The Hidden Attributes of Great Horses

To any dressage rider who will ever own a truly rare and special horse, you are among the most fortunate. When you spend time with this animal, you feel an unexpected delight and joy. Your time riding this horse will be some of your happiest moments and you'll be forever changed from time spent together.

It surprises you with an abundance of generosity, and even more so, at the time you need it most. You become its servant, and you not only accommodate its special needs, you also insist that others do so as well. When the time comes to say goodbye, you cry real tears.

Margit Otto Crepin was one of the lucky ones. She described her special horse, Corlandus, with such passion.

“He is the horse of an era. To own such a horse is the most wonderful thing. He is like riding nothing else. I feel so dissatisfied when I am on other horses. Yet the feel he gives to me, helps me to make the other horses better. He is an inspiration.” - Margit Otto Crepin

(Credit: https://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2021/12/great-horses-of-the-past-corlandus/)

I too have been so fortunate having owned/ridden some truly great horses, and have helped clients to discover their once-in-a-lifetime partners. And while it is hard to really put into words what it is that makes those horses so special, I can only try to describe the hidden attributes that separate those rare and special horses from the rest of the herd.

Like great human athletes, great horses have resilience.

Even after a tough ride, with sore muscles, a hard show schedule, they still meet you at the stall door when you come for them the next day. In their 2nd year at Grand Prix, when they know exactly the point where they have to piaffe or pirouette, they do their best, even knowing how hard it is. They’re tough. They like to work. Doing dressage and being out in public excites and motivates them.

It’s a great experience to own such a horse, but only after they are gone do we look back and fully appreciate the depth of their generosity and their exceptional work ethic.

They are brave, especially if you are there for them.

They trust you and will go through the fire with you. Sure, they might spook or need a lot of your patience while they are afraid of the judges box. But in the end, they do so much for you, against their instincts, and all the more because they trust you.

Great horses have a sort of equine self-esteem. When a dressage horse knows it’s good at the movements, they seem to take joy in performing. It’s a sort of hotness, like a jumper attacking a line of fences. When you turn onto the diagonal, you only ask once for the extension. Coming into the piaffe, you feel the horse starting to boil in anticipation. A great horse is good at its job and seems to know it.

If you are ever so fortunate to experience such a special horse, you are forever changed. You’ll see the horses your peers are riding and wonder why they’ve settled for less than what they could have, that nearly intoxicating feeling a special horse gives to a deserving rider. Every horse you ride afterwards will be better because of your time with that special horse. While many horses have nice gaits, those truly special horses with these hidden attributes are rare, but worth seeking out as the reward is indescribable.

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This post is the opinion of Steven Wolgemuth at the time of publication. If you have ideas you'd like to contribute to this article, a question, or even a disagreement, please share them with Steve. Together we make one another better.

This post is copyright by the author 2024. No reproduction of any part is permitted without expressed permission. 

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