How much? Possible event horse

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lauraheads

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Feel fed up today, I have a horse thats too good for me!

Thinking of advertising her, but how much? She has just turned 5, 16.1, dappled grey (just like a rocking horse
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) TB x . Mum and dad both well proven competition horses. She has amazing paces and a fantastic jump. She has one or two very very superfical scars, would of made beautiful county hack/light ridden horse. But now her career will take her down show jumping/dressage cross country lines.

Hasnt been out to any comps yet though. I dont have any decent pics of her undersaddle on this comp.

Thoughts please!
 
What caused the scars? I take it she would pass a full vetting? Its a shame that she hasn't done any shows, as that would add value to her. It is difficult to say without seeing pics, but in this financial climate you are probably looking at about £3500. If she had competed she would be worth considerably more.
 
One on her knee and one on back leg, just being a silly baby in the field I think! ( they are prob a 2cm scars that have just been left with white hairs, they could be covered up) She would pass a full vetting.

Thats the thing, I havent got the confidence to take her out to a show. I bought her last year, and I havent been to a show in 9 years! I dont know what I was thinking, I just feel in love with her
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I have a horse that's far too good for me - doesn't mean I want to sell it.

Why specifically do you want to sell yours??
 
horse how no idea how good he is ... if you like the horse I wouldn't worry - just enjoy at whatever level you want to..
 
She is a very clever horse and she likes to be doing things. I think the level that I want to jump at aka tiny she would find boring.

I dont know if people mean to do it but my confidence gets knocked alot. When I first bought her (this time last year) she was more like a 3yo than 4yo in her body. Suddenly she has blossomed and its become apparent that she has alot of potential.

My instructor says she is like a dream to ride, but Im often told I will struggle with her and that she needs schooling. I worry that I wouldnt be able to ride her at a show as I havent been to one myself in 9 years. I would prob be a bag of nerves on an older experienced horse lol.

She isnt naughty, I backed her and I havent come off yet, its just she is sensitive and people keep saying that I wont manage her. Which makes me feel nervous, maybe I would be better with an older horse?
 
I would consider or like to loan her to a competitive home for a few months and see how she is. That would be ideal I guess, as I wouldnt be able to afford another horse like her at the moment.

I have talked to people about that and they put me off saying that she could come backed ruined. On the other hand I could get back a more experienced horse. But its finding an experienced rider that has transport to get to shows.
 
AmyMay does make a valid point. There is a difference between having a horse that you might not take to the end of its potential (which is most people's reality, truth be told) and being over horsed. Horses don't really care that they are not fulfilling their ambitions so long as they are healthy, happy and well cared for.

That said, it's a different issue if what makes the horse "too good" also makes it unsuitable for the situation it's in. Competition bred horses are supposed to be athletic and sensitive - that's what they're FOR - but this can make for problems in a home that doesn't want or need those attributes. Also a good "competition mind" (as the big studbooks breed for) has nothing to do with a horse being sweet natured or easy to handle. Courses for horses - a big part of both the horse and the rider being happy in a situation is asking questions the horse can answer without undue strain.

Which is not to say (more confusingly) that some horses that seem unsuitable cannot be developed to be more so. Some skills can be learned so long as they are taught the right way. The catch is the person who needs the horse to be a certain way is not always in a position to teach those lessons because it can mean a lot of dealing with the horse when it isn't that way!

All of which is a complicated way of saying have you had outside assessment of your situation? Preferably from someone with experience with young horses and retraining? It is possible that with the right training and support this horse *could* become the idea you fell in love with.

Also, as mentioned, in this market it's increasingly important to have the horse showing or at least going well to be seen. Depending on how you feel about the money end of it you might find putting some training in gives you a bit of time to assess the situation and then pays off either way, whether you decided to keep or sell.
 
The important thing is do you think you won't/can't cope with her. If the answer is yes sell. If not enjoy her. And don't listen to those that put you donw.
 
TarrSteps - Yes I think you have a very valid point there. She has a lovely nature in the stable. And the reason she is sometimes sharp is I guess because she is bred for competition really.

AmyMay - I do really enjoy her, she is great to own. She is a real personality, she likes to give cuddles and know what your doing all the time!

I think some more experience would do her good, I think I took on a young unbacked horse not really knowing what I would be getting myself into. I have always been lucky and had horses that have been there and done it.
 
I think that you should (as suggested above) be assessed/have a lesson with another person who is experienced with young horses. i think a lot of the comments to do with you not being 'good enough' for her could stem from jealousy - especially if your instructor is saying it?

Going to competitions for the first time can be scary on a new/young horse but you can do things as fast or as slow as you want. Theres no reason that horses of such an such an age have to be jumping this/doing lateral work etc. Take her to a show with a friend on a companion horse and see how she goes. She may be fine - mine has always been pretty calm at shows since I got him as a very green 4 year old - it just depends on their temperament.

Go to the first show with no aim of actually entering anything just have a hack round for the day, and then the next time do a showing class/clear round jumping with her. I think if you sold her having never taken her anywhere, and then saw her doing really well with someone else you would always think what if. If you take her to a show and she is too much - then you know for sure.

Good luck!
 
So are you also feeling stuck in a rut with her and unsure on how to progress now?

Why not start going to some clinics etc? It's all about confidence (yours). And if ultimately you have a lovely, rideable horse that you feel should be doing more - and you can do it with her - then why sell it???
 
If the show issue is the major one there are easy solutions for that.

If you're concerned get someone else to school the horse a bit and take her out once or twice. Then you can see how she is and go from there. When I have taken horses for training it almost involves showing them the first time or two, just to make sure no issues are going to come up and assure the owner things will hold together under stress. It also gives the owner a chance to see what management will work best for the horse, which gives many people a lot more confidence in the situation. I'm actually riding a horse now with the express purpose of taking her out the first couple of times. It is true a lot can go wrong on those initial trips and many owners feel it's very important to the horse's long term success to have them go as well as possible. When the horse knows it's job a bit it's much easier for it to fit in with someone who may either need more from it competitively or expect it to "make up" a bit more.

I'm not sure about a loan to deal with that though - what's in it for the rider? A chance to all the potentially difficult and unappreciated work then hand the horse back when it gets competitive? A good rider would be very leery of doing that and I hate to say it but it might attract the people who want to use the horse to "prove" something, which is usually not very successful. If possible I'd be more tempted to just pay or, if that's not a possibility, to make some sort of mutually beneficial deal with an experienced rider.
 
AmyMay - Yes I think that would be a good idea. I did want to try and take her to a horsecamp, people say that these are really good for young horses. Maybe that would help.

TarrSteps- I think maybe I should try and find an experienced friend to take her to a few shows. I agree that the loaner would be getting a bum deal. On the flip side they would get a lovely horse to show for a while. I would like to pay for someone to take her out but I cant afford that as I would also have to pay to keep my current stable.


I feel much better already. I guess sometimes you just have days when you feel whats the point! Thanks for the advice!
 
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