Any suggestions....

[jennyshadow]

i am thought to be very lucky in owning an absolutely stunning mare who has many good points she is a fantastic hack, never spooky, very quiet and laidback and extremely easy to do. HOWEVER when it comes to schooling and particularly showing she turns into an absolute nightmare. she simply will not go forward and is basically far too laidback. ive had her 3 years and feel i have moved on but she hasnt. when i bought her laidback was exactly what i wanted. we have tried feeding her up with high energy competition mix etc with little success. when out hacking she enjoys herself and is very willing to do as asked however anything else is becoming a battle and at the moment im very frustrated. has anybody got any suggestions or have experience with a situation like this.

 

[Bosworth]

I had a mare like this about 6 years ago - she was stunning - county level middleweight hunter, wasa fantastic horse to hack, and hunt and around the stable, she travelled like a dream, she jumped anything at home and in training BUT at shows she could not cope - she was always pulled in on her looks, Robert Oliver loved her until he rode her then she switched off, she would not give a gallop, her paces became short and un impressive. We tried jumping her in competition but she would refuse and be eliminated at fence 1. She could not compete, we had to accept it. We think that being shown as a foal and a broodmare had blown her mind, she just switched off.

We sold her to a lovely man who wanted to hunt and hack - the perfect home for her

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

Sometimes the horse you first buy is ideal for you...at that particular time....but things change as you've mentioned. You have moved on & want to do more, possibly the horse you have will not be the one to take you there. It's sad but this happens alot with ponies. People have 'The First pony', nice & quiet & safe but later the rider wants something a bit quicker/sharper/higher ability. Sometimes it doesn't matter what feed you put into them they aren't going to change.

I don't know enough about your horse to be sure, but this may be what is happening.......good luck

 

[Walder]

had EXACTLY the same experience as you - my first pony 14.2 hh ex riding school cob - laid back but naughty no stamina gave me so much confidence - hated schooling as she was all schooled out - i had 5 1/2 yrs of fun on her did pleasure rides ect but had to feed her oats/and/or racing mix to get the energy she nedded to do what i wanted - but last year i realised after one ride that she just couldnt manage the work - i rode back to the venue in tears as i realised i had to sell her into semi retirement. It was the hardest thing i ever had to do she was my soul mate and i loved her with all my heart. if i could have afforded to keep her as well as another i would. But i found a fantastic home for her with a lady who loves her as much as i do i am in touch with her new owner on a regualr basis and she is very happy plodding round the block a couple of times a week and eating to her hearts content - i can go and see her when i want. I cry about her nearly every week even after a year and i long to have her back but i know i did the right thing for her - so, in short you never get over something like that but sometimes you have to pay them back for all the times they did their best for you! Now im crying for the 2nd time this week about her! x x x