Do I event/get a new horse? WWYD?

[Lynds]

I don't know what to do and I am hoping that writing this down and getting some feedback from here will help me to decide.

I have a very nice Irish horse who I brought to event. The goal was 1* he was coming along quite nicely and jumped consistently at BE/unaff100.
Sadly he injured his sacroiliac in mid 2021 and since then I have worked really hard and spent lots of time, money and tears to get him back to almost sound. But he still isn't '100% right' and I suspect he never will be.
I suspect he may have always had a back end issue (pelvis?) which has resulted in him always dragging hind feet, not being careful at jumps and being a twat for the farrier; but he is now back to the point that he happily jumping 90cm and I think I wouldn't want to push him beyond that for his and my safety.

So do I adjust my goal to just being happy at 90cm SJ/Dr, drag hunting and maybe arena eventing, or do I get another horse to event and pursue my goal?

But do I even want to event? I get very nervous before I compete and the cost feels like a rip off, even the local PC event was £80! It also used to be a social thing, but now none/very few of my friends event either and lots of the local events have stopped running. I am just not sure. Its so interlinked with how I see myself! I am not sure I can imagine feeling motivated to train and get up to ride in the winter if its not for a bigger aim such as next step BE? .....And if I do stick with just the current horse, how long before he breaks again. Plus he makes me feel a bit nervous as he just doesn't put much effort in at a fence. He is quite economical but has hit fences (fixed) in the past.

I am lucky that I can afford another horse (albeit I already have 2 others that are also retired!) but do I want the hassle/time of having 4 horses and 2 in work, especially over winter when I have limited turn out.
I can not get rid of the 2 retired as they are v old/awkward and I absolutely love my Irish horse, and at this point I don't feel I could bear to sell him either. He spends all day standing to be kissed and being cuddled and canters to see me etc.

I just cant decide and change my mind constantly. Thoughts?!

 

[Muddy unicorn]

How would you feel if someone told you you could never event again? Terribly sad? Relieved? What do you really enjoy about riding, and which activities would maximise that?

 

[sbloom]

I know it's not what you asked, but did you rehab him posturally, lifting his thoracic sling? Here's a post that shows a before and after the programme I recommend, it will help him for sure, and might bring him back to be the "horse you bought" - https://www.facebook.com/cherokee87...YRKWP1rTP1s6V5ueJBF2Ld44zt6M5FVxV2NoSFQjAEDRl. Her website is wilmagicllc.com and you'll find the most out about her methods on her page https://www.facebook.com/wildmagicllc

 

[Glitter's fun]

I voted get a new horse to event. That will allow you to give your Irish horse all the time in the world for more rest & rehab. Would take all the pressure off him needing to do lower level eventing & hunting. The new horse will be the type that would easily re-sell if Irish horse comes good eventually, or if you decide you don't want to continue.

 

[TPO]

Could you look at doing something else with the current horse? If neither of your hearts are in eventing there are loads of other things that you might find fun and still give you something to aim for. Off the top of my head Working Equitation, tilting, TREC, endurance, horse back archery, side saddle, western, agility type thing. None of which probably sound very exciting compared to eventing but it's a way to meet new people and develop new skills that you might find yourself enjoying.

Alternatively I'd look for a new horse and a sharer for current horse. Having someone as company when taking new horse out hacking etc is always helpful and even if they didn't pay but helped with work load and moving poles for you etc that can be worth it's weight in gold

 

[Michen]

Doesn't it depend on how you feel about the horse?

To me, NOTHING comes before my current horse. Not riding, eventing, hacking. Whilst I love all of those things dearly there is no way I would ever part with him or sell him to enable myself to ride/compete- it would be like selling a family member.

The fact you are even posting this suggests you don't feel that way, in which case I'd absolutely sell and get something that ticks all those boxes. Horses are expensive and if your priority and aspirations are to continue up the levels then you should follow that, else you'll have regret.

