Interesting read: People who stick to the wrong horse for too long !

[samleigh]

Glad I'm not on your yard . . . perhaps you can be the one to gently suggest to those who are generally passing judgment that either she needs some kind people to hack out with so she and horse can gain confidence together or they should all mind their own beeswax.

P

Well said, mines an ex racer and in group canters there is only one outcome for me 45 mph flat out or a temper tantrum, fine on our own or with a friend or x country as he has a job to concentrate on. I am no way a novice and a confident rider but I,d hate my stable mates to be so judgemental, I'd pass them the reins...lol

 

[NaeNae87]

One of my geldings was by no means my dream horse when I got him. In no particular order -

• You couldn't lead him, he would lead you.
• If he didn't want to go somewhere, he would yank the leadrope out of your hands.
• He used to bite.
• He would go everywhere at warp speed.
• He threw temper tantrums when he didn't get his way.
• You couldn't get nead his face with anything other than your hand.
• He would freak out when a whip was picked up near him.
• He had no mouth.
• Was "schooled in dressage" but didn't understand any lateral aids, half halts or halts in general.
• Had no respect for any fence that wasn't post and rail (until he met Mr Electric Fence).

Basically he was a monster. His old owners had used the fact that they didn't geld him as a youngster as an excuse for bad behaviour. Just because a horse is a stallion does not mean it should not be expected to behave. I didn't like riding him much. Neither of us were all that balanced, both of us were green, both of us are stubborn... and to top it all off, half the time I couldn't slow him down.

It has taken me 2 years of consistant work to get him to the stage he is at now -

• He leads quietly and won't yank the leadrope out of your hands at all.
• He doesn't bite unless he is sore, he will prob always do that but at least it isn't every two seconds.
• He has a lovely slow trot and canter, he works through his back and tracks up really nicely.
• He hasn't had a temper tantrum in about 8 months. He never gets away with them and mostly they are silly things like wanting to be in the lead when being ridden out...
• I can touch his head with anything I like (hand, brush, sponge, clippers, clippers when on, etc)
• I can carry a whip when riding him now.
• His mouth is still an issue and although I was loathed to "bit up," I have had pro's helping me with him who have advised me on a number of bits. We have found one that he goes well in and that works for the pair of us.
• He is now learning Shoulder In. (yay, big achievement for the horse who though any leg at all meant gallop)
• He respects post & rail fencing and anything electric... which is a huge improvement.

While he may not have started off as my dream horse, he is pretty close to it now. He is bold, brave, charismatic, cheeky, sweet and sensitive. I wouldn't change him for the world. He and I got off to a bad start but there was something there. Where others may have just given up on him, I persevered and I am now reaping the rewards. I trust him with my life and he tries his heart out for me.