having doubts about my horsey..(long and bit dull sorry!)

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kombikids

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does anyone have doubts about whether to persist with their horse? I am at the mo - i have had her since august and its been a rollercoaster ride - we had some spooking issues when hacked alone when i first got her which seemed to have disappeared as we now ride in company and she is effectively bombproof, we have had headshaking issues, so i now ride her in a hackamore. She came from a less than reputable dealer shall we say and we paid 4.5k for her. Shes 16hh, 8yrs, out of the lawbreaker by landgraf and ladykiller. Have traced her history back - shes was bred by an event yard and bsja for 2 seasons (80 actual 140 notional)until last year and then sold to a dealer as a swap for their daughers JA pony. No one is sure how she went from reputable dealer to dodgy one! Anyway I am worried that i dont have enough time to put into her as we run our own business and i have a toddler so riding is in the evenings if hubbie isnt working, also had a car crash 2 weeks ago which is meaning that riding is painful. Just a bit down as wanted to be out competing, and although we have managed it once and went double clear its frustrating that i cant be out with all the girls on my yard doing dressage and jumping. Although she goes nicely in a hackamore she still needs work on the flat and will work in an outline but when really encouraged.Shes the most well mannered horse on teh ground, stunning to look at and has a really try hard and genuine attitude. I think for a pro rider they would do well on her. Most of this is my riding as i am coming back to it after a 15yr gap. Anyway am just thinking would i get anywhere near my money back? My hubbi worked so hard for her - he bought her as a wedding gift and will not entertain selling her as he thinks it will lose him money. Just wish i bought a 16year old schoolmaster instead! What does everyone think, am i having a bad day or should i keep persisting?
 
I think that you are suffering from January, residue of car crash and perhaps being a bit ambitious for so early in your return to riding. Give her and you a chance to get to know each other better and put the competing on the back burner until you have more time. Any horse that you want to compete will take a lot of time and effort.
 
yes i know, its just frustrating when everyone elses horses at the yard seem to go perfectly and mine never does! didnt help falling off yesterday, which didnt bother me that much but yeah guess its everything adding up.thanks!
 
have thought about that and am trying to get a proffesional person to see her but so far have ended up with idiots! have regular lessons with the yard owner who is lovely and has given us tons of confidence but not an expert expert(posted on here about the idiot guy who reckons force her back into a bit do side reins up tight as you can and lunge her for 45 minutes so she exhausts herself before riding)

know anyone near herts and what it would cost?
 
This time of year is the pits as far as horses are concerned - the short days, terrible weather and mud. Most horsey people get fed up, so you are not the only one. I think you have done wonders with your mare (I know the dealer you are referring to
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), especially as you have only had her such a short time. Don't push yourself into competing just yet, keep her ticking over and it will soon be Spring, and everything will be easier. I think we all have doubts at times, but if you sold her, you could buy something with a lot more issues.
 
Schoolmasters don't make themselves. If you can hack out and jump a double clear and you've only had your horse since August I'd say you were doing well. Keep putting the work in and in the long term you'll have the horse you want for many years to come. I bet everyone else on the yard has problems and set-backs too, when you and your horse are coming into success, plenty of others will be packing up!
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iknow exactly were your coming from but with time and patiance it does come right and if not you can always say you tried horses are not easy at this time of year mine has turned into a monster on the roads at the moment even though he isnt usually hope it all works out
 
I have a cob and (just got home) we did several BIG spooks on the road today and cantered twice, on the road, unintentionally!! and one of those was up a very VERY steep hill, amazes me the power he has when he wants to use it!

I have had my ups and downs and had to really struggle through the thick and thins of horse ownership. I also think once you have kids your outlook on risk taking changes, believe me I have twins!!

Keep at it, she looks a fantastic horse and I am sure once you gel you will go from strength to strength! For gods sake I am just scared of jumping a teeny weeny jump so you are doing much better than I could ever do!

Agree that maybe send her for schooling or have someone come to you for a week or so and have an assessment. Maybe seeing someone else on her will make you realise what a great horse you have!

My horse is 6 I am in my 40's (oh my god am I that old already??!!) He is my life through thick and thin and i plan (and hope to god I can afford to keep him) for us to grow old together, hopefully by the time he is 16 he will have a bit of sense in his brain!! .....


..... or maybe not!!

Where in Herts are you? Know some people who could poss help? Can get numbers if you want?
 
I know of a really, really good instructor - south herts, around watford/chorleywood/chalfont area. She's based in Seer Green but does travel a bit. She charges £15 per lesson and is really amazing - does wonders for your confidence and you always come out of a lesson feeling good about yourself and your riding. She will ride the horse as well and isn't hung up about anything - if you wanted to ride bareback in a headcollar she'd still teach you!

If you're nearish that area PM me and I'll give you the no.
 
I frequently doubt whether I should keep Morris or not, and similar to your situation, my main worry is making back the money I paid for him. But I'm persevering as I know he's a fantastic horse with enormous potential, and if I put in the hard work, he'll make me a brilliant competition horse one day. You've jumped a double clear, you've hacked out, you just need to keep going. Hardly anyone has the time to ride properly in the Winter. As soon as Spring comes around, you can restart her work, and she'll start to improve. And remember - you've not had her that long! As my friend keeps telling me, you wont know the horse until you've had it at least 6 months. Keep working on it and I bet you will be pleased that you stuck with her.

x
 
thanks for all this guys - really helped me to feel better - had a lovely ride today - just walked literally - around the school for 30 minutes with some poles scattered everywhere, and whilst my back enjoyed the lack of jolting it was great for horsey to do some circles round poles and learn to walk calmly - it restored my confidence in her as she learnt something in one session.
 
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