do i sell, help

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nicole1968

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just had an appauling schooling session with my boy yet again seem to get somewere with him then end up going 10 steps back ive had him 18 months now and have lessons with him but just getting frustrated, he is a lovely chap really nice temperament but i am really considering selling him, i do love him so its hard, when do you decide its the right thing to do
 
Do you still have lessons on other horses?

It might be worth considering trying a few
- RS horse
- 'schoolmaster' horse
- mechanical horse
lessons before you decide if you are not suited to your current horse.
 
What does he do (or not do :)) and what do you want to do with him - compete seriously? a bit of everything? stay in one piece?
 
Swap instructors. Even if you like them they may not be the best for your riding.

I did that with my late mare and our dressage scores went from 46% to 76%. sometimes a fresh approach can make all the difference :).
 
he is coming up 6 in sept i want to showjump with him but i just cant get his canter going right what ever i do my instructer doesnt think much of his canter but says it might improve but i dont think she was convinced he was overbitted before i got him, 3 ring waterford of all things so it is really hard to ride him into a contact, ive got him in a lonzenge snaffle but if you ask for a contact in canter he just stops if you take contact away he tanks off
 
Try a different instructor to see if that makes a difference ... Sounds like he might be uncomfortable as well.., have you done all the usual checks? Back teeth etc? A good instructor should be able to give you exercises to work on his canter it sounds like there's room for improvement but you need good quality instruction to achieve it.
 
yes i am looking into trying someone else ive been recommended Nicola Sheard so just trying to speak to her at the moment. Yes ive done usual checks and there is no problems there, i dont want to give up but you get to a point where it isnt fun and i dread going into school with him as not enjoying it but i need to school him for his jumping its not as if im doing dressage
 
Change his bit, some horses who have been overbitted will be cautious of anything with a joint in. Try a straight bar nathe or similar, to encourage him to take the contact forward.
How big is he? Some young horses will take a while to balance in their canter.... what sort of height are you looking to do with him eventually? If his canter is naturally poor, you may find he struggles past a certain level, but it just depends in what way his canter is weak?
 
he is nearly 15.2hh i did wonder about trying him in a magic bit which is straight but couldnt quite decide might be worth a try like you said.I only want to do unaffiliated jumping with him
 
Yes, def try a new instructor. I had a very smart horse who had canter problems (mark of 3 on his dressage sheet :o) and had several lessons with a well respected instructor. Canter work was misery for all concerned and it was decided he just had a rubbish canter, no improvement possible :o. Stick to jumping him and put him in a stronger bit :(

Change of instructor to a classical guy (Andrew Day). He rode the horse (other instructor never got on ever), understood immediately what was wrong, fixed it instantly, honestly it was magic wand time. I got back on and it was my turn to learn how to do it :cool: by the end of the lesson 'bingo'. Sorted. Next dressage test 9 for canter :)
 
Friend had a youngster, instructor told her 'get rid she'll never jump or do what you want'. They couldn't get her balanced in canter and she shyed at trotting poles, stumbled over 1 foot jumps! So they tried to sell marketing her as a show horse or dressage, in the meantime new instructor came and ...

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Horse is only just 5 and already she's proving the first instructor very very wrong. ;)

You know in your heart what you want..if the horse and you are not compatable then fine but if you really really want to keep him and this is the only stumbling block give him a chance and try what has been suggested.
 
Would agree it does sound like a schooling problem more than anything. "Only" 15.2hh isn't a problem at all, my mare is only 15.3hh and will shortly be doing 1.10m BSJA tracks at 6, so size isn't an issue!

I think the contact issue may be a huge one, and the fact he has never been taught how to work properly, judging by your comment about the previous owners bitting arrangements!

Get a new instructor who has competitive experience, as a lot of time you will find these are people who have dealt with a large range of horses, and not just learnt from a book ;)

Good luck with it :)
 
Change instructor, i use a happy mouth straightbar full cheek on my youngster could be worth a try have you tried him on the lunge?
 
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