| Like humans, horses have many different types of | | | | bottom of the pecking order. With their cool head they |
| personalities, making some easier to get along with | | | | have the ability to keep the less experienced rider out |
| than others. By understanding your horse's personality | | | | of trouble. While they generally do not sparkle in the |
| type, you can learn better ways to bond with him, and | | | | ring, babysitters are good performers and offer |
| work with him for your purposes. | | | | consistent results. |
| The first personality type is dominant. A dominant | | | | Some horses are just plain silly. They are the clowns |
| horse will always seek to be in charge of the situation. | | | | of the equine world, always playing games and doing |
| He will challenge his rider, questioning each stage of his | | | | things their riders would rather they didn't. Challenging to |
| training. This is not always a bad thing, as dominant | | | | even the best riders, the clowns can become loyal |
| horses are often the best competitors. They will try | | | | partners to their riders. While they love to goof off, |
| their hardest to prove themselves, pushing past their | | | | they often bond closely to their best friends and will do |
| limits if necessary to get the job done. Owners of | | | | anything they can to please. These horses can |
| dominant horses need to be strong and willing to work | | | | outperform many classier animals if working with a |
| to win any challenges their horse may throw at them. | | | | rider to whom they have bonded. |
| If a dominant horse gains control, the rider can easily | | | | Of course, there are also the stubborn horses. These |
| be carried away and become injured. | | | | horses are often placid in nature, but practically |
| On the other end of the spectrum are timid horses. | | | | impossible to persuade to do anything they don't want |
| These horses are at the bottom of the pecking order, | | | | to do. These can make wonderful pleasure horses, or |
| and expect to be bossed around. They tend to be | | | | low-level mounts, but because they often resist |
| spooky, and will cringe away from aggressors. While | | | | learning new things, they rarely move into the higher |
| they do not need a rider who challenges them all the | | | | levels. With an easy-going rider stubborn horses can |
| time, they are in fact very difficult to work with on a | | | | be safe, enjoyable mounts for the most part. A rider |
| regular basis. Their rider needs to be strong and | | | | who is equally stubborn can gain a superb |
| confident, unwilling to accept any foolishness. If the | | | | performance from a stubborn mount, but can expect |
| horse should spook or flinch away, the rider needs to | | | | to fight every step of the way. |
| show confidence and guide the horse firmly in the right | | | | When looking for the perfect horse for your needs, |
| direction. Timid horses are happiest with an owner | | | | consider the personality you will be dealing with. If you |
| who keeps them in line and acts as their leader. They | | | | are a timid rider, be sure to choose a horse who will |
| can make flashy show horses, but are generally poor | | | | take care of you rather than fighting you every step |
| choices for pleasure riding due to their unpredictable | | | | of the way. Likewise, if you like a challenge, don't pick |
| nature. | | | | a babysitter type who would rather putt around taking |
| Babysitters are a wonderful type of horse that work | | | | care of beginners. Like people, horses have personality |
| very well with a range of riders. Babysitters are | | | | preferences, and it takes a good match to make the |
| sensible types who are neither dominant, nor at the | | | | perfect team. |