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fredhead said:

This really gets me that people will looks at a horse with a hefty bit in its mouth, straps all over it and it will still be bucking and leaping about and go "wow... that's a really good rider!" Surely a good rider would be able to stop these problems? I would say a good rider would be someone who can take a horse like that, re-school it and have it competing quietly and relaxed on a nice loose rein in a simple snaffle bit. Why does that not inspire awe? Why is it the gadgets and the bad behaviour that people admire?

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I think its because it looks exciting and to begin with people ride riding school horses and seek something more adrenaline filled.

My horse right now is four, and he is one of those horses that buck and leap about. Simply because for one he is young, he is of an excited nature, he is also nervous and also a bit scared. Young kids say 'wow' when he rears and bucks mostly because they are taken aback by how massive they are when they are up on their back legs, but to be quite honest its not as easy as getting him to go completely quietly on a loose rein. I've had him since June and I'm still very much at square one when it comes to his 'issues', but I will agree with what people have said about bits, the thought of putting something strong in his mouth mortifies me. He's in a french link and will never have anything stronger.

Even a good rider would not be able to stop a horse jumping about in most circumstances, sometimes you just have to ride it out.

I think people re-schooling and having them going quietly inspires awe to some, for example Woody on a quiet night at the yard goes as if he has been being schooled for years and years, which inspires awe in those that are there and have seen what he is usually like.

But I think the 'bad behaviour' and 'gadgets' are admired and inspire awe because people do not know the backing story to a horse or a rider. Because really no one knows the true backing story to a reason why a horse is doing something. People just assume that the horse is bad so a good rider has been put on it because they must know how to deal with it.

Its the difference between the rider making the horse do the behaviour and the horse needing the kind of rider it has been paired with.

Re: Why is bad behaviour a sign of good riding?

It was really funny in away but 4 of us with quite lively horses had not a whip, spurs, running martingales between us and we were all trotting on a loose rein, then we came across a chap riding a dutch warm blood that had all the gismo's you could think of and the rider was wearing spurs as well, this horse was lovely and was not a handful as ours. I think sometimes that it a showing off thing, I like my horse well behaved but with spirit ok my Cob through a wobbly at times but horses do also enjoying himself that he bucked at canter but his back end just floated around much to the alarm of others but that was Tonka even at 29 at the time. The new horse will go out the same way with just a saddle,bridle with french link eggbutt snaffle and nothing else, hopefully no riding crop either, a well schooled horse will know how to behave without loosing its spirit.

Re: Why is bad behaviour a sign of good riding?

Can't agree more! Some people set out to purpously hurt their horses with harsh bits and flashes and everything!!!!!!!! But maybe they are a good RIDER for staying on, if the horse is bucking, but really, the horse is bucking cause its got horrid bits and straps on it!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Why is bad behaviour a sign of good riding?

My old Cob came to me with running martingale, roundings on his pelham, off came the martingale as no need as its purpose I believe is to keep the horses head down, but Tonka used to lock his neck / head between his front legs and lean on his bit resulting in the riders arms nearly being pulled out their sockets. Removed the roundings and went with double reins how light he became not leaning on his bit and stopped locking his neck, tried to use a snaffle which I managed in the end using a german hollow mouth eggbutt snaffle. Was told that Gypsy cobs are never broken in just used but Tonka was I informed had been trained in all the aids much to an Instructor I once had and was suprised, also followed word instruction making him very very sharp, always classed as not a novice ride, he was a much loved loyal member of my family.

Re: Why is bad behaviour a sign of good riding?

 Not saying it isn't a good way to train horses, more that it is not the only way.

I don;t think gadgets are a problem when used for their purpose. I have used a de gogue and draw reins, to help muscle my youngster over his back and get him working up through the shoulder. I ride in a flash because he sticks his tongue over the bit, but use a rubber snaffle as he has a very delicate mouth. When I jump I use a breastplate to stop the saddle slipping. I also carry a stick (schooling or jumping depending on what I am doing), sometimes two, and I ride in spurs because he is lazy off the leg. These things are not necessarily wrong, they work when used correctly. There is no shame in using the right equipment for your horse.

However, in response to the initial question, I think people perceive anyone who is ballsy enough to get on a crazy horse or who can sit it out when it goes for a rodeo must have some skill at riding, which is true. As you say though, if they had real talent then they would be schooling out as many of those problems as possible.