Do I persevere?

Abi90

Abi90

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It's been a bit of my roller coaster with my gelding since I bought him as a 7 year old. He was sold as having done local dressage and SJ competitions which it turns out he had not. Was very green and terrified of jumping.

He's now 8.5 and so much better. His flatwork is good and he normally gets compliments at dressage, he's easy to hack and has done endurance and fun rides and behaved. However, he still is funny jumping. Some days he is great and I feel like we're getting somewhere and he has improved but more often than not he gets argumentative and doesn't want to do it (he's had all the checks and is physically fine), apparently everything is going to eat him.

If all I wanted to do was dressage and hack and pairs hunter trials, as he will follow another horse over anything then he would be perfect. But I do want to jump, not set he world on fire but I would like to be able to do a BE100 and maybe jump a British Novice class in the not too distant future and frankly I don't see him getting there for several more years. I still don't feel like I could take him round a 70cm course confidently without him having a strop.

Some days he's brilliant and I want to persevere as he's improved my riding no end. Most days I wonder if we'll ever get there.

I bought a horse nearly 2 years ago to get out and compete on and I haven't been able to do that (except dressage), I feel I've done right by him and made him into a useful horse for someone who isn't too bothered about jumping. I don't want to give up but I can't afford two.

I don't know if I'm being unrealistic with my expectations or whether I should accept that life is too short to not do what you want, find him a home that won't make him do what he doesn't like and find a horse that doesn't mind jumping.
 
It sounds to me like he could have a very useful and happy life with someone who is focused on dressage and hacking (there are plenty of people around who want to compete but don't want to jump). He's taught you a lot but maybe you've come to the end of the road with him.

I'm lucky enough to not have been in your position, but I like to think that if I was I would be confident enough to sell to a more suitable home and find a horse that can do the things that I really want to do. Of course reality may be different ;)
 
If the horse is not suitable for what you want it for, sell him on to someone who will enjoy him and go get yourself another horse that will be capable of doing the job.
 
I've experienced a few horses such as you describe. Whilst it is possible to train them they never seem to enjoy jumping and thus are much less rewarding to compete. Find one that does enjoy what you want to do and both will be much happier.
 
I've read a few of your posts recently and it sounds like he didn't really know anything about jumping before, and has come quite a long way in the last year? With that in mind, is it possible that with more training (do you have a good instructor who understands him and can bring on green horses?) that he will become the horse you want?

That said, if you really think you would prefer something that already knows its job that you can enjoy, then there's no shame in selling up, it's easier to play to their strengths that's for sure :)
 
milliepops said:
I've read a few of your posts recently and it sounds like he didn't really know anything about jumping before, and has come quite a long way in the last year? With that in mind, is it possible that with more training (do you have a good instructor who understands him and can bring on green horses?) that he will become the horse you want?

That said, if you really think you would prefer something that already knows its job that you can enjoy, then there's no shame in selling up, it's easier to play to their strengths that's for sure :)
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You are correct, and he has come a long way in a year, I cannot dispute that. He is still green but it's not so much that he can't do it as doesn't want to, I just don't think he likes it and would be happier not doing it. My instructor has never known a horse like him she says, I do trust him enough to take him out to clinics now and I hoping this helps, getting a different perspective. I think he sees it a bit like I see rock climbing, enjoy it when I get going but it scares me to death so I would normally opt out.

Perhaps I should give it until the spring/summer, after we've been out to some more lessons, and re-evaluate then. After all it's not a good time of year to sell a horse so I may as well continue with his training at least until then.
 
Abi90 said:
You are correct, and he has come a long way in a year, I cannot dispute that. He is still green but it's not so much that he can't do it as doesn't want to, I just don't think he likes it and would be happier not doing it. My instructor has never known a horse like him she says, I do trust him enough to take him out to clinics now and I hoping this helps, getting a different perspective. I think he sees it a bit like I see rock climbing, enjoy it when I get going but it scares me to death so I would normally opt out.

Perhaps I should give it until the spring/summer, after we've been out to some more lessons, and re-evaluate then. After all it's not a good time of year to sell a horse so I may as well continue with his training at least until then.
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I wouldn't choose to sell a horse in the depths of winter, true :) You haven't got anything to lose by carrying on, and a new set of eyes might be just what you need to get him over a little training hump. If you still feel the same in the spring then maybe that's a good time to find him a new home.
 
He is 9 this year, obviously still has issues jumping if you don't think he would get round a 70cm course comfortably, so unless you change you ambitions then I would say sell him on in the spring to a more suitable home and find one that will at least want to get out and jump.

I would expect any of mine to get round a 70 cm course easily, and enjoy doing it, having hardly any schooling and if I had one that was still struggling to do so after 2 years I would have changed direction long ago, as an example in Nov we took a new to jumping 8 year old out and he popped round a 60 then 70 course with no more than a pole down, he hardly looked at the fillers and loved every moment of it, came home thinking he was the bees knees, which to me shows he will continue to improve as long as he is taken sensibly, yours does not sound as if he will ever really want to jump so don't think of it as giving up so much as accepting he has other talents that should be utilised in a different home.
 
