Enough is enough

Penny Less

Penny Less

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10 March 2009
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I am officially throwing in the towel with my horse. He has been a bit of a nightmare since I had him, nearly 2 years now. Have posted re his nappiness and how Ive tried to tackle it. Was begining to get somewhere slightly during the winter but now spring is here he is awful again. I cant even ride him in the school because he spooks at everything and has had me off a couple of times. he wont even walk away from another horse on the yard when Ive tried to trot him up for the saddler! He is an older boy and I think he must have been in a riding school at one time. Will follow another horse, still spooks, but at least will go out the gate, but unfortunately Im not in a position to ride with someone very often.
Also he is very bad to catch, no one can get him in except me, and sometimes Ive taken an hour!
What on earth can I do with him, no one is going to want him are they?
 
Project Horses ? A companion ?

My last horse was an ex-trekker, and it honestly took me 2 years of hard work to get him right. We had constant rearing and bucking (saying no stuff), and napping and jibbing. And spooking in the school, plus rearing almost on me if I tried to lunge.

I had to be very tough, and in the end we were a great partnership, but it did take a lot of blood(mine) sweat (both) and tears (mine again).

It can be done, you may just need help ? sm x
 
TBH nope, not based not that review!
I feel really strongly that as an owner it is our responsibility to make sure the horse has a 'job' that will secure him a chance of a good home and a future. He MUST be able to do something, even if he's not suitable for you. If you can't get on with him (and I sympathise because that's a horrible position to be in) can you find someone to ride him for you and hopefully find something he can do? There are loads of disciplines/activities out there once you find something he can turn his hoof to you can advertise him with that in mind at a reasonable price, be honest about his quirks and hopefully you'll be able to move him on to a home where they'll enjoy him and then get yourself something else.
 
have you ever tried putting him on calmer? even if its not a strong one since that might take the edge off him and make him easier to deal with. What was he like when you tried him out? Has he changed since moving with you? I had some trouble with my mare when i first got her and it took me a long time for her to bond with me since she had such a strong attachment to her old owner but now we have an inseperable relationship and instead of constantly fighting for her to listen to me she is the most pleasurable horse to be around ive ever met.
 
He wont go forward for other riders either ! He was actually advertised as having taught beginners and suitable for all the family! He is a real wimp considering he could flatten most things that frighten him. Ive really tried everything and taken all help offered, I have thought that he was genuinly scared but am beginning to wonder that he taking the pee, although more experienced riders than me have tried to sort him. I have looked at project horses site. I really dont feel he would be suitable for much more than a happy hacker as he is a heavy cob and not in the first flush of youth. . Trouble is I would worry where he will end up. I actually like him as a *person* he is very sweet Its really draining getting nothing back from him though.

I have to steel myself to letting him go but it does nmake me very sad.
 
The only way to know where he ends up is either loan him, share him, keep as a companion, or PTS.

Honestly, I had to invest in some long spurs (:o) a long schooling whip on BOTH sides, and hubs walking behind me with a lunge whip. It truly wasn't pretty, but it did work - and this horse reared and backed us into brick walls, houses, you name it. He had every vet check going too.

If we had that time again, from what I know now, I would have gone straight for join up (tin hat on), and got help from a NHorse. person. Gone bitless, changed the saddle to a barefoot or similar, and seen how we went. But with that horse, I know we had to cross the line somehow, and bloody hard work it was. MUCH determination needed - the trekking centre would have had him back (not to use as he was too loopy), but I couldn't afford anything else, and I never give up on a challenge !
 
where abouts are you based to?? been in trouble for 'advertising' :rolleyes: the yard before so cant say which 1- will pm you if interested, but i ride at a rehab/re-school yard in somerset that are fab, havnt found a horse yet that hasnt been sorted there!
 
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