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 The best bad guy on the internet
Posts: 3519
  
Location: Arizona | I'm kinda in a rut with my mare...contemplating letting someone else run her so I can see what she can really do. I feel like I am holding her back and causing more issues. Problem is, I can't seem to hand over the reins to someone else...I feel like I am a failure at that point. Has anyone else done this, if so, how did it turn out? |
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Veteran
Posts: 233
 
| I feel like my horse would do so much more with someone other than me. . . But as a wise woman once asked "does she take care of you?" And the answer is, absolutely. The horse doesn't care if they live up to their potential. They aren't in it for the glory. |
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| Yes, this has absolutely happened to me. I have a close friend/mentor that I rode with, and she could always tell when I needed a break because I struggle with going from trainer mode to jockey mode. One time I was so flustered with my good mare that I just got off and walked away before I started tuning too much on her. I came back to the arena and my friend was on her and made a couple smoking runs. It really opened my eyes because I knew she was a heckuva mare, I just couldn't quite "let go" of trainer mode and kept overriding her, and after that I started working a lot on trusting her, and wouldn't you know it- that's when we really clicked and started winning a LOT more money.
If you have a trainer or competent friend that can ride her, it may seem like defeat, but it's the exact opposite. There is nothing wrong with you stepping back and allowing someone else to get on your horse and let you take a breath- seeing things from a distance can really help. I believe it is extremely beneficial to both the horse and rider.
Edited by madredepeanut 2018-01-24 5:33 PM
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12841
| I have always trained my own horses. About 40 years ago I had a small training issue and let a trainer take my horse for a month. Best money I ever spent. Ten years ago when diesel got so high I decided to let a trainer take a horse because I figured she could get more done in a shorter period of time. She ended up taking him to the APHA World Show and he was top ten on Barrels and Res Champion in poles. He is the paint in my avatar. The trainer has either trained or tweaked about 6 horses for me. She has two of my horses now. One has been there for three years. I ride her once in a while but trainer wins on her. She won AQHA World Champion in Jr Barrels Level 2 and was Bronze World Champion in Level 3 Jr Barrels. I probably have a different objective than you because I am promoting my horses but yes, a trainer can help a lot.
Several suggestions--
Pick someone who is honest. I had one horse the trainer told me would never make a barrel horse and get rid of her. Pick someone you can ride behind. Don't go with the cheapest person, find someone who is winning on everything they ride. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 534
Location: Ohio girl moved to PA | I went through the same thing a couple years ago with my guy. I let my trainer get on him and he worked beautifully, then i got on and she watched. Pointed out things that i didnt even know i was doing that was effecting him and weve been winning/placing ever since. I was trying to over work him and wasnt just letting him do what he knew how to do! Its good to have a fresh set of eyes to really watch you/what youre doing. Youre never a failure for asking for help, only trying to make yourself better! Let someone get on your mare that you trust. |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| With the right trainer it will be the best money you ever spent. The only failure I would see is not seeking help for issues, learning is never a failure and both you and your horse will be better. One of the best riders/trainers in my area-and I mean she is the one to set the pace at big and small shows, takes her horses to my trainer when she has an issue she can’t fix. |
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| Sometimes when I'm stuck with one of mine I will let one of my daughters make a few runs just to see if its me or not. Most of the time it is me and sometimes it isn't. The problem is getting them back after a few runs since they like to steal my horses! 
I don't think its a bad idea and it's certainly not a failure at all. |
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 Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | Matt and I do this occasionally. When he hits a rut with his mare, he'll let me run her once or twice to free her up (I'm more aggressive) and he's tuned some of mine when they got a little too free for my tastes. Sometimes it works great and sometimes it's a disaster! He won't run Streak again, but he did show me that the big monster can turn a reasonably decent first barrel with a different rider! LOL. |
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The best bad guy on the internet
Posts: 3519
Location: Arizona | Thanks everyone for your input. Letting someone else take over is hard, but I think it might be best. I need to see for myself what she can do. I have someone in mind to run her. :) |
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 Veteran
Posts: 121
Location: US | Im doing that right now I have a trainer I trust and it is scary to turn over the reins Im a visual person Im not aggressive either She is just keeping her 4 days she entered her Wed and she won the 3D and she has her entered this weekend same arena Now can I do that when I get her back I hope so ??? I hope now my trainer can give me tips I knew I was holding her back but just couldn't get her to the next level. Good luck You will make the right decision. |
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