Ex-raccehorse woes, seriously what am I going to do?

AlwaysWorried said:
I am not getting into an argument, and will not be posting after this. I also will not be mentioning the 'v' or 'e' words.

However, regarding difficulty turning out: I acknowledge that the mare gets excited and starts fence running etc. However my previous mare initially did something similar when she was being turned out over the winter: out for the day and in at night. After leaving her to it - with other horses on the other side of the fence, to avoid hurting them but keep them close enough to see and touch - she did calm down. Initially it took a couple of hours, but after a few weeks she would just go for a single buck and kick up the field before settling down for a good munch.

Plenty of hay in multiple piles in the field before she got there, and turning other horses out first, helped. Also, not good with back shoes on as we did have one self-kick incident.

This may not help, and only the OP knows if this would be feasible and appropriate here. But it settled my girl's head like nothing else.
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I have no idea what your first sentence means.

My mare is great during spring summer and autumn with turnout, happy to be out and on the hottest days I have to walk across the field to get her in which makes me smile to myself, but during the winter she only goes out every other day (yard rules) she always goes out in company with my boy but as the weather becomes colder/wetter/windier she has to be dragged to that field and she drags you back an hour later, quite a few people on the yard have a similar field hating horse during these months as well, all mares, my horses have hay in the field in a few piles and neither of them are shod, we are on clay so you can imagine the depth and suction the area by the gate gets like she is very lucky not to have pulled a tendon, he poor boy has hurt himself.
 
Fun Times said:
Glad you had a good day with her. Out of interest why do you perceive lunging to be better for her than using a walker? I wouldn't normlly ask but you did say you were "astounded" at my suggestion of using a walker.
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When I lunge any horse I don't stand religiously in the middle I work her on small circles, large circles and lozenge shapes and ovals and all different sizes, is that okay with you, I am not a fan of grinding a horse into the ground on a 15m circle I prefer to mimic a ridden session it bores me and her less and is better for any horse not to lunge but if you have to do it you may as well make it better for them, I have always enjoyed running down the centre line for a bit of lengthened strides.

BTW what time did you want your saucer of milk?
 
I have not read many of the posts, except you have had her or for 4 years and apart from the day you tried her and the day she came to you she has been difficult. This horse is not for you OP, do what you have to do or want to do, but don't struggle on like this.
Read more at http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/foru...t-am-I-going-to-do/page41#ksucM07RIOLL8XBA.99 [/QUOTE]

Where is it that I suggested you shoot her? Exactly what is awful about telling you that this horse is not for you? You have had her four years pretty much, you bought her to ride but you can't ride her.[/QUOTE]

What facilities do I need?
 
OP: if you treat the poor horse with same unbelievable attitude you've shown here then frankly I'm not surprised you have issues with her! Overly sensitive, desperate to see a slight, short tempered, arrogant, stroppy, childish, rude, intolerant, dismissive, unwilling to compromise or change your thinking. I'm pretty sure I'm only saying what pretty much everyone else is thinking when I say : Thank god you're not my horse's owner. Poor mare.
 
NOTE: We used a 12 horse walker for our racehorses , [we had about 100-160 horses], the radius of a 12 horse walker may be greater than the radius of 6 horse oval walker. It is the radius ie the degree of bend of the horse, not the fact that it is oval or circular. Not sure exactly, but yes, generally a circular 6 or 8 horse walker probably has a larger radius than the average lunge rein.
We used the walker to warm up horses and give them a stretch in the afternoon. Also good for fittening and handling youngsters, most prep yards use walkers to bring up youngsters for the sales. They would not do this if it caused unsoundness.
Some of our horses would not have been suitable for the average rider after racing, The ones I rode probably would have been OK, and I rode about 25 to 35% of them. I trained two T.Bs myself, they were turned out all winter, when in training they had an hour and a half on the heath every day, and twenty minutes grazing in hand. They had a few hours in a paddock when it was nice weather.
 
