should i sell my mare?

[dreamgirl45]

hi i was just wondering if anyone had any advice, I have had my mare for about 10/11 months now, and i know her inside out. I love her to bits but she has some issues, dont get me wrong, she is not dangerous, i am just wondering if she is the right horse for me. Her main problem is with jumping, something i dont have not much confidence for anyway, dont tell me to check her back, teeth whatever because it is nothing to do with that she just gets excited.When we jump, no matter what the height, if she wants to go i cannot stop her, the strongest bit i tried her in was the cheltenham gag and a grackle but that did nothing whatsoever after the first week once she grew used to it and i dont want to try her in anything stronger because otherwise i know i will get to a point where i have no bit left.Currently, she is in a flash noseband and the second hole on the 3 ring gag, i just wish i could have full control over her. Even in flat work, after a while working her in the flat she was listening to my aids so i tried her in a kk snaffle however, she was very heavy on my hands and disobeying my aids to slow down, when we tried jumping in the bit she was for a little while until suddenly she bolted round the school and would no stop, only once someone jumped in front of me she stopped but then turned and galloped round the otherwway.This sort of behaviour worries me because it is like her mind just goes,she has done this several times with me and i know that if she wants to she will completely ignore me. It would not be as bad if she were a point and shoot for the jumping side , however she still runs out or refuses the jump.I have had experiences with many horses however never as strong as she is, my friend/instructor says she is the strongest horse she has ridden for jumping. Currently, in this bit for the flatwork she is not a problem, she is perfect, however enter jumping into the equation and she's not even in the room her mind has just gone. It worries me because it can be dangerous, we were on a hack and i went first to jump a log with the others waiting for my return, jumping it, lovely then turning back to the others she just bolted without looking where she was going and almost rammed me into a tree causing me to fall off.I have tried everything, walking to jumps, circling up to the jumps, canter poles, you name it, i am now thinking i should sell her as i just want something the boost my confidence but i can still bring on.what do you think i should do?

 

[TiaPony]

No point in having a horse if it doesn't make you happy. Sell her as a dressage/hack and buy yourself a steady neddy that you can enjoy or accept her as she is and make the most of a horse you know and love.

FWIW mine is very excitable jumping too but I just keep my hands soft and my legs on and she tends to settle and jump nicely (albeit at her speed!) . I guess it depends how serious you want to be

 

[Dawng]

If you really want to jump then perhaps she's not the right horse. You could just try something else with her and not jump. If you really want to jump you could some lessons on a schoolmaster so you could get more experience.

 

[dreamgirl45]

see the thing is, i am an experienced rider so i do want a challenging horse, but she is 13 and so set in her ways, i really have tried to make it work but she will not listen , it's her way or no way! lol

 

[Elsbells]

Your only young and you want to have some fun, when you get older then you'll have the patience for mare such as you have now, but as for today, I'd say sell her she's not the one for you.

 

[Honey08]

Its not a question of experience always, but whether you and the horse click, and it sounds like you don't in this case. I've got a similar mare (apart from doesn't stop or refuse, so a bit more forgivable!) and she is what she is. She loves her job and is opinionated as hell on how fast we should go everywhere! I think mares like this really have to respect you, and this comes from a partnership.

It does sound as though you would be happier with something a little more fun for you. Bolting and crashing about is not good.

 

[Princess Jess]

It sound's like she's probably a little bit much for you to handle at the moment. You could try sending her away to be professionally schooled and see if they can do anything with her but there's really no quick fix.
If you are really at your wits end then selling her on may be an option but please make sure she is advertised correctly as its horses like this that so often end up in the wrong hands...