Will people stop trying to 'cure' the Useless One?

S

sleepingdragon10

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 July 2004
Messages
6,647
Location
Notts, UK
Visit site
OK. So here's the deal. SWUO can't be ridden. She doesn't LIKE being ridden. She doesn't even suit being ridden. She is quite happy to be played with, she LOVES loose schooling and thinks lunging is a hoot. So why is it that without fail everyone who sees her asks me when I'm going to 'cure' her of her dislike for being ridden?
mad.gif
confused.gif

I've had various suggestions as to how I should proceed, all of which I've listened to(albeit whilst trying desperately to keep my mouth firmly shut!), and all of which I've disgarded as being total bollox.
Why do people have such a huge problem with a pony not being ridden?
confused.gif


I can never, when I picture Jelly, envisage a day when she would be happy wearing a saddle and bridle, so is it really such a bad thing that I leave her be?
Does this look remotely like a pony that's not happy simply being herself?

521688472_16c4ad78ea_o.jpg


521688476_9c533ca1f3_o.jpg


Bethxx
 
She looks fine. Tell the people you know that they are trying to help but you don't want her to be ridden as she wouldn't be happy with it.

She's your pony, you do what you want!!
 
Looks like mine! Big horse attitude in small horse package.

She's enjoying life - if you're both happy then so what.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Looks like mine! Big horse attitude in small horse package.

She's enjoying life - if you're both happy then so what.

[/ QUOTE ]

She definitely has no comprehension of her size, or rather lack of, and is a total diva
grin.gif


I just get so pst off that people stick their noses in, especially when their animals are standing in a field getting fat cos they do sod all with them. Perhaps I should tell them to take thier own advice!
wink.gif
 
Well she looks lovely and very happy too. If you are happy for her not to be ridden then that is your choice as she is your pony at the end of the day. IMO there is no rule that says every horse and pony needs to be ridden so I can't understand why people are suggesting to you that she should be ridden.
I must say though that she is very pretty have you ever considered showing her or allowing her to be a subject for photo shoots as she is very photogenic from the pics you have put up here.
Good luck in whatever you decide to do if anything.
She looks perfectly fine as she is though,
Cazx
 
[ QUOTE ]
some people like a challenge .


[/ QUOTE ]

Yep, and some just fail to see the point of a horse they can't ride. I mean, what else would you have one for?
wink.gif
 
Probably because most people can't afford to keep a horse they couldn't ride any more than they could keep a house they couldn't live in or a car they couldn't drive. Horses, afer all, are not really pets to most people, yes I know we love them but generally you wouldn't sell a cat or dog but horses are bought and sold all the time.
 
Nope, I see no reason why she should be ridden, especially if she can be excercised from the ground! She looks a very happy little pony... Cute too
laugh.gif


You should try driving with her, she looks like she might enjoy it
smile.gif
 
I think that's the problem, some people feel as if a horse has to be earning its keep.

If you have the facilities and the readies to keep her in the manner she is accustomed to then ignore other people, it's your money and your pony.

The other thing is try driving like deadpan said, she might really take to it and you could both have fun
 
[ QUOTE ]
Well she looks lovely and very happy too. If you are happy for her not to be ridden then that is your choice as she is your pony at the end of the day. IMO there is no rule that says every horse and pony needs to be ridden so I can't understand why people are suggesting to you that she should be ridden.
I must say though that she is very pretty have you ever considered showing her or allowing her to be a subject for photo shoots as she is very photogenic from the pics you have put up here.
Good luck in whatever you decide to do if anything.
She looks perfectly fine as she is though,
Cazx

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks Caz
smile.gif


Regards showing, apparently she can misbehave rather spectaculary when out and about, but we will take her at some point as my daughter wants to do young handler classes with her.
As for photoshoots, lordy, she'd love that, utter show off that she is......wouldn't have a clue how to explore that option though
crazy.gif


xx
 
[ QUOTE ]
Probably because most people can't afford to keep a horse they couldn't ride any more than they could keep a house they couldn't live in or a car they couldn't drive. Horses, afer all, are not really pets to most people, yes I know we love them but generally you wouldn't sell a cat or dog but horses are bought and sold all the time.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmm, but that rather infers that a horse/pony that can't be ridden has no function, which is logic that I don't subscribe to.
Having SWUO here has been an education....she isn't your average dope on a rope who does nowt! She has taught my daughter so much about equine behaviour, stuff that you don't learn from a pony who is programmed to merely comply.

I guess it's just that I see her as more than 'just a pony', and therefore can't understand why people are so obssessed with her non ridden status.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Nope, I see no reason why she should be ridden, especially if she can be excercised from the ground! She looks a very happy little pony... Cute too
laugh.gif


You should try driving with her, she looks like she might enjoy it
smile.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

See that's just it, she loves being worked, just hates being ridden.

We have started doing lateral work from the ground with her which she is picking up really quickly, although we then have to contend with welshy logic which states that show her once and she knows it all!*rolls eyes*
Are you familiar with Tanya Larrigan's Mini Marvels? Would love to do something like that with her as I think that she'd be great at it
smile.gif
 
I'm guilty, just because she is so sweet and lovely and I can envisage Coral winning on her
grin.gif
grin.gif
Sorry
crazy.gif


Have you thought of breaking her to pull something?? creeps away again
 
[ QUOTE ]
I'm guilty, just because she is so sweet and lovely and I can envisage Coral winning on her
grin.gif
grin.gif
Sorry
crazy.gif


Have you thought of breaking her to pull something?? creeps away again

[/ QUOTE ]

You just wait til the next time I see you
tongue.gif
grin.gif


Must admit that trying to break her to harness had crossed my mind......
 
