saddest thing im ever going to have to do :(

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lealoulou

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ive owned my 15HH piebald cob for 6 years and i absolutely adore him hes come on leaps and bounds he was a horse that stood in a field and couldnt be tied up as would pull a ring out of a brick wall to being an all rounder hunting, show jumping xc and absolutely bombproof. i was just a girl who liked horses and decided to buy one :eek:
hes now 12 years old and were both alot more experienced however ive realised i now want more out of a horse he cant canter on the correct lead leg on the left rein, he can be very hard mouthed and as he was bred for driving hes very heavy on the forehand!
He has had numerous lessons, clinics, workshops etc to work on these things but theyre habits that i let slip for so long as i was only a happy hacker so correct lead leg wasnt an issue for me! we then moved to a riding school and he was on working livery, biggest mistake ever as hes now hard mouthed and i need to hunt and xc in a gag, he doesnt soften, no outline, nothing!

so im now realising (after being told by my instructor and friends for the past year) i need something more! but it pains me to even talk about selling him as i adore him so much :(

I like heavy horses and in a perfect world id like a 16hh + ISH gelding do have a soft spot for coloureds would like something younger i can work on however im guided by price and by dodgy dealers in the past who have scared me from buying from a dealers!

so a couple of questions

1) good/ reliable/ honest dealers anyone can reccomend in suffolk / essex way
2) am i going to find something i like for only £2500 to include a saddle

im only going to continue hunting, hacking and jumping like i am now so the horse doesnt need to have that 'perfect' confirmation or striding etc

i would just like a horse i can give as much love and affection to as i do with my horse now and just enjoy the beautiful relationship between happy horse and happy owner.
 
you seem to be asking for the same horse that you have already just one that is a bit bigger and canters on the right leg, shame, work on the issues you deserve it to you both and you are not going to get any taller.
 
People will probably shoot me down for saying this, but hard mouths and leaning heads can be overcome as can the other schooling issues you mentioned.

I'd recommend some intensive lessons with a good classical riding instructor, you will be surprised what can be achieved in a relatively short time. Not all instructors are good, some are actually quite useless regardless of their qualifications. If your instructor is recommending a new horse rather than re-schooling your current one I'd be inclined to look elsewhere.

Despite popular opinion long term schooling issues are curable, it doesn't matter how long they have been established with correct riding they can be overcome.

Don't get rid on other people's often misguided advise, it only leads to regrets.

If you are determined to try something new I'd recommend loaning your horse out and take on a loan, at least you have your horse too fall back on if you realise you don't need/want anymore
 
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Well, you could sell him and buy another, and then find that no horse comes able to do everything for every rider....

..... or you could keep your boy, step up your act, change your instructor to one who is going to help you find a way to help your boy, and find just how much more your boy has to give.

I've no idea what your level of experience is or what books/videos you've looked at already in your quest to help you and your boy find better balance to be able to achieve more athletic stuff, but I'd highly recommend Philippe Karl's set of DVD's and his two books.

It can be absolutely amazing learning to truly school/train your horse to bring out the best of his natural abilities.

Good luck whatever you decide to do.

Sarah
 
I honestly would try and sort him out. Even if never to be perfect. At least you know him. Who is to say you wont end up with something else thats got an issue. I am a happy hacker and as long as it went forwards that was good for me. However when I had lessons apparently I got told he didnt take off on the right leg? His back end wasnt engaged? I am not a perfect rider by no means but he was good to handle /traffic //farrier etc not nasty also been driven strong in mouth but at least I knew him. We got on just fine.

Try to sort him with help again and then make a decision.

Still have him...professional lawn mower(retired).

Everyones probably sick to death of me looking but I am on horse viewing 22+ and got bucked off the last one I looked at(that" never bucks or rears"). I am deciding if I want to continue and realise what a good boy I had. Just beware!
 
