Orchard14
Well-Known Member
So I've got some time off of work for Easter and it's given me a chance to reflect about what to do with my 5yo and putting my thoughts out into words sometimes helps.
I'm not afraid or ashamed to admit that I simply don't have the talent or experience to know what to do next with her. I have backed and brought on several horses myself throughout my lifetime. Some more difficult than others, but this mare is different and not something that I have dealt with before. She is very, very sharp, spooky, intelligent and opinionated (warmblood!) albeit very sweet and kind natured - I think she trying too hard and then getting upset because she isn't strong or balanced enough and she's exhausting herself. I have backed and hacked her a few times a week sweet as a nut for the last year but the problems have come to light since bringing in arena work this year. I have considered giving the arena work a break for another year but the thought of trying to do this again when she is another year older, bigger and stronger honestly frightens me.
Anyway I am really struggling to bring her on - both time wise and talent wise. I have been having lessons but due to time commitments (me and the instructor) I'm finding I can only have one or two a month and riding her on my own is simply pointless. I think my instructor is in a bit of a pickle about what to do next too, she isn't an actual instructor per se, but a young professional rider in the local area. We have trial and error-ed a few things but this mare is something else on the complex scale. I have already had this conversation with my instructor and she agrees it's time for me to find someone else who can teach us more.
This leads me on to my next thought which is do I send her away instead? I can't help but feel that if I send her away I have failed even though I know that's not in the slightest bit true but it's very tempting because it would take some pressure off of me day-to-day if there was one less horse around for a few weeks or months.
So I guess my question is who or where? Anybody know anyone prepared to take on an 'interesting' case? Either just with lessons and advice or to take in for a while? I am based in the South West - Glous/Wiltshire/Somerset borders and if she's away I would like to be able to go and see her at some points so within those counties would be nice. I have looked on the BHS website for registered instructors but they are just names on a sheet to me. I just want to get to the point where I can get a walk, trot and canter without going sideways, backwards, up, down or inside out - not asking for much.
Just to add that she is a homebred and we sadly lost her dam who my mum bred and evented so she is very special and although she would probably be better off in a professionals hands, selling is not a consideration, she will always be exceptionally well taken care of whether she's just a field ornament, hack, low-level competition or Olympic prospect (wishful thinking). She also has clear neck/back/leg/hoof xrays, regular physio and dental checks (she did have a fractured wolf tooth which was removed) and was scoped 3 weeks ago - again clear. Thank you in advance for any comments and sorry for the essay.
I'm not afraid or ashamed to admit that I simply don't have the talent or experience to know what to do next with her. I have backed and brought on several horses myself throughout my lifetime. Some more difficult than others, but this mare is different and not something that I have dealt with before. She is very, very sharp, spooky, intelligent and opinionated (warmblood!) albeit very sweet and kind natured - I think she trying too hard and then getting upset because she isn't strong or balanced enough and she's exhausting herself. I have backed and hacked her a few times a week sweet as a nut for the last year but the problems have come to light since bringing in arena work this year. I have considered giving the arena work a break for another year but the thought of trying to do this again when she is another year older, bigger and stronger honestly frightens me.
Anyway I am really struggling to bring her on - both time wise and talent wise. I have been having lessons but due to time commitments (me and the instructor) I'm finding I can only have one or two a month and riding her on my own is simply pointless. I think my instructor is in a bit of a pickle about what to do next too, she isn't an actual instructor per se, but a young professional rider in the local area. We have trial and error-ed a few things but this mare is something else on the complex scale. I have already had this conversation with my instructor and she agrees it's time for me to find someone else who can teach us more.
This leads me on to my next thought which is do I send her away instead? I can't help but feel that if I send her away I have failed even though I know that's not in the slightest bit true but it's very tempting because it would take some pressure off of me day-to-day if there was one less horse around for a few weeks or months.
So I guess my question is who or where? Anybody know anyone prepared to take on an 'interesting' case? Either just with lessons and advice or to take in for a while? I am based in the South West - Glous/Wiltshire/Somerset borders and if she's away I would like to be able to go and see her at some points so within those counties would be nice. I have looked on the BHS website for registered instructors but they are just names on a sheet to me. I just want to get to the point where I can get a walk, trot and canter without going sideways, backwards, up, down or inside out - not asking for much.
Just to add that she is a homebred and we sadly lost her dam who my mum bred and evented so she is very special and although she would probably be better off in a professionals hands, selling is not a consideration, she will always be exceptionally well taken care of whether she's just a field ornament, hack, low-level competition or Olympic prospect (wishful thinking). She also has clear neck/back/leg/hoof xrays, regular physio and dental checks (she did have a fractured wolf tooth which was removed) and was scoped 3 weeks ago - again clear. Thank you in advance for any comments and sorry for the essay.
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