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Kallibear said:
OP: if you treat the poor horse with same unbelievable attitude you've shown here then frankly I'm not surprised you have issues with her! Overly sensitive, desperate to see a slight, short tempered, arrogant, stroppy, childish, rude, intolerant, dismissive, unwilling to compromise or change your thinking. I'm pretty sure I'm only saying what pretty much everyone else is thinking when I say : Thank god you're not my horse's owner. Poor mare.
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You sentence makes no sense, and clearly you haven't read through the abuse I have had on here.
 
Bonkers2 said:
NOTE: We used a 12 horse walker for our racehorses , [we had about 100-160 horses], the radius of a 12 horse walker may be greater than the radius of 6 horse oval walker. It is the radius ie the degree of bend of the horse, not the fact that it is oval or circular. Not sure exactly, but yes, generally a circular 6 or 8 horse walker probably has a larger radius than the average lunge rein.
We used the walker to warm up horses and give them a stretch in the afternoon. Also good for fittening and handling youngsters, most prep yards use walkers to bring up youngsters for the sales. They would not do this if it caused unsoundness.
Some of our horses would not have been suitable for the average rider after racing, The ones I rode probably would have been OK, and I rode about 25 to 35% of them. I trained two T.Bs myself, they were turned out all winter, when in training they had an hour and a half on the heath every day, and twenty minutes grazing in hand. They had a few hours in a paddock when it was nice weather.
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I don't doubt that a 12 horse walker would be more comfortable for a horse, but most yard if they have them have a 3 or 4 horse size, I have never heard of a 12 sized one before let alone seen them, but as I said before I don't drill my horse on a 15m circle when I lunge her and she gets to walk trot and canter that's got to be better, hasn't it? Can't believe that I am getting slammed for not liking walkers now. Couldn't think of anything more soul destroying than, here love, go in this walking cage because you can't go out in the field.
 
Having had a problem OTT, quite uneducated when I got him, that bucked, I turned him around and he became quite the nice show horse. FWIW, I was having lessons with my instructor one day, and he was having a barney and she turned to me and said that I really needed to think about whether I wanted to keep him, as I ride for enjoyment. I would not have persevered through years of bad behaviour and hospital visits, I can tell you, but I decided that yes I wanted to try. I don't give up easily.

So what I did was surround myself with the best professionals I could, and I listened to them.

I had the horse worked up for physical issues. There were none, but that needed to be eliminated first. Quite frankly, you've been told to do that (and look, I'm not a massive believer in that pain always drives this behaviour, thoroughbreds are just hot sometimes) - but I wouldn't trust your vets if they are telling you there is no need to do so. But its up to you if you want to keep taking that risk.

Then I took the horse to the best breaker in my area - he wasn't available to take the horse on but he was able to ride him for me, push his buttons and determined that he wasn't 'dirty' and wouldn't set out to hurt me. And then I had lessons, every week, it was all Monty Roberts based which I hadn't done before but is the way this breaker rides, and it involved doing 'homework' each week then coming back for my lessons. The really bad behaviour stopped, although the kept up the pig rooting and humping for quite a while after, but I kept at it. You need to find a good trainer, that works - there is no way I'd keep sending that horse to that professional if it keeps up with the broncing and silly behaviour, they are clearly not getting through to it. Find someone else, find the best breaker, or young/problem horse trainer you can, and do everything they tell you.

The other thing I did was not just learn to ride him right, but I learned to manage him. Hot thoroughbreds need to be managed, they need proper work and feed, and routine. What worked for me was daily turnout, 8am to 4pm, and a four day on, four day off work schedule. Don't ride them everyday as they get too fit, and when they get too fit, the behaviour you are describing occurs more as they feel good about themselves (I'd personally avoid lunging a horse like this full stop for this very reason, all it does is make them fit, you are making a rod for your own back). So, four days of good 40 mins of hard work, then a few days off, then start again - sometimes they are a bit hot on the first day, so if a calmer works, try that (and my horse was on long term calmers as well as they had a good effect on him). With regards to the turnout, I'd suggest if the horse is really that bad, try sedating it as you put it out for a few days, get the horse in a routine of turning it out then back the sedation off, but you can't keep a hot thoroughbred stabled. But try companions, try turning out at different times keep trying till you find something that works.

