To sell horse or not to sell horse? Really dont know? Long!

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wench

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Background scenario - I have a 16.3 tb, who I have had for three years. Have done loads together and have both really improved.

However, for those of you that havent ever read any of my posts (or cant remeber them) said horse can be somewhat stroppy.

I am keen to carry on the eventing that I have been doing with Henry, and he is more than capable of doing it, but it depends on what mood he is in on the day as to how well we do.

We believe that Henry has had a numpty owner at some point in his life who has let him get away with blue murder, hence the strops that he can have when he doesnt want to do something. (They are not bad, just either plays up in the dressage or refuses to jump, but doesnt rear or buck etc).

When I first got him, niether him nor me had ever been round a course of show jumps, so we have both improved greatly over the past three years, and to be able to get him round every bit in a ODE is good reward for all the hard work we have both put.

However, now the minus points. Henry seems to enjoy what he is doing (most of the time), loads nice and easily, and knows whats coming up in each phase. However, the most recent strop we are having is stopping at the first XC jump, and trying to nap back to the start. No doubt we will get over this one, then he will find something new to do.

Sometimes I feel like selling him and buying a better one, that doesnt get in childish tantrums and strops. But then when he has been really good, makes it all worth while.

So I suppose I have a couple of options - I can keep on working with him, and trying to make him better, but by the time he will be "perfect" he will prob be past going to any comps. Or I could sell him and buy a better one. Although most of the time i dont really want to sell him, as 99% of the time hes a very nice horse.

Help!
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Always a tough one. For a pro if the horse isn't doing well and producing the goods then they are usually moved on - however, for most of us that just have the one horse this is a harder decision because we are usually very attached to them. I think you have to be completely honest with yourself on several counts: your ability; the horses ability, the amount of training and help you can afford and how much you really want to event. The answers to these questions will help you look at the situation objectively. You could also seek some help from a 'pro' or someone that produces or competes seriously to give you an independant assessment of your horse and perhaps get them to compete him a couple of times to see if he is just trying it on with you or he is genuinely saying no thanks.

Of course then there is the process of finding him another home and being realistic about what he is worth.

Not easy - I don't envy you
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Only you can decide..

What I will say is there is no such thing as a perfect horse and you have to find a horse whos good bits for you, overshadow their bad bits.

My old horse was an incredible showjumper, was a total pro and would jump the moon with a monkey on his back, he was a gent in every possible way to handle ect ect. However he was frustratingly spooky in a dressage test (often came last) and you couldnt take him hunting or out for fast hacks with friends or sponsored rides because he would bolt!

My current horse, I can take out hunting/fast rides with friends ect and she never pulls, she does a lovely test and never spooks.. however shes more sensitive than my old boy and I have to be more careful jumping her that im riding her right. Shes also not as easy as him on the ground and can be a bit funny with the farrier.

However both horse gave (and are giving) me immense amount of pleasure even though its not perfect all the time.

Your just going to have to weigh up the pro's and cons for your ned. If he does the job most of the time that would be good enough for me. All the horses you see advertised just seem to be amazing but people just advertise the good bits every one will have their own little foibles.
 
My riding is to blame for stops at some of the XC fences. That I do know. Horse is more than talented enough, he can jump 1m20 with out thinking about it, (although when he does think about it, he convinces himself that he can't) and can be excellent in dressage when he wants to be (again let down slightly by me)
 
Well I doubt you will change him...perhaps he might stop doing it with a differnet rider but who knows. But I have a lad that puts in strops like that and he was spoilt as a youngster before me and he will not change now...he is how he is and I have found ways to work with him to a compromise!
 
There we go then!
Write down the advert for him and read it back, if you didnt know him would you ring up about him based on what you have written? Again if you went to see him and saw a pro pop him over 1m20 would you want him?

If the answer to those questions is no, then he may not be the horse for you. If its yes then I really think you should keep on perservering for the mean time.

Try and think about what your horse is putting up with from you also, When he convices himself he doesnt want to jump, is that him, or is that you? Are you worried that hes going to decide he doesnt want to do it? they are so intuative, especially when you have a close bond, you may be subtly telling him that you dont belive in him and he will think 'arghh mum doesnt think I can do it!'
 
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