My old horse

[Jaimee]

I have something on my mind...

Background:
A year and a half ago I sold my horse to pay for uni (I wouldnt have been able to compete anyway) This horse I had from the age of 3 to the age of 7. He was the first one I really trained up so to speak. When I got him he was just broken and would pig jump into canter- lol. When I sold him he had just moved up to elementary tests and was placing. He is a big horse 16.2 heavy to ride (kinda like a tank) but a leggy boy too. He had awesome paces and I believe could go very far. He is a calm, dependable and completely bombproof, if a bit of a lazy sort of horse. I worked so hard with that horse and we had an awesome relationship. He loved his dressage, and was often said to have the X-factor. I sold him to a 24 year old girl who loves him to bits and I go and visit and have a ride every now and then.

Today I went to watch the national federation dressage and saw him with his new owner. He's looking good apart from a few things. He lacks his lustre, he doesnt get in the arena and show off like he used too. I think his is due to lack of a break. I had given him a turnout about 6 months before I sold him and she has had him in work since then. It has been bugging me since last time I saw them in February. She asked me to ride him before her second test and I declined (I think it is against the rules) but I had a ride afterwards.

I noted a few things when she rides him,
He's not through, by any meaning of the word. His head bobbles and his movement is average. He is a horse you have to work to get the goods. He just plops along blending into the background. She got second to last in the novice test!!! What? I never once in four years was out of the placings.

She is always asking me for advice etc but I dont want to be too involved as the old owner. But I am really feeling like I should say something. I feel horrible for my old mate. He needs a rest but what should I do?? Anything?? nothing?? She doesnt ask me- should I give him a break. But I dont think she realises how important it is, he is her first horse she has actually owned.

It is not a saddle, back or any other issue, shes a good owner and gets all checked regularly. And since I know everyone likes photos. Here he is, with me aboard. I think I look like an ant on him :p

So what would you do?

[FudgieFoo]

If she asks your advice why not advisor her that he enjoys a break every now and then? Some people don't think of it.

I know of a horse that used to be schooled day in day out and they wondered why she would get annoyed and go rubbish. Take her for a hack one day and the next day she'd school like a dream!

He is prob just a bit sour?

[tasha]

She has asked for your advice, so give it. Its not like its an expensive option (new saddle etc). Suggest to her that you gave him breaks quite often so maybe thats the way to go. The worst she can do is ignore your advice!

[Rips]

Tell her what you think :) He's a beautiful boy.

[Guest]

Gosh you are very fortunate to still have the opportunity to be involved in his life.
If she asks for your opinion on a regular basis then I wouldn't feel bad about giving it to her.

If she wonders why he's not performing so well then suggest she gives him a break.
If I was given the chance to still be involved with Grady and his new owners valued my opinion I'd feel honoured to give it.

[Jaimee]

Thank you all for your perspective on the situation. Sometimes its just what you need to know what others would do in the situation.

I called her last night and was pretty nervous to talk to her about it. We got talking about him and lots of other things which was nice. I started by asking her if she felt like she had gotten stuck. And I think a whole lot of things suddenly dawned on her.

She was discussing her YO with me who also gives her lessons. She pays $20 for grazing which is normal but, now this bit shocked me. In order to paddock there she had to have two COMPULSORY lessons a week! So she pays $60??
I have had her instructor when I had that horse and I thought she was hopeless, and now I see it backed up. They havent progressed in all this time.

I am an instructor and the new owner was talking about getting me out for regular lessons. It would be weird to begin with and I wouldnt charge her except fuel costs. But what an unusual cicumstance. I feel with a good break for the two of them then get back into schooling she could be working fluently at medium by the end of the year. (Well she should be now, but anyway)

The best bit is she is seriously considering giving him a break! She said she appreciates the advice and she can always try it, and if it doesnt work then ignore it. Too true! The shortest day is on the way and I think she is quite keen to do it then. So waahoo!!

[Guest]

Well done, your boy is lucky to still have an old friend around that can help him out.
Sometimes people lose perspective of things, not by any fault but just because they can't see whats going on under their nose.
Hopefully him and his new mum will get back to where they should be now.

[Susara]

I think it's amasing to have a new owner to willing to listen to advice from a previous owner - usually people are very touchy towards previous owners. Yes it's going to be akward for you to intruct her - but possibly more because of the other instructor than because of her. You might have to sort out ahead of time what you're going to do when you instruct differently from her regular trainer, though.

[holiday]

Well Done on getting it across to her he sounds like a very lucky boy having lots of people that care about him!!!!!!!!!!