Sometimes we need to look back to appreciate how far we've come...

What a lovely story! You have such dedication and patience and without doubt i don't think your boy would have had such a happy ending if he didn't find you. You are meant to be. :)
Best of luck to you both for the future! :) xx
 
oh what a truely lovely story with Chap... thanks sooo much for sharing it, really enjoyed the photo's throughout, how nice to read something so positive on HHO, I wish you both all the best for the future xx
 
What an inspiring story. I must admit I have a tear in my eye! It is such a pleasure to read about your time with Chap. I think he definitely landed on all four feet when he found you! I wish you lots of luck for the future and look forward to reading your updates.
 
Awww what a lovely story and fantastic pictures.
So glad to hear he is now all yours, he sounds your horse of a life time, and is a very handsome lad at that.

Its really nice to see such a happy post on here, with a happy ending.
Good luck with your future with him, I suspect you will both do very well xxx
 
What a lovely, inspirational story. :) Gives me hope for my loan horse who has a bad reputation and hasn't done a great deal for the last couple of years

Good luck for the future :D
 
Fantastic story!
Very inspirational, and well done you for persevering and not giving up!
May you have a very happy future together :)
 
...for now...

Sounds like it just the start (again).

You've given me hope- I have a small 11.2hh pony that was the perfect lead rein pony for my daughters until he got spooked by cattle one day, my daughter came off and took me 3 hours to catch him he was so scared. I've had him stabled through the winter and rugged to keep contact to a maximum and he is slowly coming around and gaining confidence everyday. He's up to having tack on and I've been working him with a sand bag in his saddle and I have been on a huge diet so that I can lean over him which he's fine with but the dummy is genious! Going to make one now- few weeks of that and who knows...

Thank you and good luck for the future- he's lucky to have you x
 
What a lovely story! It's so nice to see how much you have both improved over the years. It looks like you have a really strong bond with him and you have been determined to overcome all of his problems, when so many people would have given up on him. Well done and good luck with him! Keep us updated about what you have been up to! :)
 
This story is amazing. Well done you.
I am so happy that you posted it here on HHO. I am in a similar sort of situation with my mare. she was bred for dressage but something clicked and she became very dangerous and aggressive. everyone said she should be pts including the vet (!) but i just knew she was my horse of a lifetime and I had to 'fix' her
We are no where near as far down the line as you are, i have been doing ground work, some lunging in walk, lots of games and desensitizing. concidering where she was when i started, no one could touch her let alone put a headcoller on and if someone got within 3 meters of her she would charge with teeth and hooves flailing!
so we have made so much progress, for example, today for the first time in 6 years she went into a stable. the last time she was in one she kicked the walls so hard they collapsed on two sides and she was as good as gold today!
I have just bought a saddle and cannot wait to continue the journey with her. I would be so happy if one day I could ride her and seeing your progress has motivated me even more! what you said about your boy not owing you anything is exactly how I feel abut my girl.
I would love to hear about what happens next with your boy. well done, im so glad it has worked out for you.
 
Thank you all for such kind words, it means such a great deal to me. And looking back also makes me realise just how much we have achieved.

Ellies_mum2 said:
What a lovely, inspirational story. :) Gives me hope for my loan horse who has a bad reputation and hasn't done a great deal for the last couple of years

Good luck for the future :D
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Funny you should say this, I didnt mention it before but at the second yard he was at, the reason we never hacked out is because no one would hack with us - they said he was a dangerous horse and so wouldnt come with us. As long as there is a will, there is always hope. And remember, quite often there is a reason for a 'bad' horse. Good luck. I will look for your updates!

Miss-rose said:
Such a lovely story, glad things worked out for you both in the end. Was extra nice to see as my friends used to own his dad :)
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Oh really? Lovely. I have seen pics and he is a beautiful boy. Chap looks so stunning in summer! I do feel a bit bad as he is such a beautiful boy, he would excel at showing but all in good time. we may get to doing that and going to shows, we may not. In an ideal world I would love to but I have no plans for him. Just riding him is more than enough! We take things one step at a time and you never know, one day I might be doing my showing report!

nikCscott said:
...for now...

Sounds like it just the start (again).

You've given me hope-
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There is always hope! If I am just giving people inspiration then that makes me very happy :) and yes I feel this is just the start!

akashapachamama said:
This story is amazing. Well done you.
I am so happy that you posted it here on HHO. I am in a similar sort of situation with my mare. she was bred for dressage but something clicked and she became very dangerous and aggressive. everyone said she should be pts including the vet (!) but i just knew she was my horse of a lifetime and I had to 'fix' her
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Thank you - this is similar to my boy. Becuase of his breeding and his looks, I feel they just wanted to school him ALL the time. But this isnt him. He just wants to be a horse get out there and enjoy himself! When I left him in 2007, I couldnt get on him without him spinning round in circles in trot, him taking the bit and broncho-ing with me down the school....time and patience..pays off. Never would I thought I would be riding this boy like this but its here! I have had him 2 years in March. 16 months of that was not riding. When he came to me he looked so sad, he didnt want to interact with the others he would just stand there in the field...what a different cheeky chap he is now!! Good luck
 
ALMRC- well I said you'd inspired me and straight after reading yours and Chaps story I dug out an old puddle suit and stuffed it with the left over wadding from my daughters sheep costume for the school nativity play... and the newest member of the family was named (Headless) Henry!
GirlsandHenry.jpg


Sid was a bit scared of Henry yesterday so Henry moved in to Sids stable last night, just in the corner. By this morning Sid was completely happy with Henry and was more than happy to let Henry groom him, pick his feet out and feed him treats (I however got a very funny look from the builder, carrying around a headless 'child' hahahaha).
HenryandSidafter1stnighttogether.jpg


As Sid was so relaxed with Henry i lifted him up beside him and then lay Henry across Sids back- still fine. So took the plunge and sat Henry on Sid!!! Sid was alittle wary of this but another treat seem to ease all his worries!!!
HenryonSidfor1sttime.jpg


I couldn't be more thrilled- this is a huge step and it's all from you post. Will keep working with Sid and Henry for a few more weeks (Henry in the saddle and maybe even 'falling off' showing Sid there is nothing to be frightened of) and when Sid is ready move on to a real child!:)

Thank you thank you thank you! :D
 
yey well done! and thank you for the pics :) one thing i did with the dummy a lot (and yes i did get lots of weird looks but i didnt care!) as to lead the chap on a long rope and then drag the dummy (Ivor) behind me and chap. In doing this, the horse gets used to the dummy and knows its not a threat as its moving away from him and as its doing this the horse becomes inquisitive and then starts to sniff it so i stop, keep looking ahead, let him sniff it then move on. I also then put a sand bag in Ivor. Ivor also used to stroke chaps neck.....hehe :) well done!!!
 
almrc said:
yey well done! and thank you for the pics :) one thing i did with the dummy a lot (and yes i did get lots of weird looks but i didnt care!) as to lead the chap on a long rope and then drag the dummy (Ivor) behind me and chap. In doing this, the horse gets used to the dummy and knows its not a threat as its moving away from him and as its doing this the horse becomes inquisitive and then starts to sniff it so i stop, keep looking ahead, let him sniff it then move on. I also then put a sand bag in Ivor. Ivor also used to stroke chaps neck.....hehe :) well done!!!
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Will definately do the falling off and dragging - I have a sand bag as have been ride and lead with it in his saddle so will add it to Henry in time. Hoping the weather stays good so I can get Henry in the saddle leading, long reining and even ride and lead (how am I going to look!?!?!).Henry did a full groom of Sid today and also fed him tonight too. Hahahaha
 
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