To be honest, locking your horse up and lunging but not riding it sounds like a recipe for disaster. If the problem isn't physical as you insist, then its education and whilst I agree some ground work is necessary, the only way to educate them is to ride them. If you can't ride it, then you have a problem and get someone else who can (either selling it or find a trainer).

I'm not the best rider in the world, quite the opposite really, I'm nervy and whilst I'm okay I'm not technically brilliant, but the one asset I do have is that I find the right people to ask the right questions of, and I listen, and as a result I've made good progress with every horse I've had.
 
You are not being slammed for not liking walkers, it was you who slammed someone who suggested a walker. I am just explaining about walkers, so that people do not think that they are the work of the devil, they are not.
 
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Its funny (as in amusing) to see what the OP chooses to respond to and what she ignores - I stand by my assessment of the situation 2 or 3 pages back, which many others have echoed. What is that old saying about 'there's nowt so deaf as those who do not want to hear'?

You are all feeding the troll (who appears to have not much else to do than reply on here) and she is loving it..... that poor mare....
 
If you are sure its behavioural then I would get a different instructor. No point having one who can ride the horse but can’t help you too. Look for someone who specialise in rider confidence. Have lessons on another horse and really assess is your riding will ever be good enough to cope with this horse. Not everyone will get on with every horse, maybe it’s time to say you have tried everything and now it’s time to let someone else try. Then you can find a horse that actually able to do the activities you want to do.

Please don’t dismiss some of the comments made on this thread, it doesn’t sound like the yard you are on is idea for your horse, a change in yard can make a massive difference to a horse. I didn’t realise how unhappy my horse was, no really outward sides other than almost impossible to ride (I had had him 8 years at the time) I moved him in the summer as I moved house and he is a different horse, much calmer and rideable (much reduced spooking he is always going to be sharp).
I also second the feed comments, I have a TBxconn he can’t have any sugar, he becomes completely stupid. It had taken me years to find something that works. I would never have believe how such a small amount of food can make such a massive difference. A hand full and I mean a hand full of pony nuts in his ball once a day made him incredibly spooky. The same when I switched from apple chaff to cherry chaff. These days I avoid all of that.

It might not be pain, but the symptoms sound like it, it could be a very stressed horse that can’t cope with life and that could be due to many things, food, environment, lack of mental stimulation.

Lastly I know my horse, I have had him 10 years this year and although not lame I know he isn’t right. I have started a thread about it, going the vet route is a nightmare I know but I don’t want to keep working him if I’m not 100% he isn’t in pain.

At the end of the day its your horse and only you can decide if the horse is worth the time and money, but if you want to get a ridable horse then you should be willing to try anything and listen to your horse.
 
snopuma said:
You sentence makes no sense, and clearly you haven't read through the abuse I have had on here.
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My paragraph you mean? It does make sense, you just don't like it.

I have indeed read the whole thing. It's sadly becoming of entertainment value :(

I see no abuse AT ALL. All I've seen is people offering suggestions and experiences of their own (in a surprisingly polite and helpful manner, considering your downright rude replies) and you have a complete strop about it, stamping your foot and yelling 'Abuse! I hate you all! You're all wrong, I'm right. Shut up'. I'm only surprised you've not tried to pull the 'Bullying' card yet.

I'm also beginning to wonder if you're reading a entirely different thread from most of us, to be able to find all this 'abuse' you're accusingly others of.
 
snopuma said:
Couldn't think of anything more soul destroying than, here love, go in this walking cage because you can't go out in the field.
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The thing is that it's not about putting you in it. It's about putting your horse in it. I appreciate she doesn't like the field in the winter, but in that case, it is up to you to come up with alternative ways of letting her expend some of her latent energy.

How much help can your YO give you? We are only working on what information you tell us, whereas they are on the ground and presumably experienced. What about the pro you have used? Any pro worth their salt would not laugh at you for not wanting to ride the rears and bucks, but whatever they might think privately, they should at the very least be able to come up with some constructive advice.

