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Veteran
Posts: 107
| So, I bought this mare three years ago in the dead of winter. I was told she was finished and knew all the basics, and I couldn't very well try to ask too much of her on the ice. So, at my own fault, I took the owners word for it. I was also told that she was just being started on barrels. Fast forward to the summer and I found out this horse did NOT know even half of what she should at 5 years old. But she had a lovely personality, so I decided to keep some faith in her. Then as we got on the pattern, it was a wreck. She was a mess, not started correctly at all and clearly started before she had any of her basics down. But again, she had a decent personality, so I gave her the benefit of the doubt.
Also, let me tell you. I do not live in a rodeo family, my parents have no interest in horses what-so-ever. I have mentors and people I go to for advice but I cannot haul to their place every week. And everything I do with or for my horse, I have done completely on my own. Buying the horse, feed costs, vet costs, transportation costs, etc.
Now, three years later I have this horse down at college with me. I got some great advice and pointers when I rode with a gal that has trained colts since college. And they really helped me out, and in the last month of summer (August) I really got somewhere with my horse. Then I went to college and my horse got a month off before I had time to bring her down. She was lame right away before I left home. Turned out to be an abscess and I nursed her for 10 days straight and she got better. Then I hopped on her for two days, and great, she had forgotten everything I taught her in less than 25 days. So starting over at square one on basics, again. I got to mess around on her for three days and I go out to ride today....back right leg is swelled up like a PVC pipe and small, deep gash on back of cannon (guessing she got kicked). Cleaned her up, disinfected her leg, cold hosed for a couple minutes, then hand walked. Put her back in the corral, and of course all the other mares had to come and chase her around, so she is kicked and running away as I go to my vehicle to put her halter away. Come back to say goodbye to my mare, now she's limping on both back legs, but no visible sign of injury on left leg. I'm sure it doesn't help that it has been raining for a week and now the ground is dry and uneven/rutted up to high heavens.
Honestly, I'm just at a loss. I know its not her fault that she got hurt twice in 2 weeks. But I am so tired of putting so much time into her and getting nothing back. But I know my parents would never support me in getting another horse and I don't want to go through all of that again, and I don't want to go through selling my current horse. I'm burnt out, I do love this mare, but I just don't know what to do anymore, I'm so frustrated and confused.
And please no negative comments, this has been a completely horrible year for me, and I don't have the thick skin to brush negative words off my shoulder at this point. | |
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| Frustration can be a stressful debilitating thing physically and mentally.
At this time in your life you do not need something that you do not
have the experience or abilities to make it better.
Time to cut your losses and sell the mare for whatever you can
and perhaps enjoy taking lessons from a local trainer.
Concentrate on your college and getting a good job and then you
can decide to buy another horse with your own money and go
enjoy ... who knows .. you may decide to be a penner, cutter
or just enjoy going trail riding with other horse people.
Do what you already know is the best thing for you!!
GOOD LUCK .. | |
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Veteran
Posts: 277
| From my experience when a horse gets kicked in the back legs like that it does some tendon damage. Then running around probably damaged them further. I will not turn horses out together if they are expected to perform, too much can go wrong.
Reading the whole situation I would probably cut my losses and sell her as a broodmare. Save your money until you find the perfect started prospect. Be very patient, don't buy anything until you know it will be a fit for you. | |
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| Honestly, just sounds like a lot of horses to me. They get hurt, it just happens. They aren't as sharp with time off, just like we aren't very good at advanced math or science if we aren't doing it on a regular basis. We all need our memory jogged. If they have any type of layoff I expect to spend at least the first 3 consecutive rides refreshing and sharpening basics. Expecting to have a horse sit for any period of time and be ready to jump on and go straight to the fun and easy stuff isn't very realistic in my opinion. Yes, just like people, some retain information better. Some are just plain more sensitive and athletic and it's easier for them. Some are dumber than others. They all just plain take effort and it's up to you to decide to put in the effort on this one or not.
