I'm starting to come to this conclusion.... I have a lovely WB who I've had since he was green broken at 5. He's a lovely horse, competing elementary equivalent dressage. On a good day he's sensational, but he really is quite un-motivated to work hard, which can make even elementary level hard work. It can be a super frustrating and I've finally decided to stop trying to make him something he doesn't want to be. It's been a disappointing realisation as he's nice enough to go higher and we've put in a lot of hard yars, but he doesn't want to. So I'm spending the next 12 months getting him jumping (he's only just started and is as honest as all get up and thoroughly enjoys it), going showing, (he's already great to hack) and rock solid to load. He's such a solid horse to compete, but if he's a bit tense he tends to go a little backwards thinking, making it hard work at the higher levels. However, for someone a bit nervous this probably isn't a bad thing! So I am to find him a home with someone who will love him for him, life is too short for the both of us.
This is exactly how I felt with the school master that i eventually sold. He was great to do in every way, I could take him anywhere and when he was prepared to put some effort in, he was lovely to ride. I decided to keep him and buy another horse to school and compete, which is how I got Bisto, who was such a forward going active chap, it was a revelation. I kept him for several months after buying Bisto but was struggling to keep two going so reluctantly put him up for sale. I was so pleased to find him the perfect home and I know he was much happier with his new owner. Horses for courses!
