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Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

Original poster

Trainer has told us to sell our horse

10 replies

Plessis · 28/10/2018 08:25

We bought him as an unaffiliated eventer and show jumper for dd1 and dd2. He'd had really decent results with his previous owner.

Anyway he made it clear he didn't really like show jumping about 2 months after we bought him. Jumps awkwardly, very spooky. He's fine xc and loves hunting.

I've spent two years trying to get to the bottom of it. Vet, saddle, back, teeth and repeat. Dd2 had a lesson yesterday and he ran out at every single jump, jumped them second time. Trainer is a BE accredited trainer and says if dd carries on with him she will lose her confidence.

Think he's lost confidence but is also now being naughty.

Trainer says sell him as a hunter /xc horse - he does a nice dressage test also.

I'm gutted, hate selling, really enjoy having him around but there's no point pouring time energy and money into a horse that won't do what we want.

Feeling miserable and tired of it all today.

OP posts:
Theresahairbrushinthefridge · 28/10/2018 12:17

How frustrating for you all.

I can only say that having spent three years with a hideous pony. This time last year we bought a pony (with Cushings on the advice of Mumsnet).

He is everything we could have dreamt of and more. There are lots of amazing horses out there. You do
Need the right one.

We now have three!!!!! That pony just brought home to us that the right pony is a joy. The wrong one is a torment.

mrslaughan · 28/10/2018 18:46

Having persevered with a pony that was completely wrong for my son, then we hit rock bottom and sold him..... he went to an amazing home and forged an incredible partnership- I would say sell him, if that's what your trainer is saying. The dynamic with the horse you have and your DD's is not working for some reason..... riding is meant to be fun as is an expensive hobby. From what you are describing it's not much fun at the moment.
It has taken a good two years to get my son through the huge loss of confidence he suffered - I should have done it sooner.
And believe me I don't believe moving them on at the slightest difficulty -sons current pony he has had to really work through some stuff with jumping- but even when things were tough there was always improvements, we were always on an upward projectory (a the main issue was his lack of confidence) .
Be honest about your current horses strengths and weaknesses, find him a suitable home and you will all probably be happier.

Gabilan · 29/10/2018 09:38

After two years, and with a good trainer saying the same thing, I would be inclined to sell. I took on an ex show jumper who could do a lovely dressage test. We would occasionally pop over small fences, which he was fine with, but mostly we hacked and did flatwork. The horse was happy, I was happy, the previous owner (who wanted to jump bigger) was happy.

I don't buy to sell either so I get where you are coming from but I would sell him as a horse that doesn't jump. Take your time and find the right home. You'll probably all be happier.

Fueledwithfairydustandgin · 29/10/2018 13:11

I've always kept horses and worked on them. I've had some serious accidents and have major confidence issues. I'm now firmly in the camp of find a horse that makes you happy

maxelly · 29/10/2018 19:30

Oh you poor thing. It's so hard to admit defeat with a horse that isn't working out, not only are you attached to them (of course!) but also it can be a blow to your pride to not be able to 'fix' their issues and you then have the worry of finding them a good home as well. But ultimately it can be the very best thing you do both for the horse and your DD(s). It can't be much fun for either of them constantly trying to get him to do something he clearly isn't up for?

And if he's sound, hacks, hunts, does XC, can produce a reasonable dressage test at prelim/novice level and is a nice person on the ground then you will have people biting your hand off for him and you should be able to find him a lovely home, even without him SJ (will he pop a little cross pole happily as this is all many leisure riders want to do showjumping wise)? I might be tempted to market him more as a hack/dressage horse rather than a hunter just to avoid someone trying to push him SJ in the future?

Eve · 29/10/2018 19:42

Good luck - market is slow at the minute. I’ve been trying for 3 months to sell a hack / dressage horse and next to no enquires. 😕

Original poster
Plessis · 29/10/2018 21:11

Trouble is, he's lovely and does everything we want except sj consistently. Think we are going to hunt and keep trying until Feb then put him on the market for Feb half term if nothing doing

OP posts:
Asdf12345 · 29/10/2018 22:17

We have a similar one who when he wants to will do a round at 125, will reasonably reliably do 100, and will kick every jump in an 80 over.

We put up with him because he is good fun, but he definitely doesn't collect points the way he could.

Gabilan · 30/10/2018 09:50

Maybe if he just hunts and does flatwork this winter and doesn't SJ at all, he'll get his confidence back? Worth a try.

Honeyroar · 30/10/2018 11:34

You can still have something that is lovely and does everything you want but show jumps as well. There's nothing nicer than being on a horse that meets you halfway and enjoys what you're asking it to do. I agree with the instructor that her confidence will be knocked.

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