HC Adeline
Member
I have a gorgeous mare. A beautiful dapple grey that I adore. She is the sweetest, most curious thing on the ground (except with the farrier ?)
She saddles up well, no fuss, although she does move around with me cause she loves to watch what I'm doing. But, the problem begins when I reach for a stirrup. She steps out and walks away. I must turn her head in to make her stand. Then, once I am in the saddle, we ride off. She is fine most of the way out, but then she will spook at something, and then buck at the same time, throwing me off balance. Thank goodness, I have not fallen off any time she has done this. And where I live, it is winter and there is snow on the ground, so the footing is rather unsteady, and I dread her falling and tripping, as she is not so graceful on her feet, anyway. Which makes me think it might be the weather issue, and I am making her nervous...but I try and calm her, but I do not think she listens. She prances with her head straight up, and I lose control of her head.
But, after the crisis is over, the ride is back to normal, but I'm on my toes, and I don't enjoy the rest of the ride. I try to get her to canter, but such a thing is a chore, even going uphill. But she is not a lazy mare, so I think she is ignoring my aids.
Now, we are on our way home, and she will throw in another buck and spook. After that, I'm pooped.
Another of her problems is she does not trailer well. Now, she loads just fine, with or without a treat (though she sometimes prefers a treat) but she hates the door being closed behind her. I don't know if she had a bad experience as a yearling or is claustrophobic, but she will instantly back out if she sees the door move, or hears a scary sound outside somewhere. This makes going places very stressful. We usually have to use a butt rope to prod her in, and usually after that she's fine.
She also is stubborn with picking up her feet, but hasn't done anything horrible. She does pin her ears at the farrier, and we all know that's a no no ?.
Now, there's my problem. I have a huge hunch that the problem is baby me, but I need some counselling. Should I sell her or no? I feel horrible. I love her, and, as a horse, she doesn't have much of a hankering for me. She likes her two pasture buddies much better. I've had this mare since she was 3. She will be turning 8 this July. I have an emotional attachment to her, but I want to look forward to our rides.
I've done lunging with her. Quiet bareback rides in the pasture and around the house. My friends have ridden her, but she has bucked with them also (thankfully they did not fall off). I know this mare can do more, so I hate letting her go. Some have told me to jump her, but I ride western, so maybe someone with more English experience would enjoy her.
Sge could do well with better training (as she had not had any GOOD professional training, just bad from before I owned her) and better training for me (as I am not the most graceful rider) I ride fine and dandy (about a progessing intermediate) and I love speed and obstacles, but also enjoy the quiet lazy ride in the fields.
Mostly, I just hate what people would think if I sold her. So many have told me how beautiful she is, and what a match we are. Yes, we do have similar personalities. We're both adventurous, curious, sweet and sassy, but I have no idea if that's a good thing.
Thanks for reading through my long article of despair. Hopefully there is some hope in my hopelessness.
Now, I am (kinda) ready for your advice:
She saddles up well, no fuss, although she does move around with me cause she loves to watch what I'm doing. But, the problem begins when I reach for a stirrup. She steps out and walks away. I must turn her head in to make her stand. Then, once I am in the saddle, we ride off. She is fine most of the way out, but then she will spook at something, and then buck at the same time, throwing me off balance. Thank goodness, I have not fallen off any time she has done this. And where I live, it is winter and there is snow on the ground, so the footing is rather unsteady, and I dread her falling and tripping, as she is not so graceful on her feet, anyway. Which makes me think it might be the weather issue, and I am making her nervous...but I try and calm her, but I do not think she listens. She prances with her head straight up, and I lose control of her head.
But, after the crisis is over, the ride is back to normal, but I'm on my toes, and I don't enjoy the rest of the ride. I try to get her to canter, but such a thing is a chore, even going uphill. But she is not a lazy mare, so I think she is ignoring my aids.
Now, we are on our way home, and she will throw in another buck and spook. After that, I'm pooped.
Another of her problems is she does not trailer well. Now, she loads just fine, with or without a treat (though she sometimes prefers a treat) but she hates the door being closed behind her. I don't know if she had a bad experience as a yearling or is claustrophobic, but she will instantly back out if she sees the door move, or hears a scary sound outside somewhere. This makes going places very stressful. We usually have to use a butt rope to prod her in, and usually after that she's fine.
She also is stubborn with picking up her feet, but hasn't done anything horrible. She does pin her ears at the farrier, and we all know that's a no no ?.
Now, there's my problem. I have a huge hunch that the problem is baby me, but I need some counselling. Should I sell her or no? I feel horrible. I love her, and, as a horse, she doesn't have much of a hankering for me. She likes her two pasture buddies much better. I've had this mare since she was 3. She will be turning 8 this July. I have an emotional attachment to her, but I want to look forward to our rides.
I've done lunging with her. Quiet bareback rides in the pasture and around the house. My friends have ridden her, but she has bucked with them also (thankfully they did not fall off). I know this mare can do more, so I hate letting her go. Some have told me to jump her, but I ride western, so maybe someone with more English experience would enjoy her.
Sge could do well with better training (as she had not had any GOOD professional training, just bad from before I owned her) and better training for me (as I am not the most graceful rider) I ride fine and dandy (about a progessing intermediate) and I love speed and obstacles, but also enjoy the quiet lazy ride in the fields.
Mostly, I just hate what people would think if I sold her. So many have told me how beautiful she is, and what a match we are. Yes, we do have similar personalities. We're both adventurous, curious, sweet and sassy, but I have no idea if that's a good thing.
Thanks for reading through my long article of despair. Hopefully there is some hope in my hopelessness.
Now, I am (kinda) ready for your advice:
