Problem horses - is it actually even worth it?

S

scarymare

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 October 2010
Messages
1,249
Visit site
Musing - and being really harsh I think

I have a problem horse, it was free to a good home. It weaves. It cowkicks when I get on, it kicked me 3 days ago when I straightened its rug, its a moody mare and I have already spent a couple of grand trying to fix it. Mrs B knows (not in a good way) the peeps who sold it to me. When I go up to it in the field to pat it, I get ears back and nashing teeth. It's a b**** to lead and I often have to get out my chifney. It's (sorry she's) clearly damaged goods.

With the price of hay, the price of horses and the unnecessary risk, I'm wondering how far to take this one. Snow and ice means no riding for last 3 weeks but I'm taking my other one to a clinic tomorrow anyhow - no worries. I seriously doubt I'll ever be able to take this one out anywhere and certainly not even thinking of this if it does unpredictable stuff like the kicking out when rug straightening. Will need to start again with mounting. Seriously wondering if persevering is worth it or to look at bloodbank or PTS. Not being melodramatic either, just practical. Certainly not going to pass this one on to anybody.

Assassination attempts understood.
 
No. I don't think it is worth it. I spent 2.5yrs trying to "fix" one that had problems and in the end, she erroded my confidence totally, I'd spent thousands on vet issues, cried buckets and she was virtually the same. So, if I had one like it again, I definitely wouldn't persevere. But then I'm just a hobby rider who wants an easy life. It might be different for someone else. Does the horse have talent? Would a professional make a go of it?
 
How long have you had her? is it teething problems with a new home? If not, then seriously consider her future. It would be worth having someone else to look at her, a professional rider. It may be worth paying them to reschool, etc. If they do not think it will help then ts understandable that you cannot go on as things are.
 
Blimey, you call her 'it' and you wonder why she doesn't like you? Horses can pick up your feelings you know, even if she doesn't understand what 'it' means. You can't possibly expect to win round a problem horse whilst you view her as an inanimate object.

Obviously this horse has issues, probably pain related, or due to previous poor handling, but with your attitude, you are onto a hiding to nothing..
 
I think it reallly depends on the horse and how long you have had it. My horse Ffin, I have had since he was born, he has developed ring bone, he is a wonderful horse, I love him, everyone says that when they hold him for me he follows me with his eyes the whole time I am away. I think he sees me as a herd mate. We muddle along, we have fun, there are just things that we can not do and yes there are times when I get fustrated but there you go. He is worth it, is she worth it? If not you really need to think about what you can do for her!?

I do not think i would put up with a horse that kicks!
 
Hell yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[youtube]q8GuPoGmDkQ[/youtube]

Search "Lucy's story the one in 8million pony" for full story.

[youtube]MfFtecxiKp0[/youtube]


It's a long hard road but I think it's worth it. Maybe i'm mad ;) :p :D :D
 
As others have said it does sound pain related, if you have had all checked, then i would be considering if she was worth the effort (excellent movement, confirmation Etc) as if shes just another run of the mill mare why bother, sounds like you have your mind made up tho!!
 
Ask any behaviourist and they will tell you that horses are not generally nasty and nasty behaviour is likely the horse shouting that there is something wrong or it has been abused and is reacting in a way to deflect expected abuse.

My WB was just like your mare but worse. He would bite at every opportunity - I always had to hang onto his head and then he would try and kick you really aggressively and determinedly. He also started striking for good measure with his fronts and rearing when led. He is 17hh. People including family wanted me to pts. He was just 5 years old.
Now 2 years on and his problems sorted as much as they can be and with consistent handling and patience he is a changed horse. I can kiss him - I can be in a stable with him loose and groom and muck him out with no fear of any aggression from him. This was a horse who had 3 years previous double barrelled a groom breaking her arm in 3 places :(
It was 2 years of heartache and I was drained and despondent at times. Was he worth it - oh yes of course he was. He is happy - I have learnt more about behaviour and SI dyfunction and ulcers than I thought possible.

He knew - he screamed help me help me and someone finally listened and sorted him out.
 
