Mrs B
Well-Known Member
Years ago, I bought a five year old, TB x Welsh, 16hh to do a bit of everything on. All started quite well and although he was sharp, it was ok.
Until he decided that jumping was the thing he REALLY liked and hacking was boring and schooling wasn't much better.
He also knew how to rear. He could do it from a canter - start to shorten up, bunny hop, then up, twisting as he went.
He began to realise that I couldn't cope with that, so did it more. He would also give a HUGE leap over fences, for the hell of it and if he felt me land slightly out of balance, would buck me off.
My confidence started to fail me. Any of you know that slightly sick feeling when you HAVE to get on your horse, and you really don't want to?
I also became aware that I should be disciplining him, but realised that I didn't dare anymore, as I didn't think I could handle the resulting tantrum.
So. What to do? I needed to sell him, knew he was talented but WAY too much for me. How to find him a home whilst being totally honest about what he would do if he sensed a lack of confidence in his rider.
I advertised him in H&H (talented but quirky, needs confident, competitive rider). Of course, I got everyone from 12 year old girls to novice riders ringing, despite the wording of the ad...
and on several occasions said the person couldn't come to see him because of it.
To cut a long story short (sorry! too late!) he went to the yard my sister-in-law rides at, where they compete and give lessons, for much less than I paid for him, because I just KNEW they'd handle him, use him and make him happy.
And so it turned out. He's 18 now, still loves to jump and will be off to Hickstead, albeit at a lower height than he won at before, as he's getting on a bit. And here he is, last Sunday, after another successful day....
It just goes to show, if the horse isn't right for you, he will be right for somebody if you keep looking. Plus I now have a lovely horse to play with, who is just enough for me and is with me for life.
So thank you to Jo Freer for having faith in him, realising his potential and making him a very happy horsey...
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Until he decided that jumping was the thing he REALLY liked and hacking was boring and schooling wasn't much better.
He also knew how to rear. He could do it from a canter - start to shorten up, bunny hop, then up, twisting as he went.
He began to realise that I couldn't cope with that, so did it more. He would also give a HUGE leap over fences, for the hell of it and if he felt me land slightly out of balance, would buck me off.
My confidence started to fail me. Any of you know that slightly sick feeling when you HAVE to get on your horse, and you really don't want to?
I also became aware that I should be disciplining him, but realised that I didn't dare anymore, as I didn't think I could handle the resulting tantrum.
So. What to do? I needed to sell him, knew he was talented but WAY too much for me. How to find him a home whilst being totally honest about what he would do if he sensed a lack of confidence in his rider.
I advertised him in H&H (talented but quirky, needs confident, competitive rider). Of course, I got everyone from 12 year old girls to novice riders ringing, despite the wording of the ad...
and on several occasions said the person couldn't come to see him because of it. To cut a long story short (sorry! too late!) he went to the yard my sister-in-law rides at, where they compete and give lessons, for much less than I paid for him, because I just KNEW they'd handle him, use him and make him happy.
And so it turned out. He's 18 now, still loves to jump and will be off to Hickstead, albeit at a lower height than he won at before, as he's getting on a bit. And here he is, last Sunday, after another successful day....
It just goes to show, if the horse isn't right for you, he will be right for somebody if you keep looking. Plus I now have a lovely horse to play with, who is just enough for me and is with me for life.
So thank you to Jo Freer for having faith in him, realising his potential and making him a very happy horsey...