I would suggest to spend time riding with some good horsemen and get your skills honed because they are what matter the most no matter what horse you are on. I understand you can't go all the time but you can also watch the million training videos out there when you can't go. | |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 460
| What are you wanting to do with her? Is this your first horse? Can you afford to just kick her out and forget about her for a while?
I got really burnt out from competing in barrels heavy, then going straight to the racetrack to work 7 days a week for 3 years. Through out I even kept a horse or two to flip on the side. I was so burnt out, my last horse I got off the track, I just kicked him out for a year and let his body heal, while I got "un burnt out", I didn't ride, I did nothing except make sure they were healthy and happy. Now, fast forward a year...my main horse had knee op in April/May, so here I am again...main horse still recovering and my other horse isn't broke yet, she's a rescue (little behind 2 yr old still). So I haven't ridden in 6 months...and honestly, I'm again enjoying a bit of a break!
If I were you, focus on school, take time to enjoy being young, go out, have fun! I shifted all my energy in to my career, and I also race motocross as another expensive hobby =p If you can afford to keep her and kick her out for a while (without having to penny pinch or starve yourself) Maybe even find someone to help you out with her? I'm sure you can find someone that is a good rider, and is just away at school! | |
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Veteran
Posts: 107
| Katielovestbs - 2017-10-09 11:03 AM
What are you wanting to do with her? Is this your first horse? Can you afford to just kick her out and forget about her for a while?
I got really burnt out from competing in barrels heavy, then going straight to the racetrack to work 7 days a week for 3 years. Through out I even kept a horse or two to flip on the side. I was so burnt out, my last horse I got off the track, I just kicked him out for a year and let his body heal, while I got "un burnt out", I didn't ride, I did nothing except make sure they were healthy and happy. Now, fast forward a year...my main horse had knee op in April/May, so here I am again...main horse still recovering and my other horse isn't broke yet, she's a rescue (little behind 2 yr old still). So I haven't ridden in 6 months...and honestly, I'm again enjoying a bit of a break!
If I were you, focus on school, take time to enjoy being young, go out, have fun! I shifted all my energy in to my career, and I also race motocross as another expensive hobby =p If you can afford to keep her and kick her out for a while (without having to penny pinch or starve yourself) Maybe even find someone to help you out with her? I'm sure you can find someone that is a good rider, and is just away at school!
No, this is my third horse. I bought her because I wanted to start being competitive in barrels. I brought her down to college and I live four hours away from where I go to school. So can't really kick her out at this point. I half ways want to begin riding other horses, but no one these days really likes to "share" their horse, especially at college... I was half ways thinking that would be a good idea, because maybe we just need a break from each other for a little bit, but again, no one really likes t let other people ride their horse.
Everyone who has ridden her has said she is a super nice little horse. And she does have a great mind, and she isn't dumb, but she is lazy and has that stubborn mare/pony attitude (she's a 14.2 hh "horse" ;)). And I don't know if I would want to let her go because I just feel like she has this awesome potential but I don't know how to get it out of her consistently.
Also it's just frustrating because I had this plan in my head to work on basics all winter so that we could hit competing hard and maybe win something this summer. And she's been injured the whole time I've had her down here. And in the 3 years I've had her she's gotten injured 2, maybe 3 times and now she's been out for 2 weeks for two different injuries. | |
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 Expert
Posts: 3782
Location: Gainesville, TX | Prairie Rouge - 2017-10-09 11:17 AM
Katielovestbs - 2017-10-09 11:03 AM
What are you wanting to do with her? Is this your first horse? Can you afford to just kick her out and forget about her for a while?
I got really burnt out from competing in barrels heavy, then going straight to the racetrack to work 7 days a week for 3 years. Through out I even kept a horse or two to flip on the side. I was so burnt out, my last horse I got off the track, I just kicked him out for a year and let his body heal, while I got "un burnt out", I didn't ride, I did nothing except make sure they were healthy and happy. Now, fast forward a year...my main horse had knee op in April/May, so here I am again...main horse still recovering and my other horse isn't broke yet, she's a rescue (little behind 2 yr old still). So I haven't ridden in 6 months...and honestly, I'm again enjoying a bit of a break!
