Bit of a rant

eahotson said:
Love the bit about box rest horse and owner.
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You could tell them you bought the horse for you, not them. Their opinion is worthless. Remember, whatever you tell people becomes the truth. If I told people Beau was a sporty speed demon when in the mood, that was true. If I said he spooked at lots of things, that was also true. If I said he was a steady boy, that too was true (mostly). You can big up your horse by saying how brilliant on a hack and how happy you are to have her because of xyz. Good publicity works wonders.
 
ChristmasCinnamonCookie said:
You could tell them you bought the horse for you, not them. Their opinion is worthless. Remember, whatever you tell people becomes the truth. If I told people Beau was a sporty speed demon when in the mood, that was true. If I said he spooked at lots of things, that was also true. If I said he was a steady boy, that too was true (mostly). You can big up your horse by saying how brilliant on a hack and how happy you are to have her because of xyz. Good publicity works wonders.
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Good advice.
 
It is not their business.

My pony has a bit of spark, perhaps sometimes more than I would like but mostly he us a gem. I have heard of and seen over many years too many riders not enjoying their horses. Whether they were over horsed or chose a horse that didnā€™t do xc, dressage, hacking or whatever the rider wanted to do.
The most recent was
Why did they buy an unbroken 14.3 ish cob from Ireland for their novice grand daughter. The cob is still in shock, we think, after the journey. This little horse may be a gem too, but probably not yet.

You have chosen your happiness. Carry on enjoying it.
 
GoldenGlitterMum said:
I think a lot of people (of all ages) are actually afraid of their horse. I see them making bargains with themselves that they wont ride today because ...xyz. Criticising the quiet horses is part of how they keep their resolve and their place in the hierarchy.
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this is so true. my best friend had her horse for 5 years when she moved her to a yard where they were constantly telling her that her horse was naughty, rude etc. that horse is hands down one of the best horses I've ever met. my friend became so nervous that though that was two years ago and she's moved again, she still struggles with it. later we found out not one of those people were actually confident with their horses, and many of them were scared of their horses.

and op, I am 19 and would never dream of having anything but a safe sensible plod (who sometimes likes a gallop of the beach).
 
Well having just been battling to find a nice steady type for a friend in manageable size and settling for a sweet unbroken brood mare who will Iā€™m confident turn into a perfect steady eddy citizen with some food, body work and time Iā€™d probably reassure them that steady eddies that are true steady eddies in suitable size and nature for most amateurs are rarer rocking horse poo and is probably the most valuable horse on the yard šŸ˜˜šŸ˜‚

No but 100% agree with all the comments that a lot of the public are terrified of the dragon at the end of the lead rope. Regardless of wether itā€™s the sports model, TB, or even their cobs. People seem fixated on buying horses who are beyond their capabilities either ridden or on the ground. Iā€™m early 30s, and whilst my latest model is a gigantic Suffolk, often hard work gets dismissed of oh their all big dopes on a ropeā€¦ despite backing, schooling him etc like he came out the womb with manners and understanding of human expectations šŸ˜‚šŸ˜ i just smile and wave as I hack off into the distance on a loose rein šŸ˜œ
 
Maddie Moo said:
Iā€™m not particularly old (30 something) or arthritic but she sounds like my ideal horse as Iā€™m a bit of a wimp and easily lose my nerve!
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I am a bit oldish and didn't have a nerve to lose. Always been a wimp. Anyhow, for the moment I'm not thinking of getting another horse, but if I doooooo, I'll be waiting until I know I have found one like OP's.
 
GoldenGlitterMum said:
I think a lot of people (of all ages) are actually afraid of their horse. I see them making bargains with themselves that they wont ride today because ...xyz. Criticising the quiet horses is part of how they keep their resolve and their place in the hierarchy.
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That's actually very insightful. You've nailed the feeling I've had about this attitude. Couldn't put it into words myself until now though. Cobs rock!šŸ˜€
 
jumpingjo00 said:
this is so true. my best friend had her horse for 5 years when she moved her to a yard where they were constantly telling her that her horse was naughty, rude etc. that horse is hands down one of the best horses I've ever met. my friend became so nervous that though that was two years ago and she's moved again, she still struggles with it. later we found out not one of those people were actually confident with their horses, and many of them were scared of their horses.

and op, I am 19 and would never dream of having anything but a safe sensible plod (who sometimes likes a gallop of the beach).
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Good for you.
 
