Am I flogging a dead horse?

Foxford

Foxford

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OK, this is probably not going to be short! But I desperately need thoughts...

Yesterday I took the horse I've been riding for 9 months out to his 3rd dressage test. He was awful. Got off the lorry and after a couple of minutes in walk I felt him just go flat and he wouldn't go forwards, head in the air etc. They called us in early for the test. We only managed a few strides of canter, which we do struggle with at home, but not like this. And he was almost passaging in his trot, it was so "backwards".

Anyway, I was pretty gutted but managed to laugh it off, as I don't take myself too seriously! However his owner looked really cheesed off and told me I should have taken a stronger contact etc. He would have stopped dead if I had shortened my reins anymore.
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But now for the background. This horse has been with it's owner for 2 years. He was bought as a 4yo, and after arriving, he was ridden for a few short months by an instructor who couldn't get him to go forwards at all. Cue other instructor chashing her round with a carrier bag on a lunge whip and telling her to stick drawing pins on her boots (she wouldn't thank god). Anyway, one day he stopped dead and refused to move. He was put in his stable for a year until I turned up and started riding him.

He had been making slow but steady progress (we have a lesson every week), but the last time I took him out he was showing the same signs of reverting back to his original ways.

My dilemma is this, he has been out of the yard 5 times in 2 years. He is not allowed to hack or jump so it's just schooling with me, which I try to make interesting for him. Yesterday I tried to take him for a bit of a blowout on a nearby field. We managed 2 stides of canter and a stuffy trot.

I think the owner is embarrased by the way this horse behaved in front of their friends and is wondering what to do. My OH thinks I am flogging a dead horse here, and should get out and buy my own or get one on loan.

How can I get anywhere with this horse the way things are? I know it's early days but I can't see us improving without some sort of stimulation for him. I could walk away from him but what would happen to him then? I'm pretty confused about what to do for the best. Any thoughts would be really gratefully recieved.
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probably flogging a dead horse. if the owners wont let him get out he's probably pretty bored, and if they could ride him better why arent they?
 
Why isnt the horse allowed to hack or jump??? It sounds bored rigid to me!

I take it you have had back, teeth, saddle etc checked???
 
1st don't get bullied into going in before your time, if you need more warming up time, insist you go in on your time (you will often be asked if you are ready to go in early, but that doesn't mean you have to).

Why can't he hack or jump?? He must be bored stupid.
 
Poor horse needs a full bosy check over and consider the more unusual things like EPSM.

If he's clear of all that then he needs a lot more fun in his life. Is he turned out with other horses or on his own then to?
 
Why on earth isn't the horse allowed to hack?!! That's your answer - let the horse get out and about and re-kindle his interest in life! He sounds bored and stale to me, with no desire to be constantly schooled - too much schooling and not enough fun. If the owners will listen to you, why not suggest a break from schooling for a month, and if after that time when he's hacked and possibly even done some xc or something interesting, see how he is! If they won't listen, then sounds like it's time to find your own equine buddy!
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Sounds like the owner has wrapped it in cotton wool and needs some fun in their live now. I would tell the owner it needs to start enjoying life etc and if you are unable to hack etc then give up the ride
 
Agree with other comments...bored silly and fed up! Some horses just do not take to school work either and no amount of trying will make them have the head for it or motivation. Sounds like the horse needs a break from it and to go out and about for some nice hacks.
If the owner is not prepared to listen then I would get myself another horse...great shame for the horse though but it will be no fun for either of you to keep being pressurised.
 
That's what I felt like saying yesterday!! He has been ridden by "professionals" but they don't get any more out of him than I do - sometimes even less!!

I think it's a case of it's easy to blame the rider, so you don't admit that expensive horse you bought has turned out to be a dud. Not a great confidence builder for the struggling rider though is it?
 
This poor horse needs to enjoy life & have some fun!!! No hacking, no jumping just going round in circles being schooled. I bet when you took him for a blow out & he didn't go forwards it was because he simply doesn't know what to do. Just as a precaution I would suggest getting him checked by a back person & also his bloods checked by a vet, but does he look well in himself? When he isn't being worked does he look happy?