If you find a decent vet, they can also give advice based on what they are seeing on the ground. I am not going to mention the loss of performance work-up. But at the least, if you have one that you trust, you could do worse than asking for their help in terms of the management.

In the 3 years and 9 months you have had her, has there ever been a period of a) consistent work and b) of when she felt onside and working well and you enjoyed her? I'm not trying to be provocative, I'm just trying to establish if there has been a period when things were going well, what were you doing with her, how often, what time of year etc. It then might be possible to get back to that place.
 
Swirlymurphy said:
The thing is that it's not about putting you in it. It's about putting your horse in it. I appreciate she doesn't like the field in the winter, but in that case, it is up to you to come up with alternative ways of letting her expend some of her latent energy.

How much help can your YO give you? We are only working on what information you tell us, whereas they are on the ground and presumably experienced. What about the pro you have used? Any pro worth their salt would not laugh at you for not wanting to ride the rears and bucks, but whatever they might think privately, they should at the very least be able to come up with some constructive advice.

If you find a decent vet, they can also give advice based on what they are seeing on the ground. I am not going to mention the loss of performance work-up. But at the least, if you have one that you trust, you could do worse than asking for their help in terms of the management.

In the 3 years and 9 months you have had her, has there ever been a period of a) consistent work and b) of when she felt onside and working well and you enjoyed her? I'm not trying to be provocative, I'm just trying to establish if there has been a period when things were going well, what were you doing with her, how often, what time of year etc. It then might be possible to get back to that place.
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Okay since she's been with me in June 2011 she worked great the first day back, bolted and bronced the second day, she had been out all day but there had been a summer storm in the afternoon and she came in crazy, I didn't think she'd hold that fear having been in for an hour before I rode, my yard owner wanted to see her ridden (she is a very good friend) she got me to canter again on my terms after the bolting and that was okay on a 20m circle but she was very wound up, I contacted the previous owner to ask if she had ever behaved like this she said no and volunteered to come over and ride her, she made a few appointments and cancelled last minute every time, then she called me out of the blue and said she'd have her back as she had another buyer who wanted a black horse for showing, but I had done her vacs, teeth, saddle and re-registered by then and to be fair it was never on the cards. So we never spoke again. For that summer and autumn I struggled on riding her maybe 3 times a week and then I got a trainer to come and ride her to see what he thought, he thought she was fine and just needed to learn to balance and that the previous owner had sold her without her really being established. So from that point I had a lesson every week - he rode first and I rode for the second half - she improved and our only set backs were in the winter when we had a foot of snow for a month and nothing got ridden, but onwards and upwards, I took her to a clinic where the trainer rode her and she was great, even coping with very spooky jumps without battling an eyelid. Then in June 2013 I took her to a local dressage show just intro she was very excited but held it together and got over it in the warm up, then she did a beautiful test and won with 76% smiles all round! Two weeks later we took her again, trainer did the prelim and I did the Intro, I won he came third, she did bronc with him in the warm-up and friends that came to watch commented that maybe something was wrong with her back. I got the vet out and you know the response so I gave her a month off and had the physio out and started again, physio said it must be a balance thing and advised that canter work should be half seat and to let her run smoothly into canter perhaps with a pole so she's not focused on the aid for canter from the rider, so that autumn trainer cantered her like this and I cantered too, slight shade of green but I did it, then we started to work on lateral in trot and that really helped so it was all looking good until ducks by the school spooked her and she set sail broncing and put me on the floor that was Jan 2014, during my recovery the trainer rode her and a friend lunged her and she had limited turnout. I started ride her again in May 2013 and we had a great summer, we didn't go to any shows, I was in too much pain, trotting felt like my leg was dislocating but I persevered, I had a bit more confidence with a HIT-AIR jacket that I now ride in all the time, I got a neck strap, and because it was my last thought to grab anything when I got launched an RS-Tor. So I rode and hacked until October when she got an abcess. She was out of action for 6 weeks while that was brewing and then I rode her a couple of times and then it was winter and you know the rest.
 
