Anyone looking for a substantial project horse?

Booboos said:
I don't mean to antagonise you but 25-35 pounds per hour is not an unreasonable amount to pay someone to sort out a horse you are having terrible problems with. If you can't afford this, fair enough, but then you need to give the horse away to someone who is able and willing to deal with it and hope for the best.
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I used to pay a national level dressage instructor £7.00 for 20 mins schooling and she was brilliant , so I dont think so!!!
Some people really think they can take the michael with their costs IMO!
My husband earns that for a HUGE amount of responsibility moving million pound cranes around the world. People really try it on when one needs a bit of basic help or back up!, And I am not, as you say "having terrible problems with him" , he has been an angel in practically every way, except for one fairly minor (now) incident in the round pen when I was seriously at fault, not him. I am just old, tired and not as quick witted as I used to be and feel that I can;t take him to the next level without assistance. He has performed exemplory so far and is a lovely young horse with loads of potential.
 
hadfos said:
Dont know were you are based but i used to work on the Woodheads yard and they didnt charge that a wk for breaking livery!I would highly reccommend them,the girls they have working for them are second to none!And i have seen them work wonders with some serious headcases :D
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PM me with where they are but no he is no headcase, just a lovely youngster with a genuine attitude, bit stubborn if anything like a typical Irish cob....
 
Seriously, drop JanetGeorge a PM, she's worked wonders with some forum horses and comes across as very kind and knowledgeable. Are you anywhere near her place?

£25 an hour is extortionate!! I don't know prices of breaking livery now, but it used to be about £125 a week a couple of years ago.

as for the loading, if you can find somewhere to send the horse could you contact one of the transporters and explain? A lot are VERY experienced with bad loaders and will be a case of 'get it on', job done, horse moved. If anyone here knows of someone who could transport?

After that, if he;s still too much for you, then least you'll have a basis to sell him to a good home? If he's been backed and hacked out even he'll be worth more than just a 'blank project', and you'll have peace of mind of knowing you've secured his future a little, which is what i feel you're worrying about.
 
missieh said:
I believe that if you look on one of the natural horsemanship sites they often advertise for horses to be used at their demonstrations (Kelly Marks et al). May be worth talking to someone (I think its Intelligent Horsemanship) to see if that is a possibility or just for advice, as you could even get him broken in for free!!

By the way I recently had a 2-hour session with a trainer and it was probably the best money I have ever spent, to get my bolshy cob under control. As much as anything it taught me how to teach him and my confidence came back with it. It does sound like you have lost confidence in which case a couple of sessions with a trainer would be a wise investment. It is also hard (as I know) to cope with a problem horse on your own. That way, you can gain some ground work confidence with him to at least be able to sell him. Without some basic groundwork I fear that he could end up in the wrong hands. Don't end your horsey days on a bad note! If you are in or near Norfolk then I can recommend my brilliant trainer (pm me). Best of luck
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i totally agree with you there, possibly just need some basic outside help in dealing with him. I would be happy to pay someone if there was someone available. The instructor I had I think was utterly clueless as she tried bulllying tactics with him and got nowhere but still charged me £25.00! , never a great idea with a big lump of a horse to try to bully or intimidated them, and others in the local area I am deeply suspicious of in that they might try to make out that horse has major issues and problems that only they can resolve so that I sell him to them cheap but I am not that inexperienced or naieve - really!, - I had one trainer that had my previous young horse on full schooling livery tell me that she could have sold him to Tim Dowds if she had only known I had planned to sell him and had let her know my intentions '( ie she planned to make a profit out of me and my horse, FFS !!! (PM me if you require details)
 
itsme123 said:
Seriously, drop JanetGeorge a PM, she's worked wonders with some forum horses and comes across as very kind and knowledgeable. Are you anywhere near her place?

£25 an hour is extortionate!! I don't know prices of breaking livery now, but it used to be about £125 a week a couple of years ago.

as for the loading, if you can find somewhere to send the horse could you contact one of the transporters and explain? A lot are VERY experienced with bad loaders and will be a case of 'get it on', job done, horse moved. If anyone here knows of someone who could transport?

After that, if he;s still too much for you, then least you'll have a basis to sell him to a good home? If he's been backed and hacked out even he'll be worth more than just a 'blank project', and you'll have peace of mind of knowing you've secured his future a little, which is what i feel you're worrying about.
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So very true, I care a lot about this lovely fellow, want the best for him even if that not me. think I defo need to get him backed and ridden away. He is so sweet and I feel huge level of responsbility for him, and also acknowledge I may well be his best option in the absence of kind competant help in the region I am forced to reside (for now!) .
 
It's not a good position you are in at the moment.

Horses are very difficult to sell just now, and there are lots of them on the market. Some people are struggling to give horses away in the current financial climate, and the charity homes are struggling for space.

The prices you quote for training/handling are not unusual. I work with horses on a freelance basis. My clients willingly pay me £30 per hour. I don't think that is unreasonable given that I bring my own equipment, use my skills and energy, drive myself there, risk injury, get the job done with the minimum fuss and least distress for the horse, teach the owner, and I am always on the end of the phone to offer advice. All my work comes by recommendation.

Your horse will not be different to any other I have worked with. He will need firm and fair handling and, because he is just a youngster, he will need to be carefully educated in how to behave in-hand.

The first thing any young horse has to learn is how to yield to gentle pressure from a halter. That fundamental lesson is the most important in any young horse's education. Once he learns that, everything else falls into place. That is the basis for teaching trust and compliance, and helps with teaching him to lead in-hand, stand when asked without being bargy, tie up, and is important all the way through his education to a ridden or driven horse.

It takes experience, a lot of self belief, and not a little bravery to take on big youngsters which have missed out on that basic education. However, when one knows that all horses react similarly to simple cues, especially when they are treated fairly and consistently, and are given a chance to learn without being chastised for making mistakes, one finds it easy to work with them.

That is why the handler/trainer asks the fee, and why a smart owner pays it.
 
AengusOg said:
The first thing any young horse has to learn is how to yield to gentle pressure from a halter. That fundamental lesson is the most important in any young horse's education. Once he learns that, everything else falls into place. That is the basis for teaching trust and compliance, and helps with teaching him to lead in-hand, stand when asked without being bargy, tie up, and is important all the way through his education to a ridden or driven horse.
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I have taught him to yield to halter pressure and he is doing it very nicely now, he backs up well, halts on "whoa" and leads. He has not done anything wrong apart from one tantrum in the round pen, nothing since. He ties up to a rubber inner tube for for at least an hour, and quietly. What he has learned from me has been good, my problem is that I do not feel confident enough, on my own, to start the whole backing process. Thts why I thought maybe I should sell him to someone who can, however, today I have a lovely lady coming up to see him, and she is local! to help get him started properly, she is very highly qualified and runs a local riding for disabled school. So I am really hopeful that I will be able to get him up and running so to speak, and doing a useful job and that I will be able now to keep him, as I do love him to bits!

Will keep you all posted and many many thanks for all your comments and messages, you support has been gratefully received.
 
I've had a few 'spotty's' over the years and they have all been a pain in the arse!

Why not part X him for something you can cope with better. Horses are supposed to give pleasure and not stress.

Good luck with whatever you decide.
 
He is going off on monday toi be started!!!
Its local and a lovely set up where I can easily see how things are going and take part. He will be staying there after for schooling livery and then DIY so that I have people around access to a school and instruction. I am so delighted. Never wanted to part with him really just needed some support and assistance and someone around for back up.
So thanks for all you help and contributions. Keep fingers crossed that this all works out!
 
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