tabithakat64
Well-Known Member
How much time/effort/money do you think is reasonable to put into a horse before you decide it just isn't suitable for the job you brought it for? How many of you have been in this position and what did you do?
When is it time to 'give up' on your horse?
- Thread starter tabithakat64
- Start date
Morrigan_Lady
Well-Known Member
Tell us about your position.
Its hard to comment without knowing what sortof predicament your in!! Arch wasnt right for me when I bought him, but he is my perfect horse now! (well, apart from fidgeting!)
jumpthemoon
Well-Known Member
Agree with moonwalker - we need more info really cos it depends on the situation. I sold a horse that wasn't right for me 18 months ago and don't regret it one bit!
spaniel
Well-Known Member
Ive been in this position, I gave it 12 months before making the decision to sell on.
steph21
Well-Known Member
I sold my old horse as he just wasnt right for me, it was getting to the point where i was going to hurt myself as I was only 16 at the time, but it depends what the situation is and if he is worth working on?
Tell us more.
Tell us more.
Luckylocalian
Well-Known Member
How do you know if the horse isn't right for you?
Lill
Well-Known Member
I've given up on Holly pretty much we just don't click so my friend rides her now.
Have recently given up on Blue on the dressage front and plan to send him to Worried1's OH in Jan for some schooling...
Have recently given up on Blue on the dressage front and plan to send him to Worried1's OH in Jan for some schooling...
lisan
Well-Known Member
I tried to sell May, but no one else wants her either
So we are pesevering and trying to keep it enjoyable, which is going quite well at the mo! (not that I will be saying that after dressage tonight!)
jumpthemoon
Well-Known Member
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How do you know if the horse isn't right for you?
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Well, I realised when I was dumped on the road and the horse bu**ered off back to the yard without me! I was scared of her tbh, and she was taking the P out of me. Also she had a problem that I'd been trying to fix for over a year and it wasn't happening.
How do you know if the horse isn't right for you?
[/ QUOTE ]
Well, I realised when I was dumped on the road and the horse bu**ered off back to the yard without me! I was scared of her tbh, and she was taking the P out of me. Also she had a problem that I'd been trying to fix for over a year and it wasn't happening.
tabithakat64
Well-Known Member
I brought Fudge as a safe hack, nearly three years ago (He is a green 10 year old), this year I have spent 6 months working on his schooling (he is very green) as I want to compete him at RC level next season.
He can produce some lovely work (My RI is currently schooling him while I have lessons on a schoolmaster) but is very inconsistent and really lacks confidence although he has no reason too. He is very spooky at shadows and spends most of the time running backwards when schooled with the floodlights on, how on earth is he ever going to manage to do what I want when he can't work calmly in a floodlit arena on his own?
We have a strong bond and other areas of his ridden work and behaviour have really improved, in most ways he is my ideal horse but when do I say enough is enough and he isn't going to make the safe RC allrounder I want him to be?
He can produce some lovely work (My RI is currently schooling him while I have lessons on a schoolmaster) but is very inconsistent and really lacks confidence although he has no reason too. He is very spooky at shadows and spends most of the time running backwards when schooled with the floodlights on, how on earth is he ever going to manage to do what I want when he can't work calmly in a floodlit arena on his own?
We have a strong bond and other areas of his ridden work and behaviour have really improved, in most ways he is my ideal horse but when do I say enough is enough and he isn't going to make the safe RC allrounder I want him to be?
wench
Well-Known Member
if hes not going to do what you want to do then either sell him, or do what he can do.
I had a horse couple of years ago, done nothing but hunted. It wouldnt do anything else, apart from really good to hack out in company. Couldnt show jump it, show it, do dressage or anything else with it no matter how much work it did with it. Sold it to a hunting home in the end.
I had a horse couple of years ago, done nothing but hunted. It wouldnt do anything else, apart from really good to hack out in company. Couldnt show jump it, show it, do dressage or anything else with it no matter how much work it did with it. Sold it to a hunting home in the end.
steph21
Well-Known Member
id say you have given it a good go but he just doesnt sould like what you need, that was exactly what I was like with mine but I just wasnt enjoying riding as I couldnt do what I wanted to with him, I now have a great little mare and we do a bit of everything, it will be hard to sell him but in the long run you will prob find your perfect partner and be able to enjoy doing RC events. hope everything works out!
jumpthemoon
Well-Known Member
Have you actually tried taking him anywhere? He might be different in another environment. Six months is not very long at all, especially for a late starter. It's taken me 9 months to get my horse going nicely after 4 months box rest. If he is improving it may well be worth persevering. Is it just his schooling you have the problem with?
