|
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1131
  
| I have to start every post with a story, but I can relate to this little girl.
When I was 10 years old, my mom got me a cute little gelding from a family friend. They said he was a 10 year old, been there done that grade playday horse who would trail ride all day and knew contesting patterns, etc. I rode him once before we took him home, and he was fine. We took him to a barn down the road since we lived in town and I had him a few days before I tried to ride him again since we didn't have saddle (this shows how much we didn't prepare for this guy). First time I rode that bastard at home, he was a totally different horse. Rearing, bucking, throwing an ape-**** fit any time I asked him to get away from the barn. We should've sent him back right then and there, but we didn't. My trainer came out and jumped on him, and he did the same thing. She told us to send him back, but we didn't. I still own that stupid old gelding (and he's just as crazy now as he was then, so don't think this story has a happy ending!). That was 8 years ago. That gelding about made me give up riding all together, he wrecked my confidence, and nearly killed me a few times. Oh, and he was a lot older than they said he was. The vet estimated him closer to 18 than to 10. My trained really was afraid that he was going to get me killed, so when she got her new horse, she threw me up on her, and I trained that horse for the next 6 years (mare in my profile picture). She gave me my confidence back, and I eventually figured out how to ride my gelding, even made him a half decent pole horse, but when he flipped over on me, I decided enough was enough and retired him permanently.
Those kinds of stories don't usually end well, and I was lucky he didn't kill me. Save her the heartbreak and get a new one sooner rather than later. | |
| | |
  Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
  
Location: Florida.. | ThreeCorners - 2015-11-16 1:52 PM Sorry if this has already been said as I didnt read any responces. Honestly, forget any training or working this kid with this horse. Sell the horse! She is what she is and the child is to young and to green to put this kind of a burden on. You'll end up just making her not want horses. Sell the horse and find her a good solid been there done that 4H kind of horse that this child can get on and just have fun tomarrow on and go to a show tomarrow with.
we never give up.... but if this isnt fun and safe for this litle girl that comes out to have fun then I agree with this.. the rearing would concern me for the lil girl.. you want this to be a fun experience.. and learning one.. sh can work with this mare but id say get a solid one to compete and have fun and build confidence with.. if mare is this way.. im sure shes a great horse but not a confidence builder.. if the girl was your daughter or a trainers daughter it would be differant but not a client that comes out to enjoy her horse.. | |
| | |
 Expert
Posts: 1718
Location: Southeast Louisiana | Have you thought about having her spayed? Maybe talk with the vet about it and see what they think. If she isn't going to be bred, I would consider this. Hormones make everything more of a challenge. | |
| | |
Veteran
Posts: 170
| I have a gelding that is similar and we just spend a good 20 minutes on a lunge line loping before work. I have had it make a world of difference for little kids to learn to make them go forward and not get away with nonsense on the ground. | |
| | |
 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 434
Location: Northwest Florida | A smooth sea never made a good sailor.
I wouldn't put her on something that's going to hurt her, but learning to work with and earn the respect of a horse is much more rewarding than learning how to steer and kick on little dead head, beginner's mount. If she's already a good rider then this doesn't sound like it should be too challenging. Especially since the mare listens well to you, you know it is something she CAN achieve, too. She just needs the tools.
I wouldn't sell the horse and buy something easier. I believe the horse and the girl could really benefit from over coming and working thru this. | |
| | |
 Go For It!
Location: Texas |
Sell the mare and get something else.
| |
| |
| |
Folks on-line