The “Go” Button

“Go Button” – a Creative Commons image by Got Credit – www.gotcredit.com
young hung boy cockI was reading a post on thoroughbreds, and why some people like them, and some don’t, and somebody mentioned the “Go” Button and I thought, Yup, that’s why I love thoroughbreds.
If they’re “goey,” if they “have an engine,” if they’ve “got a motor,” they’re my kind of horse.
* Important Public Service Announcement: I think it’s a sweeping generalization to say all thoroughbreds are goey and high-strung. They aren’t. In my experience, all thoroughbreds are loving, most are incredibly intelligent, and many are actually very lazy. Don’t overlook a thoroughbred because you think they’re too fast. *
OK, back to my preference, which is for a horse who wants to move. To run. To jump. To go fast, even if it’s nowhere in particular.
I love a horse who knows the meaning of the word “go.” If all you have to do is lean forward a bit, soften your hands slightly, whisper “go” (or even just think it), and they’re off, that’s my kind of horse.
It fits my personality, too. I’ve often been told (not always in flattering terms) that I never slow down. That works for me. I like to move, and do. It’s why I solve problems while I run. I’m a goer.
The funny thing is, when I’m on a horse with his own engine, the world slows down for me. It’s one of the only times it does. I relax, and become patient, and speak softly. It’s good for me, and it’s good for the horse.
Which is my point about the go button, and having it, or not – it doesn’t really matter. The beautiful thing about riding as a sport is that there are two personalities at play. You may be a goey person who’s great at getting a lazy horse to go. I ride with a woman like that and I have the utmost respect for her. I cannot believe what she gets her very placid horses to do. And she makes it look easy in the process.
If that were me, both horse and rider would end up sweaty and frustrated, and not having moved very far, or very fast.
It’s all good … that’s the point. There’s a horse out there for every rider, and a rider out there for every horse.
What kind of horse do you like? Does your horse match your personality, or provide contrast?