[satinzevi]

Yup, I believe in them. I have one. I bought Zevi from a lady that used him for lessons so he's definately had enough experience with other riders. When I got him, he was the horse anyone could ride and have fun with but, for the past 4-5 years, I'm the only one who can ride him. The only way someone else can "ride" him is if I'm walking right beside him. He'll pitch a fit otherwise.

I don't really think it's a good thing though. I mean, he'll do anything for me but, for other people, he can be rather hard to handle. People even have trouble handling him from the ground (and he's 16.3 so it's kinda hard to make him listen if he chooses not to). He does LOVE attention from anyone but if I'm there, I'm the one he wants.

I honestly have no clue what causes it. I think certain situations can cause it in some horses but I don't know what happened with Zevi. There's nothing that stands out. it's like, we finally bonded and that was it. No one else was good enough anymore.

But here's my lovebug.

[shell]

I bred and raised a "one person horse". I sold her a year ago and she is now her new owner's horse and no one else’s. I have visited Cleo a few times now and she wants nothing to do with me and treats me (Ears pinned and threatening to bite) the way she use to treat others when she was my horse. So, yes, there are one person horses. That is not to say no one else can handle her, they just better be careful if they do.

[moondust]

Yes, I definately believe that there are one person horses! Moondust is my horse and I am her person. She doesn't fully trust anyone else riding her, and won't co-operate with anyone else riding her but me. Don't get me wrong, she is sweet on the ground to most people, so she isn't mean spirited to anyone. I rescued her from starvation, so our bond stems from that. My husband has always been active and supportive of Moondust, He repairs the fences, and helps with feed runs, but was never totally hands on ex: brushing her, does not care about riding, or doing any of the hands on care of the horses. So , I have been the one person consistantly hands on and hanging out with her riding, and training her, and bonding with her.

[Custom Made]

I used to lease a FABULOUS Arab Hunter Pleasure mare, Baronness...back in the day...and she was definitely a true one person horse. The BO at the barn i was at bred and raised her. This mare hated the BO...had hated her her whole life, she didn't like my trainer...didn't like ANYONE, except for me. She didn't really like other horses either. but she'd tollerate them. oh but if they got in "her space" she let them have it. The BO was even going to sell her...she passed her vet check with flying colors and the lady loved her breeding and yadda yadda....got her home....and Baronness HATED the lady, and therefore the lady hated her...so she brought her back! I wanted to start riding her and lease her if it worked out because in the pasture, she proved to be very fond of me. So the BO wanted my trainer to ride her first-since she didn't really trust her with her attitude and all. She was a...witch for my trainer. they weren't going to let me ride her. the BO almost refused to let me. but i begged and begged and they finally said "OK. but don't say we didn't warn you!"
....so i got on...and she was absolutely FABULOUS!!!!!!!!! COMPLETELY differnt horse. i started trotting after a minute and my trainers jaw DROPPED!! She immediately collected and went into a LOVELY Hunter Pleasure frame just at the touch of the reins!!! did everything i asked of her and didn't think twice about it!! she woulda jumped the moon for me if i'd asked her!! I was in love!! and from then on i was the only one allowed to ride her! I leased her for 2 or 3 years after that and i was just about to buy her...she was pregnant at the time to our amazing English Pleasure stallion and i was offered an amazing 2 (mare and foal) or 3 (mare, foal, and a free breeding after foaling) for 1 deal-if i wanted it, but some bad things with the BO and all happened and we left the farm and i haven't seen my baby girl since....but she was truly an amazing girl. even though she had such an attitude with other people and horses. but our bond.....was just incredible. i'd give just about anything to have her back....

[OrangeRikki]

I believe there are one person horses. I own one.

She used to be a lesson horse, and she takes care of ANY rider that is on her back, she's a very good girl. However, she was very depressed as a lesson horse, she did her job but just wasn't very happy.

When I bought her and I was the only one riding her consistantly, she became a much happier horse and her overall personality did a complete 180! IMO she needed her own 'person' because that's the kind of horse she is. She's my girl now and that's how she is comfortable. She doesn't like other people near her, touching her, in her stall, unless I'm around and talking to her/calming her. She still lets others ride her and she is by no means a bad horse, she just is fond of her mommy i suppose.

[Drafty]

read all my posts about my horse everything you need to know about what i think are all in there yes i think so and always will

[shyxpony]

Yes, I believe there are one-person horses! My pony is a good example... she will cart around other people just fine but she is almost... indifferent around them, whereas around me she is very affectionate and displays her affection more... hard to explain, but for example she has her ears up all the time around me but often has a bored expression or pinned back ears around others. She is only ridden by three people, me, and two of my friends that sometimes come ride with me. I am the only one who hasn't fallen off of her

I also used to ride a lesson horse that was just a PIG for everyone, except the trainer. If she was being nasty, say, not taking the bit, the trainer would just have to walk by and her ears went up and she took the bit nicely. They had a great bond.

Being able to have different riders is a very important thing for horses, so in case you should ever need to sell them, you can. However I do believe that many horses are more attatched to one person. A true bond between a horse & rider is a great thing.

[Drafty]

Originally Posted by shyxpony

Yes, I believe there are one-person horses! My pony is a good example... she will cart around other people just fine but she is almost... indifferent around them, whereas around me she is very affectionate and displays her affection more... hard to explain, but for example she has her ears up all the time around me but often has a bored expression or pinned back ears around others. She is only ridden by three people, me, and two of my friends that sometimes come ride with me. I am the only one who hasn't fallen off of her

I also used to ride a lesson horse that was just a PIG for everyone, except the trainer. If she was being nasty, say, not taking the bit, the trainer would just have to walk by and her ears went up and she took the bit nicely. They had a great bond.

Being able to have different riders is a very important thing for horses, so in case you should ever need to sell them, you can. However I do believe that many horses are more attatched to one person. A true bond between a horse & rider is a great thing.

that is so cool and a great story and a great post

[shyxpony]

^^ Thanks

[I LuvMyHorses]

Originally Posted by satinzevi

Yup, I believe in them. I have one. I bought Zevi from a lady that used him for lessons so he's definately had enough experience with other riders. When I got him, he was the horse anyone could ride and have fun with but, for the past 4-5 years, I'm the only one who can ride him. The only way someone else can "ride" him is if I'm walking right beside him. He'll pitch a fit otherwise.

I don't really think it's a good thing though. I mean, he'll do anything for me but, for other people, he can be rather hard to handle. People even have trouble handling him from the ground (and he's 16.3 so it's kinda hard to make him listen if he chooses not to). He does LOVE attention from anyone but if I'm there, I'm the one he wants.

I honestly have no clue what causes it. I think certain situations can cause it in some horses but I don't know what happened with Zevi. There's nothing that stands out. it's like, we finally bonded and that was it. No one else was good enough anymore.

But here's my lovebug.

What a handsome guy!!