The definition of an ‘allrounder’, would be a horse that is comfortable doing dressage, hacking, show jumping, cross-country, trekking, vaulting, hunting, riding school lessons… you might say.
In general, an allrounder is comfortable with all horse activities.
Should every horse be an allrounder? Should every horse be put in the same box, the same game, the same character.
To label the horse with anything, I struggle to feel comfortable with, a horse is good at what they are happy to do – and that comes with partnership, and through horse and rider bond. Ultimately the horse has already come out of it’s natural habitat, so with the trust necessary – the horse can do whatever you’d like it to.Well, at least, that is my understanding, it comes from the partnership with the rider.
And that is a bond that must be grown over time, over understanding each other, and by waiting until the situation is right – not just going into it because you ‘have to’ but because you want to. Read more about it being best to wait until you’re 100% into it here.
The same way that you wouldn’t change riding school, unless you trusted the person advising you to do so, why should your horse trust you – without the time and effort put in – to adapt to what you’d like them to do?
What helps you trust someone?
Northern Equestrian Services provide coaching, schooling and grooming, in the Cumbria, Lancashire, North Yorkshire area. Call 07837 187198 for more info or head to our website.