Kallibear said:
My paragraph you mean? It does make sense, you just don't like it.

I have indeed read the whole thing. It's sadly becoming of entertainment value :(

I see no abuse AT ALL. All I've seen is people offering suggestions and experiences of their own (in a surprisingly polite and helpful manner, considering your downright rude replies) and you have a complete strop about it, stamping your foot and yelling 'Abuse! I hate you all! You're all wrong, I'm right. Shut up'. I'm only surprised you've not tried to pull the 'Bullying' card yet.

I'm also beginning to wonder if you're reading a entirely different thread from most of us, to be able to find all this 'abuse' you're accusingly others of.
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Don't misquote me I haven't said half of that. You are doing what comes naturally on a forum ganging up and having a go. Sheep.
 
snopuma said:
Don't misquote me I haven't said half of that. You are doing what comes naturally on a forum ganging up and having a go. Sheep.
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Oh yes and that is mature. When an overwhelming majority are giving you the same advice it's not following the crowd it just might be factual and correct advice!!!

Honestly op you are deluding yourself and just bring downright childish. Accept that you might not be right in this or just stop digging.
 
So it would be fair to say it has been a bit hit and miss? I don't mean that nastily, I just mean that there doesn't seem to be a long period of consistent work?

My suggestion - and again avoiding the work-up which I do happen to think would be a good thing to do if only to rule out any problems but I understand you don't want to go there - would be to get her in a consistent programme of work. If I am honest, it doesn't sound like she fills you with confidence when you are riding her, and this won't help. I know you don't want to sell her so you have two options - either you do the work or you get someone else to do the work. You can either ship her to a pro/trainer to put the work in, or you can get them in to you to do the work. But the work has to be consistent - 6/7 days a week of good, experienced, confidence-building (her confidence) work with goals in mind. It's not going to be cheap but then neither is having a horse that you don't ride as much as you want because she scares you. The one thing that I would say is that by investing in a good quality ridden programme, you stand a chance of getting the horse back that you love but that is a) only if there are no existing physical problems and b) only if you can sustain the work yourself once the period with the pro is complete.

You don't have to do it on here and publicly, but privately you might want to consider whether you can really offer the right home for her in terms of yard facilities and experience. It's not the worse thing in the world to sell a horse on because they're not right for you.

ETA You might well find that physically she cannot cope with that amount of work in which case you have an answer of sorts and you will need to go down the work-up route. If her body can't cope with the workload that her mind needs, there is only really one option and I'm afraid that's PTS.
 
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Swirlymurphy said:
So it would be fair to say it has been a bit hit and miss? I don't mean that nastily, I just mean that there doesn't seem to be a long period of consistent work?

My suggestion - and again avoiding the work-up which I do happen to think would be a good thing to do if only to rule out any problems but I understand you don't want to go there - would be to get her in a consistent programme of work. If I am honest, it doesn't sound like she fills you with confidence when you are riding her, and this won't help. I know you don't want to sell her so you have two options - either you do the work or you get someone else to do the work. You can either ship her to a pro/trainer to put the work in, or you can get them in to you to do the work. But the work has to be consistent - 6/7 days a week of good, experienced, confidence-building (her confidence) work with goals in mind. It's not going to be cheap but then neither is having a horse that you don't ride as much as you want because she scares you. The one thing that I would say is that by investing in a good quality ridden programme, you stand a chance of getting the horse back that you love but that is a) only if there are no existing physical problems and b) only if you can sustain the work yourself once the period with the pro is complete.

You don't have to do it on here and publicly, but privately you might want to consider whether you can really offer the right home for her in terms of yard facilities and experience. It's not the worse thing in the world to sell a horse on because they're not right for you.

ETA You might well find that physically she cannot cope with that amount of work in which case you have an answer of sorts and you will need to go down the work-up route. If her body can't cope with the workload that her mind needs, there is only really one option and I'm afraid that's PTS.
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OP I think this is the most sensible advice on the entire thread :)
 
Swirlymurphy said:
So it would be fair to say it has been a bit hit and miss? I don't mean that nastily, I just mean that there doesn't seem to be a long period of consistent work?