AmyMay
Situation normal
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Have you actually tried taking him anywhere? He might be different in another environment. Six months is not very long at all, especially for a late starter.
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I agree - and he actually sounds like a wonderful horse.
Presumably you've only just started working him under lights now that the clocks have changed. Don't give up - who knows, a lot of it could be down to you...... And he sounds such a lovely horse.
Have you actually tried taking him anywhere? He might be different in another environment. Six months is not very long at all, especially for a late starter.
[/ QUOTE ]
I agree - and he actually sounds like a wonderful horse.
Presumably you've only just started working him under lights now that the clocks have changed. Don't give up - who knows, a lot of it could be down to you...... And he sounds such a lovely horse.
jumpthemoon
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Have you actually tried taking him anywhere? He might be different in another environment. Six months is not very long at all, especially for a late starter.
[/ QUOTE ]
I agree - and he actually sounds like a wonderful horse.
Presumably you've only just started working him under lights now that the clocks have changed. Don't give up - who knows, a lot of it could be down to you...... And he sounds such a lovely horse.
[/ QUOTE ]
Lovely horses are not easy to come across, either - they all look great in the adverts, but trust me, they are few and far between!
[ QUOTE ]
Have you actually tried taking him anywhere? He might be different in another environment. Six months is not very long at all, especially for a late starter.
[/ QUOTE ]
I agree - and he actually sounds like a wonderful horse.
Presumably you've only just started working him under lights now that the clocks have changed. Don't give up - who knows, a lot of it could be down to you...... And he sounds such a lovely horse.
[/ QUOTE ]
Lovely horses are not easy to come across, either - they all look great in the adverts, but trust me, they are few and far between!
sloulou
Well-Known Member
I have had two situations where the horse wasn't right for me... One was my first horse after ponies, I tried for a year, but we didn't seem to suit each other - my sister started riding him and they just clicked and had 10 years together
- I got something else (that I had for 12 years!) - that my sister hated riding, but i loved...
Recently I got a horse on loan - I had him for a year (this month) but we just never really got on - I ended up frightened and miserable at the thought of riding him... he has just been sold... and my new horse is going really well so far.
I guess I would give it a year - then see how I felt... I knew earlier, but i wanted to try for the full year to give him a proper chance xx
Recently I got a horse on loan - I had him for a year (this month) but we just never really got on - I ended up frightened and miserable at the thought of riding him... he has just been sold... and my new horse is going really well so far.
I guess I would give it a year - then see how I felt... I knew earlier, but i wanted to try for the full year to give him a proper chance xx
snurse
Well-Known Member
I have a little mare who was broken late to riding. She has no objection to tack, weight on her back, etc. but she decided, quite clearly, that she didn't enjoy being ridden. She'd either dig her heels in and not move, or, if you did manage to get her out, she'd try to wipe you off in a hedge, or spin fast, or anything she could dream up. In between (and it was rare) she was a great ride. I, and others, and YO, tried everything. I persisted for 2 years, before I realised I was simply dreading the fight each day. I should have sold her, but I love her dearly, despite everything. She was never nasty, just persistant, until we got the message that she's a broodmare, not a riding mare. Now she has foals and is happy as Larry. This is a cautionary tale! Sell, while you can still bear to do it!
AmyMay
Situation normal
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This is a cautionary tale! Sell, while you can still bear to do it!
[/ QUOTE ]
She's had him for three years, and by the sounds of it this has only recently become a problem.
Cut the horse a little slack......
This is a cautionary tale! Sell, while you can still bear to do it!
[/ QUOTE ]
She's had him for three years, and by the sounds of it this has only recently become a problem.
Cut the horse a little slack......
tabithakat64
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Have you actually tried taking him anywhere? He might be different in another environment. Six months is not very long at all, especially for a late starter.
[/ QUOTE ]
I agree - and he actually sounds like a wonderful horse.
Presumably you've only just started working him under lights now that the clocks have changed. Don't give up - who knows, a lot of it could be down to you...... And he sounds such a lovely horse.
[/ QUOTE ]
Up until this summer he had only ever been ridden in the school a few times during the day with very few problems, now he is ridden in there once or twice a week.
I haven't ridden him under floodlights, my very experienced but sympathetic RI is schooling him as I felt a lot of our issues were down to me but she doesn't seem to be getting anywhere either.
