What would you do?

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Morrigan_Lady

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www.teamterrellshowjumping.co.uk
Ok, so Ive had Arch since he was 4, he's now nearly 7 and Im serioulsy thinking about our future together
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I REALLY want to get cracking with my show jumping and as good a jumper as Arch is I feel like since Ive had him its been 1 step forward and 10 steps back. When we go out jumping he goes really well and we work really well together, but then there'll be something wrong with him and he's off for weeks, then we have to start again! He's currently off work with 'we think' a pulled muscle in his back end and Im hoping to start bringing him back in to work over the weekend. Ive had some terrible falls from him and am thinking it might be time to move on, maybe to something abit older and quieter and thats done abit. Arch had done nothing when I bought him and without blowing my own trumpet, Ive done really well with him and he's come on leaps and bounds, but I just dont know if we are compatible any more. I love him to bits and its breaking my heart just typing this post, but I really need some advise what to do.
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Do I, bring him back to work and sell him? OR loan him out? and buy some thing else, OR keep him and buy a second horse?
HELP!
 
Can you afford to keep two (and compete them both as much as you want to?)? If you can't, then you'll have to only have one. Which brings you to the decision as to which one is best for you. You've worked hard to bring Archie on as far as you have, but try not to feel guilty about the thought of parting with him. How long would it take you to build a relationship with new horse - might take a week or might take a year but maybe it would be worth it?

Only you know the right decision
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Its difficult, but if you know in your heart of hearts you want to Sj and Archie isnt going to do the job, and would be happier doing something else, I would look at loaning him out/selling him. If you are happy doing what you think he is capableof and no further, then keep him
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It is a difficult one
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I have to agree with Becky...can you really afford 2?
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I think only you can make the decision...think long and hard about all the options - write down pros and cons and take it from there. I dont think you should make a rash decision about your future with Archie just yet.
 
It really is only a decision you can make as only you know the full story behind what's making you even consider this.

Is there a chance of loaning or getting a ride on something that's a bit more experienced that's been there and done it in terms of SJ that would give you an idea if that really is what you want to do? It may then make it clearer in your mind if you want to go down the route of selling or loaning him if you can't afford both - or sticking with him for a bit longer and seeing what the two of you can achieve.

It's a tough one - good luck!
 
I agree with KatB, loaning him out would be a good idea if he can't do what you want to do, but you can then take him back when you can afford to keep two.
Make sure you don't lose your confidence though by hanging on to him when you possibly know deep down he might be better suited doing something else - takes a long time to get it back!
As the others have said only you can make the decision, do whatever makes you happy and remember it's all about enjoyment!
 
As everyone else says only you know what is for the best. But if he is the sort of horse who is constantly injured beware of loaning him out because you may find he gets returned whenever he 'breaks'.
 
What you do can only be your decision but knowing archie a little here are a few points to consider in your decision....

ATM he is very immature and his response to pretty much anything he doesn't understand is to throw his toys out of the pram to varying degrees. This may (or may not) get better as he gets older. Do you want to take a chance on this?

How much will the start he had in life affect him. I'm guessing from our conversations and his current behaviour that it perhaps wasn't all it could / should have been.

How scopey is he really?
If he does have enough scope to be worth persisting with, is it scope you would want to use fully in the future?

Taking out the emotional attachment, do you really enjoy riding him?

Would you enjoy riding an established horse more?

Is he giving a satisfactory return on the money you spend and the time you put in?

Do the good days outweigh the bad?

What are your dreams / ambitions for the future and can archie play an effective roll in them?

If I was you I know what I would do but that doesn't count. It has to be what is best for you in the long run.
 
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Please tell me what you would do.

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Nope, cant do that. Your decision!
However, if you think about the points I've made and answer them truthfully then I think YOU WILL come to a decision.

What I (or anyone else) would do and what you would are possibly completely different. Each person has their own set of criteria that make a horse the right one for them.

So what is the criteria for YOUR perfect horse (must have vs nice to have) and how does archie measure up now and possibly in the future?
 
[ QUOTE ]
What you do can only be your decision but knowing archie a little here are a few points to consider in your decision....

ATM he is very immature and his response to pretty much anything he doesn't understand is to throw his toys out of the pram to varying degrees. This may (or may not) get better as he gets older. Do you want to take a chance on this?
<font color="blue"> Im not so sure I can take this chance, I cant take many more falls and injuries and dont feel like Im getting anywhere with him
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</font>

How much will the start he had in life affect him. I'm guessing from our conversations and his current behaviour that it perhaps wasn't all it could / should have been. <font color="blue"> This is one thing that does worry me! I know him so well and would be worried that some one else may not understand him! </font>

How scopey is he really?
If he does have enough scope to be worth persisting with, is it scope you would want to use fully in the future? <font color="blue"> Difficult that one. He has a very scopey jump, but he's def no scopey enough to look after me when I f*ck up! </font>

Taking out the emotional attachment, do you really enjoy riding him? <font color="blue"> Some times! Like my last jumping lesson I had with you, I loved it. But other times I just want to get off! </font>

Would you enjoy riding an established horse more? <font color="blue"> Yes! </font>

Is he giving a satisfactory return on the money you spend and the time you put in? <font color="blue"> Nope!
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Do the good days outweigh the bad? <font color="blue"> Prob about 50/50 </font>

What are your dreams / ambitions for the future and can archie play an effective roll in them? <font color="blue"> Unfortunatly I dont think Arch would furfill my dreams and ambitions for the future, I wont to move onwards and upwards and I dont feel Im getting anywhere with him. </font>

If I was you I know what I would do but that doesn't count. It has to be what is best for you in the long run.

[/ QUOTE ]

<font color="blue"> I hate to say it, but I think deep down, I know Arch isnt right for the long run, but I just dont think I could bear to part with him! Confused.com over here!
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Ok, now we're getting somewhere
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From your responses
If I hadn't been there when you had your last jumping lesson how would that session have ended? Pretty certain I know
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You say you worry that someone else wouldn't understand him. Fair point but how long did it take me to sus him out? Remember I am mr average.

You already know what you should do. Now you just have to find the courage to do it.
Archie is not a bad horse, he just needs a certain type of rider. From my perspective its simply a case of a mismatch between horse and rider. Neither of you are at fault in this.
Find the right horse for you (happy to help out here) and the right person for archie and I honestly believe you will BOTH be happier.
 
sometimes you just don't 'fit'. it doesnt sound like you two are meant to be maybe. sorry to sound so cliche.
i would sell him, to a really great home, if you feel you have exhausted every avenue and its just not "working" between you.

Its like a relationship, its a 2 way thing - you can only work so hard, you get to a point where its either going to fall into place and work, or it just wont.
 
Is this not the horse that tied up less than a month ago or have I got totally mixed up? If it is, it won't want to jump or do very much else yet.
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