Can't work out what is best with this mare

[ChestnutConvert]

Long story short I have taken on a mare that needs restarting after having a foal. Bit of a gamble as her owner only got her when she was in foal so we couldn't be 100% on how she would be coming back into work.
I currently feel lost, we haven't progressed much if anything she is putting barriers up, not wanting to do more then walk in the school, started to mini rear when doesn't want to do something and so on. Going to book some lessons but I just can't get that spark or feeling that this is right.
I feel deep inside that I'm not the one to do this for her, if anything my confidence is being knocked and I guess I'm answering my own question really. If I had bought her she would be going off to be restarted so doesn't that tell me that I'm not the one to be doing this?

 

[JackFrost]

Restarting horses is not easy, depends on the horse but IMO it's best left to the experts or pros if you don't really know the background. Do you know why she was put in foal? Sometimes it's because the horse had problems as a ridden horse.
The resistance and rearing ring alarm bells. Could be physical issues and before restarting you would ideally want a complete physical check of everything. With respect, no I don't think you should continue, this should be done properly or not at all.

 

[Dexter]

If I had bought her she would be going off to be restarted so doesn't that tell me that I'm not the one to be doing this?

Yes. Why are you upsetting yourself and damaging your confidence sorting out someone elses issues?

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

I would be getting a full skeletal and physical check before going any further.
Does the owner know exactly what ridden work the mare had done previously?
Why she was put in foal?
If neither can be answered, then definitely a full vet check before doing anything more.

 

[Wishfilly]

Long story short I have taken on a mare that needs restarting after having a foal. Bit of a gamble as her owner only got her when she was in foal so we couldn't be 100% on how she would be coming back into work.
I currently feel lost, we haven't progressed much if anything she is putting barriers up, not wanting to do more then walk in the school, started to mini rear when doesn't want to do something and so on. Going to book some lessons but I just can't get that spark or feeling that this is right.
I feel deep inside that I'm not the one to do this for her, if anything my confidence is being knocked and I guess I'm answering my own question really. If I had bought her she would be going off to be restarted so doesn't that tell me that I'm not the one to be doing this?

Honestly, I think you should step away. Restarting a horse without known history is always risky, and if your confidence is being knocked, that is not great for you.

If you do decide to carry on, I think the owner needs to tell you/find out:

-Exactly what the mare has done in the past?
-Why she was put in foal?
-If the mare is medically healthy?
-How long she had off in total- was it just whilst pregnant, or was there a longer break first?

Do you know for sure that she was in full work before being put in foal? As my first suspicion would be she is resistant because she doesn't actually understand what is being asked of her!

 

[sport horse]

Maybe she was put in foal because they could not ride her? A pretty awful reason for breeding from anything but plenty of it goes on. Personally, I would not waste any time, money or most important confidence on her. There are plenty of nice horses out there and they all cost the same to feed and shoe etc. Harsh, I realise, but realistic.

 

[paddi22]

We get rescue horses in to restart and don't have any idea of their past histories. being honest, the worst ones that come in are mares that have just been used for breeding, as unless the have good bloodlines, they have usually just been put in foal because people couldn't ride them for whatever reason (physical/mental). if you took on this horse as a cheap project you would be better cutting your losses now because you will end up PUMPING money into a horse like this.

when we get them in they get a full check with vet, physio, farrier, dentist. there's no point even starting them at all until they are all checked out because even a tooth problem can just bring the whole thing to a halt. has the mare had a full check up for everything?

have you any idea was the mare ridden previously at all? we often don't have a clue here, but you can usually tell by their reaction to tack a lot of the time. have you done groundwork and long lining or did you pop straight on her?

it sound like your gut is telling you this is an enormous undertaking and you are right. can you return her?

 

[ChestnutConvert]

It's a long story but she was imported from spain by a lady that imports and sells, we have videos of her being ridden and jumped there. The current owner found out she was in foal the day before she bought her so of course we don't know exactly where when how.
You have all said what I am thinking although others have told me to not give up. I think the main thing is that I have now realised that it's too much for me to take on and I'd be much happier with a horse that is currently in work whether it is young or a bit older.
Luckily she is on loan so won't be a problem with her going back I just don't want to think that I have given up but my confidence is being knocked

 

[Lipglosspukka]

A horse that has previously been ridden and jumped should not be throwing up such extreme red flags when simply asked to trot.

My betting is she's in pain.

