Not a good day riding, and a question :(

[wattamus]

Basically I have slowly realised over the past month that i have no confidence I sort of cracked whilst riding a liverie's horse today, i was told she would be perfec and absoloubtley a kick on ride (and tbf last time i rode her she was) but today she kept jogging (don't particularly mind) but then she planted herself and started bronking in the middle of the road and wouldn't move forward. She kept spookin g at things that weren't there etc. She planted herself again on the way home and bronked again and that was it I just got off and led her home i was so petrified. And now i don't want to ride any of the horses I've been offered as I'm just too scared. If Ebony had done it i wouldn't have been bothered but it wasn't Ebony. I just cracked and burst into tears because i just wanted to get on her and have everything back to the way it was, but thats not going to happen again anyhow there's my moan.
Anyhow, I'm going to book myself in for some lessons at my riding school and get some confidence back. I'm also considering possibly buying another horse over summer so here's my question, how much would you pay for a horse that is 100% to hack alone and in company. Doesn't have to have the best conformation or jump or paces but is willing to do a bit of everything. I don't mind spooky or occasional rears but no bucking/ bronking etc etc. Good to handle/ catch/ shoe- prefrably.
sorry for the moan and the long post xx

 

[BonneMaman]

Oh I am so sorry, these horses can be bloody scary! Don't beat yourself up, please!

The riding school is a really good idea - your confidence will soon come back.

As for your own, why don't you think about an older horse, sort of been there, done that but cheaper because of his age. I know they can have more issues as far as lameness but if you can find yourself a good one perhaps with a recommendation from a good friend/riding school it would be worth the risk.

Best of luck!

 

[wattamus]

Thanks, yeah thats what I'm thinking i don't mind the older ones it's just the insurance thats the killer, but Ill ask when i get my lessons sorted xx

 

[joeanne]

so here's my question, how much would you pay for a horse that is 100% to hack alone and in company. Doesn't have to have the best conformation or jump or paces but is willing to do a bit of everything.

Hows long is a piece of string?
Market is flat at the moment, and you could probably pick up what you are describing for next to nothing.
Next summer might see a turn around in the economy and prices may rise again. I would wait and see. Save what you can and buy the best with the money you have.
Lessons sound a great idea in the meantime, hopefully they will boost your confidence.

 

[Brandy]

I know exactly how you feel. My horse (I have three actually but there is only one 'my' horse....) is now 30 yrs old and so obviously pretty much retired. I really struggle with the new one 9had him 3 yrs....) and have no confidence with him at all.

Odd really as old horse was always a handful - ex polo pony and VERY lively, but he didn;t scare me at all. New boy is normally ok but hates going out on his own. I hate it too!! We have a vicious circle. I'm sure if I 'got on with it' he would get better, but my nerves with him get the better of me. Oh for old horse to be even 10 yrs younger........

Re the price. Hard to say. I paid £405 for angel horse 12 yrs ago. From a sale, so was lucky. Its a buyers market though and sadly people in financial difficulty are having to sell quickly and cheaply.

I tried the riding school thing but to be honest it wasn;t for me. I don;t have a problem with other peoples horses ingeneral, just my new one.

 

[wattamus]

Will keep my eyes open but atm haven't got the money for a new one, but hopefully by summer things will have sorted themselves out x

 

[amage]

http://www.confident-rider.co.uk/ check out these cds. I have used them over the years, nost recently after getting bolted with a couple of years ago. was badly bolted with in Nov....rode in my first race the following April! I have only ever used the Jump with confidence one as that is one dad bought me a zillion years ago but it is brilliant. I even use it if I am having trouble sleeping or am nervous about something completely outside of work. Confidence is a fragile thing and you really need someone who has had issues with it to help you come through it!

 

[nursecroft]

Aww you've just lost your confidence, riding lessons are a good idea on something that is completely bombproof. Horses do pick up on the fact your nervous and its makes them nervous so don't beat yourself up, take it slowly and build yourself up again on something reliable.

 

[Jemima_P]

Riding lessons are a great idea. They helped me out when I started riding again earlier this year. I had zero confidence and hadn't ridden in years out of fear.
Now I'm happily riding for other people on horses that have quirks and aren't straight forward
Good luck! x

 

[Dunlin]

I never had much confidence when it came to horses that were spooky, reared and bronced as I had a terrible experience with a mental bronc that did full on head between the knees bucks out of nowhere. It got to the stage where my instructor would count up to 8 seconds as I was clearly riding in a rodeo and not a lesson! Anyway, this made purchase difficult as I thought I would be looking for essentially a miracle horse.

The repeated word I searched for was schoolmaster and I eventually found exactly what I was looking for, for sale at a riding school. He was ex race turned schoolmaster and because the school had downsized considerably and were mainly doing smaller children for lessons they didn't use him much as he was 17.3.

I had him on loan for 6 months first and fell in love. An absolute gentleman and the advert was perfectly described, he really was a great all rounder with impeccable manners. I paid £1,200 for him wayyy back when denim was all the rage, came with tacks and rugs

Definately ask around riding schools to see if they have anything for sale.

Just had a quick look at adverts, no idea what your budget is but if you have £1,600 to spare then this chap is lovely!

http://www.horsedeals.co.uk/horses-...idence-giver---school-master__29-11-11-949641

If you're budget is more £500 then have a look at New Forest ponies. I spent many years riding them and I never met one that wasn't bombproof. I know that's a bit stereotypical and obviously depends on their background but I have honestly ridden about 30 New Forest ponies and I only had a 'problem' with 1 who didn't like red cars, but even then all he did was stand still, give it the stink eye and walk on keeping one eye on the road and one on the evil red car Apparently that was "terribly bad manners" so if that's all a "bad" New Forest has to offer then bring them on!