meganbirbeck
Member
Hi everyone. I'm looking for some genuine advice.
I have owned my lovely Irish Sports Horse for nearly 7 years now and I've had him since he was 4, so I'm very attached.
When my horse was 4-7 he as amazing, we were jumping 1 metre courses and looking to affiliate.
He ended up needing 8 months off, due to thickening in his front Suspensory ligaments and I brought him back into work. It ended up being more complicated than that and I ended up spending a lot of time with Physio's as he turned really spooky and I couldn't ride without a spin or a rear.
After a long battle, he eventually got going again.
And this is where I am now, I make sure I have a lesson every week, we have progressed up to novice dressage and I have kept hiring places and made sure I've jumped most weeks to gain his confidence back up.
I went to a competition at the weekend and he jumped amazingly in the warm up, but upon taking him into the arena to do his round hes refused on jump and ended up spinning at a marker and I had to retire. All i can describe it as is the same feeling as putting a really nervous person on the stage.
I fell like I have tried everything and I don't know where to draw the line? I'm not sure if I could just to dressage the next few years. But I feel like I can't keep trying to put my horse in these situations as hes really nervous about them.
He is brilliant to ride at home, however, is really spooky still.
I think I'm worried because I love this horse so much, but have considered selling him and getting something else that I could compete with. I'm worried that I won't know if hes okay, or if the new owner could keep in touch (I haven't made a definite decision that I'm going to sell him yet).
Anyone had a similar situation?
Thanks!
I have owned my lovely Irish Sports Horse for nearly 7 years now and I've had him since he was 4, so I'm very attached.
When my horse was 4-7 he as amazing, we were jumping 1 metre courses and looking to affiliate.
He ended up needing 8 months off, due to thickening in his front Suspensory ligaments and I brought him back into work. It ended up being more complicated than that and I ended up spending a lot of time with Physio's as he turned really spooky and I couldn't ride without a spin or a rear.
After a long battle, he eventually got going again.
And this is where I am now, I make sure I have a lesson every week, we have progressed up to novice dressage and I have kept hiring places and made sure I've jumped most weeks to gain his confidence back up.
I went to a competition at the weekend and he jumped amazingly in the warm up, but upon taking him into the arena to do his round hes refused on jump and ended up spinning at a marker and I had to retire. All i can describe it as is the same feeling as putting a really nervous person on the stage.
I fell like I have tried everything and I don't know where to draw the line? I'm not sure if I could just to dressage the next few years. But I feel like I can't keep trying to put my horse in these situations as hes really nervous about them.
He is brilliant to ride at home, however, is really spooky still.
I think I'm worried because I love this horse so much, but have considered selling him and getting something else that I could compete with. I'm worried that I won't know if hes okay, or if the new owner could keep in touch (I haven't made a definite decision that I'm going to sell him yet).
Anyone had a similar situation?
Thanks!