Holding
Well-Known Member
When I first read the quote I thought it was a bit melodramatic, but after reading the replies and thinking about it, I suppose I do know a number of horses who have been 'ruined' by their riders' ambitions. One young would-be eventer I knew nearly killed the old schoolmaster he had at the time by jumping him until he broke down. The last I heard his current horse had gone the same way. A friend has a seven year old German bred dressage horse branded LOU because at four he was doing passage and piaffe until it destroyed him mentally and physically. It's easy to sit in judgement, but I know how difficult it can be to know how far to push and when to call it a day, particularly with a very talented horse.
Personally I don't think I have ever ruined a horse, but I have definitely made loads of mistakes and done things I wish I could take back.
Personally I don't think I have ever ruined a horse, but I have definitely made loads of mistakes and done things I wish I could take back.