The whole point of riding is that you have a relationship with your horse and you enjoy yourself. If you don't want to sell him, then you don't have to. If you want a horse you can be more competitive with, or progress your riding with then I am sure there are people on your yard, or in your area that you can share with, or you could borrow a horse for lessons.

Don't be pressured to sell your best friend if you don't want to do it. If my instructor tried to pursuade me to sell a perfectly enjoyable horse who fulfills all my requirements then I would change instructors!

Also- if the only problem is the canter leads, and your instructor can not help you sort it after several years I would try another instructor for a couple of months to see if there are other methods available that you haven't learned about yet!

My mum had her horse for 32 years! He wasn't perfect, but she worked with him and they really were best friends (it was something to behold to watch them together!). Don't sell up unless you really believe it is for the best!
 
I've had my horse for 2 years now, and he'd done nothing for I don't know how long, he struggled to do a 20 meter circle at first, but with patience, guidence and determination he is alot better yet after 2 years, we still have a way to go. These things do take time and I'm not saying that you don't love your horse but I wouldn't part with mine for the world just because he has a couple of little problems. Don't listen to other people, you have to do what is right for you and your horse. Continue to work on these little issues, if your not getting anywhere, change instructors. Good luck
 
When we bought Kali (last January) he couldn't canter left without going disunited, was unbalanced, on his forehand, had horrible short/choppy strides, rushed everywhere, leaned horribly on the bit and went everywhere hollow. We took off all the gadgets (flash and martingale) and with the help of my fab instructor we took him back to the beginning. After a year and a half of lunging, schooling, lessons with knowledgeable instructors even I can get him to work properly (i.e., from behind), softly, over his back and he now reliably canters correctly on the left rein.

It took alot of hard work (and time and money), but it was certainly worth it.

I didn't write the above to show off - or to make you feel bad for the choice you are thinking of making - it's just to let you know that poor schooling habits CAN be overcome with time and perseverance.

You don't necessarily need to write him off b/c of his schooling issues . . . in your shoes I'd be getting a different instructor and have him schooled too.

Best of luck.

P
 
As others said, school him. I've got a work in progress who is also a carriage horse and was very heavy on her forehand, strung out behind and liked to go as fast as she could, but she's getting better all the time with the right instruction and practice. Plenty of transitions, get him really listening to you and don't give up on a bad note.

Most horses are forward out hunting, so you'll probably find anything a bit "hard mouthed" in that situation.
 
I would try another intructor. Clinics etc can give you good ideas and tips but consistent coaching is very helpful too. Not meaning to be offensive to your current instructor: different people have different perspectives and ideas which you may find useful.
Dont forget the value you have in the bond and familiarity with your horse either. A new horse may be better in some ways but have other quirks(as I am sure has been mentioned:D) which you may well have to work through.
 
not read all the comments but... if he is as good as you say, maybe he can teach another girl how to love horses and ride! bombproof allrounders are worth their weight in gold to novice riders! keeping him would almost be unfair if he can teach others! be proud that the work you put into him, will be enjoyed by someone else!!
 
Agree with the posters who say have some lessons with a classical riding instructor. None of these problems are insurmountable and you clearly adore him. If you do decide to part with him then as Mr Velvet says at least he could be a great horse for someone else. But once sold he's gone, just don't rush to do anything.
 
Most posters on here are so right, just realise that when he's gone, he's gone and you cann't have him back and the next horse might not be so willing to put up with your bad faults(like why haven't you taught him to strike off on correct leg, that comes down to schooling).
 
team barney said:
People will probably shoot me down for saying this, but hard mouths and leaning heads can be overcome as can the other schooling issues you mentioned.

I'd recommend some intensive lessons with a good classical riding instructor, you will be surprised what can be achieved in a relatively short time. Not all instructors are good, some are actually quite useless regardless of their qualifications. If your instructor is recommending a new horse rather than re-schooling your current one I'd be inclined to look elsewhere.

Despite popular opinion long term schooling issues are curable, it doesn't matter how long they have been established with correct riding they can be overcome.

