Advice please! To sell or not to sell, that is the question!

[royal]

Hi guys,

I'm a relatively experienced rider , BUT, after a bad accident, like so many others, I suffered a crisis of confidence. Anyway, have had my current mare for nearly 4 years and she's done exactly what it says on the tin! Not that I'm ever going to be mega brave, but I'm alot better than I was and only get nervous hacking from time to time (if horsey is particularly spooky) or with really fizzy/fast horses...anyway, problem is, my mare can be really lazy and not only do I find it frustrating, but as I have asthma, it really makes me suffer. All physical checks are done routinely (teeth, back etc) and she's had a full vet check to rule out any problems ie: anemia etc. Feed has been looked at extensively and she's been on just about every high energy feed there is, oil etc. She's been schooled carefully and does some lovely lateral work, but, only if you've worked your butt off to get the impulsion. Have also tried spurs, tap behind the leg with whip does nothing, tried waving whip in the air for visual/audio cues etc and nothing seems to affect her! I really feel like I'd just like something a bit easier off the leg now and to be honest, I feel much better on a bigger horse (think its the longer stride). My girls only 15hh and I'm 5' 71/2"!! She would take county level showing by storm if her laziness issue could be sorted. I also am very attached to her.
Would you sell and move on or just accept her the way she is and adjust your expectations? I'd love to go affiliated BD but I think its going to need someone really experienced to be able to sort out her laziness.

Aarrghhhh, what to do?!?!?!

 

[TGM]

Just a difficult decision to make! I must say, though, that I have known loads of people who have swapped their sensible, safe but lazy horses for something more high-powered and ending up regretting it and often losing their confidence to boot!

 

[sallypops]

i kno the feeling about ur asthma i have it too, such a tricky decision if you are attached

 

[Natassia]

Its a difficult decision, I've never been in that position so can't really comment but if you want to do affiliated BD and have some decent lessons or whatever then how about getting another horse on loan and putting your mare out on loan to someone who just wants a quiet hacker? Or you could advertise yourself as a rider, some people have talented horses that could do really well but they don't want to or don't have the time to compete them.
There are always other options, not just selling, good luck.

 

[xcalicox]

If you've tried everying to get her "going" and it's affecting your health, I would say that's a very fair reason to sell on.
It's a shame but, horses are far too expensive when your not enjoying yourself.

If your goals are out of her reach then it might be for the best.
As TGM said, just beware that you get the perfect horsey next time, forward going horses sometimes require as much hard riding as a less forward thinking one.
Good Luck with whatever decission you make!!

 

[royal]

Thanks for the replies...re: the asthma, I'm just knackered everytime I ride and often have to take my inhaler once or twice in a half hour ride! As an experiment, I rode 3 different horses the other night...a 16.2 ex racer, a 15.2 tb and a 17hh warmblood...both the tb's were far too foward going, really really sensitive to the leg and although i wasn't nervous, I certainly wasn't comfortable. The 17hh I loved! The long stride was gorgeous and she was 'off the leg' but just not too sensitive to it. It made me realise that I know exactly what I do and don't want and exactly what I am and am not capable of riding!
I did want to loan her out (i've the perfect rider for her!), but its just not possible...I need the funds from her to buy the next...unless I took out a loan, which just isn't sensible! I've looked around for horses to loan and it would be 100 times more difficult than trying to buy again!

I've been thinking about this for about 6 months now, and don't feel any closer to making a decision!

 

[Flame_]

Better the devil you know I tend to think. Buying horses is a minefield and whenever I go looking I tend to assume my new horse will have all of my last horse's good points, not have any of its bad points and will of course also be more athletic, better bred have better conformation etc, etc... It DOES NOT often work that way. The new horse will come with problems, be it health or behavioural, none of them are perfect. If your horse is sound, fit, safe and genuine IMO you're best sticking with it. Have you tried getting a trainer to help with the laziness issues? Might be worth trying a few and see if any can help you out. Of course its entirely up to you ATEOTD, and the best of luck whatever you decide.