[ QUOTE ]
you should try driving, my shetland is a cheeky mare and enjoys being driven so much......

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry but i just have visions of a little shetland being driven in a little cart
grin.gif
 
the girl I share a yard with is the same, she has one that she won't ride for similar reasons, but she does everything else with her. She even sent her away to learn driving, which the pony took to like a duck to water, and now drives her - a situation that suits all parties
 
See now this is a huge bugbear of mine!!!
Why is it that people feel that a horse/pony has to have a job to do. What the feck does it matter if a horse/pony doesn't get ridden. I too have a SWUO. She was my kids leadrein pony 7/8yrs ago. She's never been ridden off the lead and tbh is so sharp ( 0-60 in the blink of an eye!!)so was retired at aged 8. She's healthy and happy and perfectly happy with the odd mooch up the lane every now and again and the odd in hand show if we can be arsed...
crazy.gif
 
I know just what you mean, my horse is 17.1hh and he bolts so badly i have not ridden him for the last 8-9yrs but he is the most lovely horse from the ground he would not hurt a fly. My kids run under him and everything, but i have it all the time either someone saying i could cure him he won't do it with me blah blah blah!!!!!! or i get what's the point of him, sell him of have him put down. why can't people just worry about their own horses sometimes. He is well looked after and very much loved.
 
You come across this attitude so often if you've got one with issues or you choose not to ride. There's always this "I'll be able to sort it out" attitude, as if you're completely useless! I've had it with mine and much to my amusement, even so called professionals haven't solved the problems. (involves getting a bridle over my mare's ears - no problem at all if you just undo it!) Ignore them and do what you think is best. She is very lovely, by the way!!
 
Do you know, i think that pony is the most wonderful expressive happy klittle mare I've seen in a long time.

She's happy, you're happy, and the kids are happy. It doesnt matter what others think.
 
Hi. As to your topic title ' Will people stop trying to 'cure' the useless ones?' - i reschool problem horses!! but would never butt in and tell someone else what they should be doing with Their horse. I started reschooling horses when one of the ponies at my local riding school would just throw everybody off.. i got on him and was the only person who stayed on (i didnt know his reputation when i rode him). The owner asked me if i could ride him for a couple of weeks and 'sort him out'. I did solve his problem... i simply played with him for a couple of weeks, i spent hous and hours grooming him, took him for walks like a dog, introduced him to everyday things that he would usually spook at and basically just messed around with him for a couple of weeks and got him to enjoy life again. (He hated riding school life, he's a 1 to 1 kinda pony). Then after 2 weeks of just playing (no riding) i got his backed checked and everything was fine, so i got on him bareback one day and just rode him round the field a few times and hoped off again. I done this everyday for a week, before putting the saddle on him and hacking him out. He was a completely different pony to the one i had ridden only 3 weeks before... he still spooked at the carrier bags in the hedge etc, but he spooked and settled again within seconds. The owner was so impressed and couldnt believe the change in him, and as i didnt have my own pony, she said i could continue riding him..... 2 years later, i still have him and shes said he's mine for life if i want him. He has taught me so much and its just sooo rewarding that i caught the bug. Since i have brought a number of ponies that no-one else wants because there ' dangerous' etc and i just love seeing them through any issues etc. Everything is a game, i have no interest in serious competing. But i do enjoy the challenge...

however if a horse, didnt enjoy the work... i would have no issues, with just leaving him to be a horse...

And in your case: You have a very cute pony and clearly looks very happy and well loved. If he doesnt want to be ridden, and your happy to just play and love him... then thats totally kwl. And good luck if you do try any showing in hand or driving etc. He's lucky to have an owner like you.
 
[ QUOTE ]
You come across this attitude so often if you've got one with issues or you choose not to ride. There's always this "I'll be able to sort it out" attitude, as if you're completely useless! I've had it with mine and much to my amusement, even so called professionals haven't solved the problems. (involves getting a bridle over my mare's ears - no problem at all if you just undo it!) Ignore them and do what you think is best. She is very lovely, by the way!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks Prilly
smile.gif

Sometimes I do chuckle at just how much people are convinved that if only THEY had the chance to 'sort her out' all would be fine
grin.gif
Utter rot!!
 
[ QUOTE ]
Do you know, i think that pony is the most wonderful expressive happy klittle mare I've seen in a long time.

She's happy, you're happy, and the kids are happy. It doesnt matter what others think.

[/ QUOTE ]

Katy, that's a really lovely thing for you to say. Thank you
smile.gif
 
Miss Horsemad, I understand completely what you're saying, and I maybe if I didn't know Jelly as I do I might think that it was a problem that can be solved......but I do know her.....you know when you just get a gut feeling that to do something just wouldn't be right, well that's how I feel about riding Jelly.
I *know* that it would make her unhappy, just wish sometimes that people would sort their own horses out first before they comment on mine!
 
she looks so happy in those pics. utterly contented. If everyone is happy then your arrangements are perfect. i think if she enjoys it, doing lead rein showing will be great for her to do.
smile.gif


She is also really gorgeous! I think Caz's idea is good but i also don't know how to get into the photo shoot business. I'm sure if ponies could talk, she'd have all the suitable contacts for you
smirk.gif
grin.gif
 
She looks perfectly happy to me. Maybe you should just tell people she has a chronic back problem so can't be ridden and then they'll leave you alone! (Or they may just bug you with loads of different ways to treat it, DOH!)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top