Don't get rid on other people's often misguided advise, it only leads to regrets.

If you are determined to try something new I'd recommend loaning your horse out and take on a loan, at least you have your horse too fall back on if you realise you don't need/want anymore
Click to expand...

Im with team Barney! ;D
 
OP I hate to say this but you're looking for the "perfect" horse; and put simply, you won't find it!!!

Your horse you've got at the moment sounds an absolute darling. You've obviously come a long way with him; he sounds very much like my boy.

I think it would be an awful shame for you to give up on him now. Not that he wouldn't sell, coz I reckon he would.

But if you're selling him because he "won't canter on the correct lead", then, I'm sorry, but that is because you as his rider haven't given him the correct signals to do so!!! Its not good looking for a better and bigger horse, because it just won't happen.

I don't think the fact that a horse won't canter on the correct lead is a valid reason for selling him!!! Shame on you! A lot of us on here have horses that are quirky, or contrary, or even that scare the living shite out of us, but we still stick with our horses and work issues through.

Frankly, if you're not prepared to work issues through with your horse, then you don't deserve him!!! Sorry if that offends, but as one that's really had to work my t!ts off with my horse, and stick with him even though he was a total fruit-loop, I know that it IS possible to have a good partnership and come through the other side. But it doesn't come easy, and I've had to work bleddy hard with mine, with the help of a really fab trainer who helped me through the bad times.

Perhaps you need to have a trainer help you with yours? Personally I'd explore this option rather than sell.

But you'll need to be prepared to put the work in and not expect a quick fix!

If you're not prepared to put the work in, then I think TBH that your horse deserves someone that WILL work through any issues and he'll probably turn out a real good'un and you'll have missed the opportunity.
 
thank you for all of your comments, just to clarify i dont want another horse as i adore the one ive got! ive tried different instructors and different people schooling him but it doesnt work i cant remember who said it but yes it is my fault he doesnt strike off on the right lead leg but when i first got him n we just enjoyed each other by doing lots of hacking it didnt matter what lead leg we was on!
ive got a different instructor at the moment and she is really good and helpful and she does understand my frustration!
however saying that i do agree with what someone else said about him teaching someone to ride and to give someone else the confidence he has given me!
i hadnt made any decisions just looking at other options but i am persevering with him as i don't think ill find another horse as genuine as him xxx
 
I have to ask, how long have you allowed people to work with you both? Have you really had consistent lessons with an really good instructor or have you had a few lessons here and there and then a clinic and then another . . .?

A really good classical trainer will take you step by step to retrain him - you can restart a horse at any age - my friend restarted a horse at 20 and retired him at 27 when he'd reached advanced level dresssage (she was a very good trainer and she trained me for years).

Look on the Clasical Riding Club website for a good trainer.
 
If you believe that it's your fault that he has these problems... how is your riding on other horses? Not saying that you ride badly, but it could be as simple as you struggle with the canter aids for one lead? Lessons on a schoolmaster would show this up if it was an issue I bet :) Also, have you gone down the vet/back/saddle/physio route? (for yourself also?) as unevenness somewhere could be hindering the pair of you! Have instructors etc who have ridden him had any success or all said that he's a lost cause? I bet there's hope for the pair of you :D
 
You have had him for six years, if you really feel like you have reached the end of the road with him then yes, sell, and find something else. Depends what you want to do really.If you want to start competing and he just wont cut it then might be best to get something that will take you somewhere but if you dont want to affiliate etc then I would agree with other posters and try classical lessons if you havent already.

Any chance you could keep him and buy another?
 
Sol has said what I was going to say - the canter lead problem could be a physical issue with him - or you. If you haven't already done so I would get his back and tack checked, teeth etc etc and make sure he isn't stiff due to being in discomfort.
 
I personally think that she is wanting someone/s to support what she has already decided in her own head. Sell him, Get something you feel can do better on even though it isn't much more than you already have.

There you go, sell and find something better. That ticks all the boxes. After six years.

Good luck.
 
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