If I were you, focus on school, take time to enjoy being young, go out, have fun! I shifted all my energy in to my career, and I also race motocross as another expensive hobby =p If you can afford to keep her and kick her out for a while (without having to penny pinch or starve yourself) Maybe even find someone to help you out with her? I'm sure you can find someone that is a good rider, and is just away at school!
No, this is my third horse. I bought her because I wanted to start being competitive in barrels. I brought her down to college and I live four hours away from where I go to school. So can't really kick her out at this point. I half ways want to begin riding other horses, but no one these days really likes to "share" their horse, especially at college... I was half ways thinking that would be a good idea, because maybe we just need a break from each other for a little bit, but again, no one really likes t let other people ride their horse.
Everyone who has ridden her has said she is a super nice little horse. And she does have a great mind, and she isn't dumb, but she is lazy and has that stubborn mare/pony attitude (she's a 14.2 hh "horse" ; ) ). And I don't know if I would want to let her go because I just feel like she has this awesome potential but I don't know how to get it out of her consistently.
Also it's just frustrating because I had this plan in my head to work on basics all winter so that we could hit competing hard and maybe win something this summer. And she's been injured the whole time I've had her down here. And in the 3 years I've had her she's gotten injured 2, maybe 3 times and now she's been out for 2 weeks for two different injuries.
Do you have any place you can keep her where she isn't turned out with other horses? | |
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Location: Not Where I Want to Be | The worst thing any athlete, people or horse, can have is potential.
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Veteran
Posts: 107
| oija - 2017-10-09 11:19 AM
Prairie Rouge - 2017-10-09 11:17 AM
Katielovestbs - 2017-10-09 11:03 AM
What are you wanting to do with her? Is this your first horse? Can you afford to just kick her out and forget about her for a while?
I got really burnt out from competing in barrels heavy, then going straight to the racetrack to work 7 days a week for 3 years. Through out I even kept a horse or two to flip on the side. I was so burnt out, my last horse I got off the track, I just kicked him out for a year and let his body heal, while I got "un burnt out", I didn't ride, I did nothing except make sure they were healthy and happy. Now, fast forward a year...my main horse had knee op in April/May, so here I am again...main horse still recovering and my other horse isn't broke yet, she's a rescue (little behind 2 yr old still). So I haven't ridden in 6 months...and honestly, I'm again enjoying a bit of a break!
If I were you, focus on school, take time to enjoy being young, go out, have fun! I shifted all my energy in to my career, and I also race motocross as another expensive hobby =p If you can afford to keep her and kick her out for a while (without having to penny pinch or starve yourself) Maybe even find someone to help you out with her? I'm sure you can find someone that is a good rider, and is just away at school!
No, this is my third horse. I bought her because I wanted to start being competitive in barrels. I brought her down to college and I live four hours away from where I go to school. So can't really kick her out at this point. I half ways want to begin riding other horses, but no one these days really likes to "share" their horse, especially at college... I was half ways thinking that would be a good idea, because maybe we just need a break from each other for a little bit, but again, no one really likes t let other people ride their horse.
Everyone who has ridden her has said she is a super nice little horse. And she does have a great mind, and she isn't dumb, but she is lazy and has that stubborn mare/pony attitude (she's a 14.2 hh "horse" ; ) ). And I don't know if I would want to let her go because I just feel like she has this awesome potential but I don't know how to get it out of her consistently.
Also it's just frustrating because I had this plan in my head to work on basics all winter so that we could hit competing hard and maybe win something this summer. And she's been injured the whole time I've had her down here. And in the 3 years I've had her she's gotten injured 2, maybe 3 times and now she's been out for 2 weeks for two different injuries.
Do you have any place you can keep her where she isn't turned out with other horses?
It's $10 a night to keep her in a stall and I just got done paying $100 for keeping her in for 10 nights while abscess healed. Otherwise no, you have to keep them out in a pen with the other horses. | |
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Expert
Posts: 3782
Location: Gainesville, TX | Prairie Rouge - 2017-10-09 11:33 AM
oija - 2017-10-09 11:19 AM
Prairie Rouge - 2017-10-09 11:17 AM
Katielovestbs - 2017-10-09 11:03 AM
What are you wanting to do with her? Is this your first horse? Can you afford to just kick her out and forget about her for a while?
