absolutely gutted, what shall I do?

horseloaner said:
Why would Western be less stress on the back?
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mainly western horses move different in their strides
the jog certainly and the lope are more comfortable less stress on the back. The jog is different take a look at this clip this horse is jogging not trotting


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqNw-iafSWM


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1USyYRv2Mg

also a proper trained western horse can also be more chilled out as many don't jump do flatwork in the school so don't tend to get as exited.
 
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Can't offer more advice except that a share doesn't necessarily mean letting someone else do him. Just a teen or adult wanting a ride out would be ok I think.

Oh and I disagree with whoever said horses don't need hacking. Some do. Henry isn't great in a school but he's a different pony when hacking. Stimulated and switched on.

OP, I don't suppose someone on your yard hates schooling and loves hacking? Swapping rides for the activity the other ride hates would be yourbest bet, I think!
 
swampdonkey said:
thank you all for the support :)
I think I may have given the wrong impression about him, he is a good boy, he isn't spooky, may have a little spook but by far the least spooky horse I know. He isn't sharp, quite the opposite normally, quite lazy and laid back, he is an angel on the ground and no one on my yard would think twice about getting on him.
He used to be nappy and difficult in the school but we have worked through this and now rarely have any disagreements in there.
Hacking out he is brave (I am not)
He hardly looks at anything, he isn't strong, always waits to canter until you ask.
I don't jump him but a friend does occasionally and he is a good boy jumping too, he doesn't tow you in but is honest and never refuses, even when on the wrong stride he will always go over.
He is almost perfect, he can be stubborn and he can put in these bucks when you push him on in the school, although that rarely happens anymore, these are not nasty just a little protest about being made to work. These aren't a problem.
The buck he did last night was different, he has done this twice now since I got in last July when cantering and I took a pull, he only wears a snaffle and brakes aren't an issue, it is purely a naughty protest at being pulled up.

My dilema is that a) those bucks are naughty and impossible to sit to as he does it all so quickly and this stops me from doing more with him (confidence wise) incase he does it again. and b) if he is kept active and busy doing more things he is an angel in the school and I love riding him but obviously a) stops me doing more with him.

So should I sell him to someone who keeps his workload varied.

Sorry for waffling again but just didn't want people to think he is a problem horse. If he was a naughty horse it would so much easier to make the decision and move on to something else, but I think horses safer than him are probably far and few between.
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The biggest thing I can say is that your only a year back in the saddle and it takes a lot of time to get your confidence back. A year after my accident I was walking out and maybe trotting in the school on my sister's cob who I know inside out, is brilliant, really looks after you etc and I was still a nervous wreck. Fastforward another three years and I hack out happily although cantering is still a bit scary but I can do it now. In the school I'm happy trotting but still have issues with cantering in the school (I was bolted with in a school, long story but not the horses fault) and am still getting there with confidence.
So long story short, it will take a long time for your confidence to come, if you want to hack then there's nothing wrong with walking and a little trot work - you don't have to canter which takes the possibility of him bucking when you pull him up out of the picture. Same in the school. If you feel like you need to get off because of the situation you find yourself in then get off, it's not a problem - you're not riding to perform for someone else, you're doing it for your enjoyment so you haven't 'lost' anything by getting off or not cantering out on a hack unless you want to.
Try this book http://www.amazon.co.uk/Perfect-Con...7735/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346499668&sr=8-1 it's not a bad price and has some really useful advice and exercises in it that you can do to feel more in control with more confidence.
And give your self some time, take it at your pace and your confidence will come back.
 
I would sell and get something safer. Just because he is mostly perfect means nothing, in fact I think it makes him more dangerous in reality. :(

You have obviously brought him on well so I would focus in that but accept he is not the horse for you. Doesn't mean he isn't the perfect horse for someone else.
 