 

[IrishMilo]

I'd sell the horse you have now to a low level PC home and get a new one. From experience you can't really adjust a happiness goal... if someone told me I could only jump 90cm on a particular horse I wouldn't feel happy as I would no longer feel challenged and the enjoyment of riding for me is feeling a bit scared and pushed out of my comfort zone.

 

[Lynds]

How would you feel if someone told you you could never event again? Terribly sad? Relieved? What do you really enjoy about riding, and which activities would maximise that?

That is a great questions. Tearful... maybe that's my answer!

 

[Lynds]

Doesn't it depend on how you feel about the horse?

To me, NOTHING comes before my current horse. Not riding, eventing, hacking. Whilst I love all of those things dearly there is no way I would ever part with him or sell him to enable myself to ride/compete- it would be like selling a family member.

The fact you are even posting this suggests you don't feel that way, in which case I'd absolutely sell and get something that ticks all those boxes. Horses are expensive and if your priority and aspirations are to continue up the levels then you should follow that, else you'll have regret.

Thanks for replying. I'll amend my post as its may not not clear. the question wasn't should I sell, but should I buy... . I can not sell the bloody wonky irish horse because I do adore him and if it was a choice of him or eventing/riding I would keep him and not ride.
I am rubbish at parting ways with my horses. (hence why I still have a 27 year old, brought at 3 and retired at 11, and a 21 year old, retired 6 years ago too!). I am very lucky that I can afford to have 4. I just don't really want 4! :-/ but what you want and what you get don't always align do they?...

 

[Lynds]

I'd sell the horse you have now to a low level PC home and get a new one. From experience you can't really adjust a happiness goal... if someone told me I could only jump 90cm on a particular horse I wouldn't feel happy as I would no longer feel challenged and the enjoyment of riding for me is feeling a bit scared and pushed out of my comfort zone.

Maybe if I had a new project I might be able to consider loaning him out. He is at pony club camp this week with a girl from the village so its might be an option...

 

[claracanter]

I would suggest loaning if you don’t want the extra hassle of riding two. You hear a lot of horror stories but I loaned one of mine out for a couple of years and it was perfect. Getting a sharer is also an option. If you are in a position to get another horse, go for it. Who doesn’t like horse shopping? Life is too short to regret not giving eventing another go.

 

[SO1]

The season is almost over I would wait until January and see how you feel as then you would be out of winter which is the hard time.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

In your situation I'd definitely buy another to event.

 

[Lynds]

The season is almost over I would wait until January and see how you feel as then you would be out of winter which is the hard time.

Yes, and of course that's the next step if I do decide to get another.. Do I get this side of winter and have winter of training and gelling with it (It would be a younger horse), or wait until the spring and its all easier... honestly I am so bored of myself...

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Again in your situation I'd buy now so you can get to know each other over winter, ready for next season. If you don't start looking till Spring you mnay not find one till Summer or be ready to go out eventing till the end of the season! If your dream is to event, why waste a full season just to avoid winter chores?

 

[ihatework]

Yes, and of course that's the next step if I do decide to get another.. Do I get this side of winter and have winter of training and gelling with it (It would be a younger horse), or wait until the spring and its all easier... honestly I am so bored of myself...

If you are going for a young horse then definitely get one to prep over winter.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Again in your situation I'd buy now so you can get to know each other over winter, ready for next season. If you don't start looking till Spring you mnay not find one till Summer or be ready to go out eventing till the end of the season! If your dream is to event, why waste a full season just to avoid winter chores?

But then again I would not have this dilemma as I know that eventing is the things that gets me up and out in the morning. Even at my very lowly level! I was also lucky enough to be able to buy another after retiring Amber - the horse in my avatar. I will never sell/loan/get rid of Amber but once I worked out I could afford another anyway, there was no decision to be made - apart from which horse to buy!