My suggestion - and again avoiding the work-up which I do happen to think would be a good thing to do if only to rule out any problems but I understand you don't want to go there - would be to get her in a consistent programme of work. If I am honest, it doesn't sound like she fills you with confidence when you are riding her, and this won't help. I know you don't want to sell her so you have two options - either you do the work or you get someone else to do the work. You can either ship her to a pro/trainer to put the work in, or you can get them in to you to do the work. But the work has to be consistent - 6/7 days a week of good, experienced, confidence-building (her confidence) work with goals in mind. It's not going to be cheap but then neither is having a horse that you don't ride as much as you want because she scares you. The one thing that I would say is that by investing in a good quality ridden programme, you stand a chance of getting the horse back that you love but that is a) only if there are no existing physical problems and b) only if you can sustain the work yourself once the period with the pro is complete.

You don't have to do it on here and publicly, but privately you might want to consider whether you can really offer the right home for her in terms of yard facilities and experience. It's not the worse thing in the world to sell a horse on because they're not right for you.

ETA You might well find that physically she cannot cope with that amount of work in which case you have an answer of sorts and you will need to go down the work-up route. If her body can't cope with the workload that her mind needs, there is only really one option and I'm afraid that's PTS.
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What you have said is fair and realistic the only thing that I won't be doing is putting her down.
 
Lévrier;12843495 said:
Its funny (as in amusing) to see what the OP chooses to respond to and what she ignores - I stand by my assessment of the situation 2 or 3 pages back, which many others have echoed. What is that old saying about 'there's nowt so deaf as those who do not want to hear'?

You are all feeding the troll (who appears to have not much else to do than reply on here) and she is loving it..... that poor mare....
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Your off hand comments are not warranted or wanted. When you have something useful to say....
 
alex_mac30 said:
If you are sure its behavioural then I would get a different instructor. No point having one who can ride the horse but can’t help you too. Look for someone who specialise in rider confidence. Have lessons on another horse and really assess is your riding will ever be good enough to cope with this horse. Not everyone will get on with every horse, maybe it’s time to say you have tried everything and now it’s time to let someone else try. Then you can find a horse that actually able to do the activities you want to do.

Please don’t dismiss some of the comments made on this thread, it doesn’t sound like the yard you are on is idea for your horse, a change in yard can make a massive difference to a horse. I didn’t realise how unhappy my horse was, no really outward sides other than almost impossible to ride (I had had him 8 years at the time) I moved him in the summer as I moved house and he is a different horse, much calmer and rideable (much reduced spooking he is always going to be sharp).
I also second the feed comments, I have a TBxconn he can’t have any sugar, he becomes completely stupid. It had taken me years to find something that works. I would never have believe how such a small amount of food can make such a massive difference. A hand full and I mean a hand full of pony nuts in his ball once a day made him incredibly spooky. The same when I switched from apple chaff to cherry chaff. These days I avoid all of that.

It might not be pain, but the symptoms sound like it, it could be a very stressed horse that can’t cope with life and that could be due to many things, food, environment, lack of mental stimulation.

Lastly I know my horse, I have had him 10 years this year and although not lame I know he isn’t right. I have started a thread about it, going the vet route is a nightmare I know but I don’t want to keep working him if I’m not 100% he isn’t in pain.

At the end of the day its your horse and only you can decide if the horse is worth the time and money, but if you want to get a ridable horse then you should be willing to try anything and listen to your horse.
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Thank you for this what you have said is how I feel about the situation, I do want the very best for her.
 
Okay, that's fine and understandable. So you still need to go through the process of establishing how she is when she is in a consistent, fair work programme. By fair, I mean one that is tactful and firm, and understanding of her background and the inconsistencies in her retraining to date. Not all pros or trainers are going to be capable of this. If you don't have anyone in mind, I would very very strongly suggest you contact the ROR helpline here 01780 740773. This is run by Fred and Rowena Cook and they are fantastically helpful, immensely experienced and very kind people. Give them a call, explain the situation, and explore the options with them.

