CBAnglo
Well-Known Member
I think before you make any decisions or deadlines, you need to have a really good instructor assess you and your horse to see if you suit. I think a good instructor isnt about telling you to keep your heels down and sit straight - it is about helping you to understand your horse.
I was in the same position as you, but on a smaller scale. My sister bought a youngster who would spend the first 15 mins working really well and then he would suddenly start bucking and keep bucking until she came off. The instructor we had at the time was completely unsuitable (although we didnt realise that) and although she managed to achieve results in the first 6 months, employing techniques she had learnt on her own horse, after he became even worse and started to rear. At this point I knew it really wasnt working and I found another instructor who has completely changed him in the last 6 months. He is like a different horse and I actually look forward to riding him. I have been able to deal with the napping and rearing and now he knows he cant win he has decided it is easier listening. But I couldnt force him to do it(instructor 1) and I have learnt to coax him to do it of his own will (instructor 2) and the difference in horse and rider is amazing.
So I really think you need to find someone who can help you. If my instructor thought my horse wasnt right for me, she would have told me (I know she has done this before) and I would have listened to her because I trust her. We all have moments of doubt so you need someone you can trust to give you their unbiased opinion.
I honestly do not think you can go out and buy the perfect horse for you (unless you are extremely lucky - but I have yet to meet anyone who hasnt had to work on something). I think you can buy the one with the potential to be the perfect horse for you, and it is your job to unlock that potential. Looking back, I wouldnt have traded my time trying to learn to understand my first horse as it changed my whole perspective on horses and yes he was (and is) complicated but I think he has made me a much better rider for it and he has taught me so much.
At the same time, if this horse is not right for you then you are both much better off finding better suited partners. It seems to me that you are not sure and so I think you need to get some help trying to work with him and give yourselves a chance, unless you definitely do not want him in which case sell him.
I was in the same position as you, but on a smaller scale. My sister bought a youngster who would spend the first 15 mins working really well and then he would suddenly start bucking and keep bucking until she came off. The instructor we had at the time was completely unsuitable (although we didnt realise that) and although she managed to achieve results in the first 6 months, employing techniques she had learnt on her own horse, after he became even worse and started to rear. At this point I knew it really wasnt working and I found another instructor who has completely changed him in the last 6 months. He is like a different horse and I actually look forward to riding him. I have been able to deal with the napping and rearing and now he knows he cant win he has decided it is easier listening. But I couldnt force him to do it(instructor 1) and I have learnt to coax him to do it of his own will (instructor 2) and the difference in horse and rider is amazing.
So I really think you need to find someone who can help you. If my instructor thought my horse wasnt right for me, she would have told me (I know she has done this before) and I would have listened to her because I trust her. We all have moments of doubt so you need someone you can trust to give you their unbiased opinion.
I honestly do not think you can go out and buy the perfect horse for you (unless you are extremely lucky - but I have yet to meet anyone who hasnt had to work on something). I think you can buy the one with the potential to be the perfect horse for you, and it is your job to unlock that potential. Looking back, I wouldnt have traded my time trying to learn to understand my first horse as it changed my whole perspective on horses and yes he was (and is) complicated but I think he has made me a much better rider for it and he has taught me so much.
At the same time, if this horse is not right for you then you are both much better off finding better suited partners. It seems to me that you are not sure and so I think you need to get some help trying to work with him and give yourselves a chance, unless you definitely do not want him in which case sell him.