 

[Boulty]

That's a difficult thing for a stranger to answer but if you're not sure that you're enjoying the eventing anymore anyway now that a lot of the people you were friends with have stopped doing it & there are less local events would trying a few other disciplines that are within the current horse's abilities be an option? Would something like Endurance, TREC etc be of any interest to you? Just thinking you could give a few new things a go & you'll either love being out & about doing things with your boy even if they aren't what you originally imagined or you'll feel like there's something missing & have a longing to get back out eventing (in which case yes you probably do need another horse to get you there)

 

[Michen]

Thanks for replying. I'll amend my post as its may not not clear. the question wasn't should I sell, but should I buy... . I can not sell the bloody wonky irish horse because I do adore him and if it was a choice of him or eventing/riding I would keep him and not ride.
I am rubbish at parting ways with my horses. (hence why I still have a 27 year old, brought at 3 and retired at 11, and a 21 year old, retired 6 years ago too!). I am very lucky that I can afford to have 4. I just don't really want 4! :-/ but what you want and what you get don't always align do they?...

Oh sorry! Well absolutely buy another horse. Is that even a Q

 

[AandK]

If I could afford to get another one to event, then absolutely I would! Go for it I say...

 

[Barton Bounty]

I was going to vote buy another and the people above are saying the same, maybe the girl riding him would like to loan him? That would take a bit of pressure off ? so get a new horsey ?

 

[Lynds]

I was going to vote buy another and the people above are saying the same, maybe the girl riding him would like to loan him? That would take a bit of pressure off ? so get a new horsey ?

yes I did try and persuade her mum to take him and swop for their green 5 year old, but mum wasn't convinced... hahaha.

 

[Barton Bounty]

yes I did try and persuade her mum to take him and swop for their green 5 year old, but mum wasn't convinced... hahaha.

Failing that, im sure you will find a good willing little rider to take him on ?

 

[Merry neddy man]

My thoughts are always meet the goals, or get as close as possible with what you have, but you feel this is not close enough with your current horse or possibly not safe which is so vital so the answer is have fun with him doing other activities and get the horse who will get you to your goal. Now is the time to buy yes they are expensive but you only live once so by looking now will mean you may find what you need in a month or so, and have a winter to get super fit some hunting to give some education and some indoor dressage and showjumping come spring your ready to do100 at the tail end of next year maybe getting close to your 1* goal If you dont look till spring you may not buy till autumn and another year is lost/ wasted, your Irish can be hacked by a friend/ loaner so you have company and friendship and the desire to get on with it and once your out competing you will make new friends moving up the grades together. Go out and buy now and meet those goals, life is for living not for wondering.

 

[Squeak]

It sounds like you should get another and possibly try and find a sharer or loaner for your current Irish one.

If you get another and start eventing and decide you don’t enjoy it anymore then you can sell the new one if you want to.

 

[J&S]

Well I am going against the grain here, my thoughts are "If in doubt, don't do it!" I feel that if your heart was really in it you would not have to ask any one. You have the money and presumably the space so if you have this eventing goal why haven't you already gone for it?? If it is just the question of what to do with your Irish horse, might he not benefit with more time off?

 

[spacefaer]

You're asking on HHO jf you should get another horse ????
what answer did you expect other than "but of course"!

 

[Xmasha]

This is an easy one , definitely get another horse ?

 

[Birker2020]

I'd personally try and stick with what you have and work out a way forward with perhaps better rehab facilities, maybe work in conjunction with a good chiro/physio or get the vet to see if there is more vet intervention that might help better the horse.

You never know, you might end up buying another horse only for that to fail too. There are no guarantees with horses as you know.

 

[catembi]

Get another one! I have four! I don't really want four either, but I've got them & it's do-able. I was up to 7 at one point... (Semi reformed field ornament collector...) Life's so short and you don't want to feel that you're sitting in the wings not really doing what you want to do... I also totally understand what you say about do you even want to do it? I have exactly the same conv with myself re aff SJ. I have been out of the swing of it for a long time due to successive horse breakdowns & feel sick at the thought of an affil warm-up...but it's tied up in how I feel about myself! I don't like SJ til after I've done it, but I also wouldn't like NOT to be doing it. (All hypothetical atm.)