Just put me on the floor because he stopped and span out at the last minute... over a pole on the floor.

Going to work on his flatwork and he's going in the spring. He's starting to dent my confidence now.
 
Abi90 said:
Is there a market for very pretty dressage and hacking horses?
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Yep! If it were me, I'd probably have a good crack at it for the next couple of months with a concerted training plan, potentially even have a more experienced rider take him out. It sounds like he has a lot to offer.

If it's not working out then, I'd advertise with a view to selling him on in the spring. But if he really throws his toys out the pram during that training, or you're not enjoying it, then I'd accelerate the sales plan. Def agree with the others, life's too short. He could find a home that suits him better and you could find a better suited horse.
 
Abi90 said:
Is there a market for very pretty dressage and hacking horses?
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Definitely, plenty of people don't want to jump and finding a good looking well schooled horse that will do a decent test yet hacks out safely can prove difficult, I would really crack on with the flatwork, get a few good %'s competing and he should be easy to sell.
 
Thanks. I may look to advertise him soon whilst still cracking on with the flatwork.

This is he, bearing in mind he was shattered after having jumped (he would do it that day) and an hours delay in the dressage and his second ever dressage test so he was on the forehand on and off through the test.



He's improved since then and we were looking to start schooling for Novice. I know it's no massive achievement but he's balanced now and has nice paces.



He's also done some endurance and pleasure rides and behaved impeccably so is it worth mentioning that too when the time comes?
 
He's exactly what I'd like for my next horse! I can totally take it or leave it with regards to jumping but want something that enjoys hacking alone but is still capable of schooling nicely and wouldn't kill me if I took him on a fun ride. I can't be the only person out there like that :)
Eta- in regards to keeping or getting rid, life is too short. If he's still decking you over a pole on the floor but you want to jump I would say it would be best for both of you to find him a new home and something for you that does and enjoys the job you want to do
 
Abi90 said:
Thanks. I may look to advertise him soon whilst still cracking on with the flatwork.

This is he, bearing in mind he was shattered after having jumped (he would do it that day) and an hours delay in the dressage and his second ever dressage test so he was on the forehand on and off through the test.



He's improved since then and we were looking to start schooling for Novice. I know it's no massive achievement but he's balanced now and has nice paces.



He's also done some endurance and pleasure rides and behaved impeccably so is it worth mentioning that too when the time comes?
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Mention anything that shows him in a positive way, behaving on pleasure rides is a good selling point for the average rider, apart from the jumping he looks and sounds a really nice type, so sell his good points in an advert, don't put in jumping photos as that is not the job you are selling him to do.
 
Thanks. What is the market value for such a horse? I'm pretty sure I'm going to lose money on him but can save up the difference in the interim whilst not paying for full livery and just for a stable
 
I agree sell him.
I have had a little mare for 5 years now. she has all the scope but she just won't perform when it matters, too much attitude!. however she is the safest little hack/ fun ride pony for kids so I will just accept that and let her do what she is good at, and she has plenty admirers as a safe hacker.
 
His value will be in many ways much the same as it would if he did jump, there are plenty that jump that are not good hacking or struggle to do a test, he is in his prime, is a useful type that can carry a bit of weight, if he is sound, will pass a vet and easy in every way, other than the pole issue, then he is probably worth up to around £6k to the right person, I have no idea what you paid for him but don't undersell him just because he is not right for you.
 
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I had not thought of if that way. He does everything else well. He's also quite well bred but that doesn't really matter much. " I paid £3600 for him.
 
Definitely a market for a horse like him. I wouldn't care if the horse didn't like jumping I will never be great at jumping so if I was looking I wouldn't be put off. I wouldn't bother continuing as you want to jump and he clearly doesn't. Some horses just don't and can very rarely be persuaded otherwise. Trying just annoys them.
 
Abi90 said:
I had not thought of if that way. He does everything else well. He's also quite well bred but that doesn't really matter much. " I paid £3600 for him.
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His breeding is not really going to make any difference to his value at this stage of his life, you should certainly get your money back if he is generally straightforward.
 
Thank you. I shall continue with his flatwork schooling and take him out to dressage clinics and competitions whilst advertising him. I know it's a rubbish time of year for selling so I shan't rush and will give him the best chance
 
Abi90 said:
I had your post in mind when I wrote this actually :) it's not the best time of year to sell but there is no harm in advertising and keep going with his training
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No, but on the flip side of that it's a very good time to buy. Or try advertising for sale or swap - you never know.

But ultimately, I think you've made your decision - best of luck!!
 
A little update. Forest has found a lovely home, passed his vetting yesterday and is off to Scotland next week.

Now to look for the newbie. Don't know where to start! Erg!
 
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