Difficult Decision

[DressageDiva1962]

Need some honest opinions please.......

I can't make up my mind as to whether or not retire my 30 year old pony, he's been with me since he was 12 and still a fit and lively ride, BUT as I've got older I have put on weight and I am now 11 stone and desparately trying to loose weight. I've gained 2 stone in the last 5 years and I am struggling to shift it now, my pony is 14.1hh arab x and we recently moved to a new area, but the hacking out is very hilly and bridlepath's quite rocky so those are out of the question, I used to ride him everyday until we moved in August this year and he is showing signs of struggling to cope with the steep hills, I have an 8 year old girl who comes to ride him occassionally and he is as good as gold with her despite his spooky nature, he dosent put a foot wrong but as soon as I get on him, since August he's been spooking and napping, which he has never done before in his life, he has been the safest pony on the planet and I wonder if this is because he is trying to tell me to get off !!!

I am so sad and mixed up, I just dont know what to do for the best, should I retire him or carry on riding despite not feeling comfortable about it. He has given me so much pleasure over the years and I just want to do what is best for him, he'll stay with me for the rest of his life whatever decision I have to make.

Thank you.

 

[kerilli]

Umm, well, I'd probably lead him out instead of riding him, at least for a while, it'll be great exercise for both of you, if you think he'd be bored out in a field for the rest of his days. Have you had his eyes checked, just a thought, that could be the cause of the spookyness.

 

[Cazza525]

I wouldn't retire him totally yet. I would continue to let this girl ride him every so often to get out and about for a potter,but I think your instinct maybe right and that you maybe a little too much for him now

 

[stencilface]

I too would get his eyes checked tbh. We have a 25 yo 14.2 pony (welshxtb) who still gets ridden, and I am 11 stone. He still is fine with the weight though - his poor behaviour hasn't changed since he was 7 (and we were lighter!).

Lead him out, and let this girl ride him maybe - The helpful people on HHO have some great tried and tested ways of weighloss if thats what you want to do

TBH arabs can be as hard as nails, so I don't think you're exactly squashing him.

 

[DressageDiva1962]

I wouldn't retire him totally yet. I would continue to let this girl ride him every so often to get out and about for a potter,but I think your instinct maybe right and that you maybe a little too much for him now

Thank you for your honest comment, I just needed someone else to tell me, my boyfriend insists that I am not too heavy for him, but with tack and all my riding clothes he's probably carrying not far off 13 stone. He is my pony of a life time and I want to do what's best, nothing wrong with his eye sight, he had his yearly check up in March and the vet said he really is amazing for his age. I've just a little pony to keep him company and he looks happier than he has for a long time. Thanks again.