 

[fankino04]

I'd agree with the others and say it's not worth risking your confidence. I have a field ornament that I bought as an unbroken 3 year old, I found out several years later when I met someone who happened to have known her when she was younger that she had been attempted to be started several times and given up on each time as her behaviour was unmanageable. She actually had a sacroiliac issue from a badly locking stifle that took lots of work to keep on top of. I did get through her issues and had her going nicely but my confidence was too bashed to enjoy it and everytime we had some time off (even a week) it was hell to make myself get back on so instead I've stopped putting myself through it and let her chill in the field for the rest of her life.

 

[Muddywellies]

If you have discounted all pain related issues incl ulcers, then this horse needs restarting by a pro. In Spain, horses are handled very differently, meaning the horses are very compliant. Then they come over here to our lush grass, quality hay and feed, and very 'kind' handling, and sure enough, the wheels then fall off.
Unless you are extremely experienced and fearless, with real stickability, I would step aside and let someone else do it.

 

[JackFrost]

If you have discounted all pain related issues incl ulcers, then this horse needs restarting by a pro. In Spain, horses are handled very differently, meaning the horses are very compliant. Then they come over here to our lush grass, quality hay and feed, and very 'kind' handling, and sure enough, the wheels then fall off.
Unless you are extremely experienced and fearless, with real stickability, I would step aside and let someone else do it.

I have heard this before - horses that were great in Spain and became unrideable when they got here, just due to different riding and handling. Knowing her Spanish background, if her owner did want to pursue restarting, after all physical checks, a good idea might be a UK rider with a grounding in spanish horses.

 

[fiwen30]

I definitely wouldn’t be spending time, energy, and confidence on starting/restarting someone else’s bolshy ex-brood are for them! You’re just right in thinking that she should be sent off to be started professionally, and that’s up to her owner to do, not for you.

 

[ChestnutConvert]

have you any idea was the mare ridden previously at all? we often don't have a clue here, but you can usually tell by their reaction to tack a lot of the time. have you done groundwork and long lining or did you pop straight on her?

it sound like your gut is telling you this is an enormous undertaking and you are right.

I have videos of her being ridden when she was imported walk trot canter and a small jump, to be honest she has to be tied up to get the saddle on. Could be ulcers I guess but I suspect that her history isn't as straight forward as you'd like.

I think deep down I just know that this isn't the situation for me, there will be some one put there for her eventually

 

[Pinkvboots]

I think the owner needs to have a proper work up done on the horse by a vet before continuing to try to ride her, sounds like she has pain somewhere I would want to completely rule that out before carrying on or you are putting yourself at risk.

 

[HeyMich]

What tack/saddle are you using? Has it been fitted professionally and checked recently?

Either way, I'd pass on this one and get something more suitable.

 

[shortstuff99]

Is she Spanish bred (ie of PRE type) or a horse from Spain (like a warmblood)?

 

[Lois Lame]

Why have you been landed with the job, ChestnutConvert? This Spanish woman seems to be taking advantage of you.

 

[ChestnutConvert]

[

Is she Spanish bred (ie of PRE type) or a horse from Spain (like a warmblood)?

Part Spanish, unknown full breeding so not sure what she is crossed with

 

[ChestnutConvert]

Why have you been landed with the job, ChestnutConvert? This Spanish woman seems to be taking advantage of you.

I have been looking for a loan, took a chance I guess. Was always a gamble but sadly not one that seems to be going in my favour so I think I'm best to back out before something happens or I'm left with no confidence. The owner is genuine but she doesn't know much more than me I guess just that she was imported to here and then sold

 

[ester]

It's one of those things that there could be many different causes for, and even if you found one there then might be others. You don't own her so don't have control of the situation to go through all those.
From what you have written it would also seem to me that neither of you are going to do the other any good.

 

[shortstuff99]

[


Part Spanish, unknown full breeding so not sure what she is crossed with

To be honest they probably sold her to the UK knowing there was an issue. Unless you have experience of re-training Spanish horses (which can be tricky for riders at the best of times) I would cut my losses.

 

[skint1]

I think it's kind of you to try and help this mare and her owner, but if you aren't feeling confident I think it's not unreasonable to reassess the situation, not worth getting hurt for. Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[laura_nash]

I can't see how this can work out well for you. If you do get her sorted and going nicely (which would probably need to involve vet checks, saddle fittings and lessons at the min, not to mention your own time and effort) do you have any guarantee the owner won't take her back or sell her as soon as she's going ok?

 

[ChestnutConvert]

Thank you all, I think you have confirmed what I have been thinking. It was always a gamble but worth a try. There is someone out there for every horse and vice versa