I think you need to have a chat with his owner, find out why she won't let him hack out or jump. Does he get any turn out? I would say forget schooling for a few months, don't even try to work him on the bit. Just let him hack out learning to go forwards - unless he is moving forwards he can't work correctly anyway. Hacking out with a few mates, letting him learn that going forwards (eg galloping every now & then!) is fun. Can't you do a bit of loose jumping with him? Or a little bit of grid work? Maybe even some ground work like parrelli? Anything that is a bit different from what he is used to doing. Unless you are allowed to vary this horses routine & give him some interest in life I would be inclined to look for another option, until this horse goes forward & enjoys work you won't be able to get anywhere with him.
 
Awful, poor horse..none of this is HIS fault, it's the owners and what awful instructors! He needs good turnout and a varied routine. He can't be a very happy horse!
 
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That's what I felt like saying yesterday!! He has been ridden by "professionals" but they don't get any more out of him than I do - sometimes even less!!

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Ah but professionals have different agendas to the rest of the world!! Their aim will be more competitive than ours (assuming you're like me and a happy amateur?!) and they will think nothing of schooling schooling and more schooling! I would be more concerned that my horse was happy and well, rather than working in an outline constantly!
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Why isnt the horse allowed to hack or jump??? It sounds bored rigid to me!

I take it you have had back, teeth, saddle etc checked???

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Another sore point!! He started to crib last winter and every 2 weeks I ask whether the owner has made a dentist appt. "Oh no, I'd better do it next week".... He needs his saddle checking - I have even got the owner phone numbers and quotes from saddlers. Short of paying for it myself I don't know what else to do other than keep hassling.
 
After his performance at the show I'd say to her that you are worried that ONE of the reasons he is so backward is that his teeth, saddle etc need checking..... tell her you're not really prepared to ride him anymore unless she gets them checked as your worried he might be in pain...... if she still wont do it i'd walk away, I know you'll feel bad for the horse but at the end of the day this horse isnt doing you any favours!
 
Hmm, poor horse, and I sympathise with you because you sound like if it were yours, you'd have everything checked out ie teeth, back etc, before appointing any blame. Poor chap cant hack, cant jump, I expect he's gone completely braindead and forgotten the 'fun' of being ridden.

Hope it all works out well as u sound like youve put in a lot of effort. For the sake of the horse, I would arrange a meeting with the owner and properly sit down and talk things through, and have a friend/impartial person with you if poss. x

Re the dressage, if and when u do go again, dont go in early unless youre ready to. You dont have to. x
 
I would forget it, go and find yourself something nice to ride, you have no control over this situation either, if professional riders cant get him going its highly unlikely you will ever improve him that much sorry to sound negative, but you should be enjoying yourself, you do it for fun!!
 
Sounds like the poor thing would shoot himself if someone gave him the gun.

I think you have tried all you can, if the owner wont do anything to help the horse, wont turn it out and wont let it have some fun I would stop riding it and let her get on with it.

Whilst I genuinely feel very sorry for the horse and angry at the owners attitude on your behalf, there is only so much you can say or do....if you are at the stage where you feel you are wasting your breath saying it then walk away, you are wasting your time.
 
Thanks all for your comments, it's really helped me get things clearer in my mind.

The horse is well in himself, bright and happy. He doesn't get much turnout - 2hrs tops a day, and is turned out with 1 horse in the next field to him. Gosh, when you put it all down it sounds awful doesn't it? I really like this young lad, and it breaks my heart to think of all the fun we could have if he were mine. I've thought about asking to buy him, but I wonder if he's be a bit of a vet's timebomb with his health issues (cribbing & lami).
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The owner paid about 3x what I could afford to buy him for, but I'm pretty sure he isn't worth a whole lot now.
 
