I feel like packing it in

[georgiegirl2]

Twig my rising 5yo is making life hell at the moment.I just really feel like we have hit a brick wall.

The napping and rearing does not seem to be getting mch better - yes I've overome how to diffuse the situation when it happens but i doesnt look like she is going to stop any time soon

The loading issue is also another one. I keep practising at every opportunity I can get and she is walking in and out quite happily but once we get her somewhere there is no way she want to go on to leave. In fact, she had to stay at my friends yard the other night as we tried for 3 and a half hours to no avail. It doesnt help having 101 other things going on like my nan just being admitted to a hospice.

Mum sugested we sell her the other day and although at the moment I feel like it I just know when things are going right for her she is fantastic, she trounced the field at the one and only dressage we did and has been jumping very sweetly and enthusiastically at home. I really want her to go on and event and my instructor who judges to international level absolutely loves her so why do I feel absolutely crap when I'm not seeming to get anywhere fast with these problems.

My yard doesnt help either as we dont have any facilities and im only getting to ride her at weekends at the moment. To be honest at the moment I feel like just backing off a bit and not bothering taking her anywhere schooling and just pootling about for a few weeks.

Anyway, apologies for the 'sorry for myself' post - just feel very down and frustrated with it all at the moment

 

[air78]

Ahhhhhh, don't give up

Have you had your session with the NH man yet? He might have some good pointers.

There would be no harm in turning her away for a bit or totally easing the pressure. Loads of horses are turned away for a bit after they've been ridden away- which is basically what you've done with her again. Also you can only go at her pace- and she might just need more time.

There's no point in setting yourself up for a battle if you are not feeling 100% yourself, so maybe put her on the back burner untill life is a bit more settled? After all- it's supposed to be fun! *hugs*

 

[FMM]

Anychance of going to a trainer for a week with her and doing some more intensive work? This will help make you more enthusiastic and also give you both a chance to bond more. If you go somewhere where there is a competition at the end of the week, that will let you see how far you have progressed.

 

[Bert&Maud]

Enthusiasm and motivation are hard for most of us at this time of the year! It's also difficult to be consistent in the work that you are doing when the weather is awful and it's dark most of the time. I've recently bought a new rising 6 year old who is very green, and tbh I've spent the first few weeks pottering around the lanes and doing some short schooling sessions, the theory being that we build trust in one another and get him fitter so that come the spring we're ready to start work properly. So I would say that your idea of pootling about for a few weeks is probably a good one, your horse doesn't know that she should be doing more, and your relationship should improve once you are feeling more positive yourself. Young horses can be so frustrating, you sort out one problem and they invariably come up with another - with my last youngster I kept a diary, and was amazed in later months and years to look back and remind myself how hard it had been - he was last heard of doing one time changes in California so I must have done something right!

 

[checkmate1]

Whats wrong with taking a few weeks gently, nice hacks (you can school whilst hacking) taking a step back and looking at everything in perspective. This is prob a good solution if youv'e got problems in other areas of your life at the mo, you don't want to be stressing about the horse. Don't give up, you know shes fab and you will get there in the end!

 

[Nickijem]

A lot of us have felt like you at some point so I do sympathise. I would take some of the advice just given ie either turn her away for a bit or send her to be schooled then re-evaluate the situation in June when you have had some better weather and more time with her. If you still feel the same then June isn't a bad time to try selling her on.
I hope you feel differently by then though.

 

[jen1]

What a great idea keep a diary! I have had ups and downs with my youngster and always feel there are more downs than ups! But someone reminded me the other day that when I got him he wouldn't lunge on the right rein, I couldn't get the correct canter lead and hacking out we couldn't get within 10 miles of a skip! Amongst other things!

Apart from him being incredibly 'fresh' and spooky at the moment I do have to remember what I have achieved, think I will try the diary thing and highlight the good days to remind me it's not all that bad! It's all too easy to remember the bad news and not the good, after all if that wasn't the case then there'd be no newspapers bought in this country!!!

Keep at it, I have found it incredibly hard, and i am really strapped for cash I am not a brilliant rider and just want the best for my horse, unfortunately due to personal circumstances having a professional in to school him on a regular basis has had to take a back seat for now but I am not going to give up on him as I know he is worth his weight in gold ........when he's good!!

 

[jen1]

Also don't forget she is only 4 so still a baby! I got mine at 4 he is six now and still a complete idiot and a loon at times!!

 

[DuckToller]

My mum was in hospital in Jan for a couple of weeks so I just turned my horse out every day and forgot about riding him. He didn't mind at all and i had time to visit my mum when she came home and do some shopping for her etc

And when I went for a hack on him after nearly a month he was super, went really well, quite relaxed, best hack I've had in ages. So either have a break, turn away, or just pootle about and don't worry about not achieving anything for a few weeks. You will probably both feel better for the break!