ah b****r - think I like the project more than my own horse

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toomanyhorses26

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I bought a 16hh 7 year old mare back in March with the full intention of selling her on in 6 months or so once we had sorted out some issues - I am totally not a mare person or a bay :P person at that so thought it would be an easy one to let go. I have been sooooo wrong - yes she is a stress head and yes there are still some things to sort but we have started popping her ove some jumps and I think I am in love. Massive pop in her but in a really lovely abeit green controlled way - has jumped everything first time and bizarrely is less stressy when jumping than she is when just schooling. The downside of this is that I rally only have time and money for one horse which means one has to go and I cannot think rationally about it. My other horse I have had for three years - 16.3hh chestnut gelding - much more my type of horse , neurotic as hell but turns the talent on when it matters, he struggles with flatwork as he is about a million foot long and we have hit a bit of a wall for the last few months with this side of things, he has a big jump as well bit more hit and miss but alot of this is pilot error which he forgives everytime. We have had some great moments - ex racer champs, our first ror class, riding in a demo with a 4* rider,my first jump over 1.30 etc etc but i do sometimes get the feeling that I am trying to make him something he isnt . He is a stereotypical tb in that he costs a small fortune to feed where as the mare looks like this on a hand ful of good doer on the days she works -

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=18978937&l=f644611dab&id=800455152

gratuitous giraffe shot

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=18979064&l=fc7bcf4e2b&id=800455152

My gut feeling is the mare will still go but there is part of me that ginge has gone as far as he can with me - I would have a major concern in finding him a home that would get him and accept him for what he is and he was my first horse so will always be very close to my heart - agggghhhhhhh any advice ????
 
toomanyhorses26 said:
I bought a 16hh 7 year old mare back in March with the full intention of selling her on in 6 months or so once we had sorted out some issues - I am totally not a mare person or a bay :P person at that so thought it would be an easy one to let go. I have been sooooo wrong - yes she is a stress head and yes there are still some things to sort but we have started popping her ove some jumps and I think I am in love. Massive pop in her but in a really lovely abeit green controlled way - has jumped everything first time and bizarrely is less stressy when jumping than she is when just schooling. The downside of this is that I rally only have time and money for one horse which means one has to go and I cannot think rationally about it. My other horse I have had for three years - 16.3hh chestnut gelding - much more my type of horse , neurotic as hell but turns the talent on when it matters, he struggles with flatwork as he is about a million foot long and we have hit a bit of a wall for the last few months with this side of things, he has a big jump as well bit more hit and miss but alot of this is pilot error which he forgives everytime. We have had some great moments - ex racer champs, our first ror class, riding in a demo with a 4* rider,my first jump over 1.30 etc etc but i do sometimes get the feeling that I am trying to make him something he isnt . He is a stereotypical tb in that he costs a small fortune to feed where as the mare looks like this on a hand ful of good doer on the days she works -

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=18978937&l=f644611dab&id=800455152

gratuitous giraffe shot

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=18979064&l=fc7bcf4e2b&id=800455152

My gut feeling is the mare will still go but there is part of me that ginge has gone as far as he can with me - I would have a major concern in finding him a home that would get him and accept him for what he is and he was my first horse so will always be very close to my heart - agggghhhhhhh any advice ????
Click to expand...

Too be honest, you have answered it yourself.

And with regards to the jumping and schooling, of course she will be better, shes enjoying it more! Alot of horses hate standard school work, which is why we have to spice it up a little, get their mind constantly active.

If you feel the thoroughbred has gone as far as you can take him, ask yourself what you want and need more for the disciplines you wish to participate in. In other words, the thoroughbred would probably now suit a confident teenager for all general activities, as he has no vices as such.

The mare is a project that you have already said you enjoy, and if you know you can bring good of her aswell then give it a shot. Your boy would be very much enjoyed by a confident teenager who is wanting to do a bit of everything.

Your other option is thinking about a full/part loan. Full loan being horse moves yards altogether giving you concentrate time with said mare. Whereas a part loan, you could still enjoy him and do the things you want to do, but someone else is helping towards feed, shoes etc etc
 
Been thinking long and hard and as a result mare is up for sale and giraffe is up for loan :( I think me and the giraffe havent really got our groove bck since him being off with a virus and unable to be ridden for three months - I havent got the money to compete this year which is what he loves . All change I guess :S thank you for your kind comments about the moo cow mare - so glad I took a chance on her
 
Bit drastic I know - much as I would love to keep the mare the more I think about it the more I dont think the setup I have is right for her - fairly busy yard,lots of coming and going etc and I am not sure I will be able to invest the money in what she needs to do which is get used to going out etc she is in some fairly cobbled together tack, no rugs of her own so it would be alot of money to lay out to do her proper justice. Sat here in tears about the giraffe - he is my baby and I owe him nothing but we have got stale and I dont enjoy riding him at the moment and I dont think he enjoys being around me - we have well and truely lost our mojo. I thinks he needs to go out and enjoy himself again - he loves his competing and being otu and about and with no transport and with no real aim for this year - I have fallen out of love with him :(
 
As much as this is obviously upsetting for you, you are doing what you feel is in the best interests of both your horses and I think that's a very strong thing for you to be able to do so well done
 
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