What to do with my mare,advice please.

helbe

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I have a five year old,15hh mare (had her since she was 3 months old) I love her to bits but we are not really compatible.She is typical chestnut mare,spooky,moody etc I have hacked her the last 2 summers but bring her home to our farm for the winters and dont ride her,she just stays in the field with 2 youngsters.She has made me lose confidence when riding so I tend to put it off if possible,and although I had some lessons on her during the summer I am not good at schooling so didnt do much schooling with her,I was taught to ride many years ago when everyone gripped with the knees. Im not sure whether to find a sharer who enjoys schooling and therefore improve her behaviour when out hacking,ie not rushing off,shying at everything,Im not even sure I am using the correct bit/noseband on her.Or would it be best to send her somewhere for schooling for a couple of weeks in the spring and let them get me back on track.Any thoughts would be appreciatted.
 

Honey08

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If there is somewhere good locally that you could send her for schooling it wouldn't hurt - even better if its somewhere that you could have lessons on her while she's there.

It sounds as though you could do with a livery or two to keep you company and as companions to hack out with...
 

Housemouse

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Why do you have to ride her?

I had a spooky mare who scared me at times. In the summers she was brill, in the winters, well, bit of a nightmare.

One day someone suggested I don't ride and just do some free schooling (liberty work). I did. I have a fab mare now who I can take anywhere in any weather.

Now there is Horse Agility and all sorts where you don't have to ride. How about clicker training her this winter? There are loads of things you can do which will help you to enjoy her more for the future.

I've pm'd you a link to some alternatives.
 

Stacey6897

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Yep, what Housemouse said, I train my horse to do cute tricks when I don't want to or can't ride

Working/playing on the ground will get you and her liking and trusting each other more
 

splashgirl45

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i feel for you, its not nice being worried about riding. have you worked her from the ground, lunging, long reining etc to get her more obedient to you and to give you more confidence. sometimes they can be spooky if they are not confident themselves so instead of hacking why not take her out in hand and if she spooks at something just let her stand still and then ask her to move forward slowly once she is a bit calmer.

a sharer may help but most sharers seem to want something without any problems, you may be better to have lessons yourself and maybe get your instructor to ride her to show you how to cope with any spooks etc. good luck with whatever you decide and remember owning a horse should be enjoyable:D:D
 

starryeyed

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What bit / noseband are you using at the moment? Perhaps focus on groundwork over the winter when you're not riding - and do some 'spook-proofing'! Set up a little obstacle course of things that she doesn't like (plastic bags, balloons, tarpaulin, cones etc) and introduce her to it all on the ground - she may worry at first but when she's discovered that they're not going to eat her then it should build her confidence ,and as you're there with her she should learn to trust you more which should really help when you get riding her again. You could also maybe have one or two lessons on different horses just to help with your confidence a little?
Maybe in the spring send her somewhere for some light schooling just to get her going on the right track, and then take it slowly from there yourself. Find a lovely encouraging instructor who will help you both to overcome the spooking/rushing issues, and show you some easy schooling 'moves' which you can practice outside of lessons - just basics like circles, figures of 8's, flexing, transitions etc. Good luck, and remember not to pressure or stress yourself out over it, take it at your own pace! Confidence isn't an easy thing to rebuild, it will take time but I'm sure you'll get there x
 
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