Horse Personality Types

 

From the August 2014 issue of The Stable Magazine – www.thestablemagazine.com/august2014

While we know that every horse is an individual, each with their own quirky habits and idiosyncrasies, there definitely are certain 'types' of horses, at least in my experience, I can draw parallels between horses I've known and horses I've met and recognise common threads in them. So here are a few observations on the types of horses I've met in my travels so far... Is your horse's personality type one of them? 

Miss Bossy Boots

You definitely will have known at least one of these. Miss Bossy Boots is THE BOSS. How dare you question that?! Often a ‘been there, done that’ type, this mare knows what she wants and how to get it. Everything in her paddock belongs exclusively to HER, even if there are three other horses sharing the same space. She is first to be fed (all hell will break loose if not!) and must be placed at the top of the pecking order at all times. Miss Bossy Boots is not afraid to use aggression to get what she wants, and as long as the doting owner bends over backwards to fulfil her every need, there is peace and harmony. If her owner dare question Miss Bossy Boots’ authority, he or she shall be swiftly put back in place.

The Epitome of Mare

Ears back, nostrils flaring, The Epitome of Mare is one moody pony! This personality type differs from Miss Bossy Boots, although they often share many characteristics. The Epitome of Mare tends to be just as aggressive when warranted, although is not necessarily a dominant personality type. On her nice days, The Epitome of Mare lavishes attention and craves the company of her owner. On other days, look out for gnashing teeth and cow kicking. This pony definitely requires a red tail ribbon for the show ring, and may also share traits with Miss Sensitive (read further).

The Prissy Pony

This pony must be worshipped and treated like a princess, lest she become unhappy! You cannot expect The Prissy Pony to walk through a puddle or generally get muddy or dirty. The Prissy Pony expects the best quality feed, although her preference changes on a daily basis, and she will refuse to eat anything other than what she would prefer best. The Prissy Pony is generally fussy, and if she is uncomfortable with a situation, has no reservations about letting you know, and demanding it be remedied immediately. Some Thoroughbreds have been known to feature this character trait; it also occurs in horses over 14.2hh.

Miss Sensitive

Miss Sensitive is similar to the Prissy Pony, but less likely to complain and more likely to suffer in silence. Miss Sensitive is way down low in the pecking order, and prone to being upset by the slightest changes in diet or environment. She is a sensitive soul, and is often a very feminine type, although some geldings have been known to be Mr. Sensitive, so it is not a mare-only personality type. Miss Sensitive enjoys being mollycoddled by her owner, is often ill or injured, feels the cold and has been known to lose weight at the drop of a hat. Miss Sensitive can also be a Jittery & Jumpy (below) and is often hot under saddle.

Mr. Reliable

Mr. Reliable types make the best riding school ponies! Not upset by much, Mr. Reliable is just a dude. He’s willing, agreeable and fun loving. Usually not too forward moving, Mr. Reliable is careful to follow his rider’s instructions down to the smallest detail and generally make the ultimate ‘best friend’ horses. He will tolerate a lot, rarely gets upset, and is the type to (almost happily) put up with small children climbing all over him. Mr. Reliable comes in all shapes and sizes - from welshies to clydesdales; and Miss. Reliables are also not unheard of.

The Push Button Pony

THE pony that the family with a large disposable income choose for their son or daughter novice rider in order to win showing classes, The Push Button Pony just looks lovely no matter what the sack of potatoes in the saddle is doing. Beautiful movement, a ‘mother’s dream pony’ who has ‘been there, done that’ and who excels in all disciplines. The Push Button Pony is often so well broken that no amount of bad riding or lack of handling skill can undo the hard work that a knowledgeable breeder or breaker has put in. Truly little gems, although sometimes The Push Button Pony can be a little devoid of personality.

All Business

Similar to The Push Button Pony - but the larger version, and not necessarily always as well broken in, All Business horses are just about getting the job done. They are usually obedient and easy going, and often are big hunter types, or schoolmasters. The All Business horse can also be a little lacking in personality and is usually not one for too much affection.

