I have some regret...

A

AutumnDays

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 August 2020
Messages
828
Visit site
So some of you may know from a previous post that I had a horse gifted to me before Christmas, to be my happy hacker. He's an older boy, at 18 this year, but he hasn't seen much of the world other than in a school/show ring, so happy hacker he is not. He's a big lump too. I've done lots in hand with him, and riding him out on a simple, not too scary route but still seeing some of the stuff we come across in hand... He is sharp and so spooky. It's hard work and I'm not enjoying the challenge. I have a degenerative spinal condition, and sitting to all the shapes and spins is hurting. To handle he's a darling, and he's a lovely character, but I'm starting to regret spending £££ on tack to get him going (nothing expensive per se, just he came with nothing and I had nothing for him), because I'm not really enjoying riding him.
He won't be going anywhere, he's here till end of days (like all the misfits), but I don't know if I want to continue riding. Do I just give it a break and try again at a later date? Persevere? I feel a bit of a failure after longing to get back in the saddle for so long, only to be thinking of quitting a few weeks after starting up again. (Not to mention the waste of money on tack... I'm trying to sell some bits on eBay, and everyone wants them for nothing)
 
As above it's supposed to be fun and not painful. I stopped when I had physical problems with being able to ride and am now a happy cuddler and groomer of a WHW pony so I remain in the horse world.

I know they vary in their effectiveness but have you tried a calmer for him to dull his nerves a bit?

One of the horses that I know has a Calming Cookie before being ridden and is much less sharp. (Other calmers are available)
 
AutumnDays said:
So some of you may know from a previous post that I had a horse gifted to me before Christmas, to be my happy hacker. He's an older boy, at 18 this year, but he hasn't seen much of the world other than in a school/show ring, so happy hacker he is not. He's a big lump too. I've done lots in hand with him, and riding him out on a simple, not too scary route but still seeing some of the stuff we come across in hand... He is sharp and so spooky. It's hard work and I'm not enjoying the challenge. I have a degenerative spinal condition, and sitting to all the shapes and spins is hurting. To handle he's a darling, and he's a lovely character, but I'm starting to regret spending £££ on tack to get him going (nothing expensive per se, just he came with nothing and I had nothing for him), because I'm not really enjoying riding him.
He won't be going anywhere, he's here till end of days (like all the misfits), but I don't know if I want to continue riding. Do I just give it a break and try again at a later date? Persevere? I feel a bit of a failure after longing to get back in the saddle for so long, only to be thinking of quitting a few weeks after starting up again. (Not to mention the waste of money on tack... I'm trying to sell some bits on eBay, and everyone wants them for nothing)
Click to expand...
Can you not get a sharer for him or half loan him??

My mare is mega spooky but since I removed the alfalfa she is less but the calmer helps, I bought another mare in Sept but went lame 4 days after arriving so at rehab then will be sold as I want a confidence giver next time.
 
When I still had horses I paid a good and kind pro to do all the firsts, first ride at home, first hack ,first canter in open space etc, etc. It was always fine but I tried to keep the risk of coming off as low as possible. Definitely get someone else in to get him going and give you an honest opinion on whether he will be suitable for what you want.
 
AutumnDays said:
Thanks for your replies all. I think maybe I was expecting too much of him and had a rose tinted view of what riding would be like again. Maybe going backwards to come forwards again would suit us both, as there is no deadline for him to be working well by, and like others have said it's meant to be fun.
Click to expand...
Exactly. I retired my mare because she was so scared out hacking I spent more time on the ground than on her back. She sometimes comes out for walks and like with your boy, she's still scared, but she trusts me enough to stay with me and we both enjoy it a heck of a lot more. She practically drags me out of the yard to explore, now.
 
If he's really spooky in hand too then it sounds like he is worried and insecure about being away from the herd - do you have someone who could walk one of your other ponies with you both and then slowly build towards you taking him in hand on his own?

Given his age, is there any chance that he has underlying issues at play too which could be making him spooky?
 
What did he do before you got him and to what level? If he showed to a high level he must have been fairly unflappable and brave to cope with the atmosphere of the shows and polite to allow a stranger to get on and ride, which would make me think there might be hope that he just needs to learn about hacking rather than fundamentally being a sharp and spooky horse?

Would it be worth putting in the odd schooling session or ride that's in his comfort zone and known to him to help keep his confidence up?
 
