Perfect pony then, not sure now :/ help?

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Rupert-the-bear

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Hi all,

Firstly, I'd like to appologise for my rambling on- just don't know what to do and its really getting me down.

Bought a lovely horse called Rupert in october after losing ALL my confidence riding (freaked out if anything went faster than trot due to two consecutive serious riding accidents on a physico horse) He was exactly what i wanted at the time, a plod! Bombproof, very green and inexperienced in the school but nothing that couldn't be sorted. Never even thought about bucking/rearing/bolting etc. Now of course I have got all my confidence back, was hoping to be able to school him up and do some small sj/ dressage/ cross country/showing this year but im now starting to realise that he is not suitable, and no matter how much time you spend bringing him on, he will only ever be a pony perfect for doing lots of hacking, a little basic schooling and the occasional 2ft max jump.

Although I don't think I could ever bare to part with him, I have been thinking such awful thoughts lately of selling him and getting something more suitable for what I want to do, as selfish as that is. Would love to be able to get another that is slightly more advanced so I could enjoy competing that one and play around with, slowly bringing Rupert on but don't think finances would allow.

So basicaly I'm asking what would you do?

Any idea's gratefully recieved, and a lovely big cuppa tea for anyone who actually read all that :p
 
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I wouldn't be too hasty.

Have you ever done any fun rides/sponsored rides with him? Taken him hunting etc?

Why is he not suitable for the things you now want to do?
 
Have you tried riding something more forward going and more capable of what you now want to do? I am only asking because I too have suffered a massive confidence knock which I am slowly getting back with my lovely loan horse and for me 6 months doesn't seem like a very long time to have fully fixed the confidence issue. Obviously everyone is different but I'd hate you to sell your lovely boy who you totally trust only to find a horse that you think is what you want and lose all your confidence again.

Apologies if you have already tried other horses and feel ready to move on. In that case we have horses to enjoy riding them and if you are feeling frustrated you won't be enjoying it so why not let your boy go and help someone else in a similar position to you or someone who will appreciate him for his steadiness and confidence and then you can find something that suits you for the next stage of your riding career.

Just think very carefully that is all I would say x
 
First of all ponies like this are like golddust. If he really is this good and has helped you this much perhaps someone else might need him more than you??
If I were to ever ride again then this is what I would need - and I know how hard they are to find. So Rupert would not be hard to rehome. Have you thought of loaning or lwvtb? I am sure you could do this easily.
Horses cost a lot and should be enjoyed. Pushing him too hard because you want to do more than he is comfortable with would not be fair - but nor is it fair for you to be bored and frustrated when you don't need to be....The hard thing would be finding the next horse:)
 
This is such a difficult one. Firstly I wouldn't feel bad about thinking of selling him, he was bought to do a job for you and he has now done that so no reason that you can't find a great home for him where he can be that confidence builder for someone else.
But I would think very carefully as confidence can be lost again, and if you had sold him you might find you need him again.
Would it be feasible to loan him out then he is not lost forever if you ever needed him again, and you could keep your eye on him to make sure he is healthy and happy.
 
You would be able to loan him out very very easily. He will get snapped up! Why not consider this that way you still have control of his future but can focus on a new gee :-)
 
If you have tried the fun rides, feed etc to wake him up and it hasn't worked then I would sell him

there are a lot of people like you were who really need what you have!!!!

Therefore not only would he be easy to sell to a lovely home but you would both be happy and that is what is important!!!
 
I don't think you should feel bad for wanting to move on. I just wouldn't be too hasty. If he truly isn't enough for you and your future riding then maybe he could go to someone who only EVER wants to do the little bits and bobs that he can do.

I think you should now spend some time riding other more forward going horses, and continue with him to keep those good experiences in the front of your mind. I would say give him another 8 months, spend the rest of the year with him. Maybe see how you feel next spring. If it is time to move on then find the right home for him and buy something else. You might find that a lot changes with him or you in a year and you don't want to rush into anything!

2 years ago I bought what I thought was a big fat cob for hacking only. Now that I have taken up with a trainer I actually find that she just might do fairly well in a the dressage ring!

Good luck!
 
Take him hunting! Seriously,knobberpony was sold as 'not forward going' and she wasn't,which was exactly what we wanted at the time.But as my girls have gotten more competent and taken her to Pony Club and hunting,she has upped her game and now belts around showjumping courses,hunts like a dream and is definitely not a plod any more.Horses and ponies are smart and often know what their rider is capable of-if you have a bit of fun with him he may surprise you.
 
I don't believe any sound, fit horse is incapable of more than occasional 2ft jumps or schooling correctly to RC level dressage. If you wish to sell him, that's your perogative, and someone I'm sure will give him a great home, but don't do him down, just because you haven't found all his buttons yet.
 
JFTD said:
I don't believe any sound, fit horse is incapable of more than occasional 2ft jumps or schooling correctly to RC level dressage. If you wish to sell him, that's your perogative, and someone I'm sure will give him a great home, but don't do him down, just because you haven't found all his buttons yet.
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This.

Have you had anyone qualified to help you teach him or give you both lessons? Don't mean to be rude, but from what I've read, you've gone from a nervous novice to an expert schooling the horse, and deciding its no good, in one winter...
 
Theres no reason most horses wont do a nice novice dressage test and jump round a 2'9 course really as long as they have no soundness issues.

What about him makes you think he wont jump over 2ft?
 
Agree with what jftd said. Also to add that a ploddy confidence giving hack maybe like gold dust but is easier & cheaper to buy than the next stage up, forwards, safe & confidence giving but still able to compete at a reasonable level. Obviously your choice if you'd rather sell but I think there's still plenty you could learn with this horse.
 
Absolutely agree with JTFD. Pretty much any horse is capable of far more than what you are asking him so you just need to find the buttons. Are you having lessons?
 
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