Think I may have to sell

Bradsmum

Bradsmum

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I have owned Bradley for 18 months. Bought him as a happy hacker but he has not turned out to be the confidence giver I was hoping for. He arrived in November 2009 and we got to know one another that winter but didn't get much riding in due to weather. In the spring he was rather full of himself but did lots of groundwork and by summer was hacking out alone. He is very spooky but not nasty :rolleyes:. Winter 2010 again with work commitments and bad weather the riding diminished and so we started again in spring 2011. He became quite bargy so we went back to basics and did more groundwork and worked through this and his manners returned! However I have not been confident enough to get out and about on him at all and feeling really disappointed. I lunge him regularly but I think he needs more than I can commit to. I love him to bits but cannot keep making excuses for him or me for that matter. I am on my own yard but have a friend nearby to hack with on occasions but I just can't do it. Really in a turmoil whether to call it a day and sell but not really what I want to do but how long would you persevere . My other option would be to find a sharer.
 
Would another/as well as option be to move him to a livery yard for a while? And/or have loads of lessons to get you started?

Also: is he kept alone at the moment? That isn't likely to help anything.
 
You sound like you are in a rut.Being on your own yard is great, but you are alone and it is more difficult to get motivated.
Could you rent out a box/grazing to someone who would give you some assistance/support and try and get started again?
A sharer would only be of help if they are experienced and can help you regain your confidence and enthusiasm.
What about finding a good instructor to come and work him then when you are ready to give you lessons?
Give yourself some time to consider all options .:)
 
Thanks guys for your replies. Bradley does have a field companion - a 25 yr old Section C mare and this too has proved to be a problem as he just kept herding her round the field. She got the most exercise she had had in years :o They are now separated by a tape and this is now working well.

You are quite correct that I am in a rut and an instructor would be a good idea. Will get onto this. Thanks again guys.
 
I was in the same situation as you, 3 months ago, OH still working, and had a 5 year old Welsh sec D to back(he's taken time to mature) and a good friend whom I've known since she was 9, has come 3 afternoons a week for 1/2 hour(really an hour as we natter too much), she's really been just a back-up, as I've done everything myself, and he's going very nice(even though I say myself). It's just nice to have somebody there, to say yay or nay when you start doing something different. And she's certainly pulled me up on my hands, seems I ride with to long rein contact. :o:oI live and learn:):)
 
I think a sharer or rider sounds good because he might just get a bit fizzy and out of control when out of work so a competent rider could keep his schooling in check and make sure he isn't full of beans :-)
 
Honestly, I have seen so many people perservere and thinking and hoping that ity will come right because they can see a spark of goodness in their horse.
There is no reason that he isnt a lovely horse, and like you say his manners return when you have time to work with him, but I think you should probably accept as you have done, that when winter comes it is going to be the same situation every year and that it isn't going to get much better.

Maybe you should put an advert out for him and test the water a bit. I know it is really hard to sell a horse that you have owned and worked on and bonded with, but there will be a horse out there for you, that might not be the dressage star, or the biggest and neatest jumper, but that you will be able to pull out of its stable, and it will be happy to go for a hack and some fun with a sensible head, and you won't have to worry too much about starting again every year, or making sure it is in lots of work.

Good Luck. x
 
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