I was working with a large half draft horse with some issues. I think that was the turning point of my confidence dropping when working with larger horses. I find that I am SO much more comfortable around the smaller Quarter horses and especially the Arabs which are my absolute favorite horses to work around… just seems like I can read them better and just get along better with that breed. They can be flighty but I’m not intimidated when they happen to spook. If they act up I feel like I have the ability to direct them.
When that half draft spooked it frightened me badly. she would just be a bulldog, running through any aids I gave her. It’s like she would forget I was there. She would always step on my toes or come close to it.
I used to not be so uncomfortable around my friend’s 17hh gelding but now I am! 🙁 if I walk him I’m stretch my arm out so he’s further away and look at my feet and his huge feet when I used to not be so cautious.
Any advice? Should I try to get more comfortable around bigger horses or should I just stick to my little Arabs lol?
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How Can I Be More Comfortable Around Bigger Horses?
Posted on January 18, 2013.
Ask yourself why you are working with horses. Is it for pleasure? If so, find your niche and just have fun. You don’t have to struggle through dealing with something that scares you, especially when you have other things that attract you.
Drafts can be very dangerous, even though many of them have basically docile dispositions. If an 18hh Belgian steps on your foot you can be seriously hurt much more easily than if it is a light horse that steps on you. Other safety issues can be similarly affected by the size of the animal, and not all drafts are docile or well trained. If Quarter Horses and Arabs attract you, they have plenty to offer to keep you interested and feeling safer. Having confidence working around horses helps a person stay safer still, as the horses are aware of your emotions and may respond accordingly.
If you are working with horses to prove something to yourself, then you might want to take the time to re-acclimate yourself to larger horses. Get some help with it and take it slow, just like you would desensitize a spooky horse. Be very nice to yourself and make some incremental goals to mark your progress.
Don’t let anyone shame you into challenging yourself more than you need to in order to get what you want out of the sport. You only have yourself to please here. The rest is nobody’s business. Extending yourself too far beyond your comfort level too fast can do even more damage and may be physically dangerous.
Remember why you are in the sport at all, and then adjust your goals accordingly. Meanwhile be safe and have fun.
No, you should learn to be comfortable around all horses.
We have a belgian, and after spending a while with him,he feels as big as a shetland. Drafts can be lazy and insensitive, so i suggest using strong and clear aids. Whips help, and no, they arent mean, and dont hurt the horse, if used properly.
When beginning to work with larger horses, find one that is extremely docile and sweet, not one that id flighty and likely to hurt you.
Most of all, treat them just like other horses.
Personally, this is one instance when I think size is irrelevant. The key is level of training. You can have a small horse with no training and he will be much more of a threat than an 18 hand horse that is well trained with good ground manners.
If you are having a personal problem, you just have to work on what is going on with you. No one can fix this except you. Without a doubt, you have to be more careful around green or untrained horses. Being aware of a horse’s level of training will help you make better decisions but again, it is not about just the size of the horse. Just adjust your attitude about that so that you don’t make decisions made on irrelevant factors. Be safe.
I think it would be good for you to be confortable around horses of all sizes, if you just stick with the little arabs it might get a little boring for you.. consider the larger horses a challange, dont let them scare you, make it a goal- “ok, i will ride this certian one today, and ride this one tomorrow” be confident, you can do it!!
If you’re not comfortable and don’t Like it don’t do it. But….the horse doesn’t want to hurt you. Let him know your the boss and hes safe with you and any size horse will be fun to be around