To be honest I wont be taking him any where until he is balanced and able to work calmly in all three paces with me on board and both of us feeling confident in the arena at home, plus I feel I would need an extra person as he used to be a bit of a handful and I don't know what he would be like in a new situation.
He is a wonderful horse, I just find this spooking a shadows lark very frustrating (he doesn't spook at other horses galloping in the fields/cyclists wizzing past etc) and am not sure patiently circling him closer to the scary things or having another horse in the arena for company is actually just reinforcing that there is something to be scared of rather than just really pushing him forwards and making him work in the spooky areas if possible.
You've really answered my question by saying as he is a late starter I need to give him more time.
[ QUOTE ]
Have you actually tried taking him anywhere? He might be different in another environment. Six months is not very long at all, especially for a late starter.
[/ QUOTE ]
I agree - and he actually sounds like a wonderful horse.
Presumably you've only just started working him under lights now that the clocks have changed. Don't give up - who knows, a lot of it could be down to you...... And he sounds such a lovely horse.
[/ QUOTE ]
Up until this summer he had only ever been ridden in the school a few times during the day with very few problems, now he is ridden in there once or twice a week.
I haven't ridden him under floodlights, my very experienced but sympathetic RI is schooling him as I felt a lot of our issues were down to me but she doesn't seem to be getting anywhere either.
To be honest I wont be taking him any where until he is balanced and able to work calmly in all three paces with me on board and both of us feeling confident in the arena at home, plus I feel I would need an extra person as he used to be a bit of a handful and I don't know what he would be like in a new situation.
He is a wonderful horse, I just find this spooking a shadows lark very frustrating (he doesn't spook at other horses galloping in the fields/cyclists wizzing past etc) and am not sure patiently circling him closer to the scary things or having another horse in the arena for company is actually just reinforcing that there is something to be scared of rather than just really pushing him forwards and making him work in the spooky areas if possible.
You've really answered my question by saying as he is a late starter I need to give him more time.
jumpthemoon
Well-Known Member
My horse is spooky in the school - spooks at daft things and really leaps across the school when he does it. I have found though, now his work has improved, when he is being asked to concentrate he doesn't do it. Hopefully you'll find he will be too busy concentrating to spook once you get him going.
Also, are you riding him at all, or is your instructor doing everything? I would really recommend getting on board and riding him yourself, otherwise you will have to get to know him all over again. I sent my boy away for schooling but I went up most days to have a sit on him at the end and had a whole load of lessons before I brought him home.
Are you seeing improvement at all? Do you mind if I ask what level your instructor is? BHS? Or Competitive experience?
Also, are you riding him at all, or is your instructor doing everything? I would really recommend getting on board and riding him yourself, otherwise you will have to get to know him all over again. I sent my boy away for schooling but I went up most days to have a sit on him at the end and had a whole load of lessons before I brought him home.
Are you seeing improvement at all? Do you mind if I ask what level your instructor is? BHS? Or Competitive experience?
JM07
Well-Known Member
anything up to a year....then its bye-bye..
can usually tell within 3 months if i'm going to be able to do something with it.
can usually tell within 3 months if i'm going to be able to do something with it.
JamilaParr
Well-Known Member
i had a horse for 2 yrs which i bougth as 'just backed' i learnt so much but then deicded that i wanted to compete bigger in bsja and as much as i didnt want to i sold him in the end as i was asking to much and he just couldn't be arsed.
When u give up in ur mind- its time to sell lol
When u give up in ur mind- its time to sell lol
tabithakat64
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
My horse is spooky in the school - spooks at daft things and really leaps across the school when he does it. I have found though, now his work has improved, when he is being asked to concentrate he doesn't do it. Hopefully you'll find he will be too busy concentrating to spook once you get him going.
Also, are you riding him at all, or is your instructor doing everything? I would really recommend getting on board and riding him yourself, otherwise you will have to get to know him all over again. I sent my boy away for schooling but I went up most days to have a sit on him at the end and had a whole load of lessons before I brought him home.
Are you seeing improvement at all? Do you mind if I ask what level your instructor is? BHS? Or Competitive experience?
[/ QUOTE ]
In general since we've really started work on his schooling, he is much quicker off the leg, he works from behind in a natural outline in walk and trot and tracks up etc and can perform basic lateral movements. My RI gives me things to work on whilst we are out hacking and if he has been good I ride for 15 minutes at the end of the lesson as well hack him out (haven't ridden him in the arena myself since the clocks changed). My RI is a BSHAI and a senior instructor at one of the local BHS centres, she has competed to a very high level in both show jumping and dressage.
