What to do...(warning long)

0ldmare

0ldmare

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About 18 months ago I bought a youngster and got off to a rocky start. (The owners sold her with saddle, except the saddle wasnt hers and it didnt fit causing her to buck). Anyway once we had got over that, got a new saddle and had a visit from a Chiro she has been fine and no recurrence of bucking. I have been riding her and schooling her since then and she is fine (she doesnt have the best mouth, but even that is better than it was)

A couple of months ago she had a bad kick on the leg and has been off work (its actually not going to effect her long term - the kick caused inflamation of the tendon sheath, but the tendon itself is perfect so will get better and she is now 99% sound). The vet says she can start being ridden again in about 2-3 weeks.

The problem is while she has been off work I have been riding my old mare a lot and to be honest I dont really want to go back. She is a much more jolly ride and I come back from hacks with a big grin on my face whereas the other horse is, frankly, a bit boring to ride. My old mare spooks at things, pings about, is crap in traffic but I just love riding her.

The youngster (actually not quite so young now, she is 7) is non-spooky, 150% in traffic and toddles along doing nothing wrong, but is just boring.

I thought about trying to find a sharer (well a bit more than a sharer if they like) but would want her to stay at my yard as she is ADORABLE to handle, loves cuddles and I am fond of her. (Its hard not to be when its such a soppy thing).

I could sell her, but am not sure who to because despite being 99% very easy can be strong in canter sometimes and I think could possibly buck if a novice bounced about too much.

Such a dilemma. I could just leave her in the field but that would be a waste.

If I sold her what do you think she would be worth?

15 hh Conny x TB - pretty much perfect SHP conformation (she was placed twice at the BSPS Summer Champs only season shown), but now has a (very small) splint due to the kick and has some white (not scars) on her legs where some clown bandaged her too tightly at some stage.
Hasnt been taught to jump, but lunged over jumps a few times and clears a 6inch pole by about 4ft so has potential
Perfect to handle, catch, box, shoe, traffic.
Can be strong in canter so not a totally novice ride but has been ridden by TOTAL novice around the lanes (ie a novice that had to ask which foot to put in the stirrup to mount and had to be shown how to hold the reins). Also couldnt guarantee that she wouldnt buck if total numpty riding or badly fitting saddle.

Should I keep her, sell her (if so as what/how much!!), loan her, put her in foal. I dont know. Sorry for the long post!!
 
If she's not your type, bring her back into work and sell her or sell her straight fromt he field, its not fair on her if you don't enjoy her she will feel this, and it's equally not fair just to be left out int he field. If you don't enjoy it there's no point, just make sure she goes to a great home...
 
She won't care if she's left out in the field - every horse's heaven, if the field is a nice one! I would try to loan her in situ. Unless your other mare is youngish and you plan to ride her for a good few years, in which case it might be easier to sell.
 
I am quite sure that any horse would be more than happy with being a field ornament and being pampered. Remember horses are a herd animal and are not really designed for us to ride them. They just allow us to. At the end of the day if your horse is happy for cuddles and to keep at home then find a sharer for her and then you will have something to keep your horse company and you may find you enjoy her alot more and may take up riding her again. Good luck with whatever you decide to do I hope it all works out for you.
 
You are right, the reason I bought her was because my old horse (the one I adore riding) is getting on a bit. She is now 17 and I wanted to have a younger horse coming along so that when she retires I will have one to ride.

I know I am being unfair on the young horse, she is a little poppet and cant help being 'good'. But I have always had sharper types and I thought a more steady neddy would be a good idea since I dont bounce as well as I used to. I think a sharer/loan to stay at my yard is what I need to go for... just got to find one now! Its tricky as I still think she could have a buck in her somewhere and so need someone who can ride a bit.

NB> She would be more than happy being a field ornament! She thinks she has died and gone to horsey heaven at the moment!!
 
Its great that you are still enjoying your older mare but I also think you are lucky in having a younger horse who is proving safe and sensible even if your hacks are not as lively and you don't come back with as bigger grin on your face.

I love a challenge and something to get my teeth into too, my other 2 horses that I used to have were safe, spook less and you could literally fall asleep while hacking them out but until you have had a few near misses, ridden unpredictable horses where your life has flashed before you, then you wil appreciate your other horse more perhaps, sorry I really don't want to sound patronising as I mean it in the kindest way but someone in our village road a spooky horse and was involved a tragic accident, horse no longer here anymore luckly the rider lived to tell the tale. I'm getting my 4 year old used to the roads and its not a pleasant job.

Of course you have to enjoy your riding your horses but please please don't let that be the only reason your parting with you other horse... better to be safe x
smile.gif
 
Thanks Kenzo, no offence taken. I'm not saying I want to ride a nutter, its more that all my previous horses have been 'up for it' ie walk out smartly, feel and look interested etc, like they are enjoying themselves. She is just a bit more 'oh well if I must'. That probably makes me sound like a nutter but it makes a difference somehow to how enjoyable it is to ride.
 
i dont think you would have a problem finding a more than cabable rider who likes very well behaved horses but could handle a buck, i think thats the category most horse people would fall under, in between complete novice and top rider. maybe you could put her up for part loan which is all very negotiable days wise. She sounds lovely and i should think you would get a lot of offers for part loan but then shes still yours for cuddles and if you ever do fancy a relaxing plod out.
 
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