My partner sometimes struggles with his confidence. We have now put some rules in place to try and help. If he doesn't feel on top form, he doesn't ride. If things get heated, he gets off, leads for a bit, and gets back on. If in doubt, lunge prior to riding. I do bits and pieces with them too, which helps hugely.
Is there anyone else's horse who is very quiet out hacking that you can regain some confidence on? We are lucky that my pony is usually around for confidence boosting rides.
I would also consider getting a sharer, or possibly payig someone to hack him out, maybe with you on foot, so that you can see him improve which I find helps.
I always think confidence is 90% of riding, my partner actually rides quite well, and competes happily, but when the confidence shakes, it all falls apart.
Pain doesn't help, as I find it makes even the bravest of us shaky.
I find diarising your achievements helps, as then you can see how far you have come.
Do you walk him out in hand much? Maybe try this, getting on periodically until you feel happier.
Good luck, and take small steps.
 
Is there a horse you know of or knew that has made you think 'I could hack on him/her?'
If yes or maybe then you really have the wrong horse
Sounds to me like he has a reasonable amount of work that would be more than enough for most quiet horses
Personally I would sell him and find something a little quieter. One that would be happy to be left a week or more without work. That way you will know less work won't make any difference
As someone else said look at a riding holiday for yourself if you can afford it
Hugs cos I know how hard it is
 
sounds like he is super fresh get a friend to put some work in to him or lunge him before riding him, dont just give up and sell when it could easily be a solveable problem, also feel your nerves could be a bad influence too.
 
I haven't (touch wood) had a serious accident, but I had a very stupid, giddy horse once who was so naughty that I felt sick at the thought of riding him. In the end, I hated riding so much that I was going to give up - and I've ridden since I was 3. As a last ditch effort, I got rid of the horse & bought a very steady Irish Draught mare. To start with, I was scared of riding her too, but she was very, very steady & would quite happily stand still while a friend's 4 yo went bananas, crashed into her etc. After a few weeks, riding was actually fun again!

It sounds as if you just need to find the right horse for you. It's such a relief when you can look forward to riding, knowing that nothing awful is going to happen!

T x
 
ive had a very serious back injury too, and the hardest thing in the world is admitting your mortal and riding is scary! unpredictable things could happen and the memory of THAT pain holds you back from doing anything that could hurt you! the hardest thing i did was to admit i needed a different type of horse after my injury. im very fortunate that after searching i found a saint on 4 legs ,but hes much older than i would ever have gone for before and has been everywhere and done everything -which is just right for me NOW. and i know i can hack out and will come back in one piece everytime! :D
 
I have never used this device but think it looks interesting - it helps you sit through bucks etc

www.rstor.co.uk

Your horse sounds like you would have people queuing up to share him and would give him the variety he needs. Maybe if you don't take money for the share just offer as free riding you will feel more in control of the situation. You can dictate that you only want him hacked etc not schooled and if you really don't like someone else with your horse it is easy to back out of. You are really brave and there is no shame in getting off and leaving it till another day when you may be feeling more relaxed about riding.
 
it's your confidence that needs changing not the horse;) it sounds like you need a confidence coach or an instructor who specialises in nervous riders, someone who can help you rationalise and deal with your fears:)
 
I agree with working with and instructor, but that said I think fear of a horse fly bucking or trying to double barrel you is quite rational. :eek:

Paula
 
A quick question on your hacking fears, since you did say that nothing bad has ever happened to you - how did you learn to ride, did it ever involve riding outside of the school? Just interested really. I don't think you need a new horse, but I would recommend a good trainer to come out on rides with you to get you more confident or give you something more constructive in the school to do. I see a few riders at the yard where I keep my horses who are nervous of hacking out and they just stick in the school, however they don't actually school, they just ride round and round digging a track (not that I say you do this, just this is what I see in others). Their horses are bored and unresponsive but then lapse into bouts of naughtiness probably brought on by boredom.
 
Your poor thing! I know just how you feel as I spent 3 months in wheel chair and it can knock your confidence if you know you shouldn't fall off. May I suggest horse agility and aim for the very top level. It is great calmer for horses as they have to engage their brain and learn to trust you. You will then build up more of a bond with your horse and also have great fun. Do remember though that horses don't wake up in the morning and think am I going for a long hack today - like we do. Don't sell him for his sake though as he is MUCH better off with someone who already loves him.
 