I don't know whereabouts you are in the country nor whether finances permit, but presuming that it would be possible, I would urge you to consider sending your mare to them. She will get the best care possible during the next phase of her life. (I would add that I am not linked to them in anyway, I have just had great advice from them with my own exracer)

If the situation does not permit you sending her to them, ask them if they can recommend anyone locally to you who might be able to help. There is usually a fairly well known ROR contact list and it would definitely be advisable to go down the route of talking to them, rather than anyone whose experience you cannot vouch for.

While she is away, assuming she goes away because I think this is the right thing for her, stay in touch with them, visit regularly, pick their brains, watch, learn, and then consider very carefully whether or not you will be able to offer the same opportunities at your current yard, in terms of turnout, distance to the field, field companion etc etc. Talk to your YO and get them onside with trying to solve the problems. If it transpires that the current setup doesn't suit her, you have to be prepared to move to somewhere that does suit her.

Throughout all of this - be very open to the possibility that the mare may well require veterinary attention, including work-ups and scans etc. I don't know if she is insured and it is none of my business, but have in your mind how you will handle it if it happens. What can you afford to do, what can't you afford to do. If a vet does need to get involved, have the discussion re finances and facilities with them. What if there is something like KS, can you rehab, long rein etc. On the other hand, it may be something more straightforward such as getting the physio out more regularly - fortnightly, weekly, monthly. There may be equipment changes that need to be made - perhaps the saddle fit isn't great, or it might suit her now but not in 6 months time as she changes shape; consider magnetic rugs or other items that might be needed.

At all times, be open to what the pro/trainer/ROR people tell you - listen, question, engage with them, even if it isn't what you want to hear. They will (if you have chosen carefully) be looking out for your horse and her welfare. And at the end of the day, the people on this forum are looking out for your horse's welfare as well - even if you can't see it yet, and frankly you don't ever have to see it if you don't want to, I'm willing to bet that 99% of the advice is coming from experienced people who do have a lot to offer - it just gets a bit lost in the ether.

So find someone on the ground who can help you, stick with the programme, be flexible, listen to what the pro tells you, listen to what the mare tells you, and very best wishes.
 
snopuma said:
Your off hand comments are not warranted or wanted. When you have something useful to say....
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I have already said something useful - stop being so flaming selfish and find the poor mare a decent home with an owner who isn't terrified of her, will give her the time and parameters she wants and needs, and will also put her through a proper lameness work-up/vet assessment. Of course to you that isn't useful because it isn't want you want to hear - it is, however, the truth.
 
Swirlymurphy said:
So it would be fair to say it has been a bit hit and miss? I don't mean that nastily, I just mean that there doesn't seem to be a long period of consistent work?

My suggestion - and again avoiding the work-up which I do happen to think would be a good thing to do if only to rule out any problems but I understand you don't want to go there - would be to get her in a consistent programme of work. If I am honest, it doesn't sound like she fills you with confidence when you are riding her, and this won't help. I know you don't want to sell her so you have two options - either you do the work or you get someone else to do the work. You can either ship her to a pro/trainer to put the work in, or you can get them in to you to do the work. But the work has to be consistent - 6/7 days a week of good, experienced, confidence-building (her confidence) work with goals in mind. It's not going to be cheap but then neither is having a horse that you don't ride as much as you want because she scares you. The one thing that I would say is that by investing in a good quality ridden programme, you stand a chance of getting the horse back that you love but that is a) only if there are no existing physical problems and b) only if you can sustain the work yourself once the period with the pro is complete.

You don't have to do it on here and publicly, but privately you might want to consider whether you can really offer the right home for her in terms of yard facilities and experience. It's not the worse thing in the world to sell a horse on because they're not right for you.

ETA You might well find that physically she cannot cope with that amount of work in which case you have an answer of sorts and you will need to go down the work-up route. If her body can't cope with the workload that her mind needs, there is only really one option and I'm afraid that's PTS.
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What many of us were saying pages and pages ago. Good post.
 
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