keep or sell?

[gemmcd]

Just wanted some opinions. We bought a foal a few years ago he is Fidertanz/wenkstern breeding with hope he would be my next dressage horse. The problem is he just grew and grew he is now turning 6 this year and is standing 18hh. I fell pregnant and had my daughter while he was away getting backed as a late 4year old. so for his age he is a bit green working novice/elementary but not been out competing. His temperament on the ground is second to none he is amazing but I find that when I ride him I feel totally over horsed. He has never had me off but can be spooky, I struggle with time and at the min I am riding him at 6am for approx 20-30mins 4-5 x a week, under floodlights that arent that great which isnt fair on him really I think ive lost my bottle since having a child. He moves well and is very well balanced for such a big horse and has so many good qualities.
So do you think its an age/size thing and just needs a bit longer, or should I bite the bullet and sell him? (which would break my heart) we have saved up and he is at a pros yard for four weeks because the weather has been so bad. Also do you think there is much of a market for this type?
Thanks

 

[BBH]

He sounds like a wonderful horse tbh and its only your circumstances making you doubt him. A new mum and a young horse are a lot to cope with.

As he sounds wonderful in all regards and just needs more mileage on the clock I would consider periodically putting him on training livery when you feel a bit overwhelmed. No-one likes riding in the dark / early mornings of winter and come the spring you may feel more encouraged about things.

Good horses are hard to come by, I would keep hold of him if your long term aspirations are to ride.

There will deffo be a market for him but perhaps a little more limited cos of his height.

 

[gemmcd]

Thank you for your reply. Its such a hard time to keep motivated I also have another horse working towards medium and will probably need to go back to work and just worry that I'm not doing him justice. xx

 

[kc100]

Perhaps you could try loaning him out for a year or two until he is a bit older and your child is also a bit older? Of course this would need to be an experienced dressage rider, but there are plenty of people out there looking to at least share or loan a promising young dressage horse. If you were near me I'd be biting your hand off to come and ride him! I love big horses and ride at prelim level (work at home to novice/elementary) but I cant afford to own so I share and try and ride where I can! So I'm sure there will be more like me out there I'm sure who would love to ride your boy.

I dont think selling him is the right choice, you have brought this horse on from a foal so you would regret giving him up, I'm sure you bought him with a view to being your future horse even though you have a 'now' horse and if you gave him up you'd need to start all over again really with another foal.

I think it is more to do with your current situation (being a mum) and him being a 6 year old who is still learning. Most horses are a bit spooky and if he's never had you off then it shows he doesnt have any terrible, dangerous habits that are putting you at risk.

So I think if he went away for loan for a year or two until he's more mature and sensible that would be your best option - you could focus on your medium level horse and let the 6 year old be brought on by another rider. Alternatively getting a good sharer would do a similar trick - gives you the time to focus on your other horse while someone rides and enjoys your 6 year old. If after a year or two you still feel over-horsed and he is still too spooky for your liking, then you can sell and at least you will know you have done all you can with him before letting him go.