Well done you. For being confident enough to get back in the saddle after a broken back ! How's your cobs diet and how's he kept ? You might at first cut out feed, and maybe 24 hour turnout ? And some lessons ? He might be getting too much feed etc,, might be worth looking at .
 
I've got two solutions.

1) accept this horse is not for you, sell him and buy a quiet elderly plodder you can be safe on.

2) warm horse up on the lunge so he can stretch. Tack up using grass reins (bale string from saddle D ring, through bit, up over poll, through other bit ring and attach to other saddle D ring), tight enough that he physically can't get his head down. *I'm assuming this horse isn't a rearer, as they can panic and go over if feel trapped*. The grass reins will allow him head movement for turning and should be no tighter than that needed to create a false outline. With any luck you won't need them quite that tight. Grass reins will reduce the power of the buck significantly due to not being able to get head between knees, allowing you to sit it, which hopefully you won't have to because... The bucking comes from a reaction to being told he can't run on. If he's in a safe enclosed environment, how about letting him run? In an ideal world you'd dictate the speed and pace, in reality it sometimes causes more danger to fight for total control than to accept a compromise. You have steering when he goes off and you don't mention him getting faster and faster, becoming dangerous to turn due to the risk of falling. Why not work with what he's offering? Yes its naughty, but there's a difference between something that tanks occasionally through excitement and something that does it all the time just because it can. You seem experienced enough to tell if the horse starts to turn into a serial tanker-off just because it can.

I have one who I can't fight because if I do, he will run unbalanced, tense and lacking attention to direction, focused on the fight. If I compromise on speed he stays in balance and sure footed and I have steering. The problem has got better over the years rather than worse, compromising on control hasn't ruined him. I don't let him do whatever he wants all the time, but I won't insist on walk if he wants to gallop. Much nicer all round if we have a quick-smart trot or a controlled canter.
 
I am very sorry for you OP. I have been in this situation myself. It's amazing how many people will judge you so you have to be strong and do what you really feel is best for you. Why should you risk spending the rest of your life in a wheel chair or worse for the sake of a horse. The horse will not ever give you a thought or tell you its sorry. It is not a sentimental creature. There must be a lot of horses out there that will not buck you off just cause you want to canter why put up with one that does? As long as you have done all the checks and have done right by the horse you have nothing to feel sorry for. I have always said there is a world of difference from falling off cause you have lost your balance, taken a fence wrong etc than from being purposely dumped. Good luck with your decision and stay safe.
 
i couldv'e written this op, (apart from I haven't had a fall yet....) my horse is great out hacking on the ground like an overgrown dog, but in the school, he is bucking more and more and my confidence is at rock bottom, i have had his teeth back and saddle checked and its all fine, I have a weekly lesson, and after being bucked about 6 times in this one lesson i broke down, not sure what to do now i don't want to give up, but i have very little confidence now, just wanted to let you know your not alone! xxx
 
Sorry to hear of this...one of the horses I share loves schooling, hates jumping much..I WAS the other way round, but now I'm coming round to the idea..!
Re; a sharer....I think this might be the way forwards - I myself am a sharer of two great horses and yes, although I have bonded with them, I know they aren't MY horses (although owner says they are ours equally!).
If you could find someone who a) appreciates this b) you get on with and your horse gets on with and c) doesn't like schooling but loves hacking and jumping, that leaves all his schooling to you but once or twice a week (all it needs to be to start with so you can get used to the idea), the sharer could hack or jump him, get rid of his energy and give him some variety to think about.
Sharer could even then help you gain confidence in hacking - with you on foot, a little behind you on foot etc. Having someone to talk to really does help.
Would this work?
K x
 
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If I was in your shoes, I think I'd probably consider selling this particular horse because he doesn't sound like he suits what you enjoy (ie. schooling). There's plenty of horses around who love trotting in circles all day long and some (like yours) who get bored silly by it and probably start messing around to have some fun. I'd find something really safe that suits everything you want to do. I know it seems so hard to sell your gelding but I dont think you'll regret it once you end up with a horse who you trust 100%. Its surely better than giving up completely? As someone who perservered too long with a horse years ago who simply didn't enjoy what I did (ie. jumping), it ended up him being much happier in a home that suited him (dressage) and me getting a horse who suited me down to the ground and loved everything I asked of him. As much as I miss the horse because he was such a sweetheart to be around, I dont regret it and wish Id done it sooner.

