Horse Personality Types: The Overachiever and Sensitive Horse

That is one side of the coin. On the other side they are quick to take offense at anything and everything they don't understand. This could be an incorrect aid, or simply one that was given too strongly or not clearly enough. Asking for a movement in the wrong place, such as a flying change too deep in the corner or a rein-back too close to the arena wall or fence, can upset a sensitive horse. As can minor equipment problems, such as a poorly fastened noseband. While many horses would not let such things ruin their composure, a sensitive horse definitely will. Therefore, this type of horse is only suitable for an experienced, skilled rider with a good amount of "feel."

Common training mistakes: It is a mistake for a rider with limited ability to ride a sensitive horse. Such a combination frequently ends in disaster, since this type of horse becomes easily insecure and frustrated by inappropriate aids or poor riding. Anger and punishment is inappropriate in the training of a sensitive horse.

Training tips: Sensitive horses are best compared with artists or perhaps even geniuses. Their sensitivity is their strength and also their weakness. They can achieve great things but can also be inordinately upset by something miniscule and therefore stand in their own way.

The rider of a sensitive horse should see this character type as a gift and try to maintain the horse's sensitivity, including accommodating the horse's quirks. When the rider knows his horse well he will know what causes him stress and should deal with related situations gracefully, without becoming frustrated and angry. When a sensitive horse is trained in accordance with the Training Scale, his sensitivity is put to good use, allowing him to come "on the aids" and attain "throughness." This type of horse will react to the most subtle of aids and the rider need expend little energy to ride him. When training problems (inevitably) occur along the way, the rider must be careful not to go overboard and use too much whip or spur, or to push the horse too fast. The sensitive horse reacts very negatively to harsh punishment or being pushed before he is ready, and such things can affect the horse's willingness to work in the future.

Read about four other character types--The Hyper or Overreactive Horse, The Slow or Stolid Horse, The Hot Horse and The Prankster--in the May 2010 issue of Practical Horseman magazine. To buy Dressage Training - Customized, visit HorseBooksEtc.com.