Whats the chances...??

056775

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I own and have owned an arab x for the last 22 years making him 25. Do not let his age bias your opinions!!

He is 13.2hh and too small for me to ride yet still has lots of go in him and loves to be out riding. The problem is he is SOOOO strong and has a very Araby wild streak making him literally impossible to ride on open ground as he just canters on the spot, runs side ways or backwards.
(Please no posts suggesting he needs correct schooling, manners, less heat in his food, more turn out, more exercise etc - hes been seen by a horse whisperer, vet, etc and nothing or no one can make him calm!).

He is fine in the school and out hacking. In fact a gem out hacking (as long as your not gong through a field) and utterly bomb proof (as long as hes in front or by him self otherwise makes your fingers bleed)

Now the question is - whats the chances of finding a small adult or VERY confident teenager that would want to ride him for me? His height is a major factor....

He cant go to competitions/pony club/riding club as is his behavior out side or getting into the ring is terrible despite amazing natural ability

I competed at national level, hunted and Pony Clubed him for years and he taught me SO much through his escapades - Mum said she would have sold him if she could but he would either end up hurting some one or in a tin of meat hence we were a little stuck with him until we loved him too much to part with him!!

On one hand I think better not to risk some one / him, on the other-hand - it would be better for his health and longevity to be ridden.....

His stable manners are impeccable and hes very loving and affectionate

If looking for a share / part loan - Would you as a small adult "choose" to ride some thing a bit naughty knowing you couldnt compete or just go off galloping occasionally with your friends?

I really want him ridden its just hard knowing what is best for him...??

Thanks for your responses x
 
If you competed/hunted/pc'd etc with him successfully is there any reason someone else competent can't? There's plenty of experienced teens who could well find a pony like that to their taste, but the majority with the ability to ride well enough would probably want to do more than hack. Whereas advertised as a challenging, quirky but capable comp pony to ride you'd get more takers.
 
Echo littlelegs, you may find someone who is as capable to do everything you used to do. He sounds very like my little mare, who is also only 13.2. I wouldn't want a big horse, and if I was looking, his age wouldn't put me off in the slightest.
 
Shame you're not closer - my friend is 18 and looking for exactly that. She's wee at nearly 5' and rides my 16.2 tb but much prefers something smaller. She occasionally rides a 13hh pony but says he's too boring as she enjoys the challenging ones!
There aren't many people like her around though. I think a younger person who would be able to handle his energy would want to do more and an older person who would just want to hack may be nervous with his flightiness? These are just my assumptions though but I'm sure there are people like my friend few and far between! Worth advertising and see what responses you get.
 
Thanks guys for your comments - all relevant

The problem with the competitions is that unless hes heading directly for a fence - he is a pain to other horses and riders due to his excitedness and is famed for running backwards and refusing to entering rings...

(I spent around 7 years entering arenas via a rein back maneuver!!)

We also were sent off two show grounds after being labelled "dangerous" - so its not just run of the mill naughtiness in the corner hence I wouldnt let him go to a show, hunt or rally!!!

hummmmm - dilemma continues...
 
If he's that bad and you loan him, what happens if the person loaning him gets hurt?

He sounds like he needs re-schooling to me.
 
Some people love a challenging ride

I like to know and trust my horse

My husband is happy to ride anything including the 'nut jobs' and enjoys a challenging ride

Im sure there would be someone out there for him

:)
 
I still think if you found a way round it there will be another jockey able to do the same, & it widens your chance of finding a jockey.
In the future I will probably have a slightly similar issue. An 11.1 dainty pony who is definitely a second pony, who when outgrown by daughter will be kept. Although we will drive her, finding a rider or sharer will be tricky. Not because I think only my child can ride her, but because kids small & capable enough are usually after full loans or buying rather than shares. So in a year or so we will start doing more games, for which she has a talent for. Because I think a tiny fizzy pony capable of usual stuff & able to do well in mounted games will appeal to more riders/sharers than just usual activities. And mounted games she can get away with a skinny older child, rather than being limited to young kids only.
 
What have you got to lose by advertising for someone? He isn't being ridden now so if you don't find anyone nothing changes and if you do it's a bonus. Just make sure they try him very thoroughly in a safe area and that all parties are very happy before they go solo.
 
I think I should advertise him and maybe go over the top on his excessive naughty traits and then when some one comes and see's this little docile pretty pony who rides beautifully in the school and hacks out for fun they might be pleasantly surprised

There are no under 14's allowed on the yard

We have an indoor and outdoor school so taking him for a test ride wont be an issue

I think I will have to insist they have both 3rd party insurance as well as rider insurance and ask them to sign some kind of disclaimer and wear a back protector!!

Jekyll and Hyde eat your heart out!

I loved riding him as so fast and forward going and balanced - out hacking he doesnt stop and will jump any thing and doesnt tire... just that "other" bit that scares me and whilst hes amazing in traffic there are very busy roads near the yard and you just think "what if"".....

And the "what if" makes me think - well hes looking very well retired - he can stay that way!!

But really want him exercised!!! AAAHHH!
 
Tesco think you could find a confident teenager or adult as long as they are light enough to ride him.

You would just have to make it clear what he can and can't do and be confident they could handle him in one of his looney moments.
 
I think he would find it hysterical that I was asking the greater and good for advise after owning him for 22 years !!

He does a very realistic angelic pose that some people fall for.... ;-)
 
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