BTW, I'm also terrified of hacking so I never do it! After one too many incidents on the roads I gave it up years ago. I've got a new horse coming this week who is apparently very good to hack so I'm hoping he might fix my nerves. But I totally understand and its silly as I will happily gallop round a decent sized XC course but make me go on a hack... oh no!
 
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Being ridden 3 times a week is not enough. Honestly! Even my semi retired mare works 4 x a week to keep her sweet and the baby is worked 5-6 times. Both are straightforward and safe horses and both would play up if their work load was that little.

Get a sharer. Horse gets more work and variety . He will not prefer your sharer to you and you should find you have a new friend who thinks your horse is as wonderful as you do. Use the extra money for lessons to help your confidence and broaden your skills.

Your boy sounds very nice. Up his work and keep an eye on the feed. Another one who does not believe that Parelli is the answer. Along with back, teeth and tack, work and feed are the most common issues people have with their horses and one most easily sorted.

Confidence seems to trickle away as we get older so don't be too hard for yourself. Basic NLP but stop focusing on the negative and think about what you have achieved. Which is a lot!
 
Another one here who has had a fractured spine from a fall *waves* :D (should we start a clique?!)
Firstly, you should be giving yourself a huge pat on the back ;) for getting back in the saddle.
Secondly, how are you getting on? Noticed the thread is 3 weeks old and has been revived, (I didn't see it the first time round) so how are things with your boy now?
x
 
Laura-C said:
Another one here who has had a fractured spine from a fall *waves* :D (should we start a clique?!)
Firstly, you should be giving yourself a huge pat on the back ;) for getting back in the saddle.
Secondly, how are you getting on? Noticed the thread is 3 weeks old and has been revived, (I didn't see it the first time round) so how are things with your boy now?
x
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i have decided to sell him, an angel has fallen into my lap. A friend of a friend was looking for a ride as she had sold her last horse to go travelling as is between horses. Turns out she is an instructor, a fabulous rider and a lovely person to boot :)
She came to try him the other night, knowing he can be naughty and stubborn. Well he showed her his absolute worst, he did his canter, stop bronc trick!!
She also hit the deck, (which although I was mortified for her, it did make me feel slightly more justified in coming off)
She fortunately didn't hurt herself and got back on and after a couple more smaller rows they were getting on fabulously :)
I thought she would walk away but she was smiling from ear to ear (some people are weird) and said she loved him.
She understood him competely and said that she really enjoyed it, just like a few of the cheeky ponies she had as a child.
Well I was still dubious and thought she was being polite but she said she would come back the next day, and you never guess what, I still can;t believe it but she DID!!
They went hacking all around the stubble fields in the torrential rain, got bombarded with geese and he didn't put a foot wrong. He was very polite in the field and they had a whale of a time.
Everything seems to have fallen into place. She is delighted to ride him and get him doing a bit of everything and help me to find him the right home. Like I said an angel :)

Also after finding out that I was selling him a friend on the yard with a schoolmaster mare has said that I can share over the winter as she struggles to find the time with young children. This mare is a lot bigger than I am used to but I have known her for almost 2 years and I have seen her spook once, which was 2 canter strides then slowly stop! She is so polite she wouldn't dream of argueing, let alone bucking.
It seems that last week I was at my wits end wondering how was I going to find him the right home when he I couldn't even ride him properly, and how was I going to cope without a horse in my life but this week it all seems to have come together for me.

I'm not sure if the new mare will work out but I am sure as hell going to try. What have I got to lose and it is so nice to see my boy coming back from a canter in the field with a spring in his step, so even if it takes months to find him the right owner I am in no hurry, I have my 'angel' to ride him and keep him happy and a mare that I can gain my confidence on.

Still can't believe its working out for me with horses for once. :)
I'll keep you posted how he improves and how I can improve with my saint of a mare.
 
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