What should be your priority?

[Samantha008]

Ive managed to get myself into a situation i never thought would happen. My mare was a diagnosed wobbler and i was told she would live out the rest of her days as a lawn mower. However, amazingly, shes looking better than she ever has and passed a neuro exam at the weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But i now have a problem that i have my mare and a lovely gelding i loaned as obviously i couldnt ride my mare. Ive had the gelding for 5 months, i love him to bits. My problem is that i dont have the time to rehabilitate my mare, and look after this gelding and give him all the attention he needs and deserves. So what would you do? Cannot loan the mare as shes still an ex wobbler and although ill happily rider wouldnt want anyone else to just in case. And if they did something wrong i would commit murder as this is my mare of a lifetime!! But shes never going to be anything more than a hack and i have aspirations- my gelding would be able to take me there. So if i keep my mare, i have to have a happy hack horse and perhaps ride at riding schools and put my aspirations on hold for a few years until im in a situation where i dont have as much going off and could buy another horse to compete. I should also perhaps mention that i love the gelding to pieces, hes an amazing horse, but he is very highly strung and i do have to fight my confidence on him as hes not opposed to a buck or a rear. Though ive spent a fortune on new saddles, boots, rugs etc as id planned on having him for years.

Or, do i keep the mare at grass for another winter, give her extra time off and keep the gelding to the end of the loan period. Which is 8 months away. Cannot get a sharer for the gelding, though this would be perfect, as the owner wont let me and i only have one stable and if the mare is in work will need stabling over winter, and he wont live out.

Im so happy im in this situation as my mare is the most fantastic person on the planet and the thought of riding her again, even in just a walk, is a dream come true for me.

Ekk, any advice happily received!!! Thanks

 

[Tickles]

I was about to suggest that you talk things over with your gelding's owner and see what she says about a sharer for him now. But, as you won't get a sharer for yours it might be harder to convince her about hers!

Another thought: if the gelding bucks and rears there is every possibility that he has an undiagnosed condition and/or needs more money spending on better fitting saddle or similar.

Your mare has had a diagnosed condition and it sounds as though she is now recovering (excellent news!).

In your circumstances I'd probably contact the gelding's owner and talk about sending him back. If your mare is safe to ride as a hack I'm not sure why she wouldn't be safe for low level dressage, maybe some fun rides, possibly something like endurance or handy hacker type classes... if she is sound and ridable you'll find a competitive outlet as long as you're imaginative!

 

[minigal]

Sorry to hear about your troubles, it's never easy is it?

I have had to retire my horse of a lifetime at 12, although the vet hasn't written off light hacking in the future. We will see! So I sympathise with you.

Personally I think I would keep your mare at grass and continue with your gelding. Perhaps do some longreining with the mare. Having some extra time off isn't going to do her any harm and 8 months isn't really that long. That would give you the rest of the summer to chase your dreams with your boy and you don't know whats going to happen between now and then.

Then you can reassess next spring and see if your thoughts have changed.

 

[Samantha008]

No its never easy I have to say, swaying more towards calling the owner as now thinking the boy might have some for of back trouble. Maybe even kissing spines. sob.

My mare is completely sound. My problem with dressage and endurance is that her gait is slightly different from a normal horse. Due to new nervepathways that have developed to allow her to heal and compensate for the nerves that died.

So dont know if id be allowed to do endurance and would score bloody low on dressage!!! You never know though

Fun rides are a defo. I cannot wait to see her back in work. She cleared trotting poles the other day for the first time in over a year without tripping overthem and falling on to her knees

 

[NOISYGIRL]

No its never easy I have to say, swaying more towards calling the owner as now thinking the boy might have some for of back trouble. Maybe even kissing spines. sob.

My mare is completely sound. My problem with dressage and endurance is that her gait is slightly different from a normal horse. Due to new nervepathways that have developed to allow her to heal and compensate for the nerves that died.

So dont know if id be allowed to do endurance and would score bloody low on dressage!!! You never know though

Fun rides are a defo. I cannot wait to see her back in work. She cleared trotting poles the other day for the first time in over a year without tripping overthem and falling on to her knees

I understand your predicatment, but for ME personally, a horse is for life not just while you can ride it, you'll just have to accept you can't do these competitions anymore. Sorry thats just how I feel, but feel for you if you enjoy competing.