I got really burnt out from competing in barrels heavy, then going straight to the racetrack to work 7 days a week for 3 years. Through out I even kept a horse or two to flip on the side. I was so burnt out, my last horse I got off the track, I just kicked him out for a year and let his body heal, while I got "un burnt out", I didn't ride, I did nothing except make sure they were healthy and happy. Now, fast forward a year...my main horse had knee op in April/May, so here I am again...main horse still recovering and my other horse isn't broke yet, she's a rescue (little behind 2 yr old still). So I haven't ridden in 6 months...and honestly, I'm again enjoying a bit of a break!
If I were you, focus on school, take time to enjoy being young, go out, have fun! I shifted all my energy in to my career, and I also race motocross as another expensive hobby =p If you can afford to keep her and kick her out for a while (without having to penny pinch or starve yourself) Maybe even find someone to help you out with her? I'm sure you can find someone that is a good rider, and is just away at school!
No, this is my third horse. I bought her because I wanted to start being competitive in barrels. I brought her down to college and I live four hours away from where I go to school. So can't really kick her out at this point. I half ways want to begin riding other horses, but no one these days really likes to "share" their horse, especially at college... I was half ways thinking that would be a good idea, because maybe we just need a break from each other for a little bit, but again, no one really likes t let other people ride their horse.
Everyone who has ridden her has said she is a super nice little horse. And she does have a great mind, and she isn't dumb, but she is lazy and has that stubborn mare/pony attitude (she's a 14.2 hh "horse" ; ) ). And I don't know if I would want to let her go because I just feel like she has this awesome potential but I don't know how to get it out of her consistently.
Also it's just frustrating because I had this plan in my head to work on basics all winter so that we could hit competing hard and maybe win something this summer. And she's been injured the whole time I've had her down here. And in the 3 years I've had her she's gotten injured 2, maybe 3 times and now she's been out for 2 weeks for two different injuries.
Do you have any place you can keep her where she isn't turned out with other horses?
It's $10 a night to keep her in a stall and I just got done paying $100 for keeping her in for 10 nights while abscess healed. Otherwise no, you have to keep them out in a pen with the other horses.
If you cannot afford to keep her from going out with other horses, that is your reality. I get that, seeing as how you are in college. You can ask around and see if there are other boarding options (never hurts). But assuming you do not find another boarding option, you have to accept the fact that she is likely to have occasional injuries out in the pasture.
College right now needs to be your priority. I had a horse in college, loved having him. I couldn't afford a real expensive boarding option either. I enjoyed him, did what I could, but faced the reality that with limited resources and options, he would be fun for me in college but I wasn't going to be winning six hundred barrel races on him because I just didn't have the money. I put my classes first, enjoyed him as much as I could, provided the best care within my limited means (he never starved), and knew I would have opportunities to do more later.
So you can change her boarding situations, do as you are and learn to live with it, or sell her. Either way, your priorities need to be classes. The classes will allow you to make an income to afford nicer, finished horses you know you can get along with.
I do think maybe trying to find someone local who could spend some time with you in exchange for labor might give you some ride time if you decide to sell her or maybe even introduce you to some situation where you could find a different option for boarding her. Best I can offer. Good luck! | |
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Veteran
Posts: 107
| Sorry - to clarify: I do not plan to be competitive during college. I plan to compete in the summer months. I was planning to get basics down really well and fill any holes that appeared before letting her see the pattern again! | |
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Go Get Em!
Posts: 13503
Location: OH. IO | Prairie Rouge - 2017-10-09 5:46 PM
Sorry - to clarify: I do not plan to be competitive during college. I plan to compete in the summer months. I was planning to get basics down really well and fill any holes that appeared before letting her see the pattern again!
Send her home to heal.you can mentally heal while she is home.Maybe after a couple months you will want a complete break for awhile,maybe not but right now she has to heal. | |
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