Dilemma -WWYD?

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roz84

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I will try to keep this short....! About 6 months ago I was given a pony. She had failed a vetting due to diastema in her teeth. Her owners gave her to my friend (who was going to buy her but walked away after failed vetting), friend had her for a week in which time she was very naughty and pulled her over face first in the mud a few times, so friend gave her to me (I was looking to buy at that time too).

Roll on 6 months and she's fab - bit quirky on the ground but not nasty in any way, just liable to b****r off if she feels like it and thinks she can get away with it - she doesn't do it with me but did clear off back to the gate 5 times the other day when daughter bringing her in. She now loads like a dream which she didn't when she arrived either. We have been to a show and done some dressage (intro) and 50/60cm showjumping classes and always been placed. She is good hacking alone and in company and never silly. We have been to the beach and on fun rides and she was great every time.

Sounds perfect doesn't she! Problem is I want to be able to concentrate a bit more on jumping and dressage and quite frankly Pony will never be brilliant at it, she just hasn't got the build or the inclination (think heavy set, a bit lazy and not very careful) - however as she was a gift to me I don't know what to do. She just isn't my dream horse I suppose, although as I said there is nothing wrong with her and she's beautiful, just perhaps not athletic enough for me (my friend calls her my quad bike)!

What would other people do in this situation? I definitely wouldn't want to upset the people who gave her to me by selling her, although I know they also don't want her back. I also can't afford to keep 2 horses either otherwise it would be a no brainer. I realise that I probably sound extremely ungrateful too, I can assure everyone that I am not!
 
What about putting her on full loan. You didn't buy her so its not like you're out of pocket, you'd just have to consider that she might come back and then you'd either have to re-loan or find another solution.
 
Elvis said:
What about putting her on full loan. You didn't buy her so its not like you're out of pocket, you'd just have to consider that she might come back and then you'd either have to re-loan or find another solution.
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I hadn't thought of that. It could well be a good solution, actually the yard I am at has good facilities so may see if anyone would be interested in loaning her from there!
 
My cob who isnt for me, but has some issues, is on permanent loan. Hes older and does have some minor issues, and I have discussed with his loaner that he wont be coming back, he will be PTS where he is. Not as a threat, but so we both know, and she agrees with me that its not right to pass him around. To all intents and purposes he is HER horse, I just retain legal ownership so I can ensure his future. Not quite the same for your horse but might be an option. You have to be VERY careful, but it can work :)
 
I would keep her and do whatever she's capable of. She sounds like a lot of fun. I think you're crazy to ignore all her good points for an unknown horse, but that's just me. Have you tried doing xc on her? Horses who are careless show jumping can sometimes be good xc where they know the fences won't knock down. Otherwise I find a quick smack as they land if they hit a jump that's easily within their capability gets the message across that they should go over the jump not through it. You have to be quick with the smack though and totally sure its not the riders fault the horse knocked it. Laziness can be rectified by schooling. But if you really don't want her then loaning could work so you can have her back if you change your mind.
 
Sugar_and_Spice said:
I would keep her and do whatever she's capable of. She sounds like a lot of fun. I think you're crazy to ignore all her good points for an unknown horse, but that's just me. Have you tried doing xc on her? Horses who are careless show jumping can sometimes be good xc where they know the fences won't knock down. Otherwise I find a quick smack as they land if they hit a jump that's easily within their capability gets the message across that they should go over the jump not through it. You have to be quick with the smack though and totally sure its not the riders fault the horse knocked it. Laziness can be rectified by schooling. But if you really don't want her then loaning could work so you can have her back if you change your mind.
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This is exactly what I am wrestling with, she is lots of fun and I feel guilty even having these thoughts! I havent taken her xc although it is on my to do list. We are also going hunting next weekend which I expect will be a blast. Maybe I should stop thinking the grass is greener and be contented with her!
 
Your lucky to have such a fun horse! I would keep her for now and invest in some lessons with an instructor who knows how to get the best from these types. Sometimes they just need sharpening up and also having then very fit and lean helps a lot too.

I think that the hunting and XC schooling will go a long way to making her respect show jumps too.

Where there is a will there's a way and all horses are capable of any discipline!

I would give it a really good go first. If you still feel that she isn't good enough for what you want then sell her. She will benefit from the extra schooling and exposure and the previous owners shouldn't begrudge you the money for the hard work you have put in
 
If you do decide to sell, what's stopping you from sharing some of the money with the original owners? Obviously you have put in the work so you could keep most of it but it may stop you feeling guilty!
 
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