What would you do...

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express_75

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I have a beautiful sec D gelding, he has a wonderful nature, amazing movement and is very well bred. He's 9 now and has been shown since a 5yr old. I took him to a show 2 weeks ago and decided then that it was his last. Basically, he hates it. That was the final straw. He works in a treat, in the ring he will hardly move, he broke in our individual and as for a gallop..:(
I love showing but can't make him do something he doesn't enjoy. Not fair on the poor pony. I love hacking but he won't go alone.
Do I loan, sell? And get something that I can show, hack and enjoy?
Very confused about the whole situation.
Can someone offer some guidance please...
Thanks
 
With the showing, is he the same at home I.e doesn't want to move or just at shows? If its all the time then get basics checked like saddle back etc, if its just at shows then he may be getting a bit of stage fright, if mine gets a bit nervous he ignores me and doesn't go forward so I use cool calm and collected supplement by equifeast which helps him concentrate without sedating. With the hacking, I think that sounds like a napping issue and so a firm rider and persiverance is needed and of course reward
 
His teeth, back and tack are all fine. He's lazy and also uses spooking to get out of work. Doesnt work with me tho. He's amazing to school but as for shows, he is just plain bored
I totally agree with the napping issue but he will spook at silly things like a lamp post and quickly swing out to look at it. All In a split second. I'm just frustrated and would love to just get on and enjoy
 
Perhaps he is just stale, has he always been like this?

If he is multi talented you could try taking him to shows for some clear round jumping - something that has a low pressure atmosphere just to see if it's the crowds or the activity that's the trigger

Personally if he was mine I would take things easy over the winter, do some fun rides or hunter trials with him then bring him back to showing mid season next year to give him a shortened season of it
 
I'd try & make showing fun again. If he works in well at a show, then maybe some unaffil dressage over winter, sj & clear round & wh at shows. Doesn't matter if he excels at them or not, just make it fun again. And if he clearly still hates showing then at least he has other loaning/selling points if that's what you decide to do. If he's lazy, I'd also be looking to hunt this season & wake him up.
 
Seems he has you taped!
Spooking and refusing to go out on his own - he is a leader and not a follower so, why should he enjoy showing?

You can sell him or learn how to sort out his problems, once the latter is done odds on he will be better in the show ring.
 
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