A good friend, was persuaded into selling her lovely coloured plod. she was told he was holding her back, so she sold him, bought a younger part sports horse, over horsed herself, had a nasty accident falling off when horse spooked, old boy one never spooked.
horses went on sales livery , she regrets it still. Her old cob went locally and she could see him on socials, doing stuff with new owner.
she only rides now and then now. Never bought another.
ignore them. Horse suits you. Itā€™s your life your horse. Enjoy each other
 
ROMANY 1959 said:
A good friend, was persuaded into selling her lovely coloured plod. she was told he was holding her back, so she sold him, bought a younger part sports horse, over horsed herself, had a nasty accident falling off when horse spooked, old boy one never spooked.
horses went on sales livery , she regrets it still. Her old cob went locally and she could see him on socials, doing stuff with new owner.
she only rides now and then now. Never bought another.
ignore them. Horse suits you. Itā€™s your life your horse. Enjoy each other
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Thank you.
 
Is lazy always a bad thing in a horse? My 'sporty' horse is quite lazy. She's also willing, reasonably athletic and enjoys the work but doesn't trouble herself with anything I don't ask her for. If I was to just drop the reins and sit there she would just come to a stop and then either stand around dozing or go on the hunt for something to eat. Whereas if I was to drop the reins and stop actively riding my native I would still be being merrily marched around the countryside this time next week.

One sj clinic that I went to with sporty mare summer last year had a woman with a wb that was nice but quite tricky and explosive and another woman with a medium weight hunter type that just kept beggering off with her, and at one point we had the hunter careering around threatening to jump the arena fence, the wb being walked in tense circles to try and keep it from exploding, while a light aircraft took off from the airstrip on the other side of the hedge, meanwhile Arty...stood in the middle of the school dozing off in the sun...

I'm a big fan of 'work smarter not harder' types
 
DabDab through the snow said:
Is lazy always a bad thing in a horse? My 'sporty' horse is quite lazy. She's also willing, reasonably athletic and enjoys the work but doesn't trouble herself with anything I don't ask her for. If I was to just drop the reins and sit there she would just come to a stop and then either stand around dozing or go on the hunt for something to eat. Whereas if I was to drop the reins and stop actively riding my native I would still be being merrily marched around the countryside this time next week.

One sj clinic that I went to with sporty mare summer last year had a woman with a wb that was nice but quite tricky and explosive and another woman with a medium weight hunter type that just kept beggering off with her, and at one point we had the hunter careering around threatening to jump the arena fence, the wb being walked in tense circles to try and keep it from exploding, while a light aircraft took off from the airstrip on the other side of the hedge, meanwhile Arty...stood in the middle of the school dozing off in the sun...

I'm a big fan of 'work smarter not harder' types
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You know what, you are exactly right.I was riding my cob in the indoor of my old yard with a young girl on one of the other liveries horses.It started to act up big time.Cob, still only about 4 at the time ,just stood there looking at it and plainly thinking "What a silly thing to do!".I got off and led her into the yard so I could get help for the increasingly frightened girl.
 
eahotson said:
You know what, you are exactly right.I was riding my cob in the indoor of my old yard with a young girl on one of the other liveries horses.It started to act up big time.Cob, still only about 4 at the time ,just stood there looking at it and plainly thinking "What a silly thing to do!".I got off and led her into the yard so I could get help for the increasingly frightened girl.
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This ^^^ !!
I went on a group hack from the yard on a windy morning on "boring, stupid, lazy cob", AKA the lovely Tommy who is exactly what I need. Horse in front had a fit because a piece of litter slid towards us down the road so I politely suggested that I might lead for a bit while the more interesting horses calmed down. Had a lovely enjoyable ride but all manner of "airs above the ground" going on behind me.
Personally I wouldn't follow any of the advice regards sharp replies, I'd just smile & walk away. Your point will be made over time anyway.
 
eahotson said:
I am old now with some arthritis and limited nerve.I bought myself a nice steady eddie who is genuinely very quiet.You can get her to work but you have to be a bit disciplined.I am tired of people telling me she is a lazy cob who doesn't want to work.It is off putting and in a subtle way destroying of my confidence.I wouldn't dream off going up to someone and criticising their choice of horse.I try and rise above it.Thanks for listening.
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My 'lazy cob' has PSSM1, so is practically moving backwards at the start of hacks and also stops in a wee stance quite often (this is a classic PSSM1 symptom and one that pushed me to test). We have a yard know-it-all who last week laughed (again) and said 'I think that's behavioural' (he did actually have a big wee at the first patch of grass after leaving the yard). I laughed back and silently added 'Just as well I don't give a flying f*** what you think'. Same KIA was seen the other day trying to ram a double bit in a poor horse that won't even take a single bit from her and is often observed being walked to the field by her horses. She also leaves them in head collars as she can't catch them. You get the idea. That's why I don't bite. Too busy chuckling I guess.
 
