Not sure what to do

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Dreamer515

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as im writing this im not sure what response i would like to hear back. i recently had to have my old boy pts due to injury, i know it was the right decision and i dont regret it but i cant help but miss him. my other horse is 12yrs and im in the middle of retraining him however ive lost all motivation to ride since i lost my old boy. im finding all kids of excuses not to ride and when i do ride im always comparing them. i had my old boy for over 8 years and he was my angel. that being said the 12yr old is very special to me as well and i do love him dearly. he was gifted to me last year after i looked after him through his racing carrer.

idealy i would love to loan him out for 6 months then see where we stand and whether this non riding thing with me is permenent or just part of missing my old boy. however due to his past history and future commitments this is not really do able. i have also considered sending him back to his old owners (they have 1st refusal) but i know if he went back there he would just be a field ornament and taken out parading occasionaly. he would be wasted there. im thinking about sharing but not sure if i like the idea of someone riding my horse when im still looking after him. i think i would get a bit interferring as i like things done my way. i dont know what to do, if anything. should i carry on going as it is and try and work through it? i love looking after him and doing the yard work, but its a time thing aswell what with work and i worry that i will begin to resent the money i spend on him for someone else to ride him.

as i said i love him to bits, i want whats best to him and dont think its fair on him for me to always be comparing him with my old horse. any advise? has anyone else had this experience?
 
How about turn him away for the rest of winter and just spend time with him each day but with no pressure, give him a carrot and a cuddle and just enjoy his company
 
Yes, unless you can find someone to school him when you are there eg setting up the poles and teaching him to jump, something different, or you could try your hand at long reining , more advanced things, maybe try some winter showing, just something different is needed.
 
thanks for the replies. i hadnt thought about turning him away for the winter, do you think it would matter that he is fully clipped? i mean he will be suitably rugged and all or should i keep bringing him in at night? thanks MrsD123 for the suggestions. i dont think i could cope watching someone else jump him tbh, we have been working really hard correcting his jumping and as he can be a bit tricky over jumps i wouldnt feel right putting anyone up on him to school just yet. (he is kept on livery at a riding school and most of the students/other liveries are used to riding school ponies/push button horses...not thats theres anything wrong with that, i just dont think they would be able to handle him properly) he is very stubborn and refuses to lunge/long rein...have tried countless times with different techniques to the point where it only upsets him more. as for showing i would do if i could but there doesnt seem to be many options in my area plus lack of transport means i am limited. i will keep thinking about it but in all fairness i think i may be swayed with turning him away for a month or so.
 
Give him and yourself a good break. Pony shouldnt mind being turned away, either with you or his old owners if thats a possibility for a few months? Might even help if you are re-training him.
Hopefully a break will let you realise how much you need some horse time in your life with your new old horse!
 
do you think it will be ok to turn him away even if he has a hunter clip? he is a TB and was previously in hard work and turned out during the day and stabled at night. obviously he will be rugged accordingly.
 
Dreamer515 said:
do you think it will be ok to turn him away even if he has a hunter clip? he is a TB and was previously in hard work and turned out during the day and stabled at night. obviously he will be rugged accordingly.
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Yes - in theory good rugs and he should be fine as long as he has some company - keep an eye on his weight. It may be hard to adjust if he is used to being in and has been a racer but we have had horses arrive who have only had 4 hours a day turnout previously who have taken to life out like a duck to water. My mare prefers to be outside. Nearly all of the horses at the yard where I keep mine live out 24/7 many clipped and several of them are TB (and clipped fully).
 
hoggedmane said:
Yes - in theory good rugs and he should be fine as long as he has some company - keep an eye on his weight. It may be hard to adjust if he is used to being in and has been a racer but we have had horses arrive who have only had 4 hours a day turnout previously who have taken to life out like a duck to water. My mare prefers to be outside. Nearly all of the horses at the yard where I keep mine live out 24/7 many clipped and several of them are TB (and clipped fully).
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thank you. hopefully after a month or so i will be raring to get back in the saddle. hopefully the break will do him good aswell
 
I am sorry for the loss of your horse. I would not feel at all bad to give your horse some time out. As you said, you are enjoying the grooming and yard work.
When mine had some time out a while back I did all sorts of silly games.
For example learning to fetch sticks like a dog! See Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT1rlobBh9U
We also learned to bow, climb onto a podium, chase a plastic bag tied to a lunge whip. More videos on Youtube if you are interested.
All these were good fun, I had an injured hip and so we rested a lot, but I could still enjoy building time and play with my horse.
Plus, now we are up and running again our relationship is better than ever.
Good luck, and there is no need to make a decision right now. And yes, I think turnout is fine with a clipped horse when well rugged.
All good fun, no stress, just play.
 
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