It can be worth it, but like Wagtaill says it's a complete waste of time and money if you don't even like the horse.
I sold one for a nominal sum last year after i'd spent about 3 grand on him and a year restarting him. But I loved the horse and he did/does have a lot going for him including the most loving temperament ever, he went to an appropriate home and is now competing and I believe hunting too.
I decided to have a break from horses for a few months and now am really looking forward to getting another like him after Christmas. With horses that have been messed up it has to be a labour of love rather than trying to make money as its so much harder trying to put right someone else's disaster. Also beware of buying anything over three as 'unstarted' very often someone has tried and made a mess of it and the horses is then harder than one who has done nothing.

Regarding a vile temperament, sorry but I wouldn't bother unless it has some tremendous talent of some type.
 
Maybe talk to LauraWheeler and she if she can help. She seems very good with problemed Horses. Perhaps the Horse can sense you don't like her. Not sure why she would trust you if you have them feelings for her.
 
rodeo said:
As others have said it does sound pain related, if you have had all checked, then i would be considering if she was worth the effort (excellent movement, confirmation Etc) as if shes just another run of the mill mare why bother, sounds like you have your mind made up tho!!
Click to expand...

Yup, run of the mill, riding club, long in the back, not really straight behind dodgy passport with no breeding record.
 
LaurenBay said:
Maybe talk to LauraWheeler and she if she can help. She seems very good with problemed Horses. Perhaps the Horse can sense you don't like her. Not sure why she would trust you if you have them feelings for her.
Click to expand...

yawn. How many chances though, how many professionals, how much money and what's the point really. I appreciate it's not her fault, I fully accept her problems are man made but does that really matter long term?
 
Nope its not. You can go out and buy a nice one that won't try to kick you for a lot less than what you can end up spending on investigations and professional help with screwed up horses.
 
In my view, and I do have my tin hat firmly on at this point, a bad horse costs more in all aspects, financially and emotionally, than a decent horse does.

If you are a pro and the bad horse horse has limitless talent that your professional ability can cultivate and achieve greatness from, then thats fine and good luck.

However, if you are Mrs Average wanting a bit of fun after work or at the weekends the bad horse needs binning before it hurts you or your family. There are plenty of genuine and safe horses to enjoy. Horses that you can look forward to caring for and riding rather than dreading what will happen next with a dodge pot.

Pleasure owners work long and hard to earn enough money to keep the creature, we also lavish all our spare time to care for the horse, the very least the horse can be is biddable when we spend a few precious hours with it. No horse is born bad, but sadly, some horses become bad following poor handling. There is no room on my yard for anything nasty and I would not hesitate to pts a dangerous horse.
 
Christsam said:
How long have you had her? is it teething problems with a new home? If not, then seriously consider her future. It would be worth having someone else to look at her, a professional rider. It may be worth paying them to reschool, etc. If they do not think it will help then ts understandable that you cannot go on as things are.
Click to expand...

Done all that - she was fine for the professional and would be fine FOR a professinal who had help on the ground to mount, etc. Professional quite fond of her...... but would not sell/loan on.
 
I've always found it incredibly satisfying to take on horses that other people have messed up and put them right. I had some rules, though. I would never take on anything that had seriously nasty behaviour in the stable, or anything that was lame anywhere but the front feet, or anything that no-one else could actually get on. But I've had horses that have hospitalised their owner more than once, horses that have been lame for years, an ex-racer that regularly dumped her jockey, etc and I don't think you can beat the sense of achievement in turning those horses around.

Scarymare, I'd get rid of yours!
 
My problem horse is my horse of a lifetime. Some years ago I was told to have him shot before he caused an accident because he'd never come good... He used to bite, wouldn't have his feet handled
 
cptrayes said:
I've always found it incredibly satisfying to take on horses that other people have messed up and put them right. I had some rules, though. I would never take on anything that had seriously nasty behaviour in the stable, or anything that was lame anywhere but the front feet, or anything that no-one else could actually get on. But I've had horses that have hospitalised their owner more than once, horses that have been lame for years, an ex-racer that regularly dumped her jockey, etc and I don't think you can beat the sense of achievement in turning those horses around.

