanced faster then me and were able to actually jump the jumps at the mock fox hunt instead of cantering/shying by them. But, I learned not only how to ride but how to train a horse. I could ride all my friend’s horses but put one of them on my mare and they were at a loss.
Those wiggly, green, unsure of themselves horses are NOT anything like the old school horses many kids buy.
I would say anyone who doesn’t realize how dangerous riding is (like me as a child) or doesn’t care and who has a good instructor can have a green horse. I learned so, so, so much from my very recently deceased old mare (lived to about 37 years old).