Fransurrey said:
My 'lazy cob' has PSSM1, so is practically moving backwards at the start of hacks and also stops in a wee stance quite often (this is a classic PSSM1 symptom and one that pushed me to test). We have a yard know-it-all who last week laughed (again) and said 'I think that's behavioural' (he did actually have a big wee at the first patch of grass after leaving the yard). I laughed back and silently added 'Just as well I don't give a flying f*** what you think'. Same KIA was seen the other day trying to ram a double bit in a poor horse that won't even take a single bit from her and is often observed being walked to the field by her horses. She also leaves them in head collars as she can't catch them. You get the idea. That's why I don't bite. Too busy chuckling I guess.
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If your horse is doing that they are symptomatic and you need to tweak their management.When you get it right they are no different to any other horse.

And OP I think its been mentioned a few times now, but you horse shows many symptoms of PSSM1 and is just the right type and age to be symptomatic. It might well be that people are seeing that and knowing something is a bit off and not knowing what.
 
These days I really do try to blanc statements like that.
My favourite ever comeback was when I was on a building site with an artic to turn round.
One of the builders was all cocky in front of his mates and said the predictable...can't you reverse that. I was trying to think of a witty comeback so I didn't reply and he repeated the same witty question.
My reply to that was..." I heard you the first time, I was just giving you time to realise what a c@#Ā£ you are"
Brutal I know but it left him with no doubts!
 
I get this a lot with my pony. Condescending people who I suspect in reality are jealous. I get the odd comment about my being older and lucky to have a quiet pony to plod/hack/happy hacker not a competition horsey. Guess who is the only person and horsey on the yard who has won and been affiliated dressage , trec and showing including this yearā€¦pony just quietly gets on with it.
 
DabDab through the snow said:
Is lazy always a bad thing in a horse? My 'sporty' horse is quite lazy. She's also willing, reasonably athletic and enjoys the work but doesn't trouble herself with anything I don't ask her for. If I was to just drop the reins and sit there she would just come to a stop and then either stand around dozing or go on the hunt for something to eat. Whereas if I was to drop the reins and stop actively riding my native I would still be being merrily marched around the countryside this time next week.

One sj clinic that I went to with sporty mare summer last year had a woman with a wb that was nice but quite tricky and explosive and another woman with a medium weight hunter type that just kept beggering off with her, and at one point we had the hunter careering around threatening to jump the arena fence, the wb being walked in tense circles to try and keep it from exploding, while a light aircraft took off from the airstrip on the other side of the hedge, meanwhile Arty...stood in the middle of the school dozing off in the sun...

I'm a big fan of 'work smarter not harder' types
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My native is similar in fact I think she'd rather I drop the reins and let her do her thing šŸ¤£ that said she doesn't expend unnecessary energy spooking or running off. Everyone on my yard has native and cobs though, mine is the smallest. There are some odd attitudes in the horse world isn't there, I mean why criticise someone else's horse who you don't have to ride or handle and whose owner clearly enjoys. What is the point šŸ¤·
 
I'm Dun said:
If your horse is doing that they are symptomatic and you need to tweak their management.When you get it right they are no different to any other horse.

And OP I think its been mentioned a few times now, but you horse shows many symptoms of PSSM1 and is just the right type and age to be symptomatic. It might well be that people are seeing that and knowing something is a bit off and not knowing what.
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I'm aware of that, thanks. He was going great guns earlier in the year and throughout the summer, enough that we got some great endurance rides in, but the constant changing weather this Autumn is playing havoc. I'm on livery and it's simply not possible to change management on a daily basis, which is how the weather has been changing from freezing to wet, to sunny!!
 
Ditto, Fransurrey. I have two type 2 TBs and one in particular was going extremely well a few weeks ago. With the cold and wet, neither now want to go out of walk, despite my doing my level best to manage them. So many people seem to think, oh, chuck them some vitamin E and theyā€™ll be fine. Whereas it sends both of mine loopy.

Good luck with yours! Management of PSSMs is a lot harder than people realise, especially when a lot of the time there seems to be no rhyme or reason to it!
 
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