I've had a horse like this to school. Didn't go forward from leg aids (or any other) at all. It was an evasion, as this horse didn't much want to work (broken late, at 7yo, chestnut mare).
I had to cure her by lunging her with a cavesson, line, boots and lunge whip, and just smacked her til I won and she eventually went forwards on the lunge.
Then rode her out on hacks - put a very soft bit in, didn't wear spurs, but insisted she react to every leg aid.
Soon she was fine and we never had a problem again...she just needed to know that I meant it when I said go forwards!
Hope you can sort your boy out, and make him respond to your leg. If you don't, his long term future looks bleak, so you'll be doing him a favour.
I'd hack and go gallopies in company (once you have initial obedience, obviously)>
Good luck
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The sad thing is, I have got him fairly responsive at home. I only tried spurs on him last week for the first time to try and refine my leg aid a bit. I think it's just blowing his mind when he goes out! I have a lesson this week so I will have a chat with instructor and owner, but to be honest I don't have much hope the owner will listen to what I have to say.
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This sounds like a case of cruelty to me.
The horse should be taken away from the owner and re-homed to someone that will love him and give him a better life.
 
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That's what I felt like saying yesterday!! He has been ridden by "professionals" but they don't get any more out of him than I do - sometimes even less!!

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Ah but professionals have different agendas to the rest of the world!! Their aim will be more competitive than ours (assuming you're like me and a happy amateur?!) and they will think nothing of schooling schooling and more schooling! I would be more concerned that my horse was happy and well, rather than working in an outline constantly!
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Um, excuse me.
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Not all professionals think like this - I want happy horses that go well for their owners, in the ring and out, thanks very much. This doesn't have to be at odds with correct riding or training - it is quite possible for a horse to compete successfully, go properly and still have an intact brain, healthy body and sunny outlook.

Of course all that takes more time, money, and honestly, sublimation of one's own ego than some people are interested providing but whatever.

To the OP, it sounds like you have some ideas on what this horse needs but are simply not allowed input. This is a shame, since you obviously care for the horse. But it's a fact. He is not your horse, in the end you have no control over the situation. And, I hazard to guess, at least part of the dilema MIGHT be the owner not wanting to admit the current plan isn't working. In which case, my friend, you are truly out of luck since if the owner is more interested in how she sees things than how the horse sees things then she is heavily invested in NOT having things work out, so long as it proves her beliefs. Not saying it is that way - I've never seen any of you, I have no clue - but I've certainly seen the dynamic in play before.

The horse clearly needs a check up and a different approach. You seem to know that and it would be wonderful if you could provide it but you can't. I know you like the horse and want to do right by him but maybe your energy would be better directed towards a horse you CAN have more control over, or at least with an owner you see eye to eye with. It may not sound the most selfless plan but it might be the most realistic.
 
I would personally stop riding the horse and try and find something else, I wouldn't buy him either. Riding is supposed to be fun for both you and the horse and from what you have said the horse really doesn't enjoy being ridden and maybe you would be doing it a favour by not riding it anymore
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Thanks cruiser, you seem to have got the idea of what's going on! I'm really not looking forward to my lesson now.
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And DD, maybe he doesn't enjoy being ridden that much but I can't help thinking he might enjoy it a bit more than being stuck in his stable doing absolutely nothing! It's so hard to know what's right.
 
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Thanks cruiser, you seem to have got the idea of what's going on! I'm really not looking forward to my lesson now.
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And DD, maybe he doesn't enjoy being ridden that much but I can't help thinking he might enjoy it a bit more than being stuck in his stable doing absolutely nothing! It's so hard to know what's right.

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You do know the right thing to do though, it is just a shame his owner doesn't and won't listen to you. I don't think I would cope with your owner very well. I do really feel you and wouldn't want to be in your situation at all.
 
Could you be backing off him at competitions then and he's either being naughty (thinking 'she'll never get after me here') or being insecure ('I don't know what to do and she isn't telling me so I'll just stop')?
What sort of things get him excited? What are his equine hobbies? Could you take him away for a weekend's trail riding (in company)? Would he enjoy being driven or doing side saddle? Or perhaps Le Trec?
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I didn't lose my temper with him yesterday but I certainly lost my patience. He had PC kicks and a bloody good smack with the schooling whip (on the instruction of the judge, lol!). I was telling him what to do but he wouldn't listen. This was after all the nicey nicey stuff by the way! I generally don't go round kicking and smacking.

And no I can't take him away or do anything vaguely interesting. Erm, have you read the posts,
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he can't go for a hack or pop a cross pole. So he sure can't go away for an activity packed weekend, as much as I would love him to!
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