The Absolute Dork

The larrikin of a horse or pony who has you in stitches with his escapades, The Absolute Dork never fails to put a smile on your face! Sometimes features traits of the In Your Face Pony and also may be The Purely Food Orientated (both below). You’ll be amazed in watching the thought process of The Absolute Dork as he keeps you entertained with his antics, often breaking the barriers of horse behaviour and seeming much more like the reincarnation of a human. He is often a best friend type, similar to Mr.Reliable.

The Evil One

Or perhaps we should call her ‘All Bark & The Occasional Bite’? The Evil One is typically a mare. She is typically sensitive, often very grumpy, and can exhibit traits of Miss Bossy Boots or Miss Sensitive - depending on whether she is a dominant personality or quite low in the pecking order. The Evil One, while on the ground can be a challenge is often crazily talented under saddle and has plenty of presence - she is just a little lacking in the ground manners department.

The Pocket Rocket

The Pocket Rocket is an absolute gun of a pony, although there are two distinct variations of this personality type. The first is the Well-Behaved Pocked Rocket - similar to the Push Button Pony although with fire in his belly! The complete opposite of the L..A..Z..Y pony, the Pocket Rocket has something to prove, and goes like the clappers for his small, often very talented and confident twig of a rider. The second type of Pocket Rocket is the Cheeky Pocket Rocket. Either he’s very good (and you know he’s planning on dumping his child rider in an extravagant and unceremonious fashion) or he’s very bad. Child riders of The Cheeky Pocket Rocket develop a very secure seat early on. This forward moving pony knows every trick in the book - and uses them on a daily basis. The Cheeky Pocket Rocket tends to also share traits with The Purely Food Orientated as well as The Absolute Dork, and despite the challenge he poses for small riders, he is an integral part of the family, as well as an excellent pony - when he chooses to be.

Jittery & Jumpy

The nervous wreck, for want of a better term, Jittery & Jumpy is a challenge for anyone but the most experienced of riders. No matter how much time you spend familiarising Jittery & Jumpy with other horses, potentially scary objects, or different riding locations, he is always a little on edge. He may settle, and he may be very talented under saddle, but there’s always that level of uneasiness in certain situations for this personality type. Jittery & Jumpy needs a calm and confident leader - and he is happy to follow. He needs constant re-assurance and is the type that would like his owner to protect him from any potentially scary situations - sometimes including his own shadow.

The 'In Your Face' Pony

This pony can’t leave you alone for five minutes. If you’re in his paddock, he’ll be practically standing on top of you. He has to know exactly what is going on at all times, and will stick to you like glue, lest he miss out on any food or treats that might be distributed. (God forbid!) He can also share traits with Stubborn As A Mule (below) or The Purely Food Orientated, but he is generally a very happy and easy going pony. He rarely shies, nothing much fazes him, and he at times can show signs of being The Absolute Dork. You can’t leave ANYONE unattended in his paddock. Some In Your Face Ponies may be slightly on the spoiled side, so it’s important to keep your boundaries clear with these types, otherwise he’ll run all over you.

The Rev Head

You might catch a glimpse of The Rev Head as he gallops past you. This bundle of energy is often easily harnessed, and has wonderful manners. He’s not usually a sensitive type, and he’s definitely not Jittery & Jumpy - he just likes going fast, and he sees nothing wrong with that! The Rev head can have either a huge personality like the In Your Face Pony, or very little, like All Business, but he is usually like The Tank (below) - although often has better manners!

