The age old question…..

Charrose77

Charrose77

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I bought a mare 3 years ago when she was 9, prior to me she had a new home every year from 4-9, I was very naive and desperate having not had horses in my life for 25 years whilst working/raising my family. When the very lovely Irish horse dealer told me to make an offer because he couldn’t sell her I did!!!!! It has been 3 years of stop/start, lots of vets bills, lots of falls, 11 saddles ? and more physio than I dare to tell my lovely patient husband!!! But finally, we are in a good place. She comes to me in the field, she is soft in the eye, she looks happy, she makes me insanely happy because I can see she is finally relaxed and the bond between us means more than anything we could ever achieve by competing. The last few vet check ups have been amazing, the saddler is seeing huge improvements in her back, the physio is jumping up and down all excited (as am I), it’s all good. Her main issues are arthritis in c5,6,7 and hocks. She is also very downhill, spooky, scared of life, there is lots she is up against, but she is still (after all she has been through) very compliant, which is what freaks me out a bit because I don’t want to abuse that willingness. Soooooo, finally……..my question is; what would you do? I bought her to hack, generally enjoy and low level event (BE 80 being my ultimate dream). She is just shy of 16hh so this would normally be a walk in the park. But with the issues she has (has now had hocks and neck medicated, hocks with arthrimed, neck with steroids, and I will continue this whenever needed). Would you forget the dream? just enjoy the hacking, poles clinics, pop a little log when you see one out and the ground is perfect……..or would you start from the beginning, and give it all a go? She is just 12. Fairly low mileage, but has definitely been pulled into a shape with previous riders whilst trying to be “produced” into something that just isn’t in her ? grateful for any advice!
 
No, I wouldn’t. Your horse already has a catalogue of health issues and conformation issues and not even started doing the training needed to get you both up to scratch to compete.

If your horse is already being held together by sticky tape and string then it will unravel even more. It’s up to you, but you have invested 3 years longer than I would have just to happy hack and probably should accept that with the occasional fun ride, lesson as something else.
 
You are a wonderful owner and you and your horse deserve so much more but if it was me, sadly, I would retire her so long as she is field sound.It will cost you less as you won't need physios, pain killers etc. if she is out 24 hours and maybe you could find a loan or part share.There must be loads of people out there looking for someone just like you to hack their horses, maybe have the occasional lesson and do some low level eventing on.If I had something like that I would have you like a shot.
 
I would discuss with your vet. I don’t think the physical issues are anything that many other horses out there aren’t out and and about competing with so long as they enjoy the job and are comfortable.

My horse on paper is a total write off, hock arthritis and a ligament injury. He’s in the best form of his life and consistently placing in the top 5 at 90 level out eventing. Looks like an absolute power house and feeling better than ever.
 
i would enjoy her for who she is, and say to myself, i will enjoy what she can offer comfortably

then i would work on this basis, if she can in time feel like she could advance a little and cope then i would go with it, it could lead to somewhere unexpected

i did this once with a horse who although not spoilt seemed disappointing, so i continued within his comfort zone, et voila got the horse of my dreams, how it happened i don`t know except it was one step at a time and i tried really hard to improve my riding and adapted it to him
 
I have two where we agreed with the vet to "work within their comfort levels". For one that has actually meant retirement because she was such an unpredictable hack. The other adores hacking and is amazing on the roads - so that's what we do. I had hoped to do more but actually she's so good at hacking it makes riding her enjoyable which is what it's about for me anyway
 
I'd have a chat with your vet & if they're on board make a plan to progress very very slowly maybe starting with doing some xc schooling & fun rides with small jumps & some small showjumps & see how you go. With her history you'd probably need to ask yourself if you'd be ok to pull out if the ground didn't suit & happy to be going around to just have a nice time rather than to be competitive. May also be worth looking at what else if out there if you decide eventing is unlikely to be in her comfort zone eg TREC, endurance, horse agility etc.

From what you said it sounds like work & building muscle in the right places is the best thing for her so would definitely be keeping her busy, just make sure that she's comfortable with what you're doing.
 
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