My horse is spooky in the school - spooks at daft things and really leaps across the school when he does it. I have found though, now his work has improved, when he is being asked to concentrate he doesn't do it. Hopefully you'll find he will be too busy concentrating to spook once you get him going.
Also, are you riding him at all, or is your instructor doing everything? I would really recommend getting on board and riding him yourself, otherwise you will have to get to know him all over again. I sent my boy away for schooling but I went up most days to have a sit on him at the end and had a whole load of lessons before I brought him home.
Are you seeing improvement at all? Do you mind if I ask what level your instructor is? BHS? Or Competitive experience?
[/ QUOTE ]
In general since we've really started work on his schooling, he is much quicker off the leg, he works from behind in a natural outline in walk and trot and tracks up etc and can perform basic lateral movements. My RI gives me things to work on whilst we are out hacking and if he has been good I ride for 15 minutes at the end of the lesson as well hack him out (haven't ridden him in the arena myself since the clocks changed). My RI is a BSHAI and a senior instructor at one of the local BHS centres, she has competed to a very high level in both show jumping and dressage.
aimeerose
Well-Known Member
Hes a lovely boy but that doesnt mean you enjoy riding him.
I would agree with the others that 6 months isnt long to have a 'break through' schooling, particually if (and please dont take offence) you and he are learning some things together.
What is one persons 'easy to school' is another persons nightmare.
Riding is mean to be fun, you should want to ride, want to school and enjoy it *most* of the time.
I gave my mare up as although she is more than capable of going beyond Elem dressage her brain isnt in it and she and i make each other miserable when pushing it that hard. She is much happier pottering about hacking, schooling for fun etc.
You need to work out what you want from your lad, does he tick the boxes you would want ticked if you were buying him? Do you have the time and inclination (and finances) to get him to the level you want?
hugs - pm me if you like
I would agree with the others that 6 months isnt long to have a 'break through' schooling, particually if (and please dont take offence) you and he are learning some things together.
What is one persons 'easy to school' is another persons nightmare.
Riding is mean to be fun, you should want to ride, want to school and enjoy it *most* of the time.
I gave my mare up as although she is more than capable of going beyond Elem dressage her brain isnt in it and she and i make each other miserable when pushing it that hard. She is much happier pottering about hacking, schooling for fun etc.
You need to work out what you want from your lad, does he tick the boxes you would want ticked if you were buying him? Do you have the time and inclination (and finances) to get him to the level you want?
hugs - pm me if you like
tabithakat64
Well-Known Member
I really love hacking him out etc and I realise things take longer when teaching a late starter especially as we are both having lessons
hopefully in the new year we'll be ready to have lessons together. I'd still buy him again but sometimes I'd like a nice schoolmaster
I don't mind investing time and money to get him where I want, I guess what concerns me is that Fudge wont be happy doing what I want him to do and this is why we are having problems.
Grumpy Herbert
Well-Known Member
If you enjoy most of what you do with him, then I'd persevere a bit longer. It would be a shame to sell a "known quantity". You could sell him and buy something with other issues, maybe some problems you won't be able to cope with. Would you be prepared to compromise what you'd really like to do with your horse, or is is really important to you to compete? I know it's frustrating when they're spooky, my gelding's the same! He'd only ever hunted before I got him and it's been an uphill struggle with schooling.
mossy
Well-Known Member
When someone is at the stage with a horse that they actually look for reasons not to ride, that is when to move on!! Give yours a little longer, sounds like your nearly there.
aimeerose
Well-Known Member
As long as riding him makes you happy then keep at it - late starters do take more time, are generally more pedantic about how they are ridden and IMHO are 'harder' work, if its partially new to you too it will seem even harder!
Just remember ALL horses are more than capable of going out and doing a nice prelim test, I would keep that as a goal, he will get to grips with it .. promise!!!
Also remember, when schooling the position of the head is the LAST thing to fall into place, everything else should be working first, skip a step and it all goes pete tong!
Just remember ALL horses are more than capable of going out and doing a nice prelim test, I would keep that as a goal, he will get to grips with it .. promise!!!
Also remember, when schooling the position of the head is the LAST thing to fall into place, everything else should be working first, skip a step and it all goes pete tong!