Crisis of confidence - have I overhorsed myself?!

[Kittykins]

Bought my first horse about three weeks ago. She used to belong to a friend of mine, but wouldn't load with her. As a result, for the past year and a half she's done little more than hack out around the local lanes and is therefore rather rusty.

Meanwhile, my "horsy cv" is that I had regular lessons between the ages of about 9 and 14 at a local riding school, and then again at university from 18 - 21 on quite nice dressage horses doing lateral work etc. and a very little bit of jumping. Thereafter I mixed the occaisional lesson with the occaisional hack out and the occaisional ride on friends horses, and have therefore become a bit rusty myself. About four years ago I spent the summer teaching American style horseriding in the US; since then I've found a nice little hacking yard not far from here and hire a horse for a two hour jolly around the Ashdown forest every four to six months. Thus, although I have in the past been quite competent (I've jumped a little bit, but not for quite some years now), I'm now not particularly riding fit and a bit unsure of myself.

The last few weeks I've been taking the new mare into the school. She's quite lazy. I'm finding it difficult to get her into a decent outline, or create impulsion, and she falls in a lot, particularly on the left rein. Today I asked the yard owner at our livery yard to school her for me, and she went straight into a very nice outline, had a lot more energy, didn't fall in and even jumped some quite difficult combinations nicely.

He did admit that she is very rusty, rather stiff, was hard work and needs a lot of work to soften up and get her going, but it's plain to see that she has a lot of potential. She also has rather nice breeding.

I'm wondering whether to sell her and buy something that's a bit more straightforward; a bit of a schoolmaster. She's a lovely mare and would be perfect for someone a bit more experienced to bring on and really enjoy. On the other hand, in six months to a year, once I've got my confidence a bit more together, I might want something a bit more go-ey anyway. A friend on the yard assures me that I'm just being silly and will get fit quite quickly if riding regularly.

Don't know what to do

 

[PurplePickle]

You've only had her 3 weeks, it takes a lot longer to gel with a horse than that, Your YO is obviously more experienced so its easier for him. Give her time and get some lessons on her.

 

[xloopylozzax]

if you dont think its going to work ignore your friend and use your money and your time to buy something you will actually enjoy going to see.
I dont see the point in waiting and seeing if your gut says otherwise, sounds like you bought her because of what she was (which sounds great) and that she doesnt suit what you want her for now.
why waste time on something you dont enjoy, its a hobby afterall.

 

[celia]

I think you need to give yourself a bit more time to get back into riding and learn how to get the best out of her. I'd organise as many lessons as you can and get out on some hacks - you may find her more foward and it should be more enjoyable for both of you! If you're still unsure after another few weeks try giving yourself a goal with a time limit. Then if you're still not getting on together you can find yourself something else but you've had this experience to show you what you really want in a horse - and you may well have improved her schooling which could mean you get a better price. Good luck with whatever you do. Often these things just take time!

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Everyone who isn't me can get my mare into an outline. It upset me at first but I got over it!

I would give it more time. You will either grow to be a team or you wont. If you don't then sell her and hopefully the horse market will be better and the mare will be more schooled so you wont have wasted your time.