The Tank

The horse that goes and goes - regardless of the consequences, The Tank rarely has regard for herself or those around her. She’s the type of mare who’ll finish a cross country course with her rider hanging around her neck, still galloping full pelt towards the finish line. Often lacking in personal respect and with little understanding of the concept of boundaries, The Tank is one determined horse. If The Tank does not want her rug on, The Tank will not have her rug on. You may also have to employ restraint methods to carry out routine practices including worming and farriery. Showing affection is wussy, and The Tank does not tolerate hugs or kisses from her owner. If The Tank is injured, she’ll shrug it off - and almost nothing will slow her down - unless it’s you, shaking a bucket of feed to catch her. The Tank also may share traits with Miss Bossy Boots, & is the polar opposite of Miss Sensitive and The Prissy Pony.

The Easily Distracted

The Easily Distracted can be similar in personality to the Jittery & Jumpy, or The In Your Face Pony. The Easily Distracted Pony is one that cannot stay focussed on one task at a time, which means that under saddle, especially in a lesson, he is a challenge for any rider! If he’d rather be out in the paddock with his friends, you’ll have trouble keeping him in the arena. This pony LOVES meeting new horses and is a bit of a social butterfly.

The Scatterbrained

Most often, The Scatterbrained is a mare. Similar to The Easily Distracted, The Scatterbrained is the next level, and often shares traits with the Jittery & Jumpy. A little unsure of herself in new situations, the Scatterbrained is very difficult to keep on track, and tends to be off with the fairies quite a lot. Usually The Scatterbrained is quite elegant and light on her feet (and usually a hot blooded breed) although I have also known one Scatterbrained mare who was quite a chunky build and a bit of a L...A...Z...Y (below)!

The Purely Food Orientated

Often distinguishable by a voluptuous and well-rounded figure, the food orientated horse or pony is highly intelligent, and often, this trait is combined with Cheerfully Cheeky (below). This pony knows how to unlatch the feed shed door, and knows all the tricks in the book to coerce his owner into feeding him treats with his big liquid-brown doe eyes. If he hears the snap of a carrot breaking, he’s first in line. Often a dominant personality, this pony knows no boundaries (Rules? What are they?!) and can get his head into a bucket of feed faster than you can snap your fingers. The Purely Food Orientated Pony can also share traits with The In Your Face Pony. Under saddle, The Purely Food Orientated Pony can be either be the L...A...Z...Y (below) or the Pocket Rocket, but one thing is for sure - he’ll snatch the reins right out of your hands in a grassy paddock!

L...A....Z....Y.....

Can also be known as sleepy. Often, the ears of the L..A..Z...Y are drooping sideways. Certainly, nothing fazes this horse or pony. Sometimes associated with the effects of aging, although even younger horses and ponies can have this personality trait. Unless a situation is life-threatening (or, of course, if it involved food) good luck getting any kind of reaction from the L...A...Z...Y... type. Break out the carrots and you’ll see those ears snap forward though! Under saddle, the L...A...Z...Y is as you’d expect. This horse or pony makes for great leg strength, as it often takes a lot to get this pony moving!

Stubborn As A Mule

Those hooves get PLANTED and there’s nothing you can do to convince the Stubborn As A Mule to move them - sometimes not even food! This horse or pony is often not the Jittery & Jumpy type - usually he’s a pretty chilled individual, but when he doesn’t want to partake in festivities, he flat out refuses to move. Under saddle, Stubborn As A Mule can be either forward moving or slow, although he is a master of run-outs and refusals, and generally being ornery. He is not inspired unless the activities are his idea - like a leisurely gallop across the paddock, much to the surprise of his rider. Stubborn As A Mule will not be one to tolerate the big ‘pony club’ kicks, he prefers gentle persuasion to confrontation, although if his rider is insistent and unrelenting, Stubborn As A Mule may pull out all the stops - including rearing and bucking if provided enough provocation!

All horse personality types offer us a challenge as riders and horse owners -and let's face it, if they were all well behaved equines, life would be pretty boring! Celebrate your horse's quirks and appreciate his individuality - after all, some things you just have to live with!

Thank you to The Stable Magazine for this article, which was originally published in their August 2014 issue. Check out The Stable Magazine online now for FREE. Read this article and many more at www.thestablemagazine.com