As mentioned, i’d try the route of sessions with a pro rider or trainer to just get past the difficulties, see if that helps, before giving up on the idea.
That being said, because of age and history, i’d want to rule-out any potential health/physical issues too. Seems strange a previous comp horse to be spooky when youd expect them to have experienced so much, so could be physical issue. But then again, if there’s been a long break and many changes he might just be fresh again and need some pro sessions to help assure him.
 
You could pop him on some Valerian (I figure if it's competition banned then it must do something) and find a teenager that is brave and still bounces to share him and see if they can get him hacking out, that sort of thing is something they usually enjoy, then you can see how it goes and if he does get used to his new job you can then hop back on board :)
 
I have recommended this lately on another post, it might do nothing, it might be the answer to your prayers. It has been around forever used by old horse handlers, these days it is just put in a little spray bottle for commercial selling. I also found a good handful or two of chamomile everyday could be very useful. Takes a week or so to build up in their system. You can get it mixed with other stuff as a 'calming' feed but I found it just as effective feeding it alone.

bitless-equestrian.co.uk

Pax Horse Calmer – natural, non-sedating

Applied to the handler, not the horse – for immediate effect: it is not a sedative Pax promotes calmness, trust and partnership between man and horse. Its effects are instant
bitless-equestrian.co.uk bitless-equestrian.co.uk

 
I'm sorry that you're in pain. Riding should be fun! Do you have to hack him, or is there the opportunity to ride him inside or on the property? I wouldn't give up. Take it easy until you're feeling fitter - doing groundwork and generally getting to know him better and then take it from there, step by step. Remember it's a big change for him, too! Be patient, both with yourself and him. In time you'll find out what works for both of you. Wishing you all the best. If I were round the corner I'd love to help you out!
 
Squeak said:
What did he do before you got him and to what level? If he showed to a high level he must have been fairly unflappable and brave to cope with the atmosphere of the shows and polite to allow a stranger to get on and ride, which would make me think there might be hope that he just needs to learn about hacking rather than fundamentally being a sharp and spooky horse?

Would it be worth putting in the odd schooling session or ride that's in his comfort zone and known to him to help keep his confidence up?
Click to expand...

I did a year on a top class pro showing yard and some of the horses were absolutely lunatics. Fat, over fed starchy sugary foods, underworked and never saw anywhere other than the yard and a show ring. The riders were all total pros and they all had all sorts of tricks to get them to behave, quite often lunging them into the ground several times before a class. Sadly having been a high level show horse doesn't mean he's had a happy life and been exposed to things in a way that would help him transition to happy hacker.
 
Thanks for all your replies, I really appreciate it. He's recently had a full MOT as the vet was coming out for other routine stuff, so he had the works. Saddle, back, teeth, massive bean removed, nothing was left unturned, bless him! I think he had a very long break and nothing done with him before coming here, so that's probably the biggest thing here. I did put my big girl pants on and go out on him this afternoon, and there was a change in his demeanour... Yes he still spooked and was a bit hot headed over silly things, like a daffodil that wasn't there last time, but it felt more like he was trying it on? Once he found out I wasn't getting off or giving in (apparently any sign of idiocy before, they got off and led him past/gave up) he just went past it no bother. We had a few idiot drivers we encountered, and someone drilling a fence, and I thought that would be where he plays up, and he was just listening to me talking to him and kept on walking just with some big snorts. So he stepped up there. Maybe I have been too quick to judge us both here.
 
AutumnDays said:
Thanks for all your replies, I really appreciate it. He's recently had a full MOT as the vet was coming out for other routine stuff, so he had the works. Saddle, back, teeth, massive bean removed, nothing was left unturned, bless him! I think he had a very long break and nothing done with him before coming here, so that's probably the biggest thing here. I did put my big girl pants on and go out on him this afternoon, and there was a change in his demeanour... Yes he still spooked and was a bit hot headed over silly things, like a daffodil that wasn't there last time, but it felt more like he was trying it on? Once he found out I wasn't getting off or giving in (apparently any sign of idiocy before, they got off and led him past/gave up) he just went past it no bother. We had a few idiot drivers we encountered, and someone drilling a fence, and I thought that would be where he plays up, and he was just listening to me talking to him and kept on walking just with some big snorts. So he stepped up there. Maybe I have been too quick to judge us both here.
Click to expand...
Nice news.
 
I had an admittedly much younger horse years ago who I think just been schooled to event and competed but knew nothing about life. There would be occasions when it took me a really long time just to get out of the end of the driveway. I was much younger and much braver and persevered and he ended up as a good hack alongside his competing. I think he simply did not understand the concept of the whole thing.

There is no compulsion to go hacking or riding if you or the horse aren’t enjoying it. Just seen your update and well done.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top