Scarymare, I'd get rid of yours!
Click to expand...

I really did love the challenge of the mounting but the kick in the field and general narkiness has p***** me off tbh. Why am I bothering, worked out at least £10k spent by me and previous owner (and I feel really sorry for her, she contacts me constantly desperate for good news).
 
Hard to call as we don't know all the facts but speaking dispassionately, if you have already spent £2K on trying to isolate her issues, and if the mare is really only average then I honestly don't think I would carry on. I "might " put up an ad in project horses with full disclosure but appreciate you cannot guarantee her outcome.

You do need to think of yourself, your time and your money. Much as it annoys us, horses don't ever understand the time, money and sacrifices we make! I have sold on 2 I really did not get on with. Granted they weren't problematic in the way that your mare is but I really got truly fed up with trying to push water up a steep hill with the pair of them. They went to better homes who thought more highly of them than I ever would. I choose to keep my old mare at 24 because I feel she owes me nothing and gave me so much when she out competing and still has the biggest heart.
 
Posted too quickly!
He had no brakes and only knew how to jog and gallop. But I loved him. Gradually with time, love and a lot of lessons he is a reformed character.
So for me, yes it has been worth it.
 
I think that if you are "Mrs Average" then its a no go area. But, if you have lots of time and patience and the issues are mostly man made, not physical, then its a very rewarding experience bringing one round.
I bought a Hackney gelding several years ago. He'd been through ten yards in a year, and several dealers later got sold to a young girl was was frightened of him. He was inclined to a "fight" reflex, and would bite, strike and kick all at the same time. He had been treated for the first four years of his life in such a way as to make matters far worse. It took three months to get his ears pricked, and a year before I could be confident that he wouldn't bite my face off, but he ended up in a wonderful home where he is "managed" to suit his needs. He was only five when I got him, and I'm pleased that he is now a reasonably useful driving pony. Sometimes though, a horse can get so unhappy that its kinder to PTS, for all concerned.
 
scarymare said:
yawn. How many chances though, how many professionals, how much money and what's the point really. I appreciate it's not her fault, I fully accept her problems are man made but does that really matter long term?
Click to expand...

Yawn? you posted on a forum, asking a question. Just because I didn't agree with you, no need to be rude :rolleyes:

Sounds like you have already made up your mind anyway.
 
Last edited:
cundlegreen said:
I think that if you are "Mrs Average" then its a no go area. But, if you have lots of time and patience and the issues are mostly man made, not physical, then its a very rewarding experience bringing one round.
I bought a Hackney gelding several years ago. He'd been through ten yards in a year, and several dealers later got sold to a young girl was was frightened of him. He was inclined to a "fight" reflex, and would bite, strike and kick all at the same time. He had been treated for the first four years of his life in such a way as to make matters far worse. It took three months to get his ears pricked, and a year before I could be confident that he wouldn't bite my face off, but he ended up in a wonderful home where he is "managed" to suit his needs. He was only five when I got him, and I'm pleased that he is now a reasonably useful driving pony. Sometimes though, a horse can get so unhappy that its kinder to PTS, for all concerned.
Click to expand...

Lovely story, a pity probably that she didn't end up with somebody like you....but I can't take the risk of trying to find that person. I took the horse on, I was fully aware of possible outcome (didn't realise I wouldn't be able to sell on as a project though). I therefore will take responsibility.
 
LaurenBay said:
Yawn? you posted on a forum, asking a question. Just because I didn't agree with you, no need to be rude :rolleyes:

Sounds like you have already made up your mind anyway.
Click to expand...

Sorry but it is Friday afternoon Lauren, didn't mean to be rude at all - no wonder I have no friends LOL. No offence meant.
 
OP, is she a straightforward ride? If she's just a cow on the floor but once you're on is a safe, useful ride you might find selling her the best bet. I actually don't mind unpleasant horses if they'll do a job.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top