Possible share in a horse (m)

Nimbus65 · #1 1st May 2007, 04:43 PM

One of the schoolies I ride is a 17-year-old, 17+hh Irish Draught mare. Before being a schoolie, she hunted (MFH horse) and did quite alot of driving so she's worked quite hard most of her life. She has lovely manners, a HUGE, swingy action and just loves to be outside/hacking. These days, though, she's really too stiff and sore to be in the school . . . but b/c of her fabulous temperament she has been used alot (perhaps too much) by the rank beginners and novices. Her owner has finally decided to "retire" her to a private livery yard and just hack her every day to keep her ticking over - but he can't hack her EVERY day and I've been approached to see if I'd be willing to ride her a couple of times a week!

On the one hand, I'm thrilled . . . the yard he's considering is right next to my house which is really convenient. On the other, I wonder if this isn't the beginning of the end for this lovely horse. I had a lesson on her today and got off after 20 minutes because she just didn't feel "right" . . . not lame per se (although she's been lame on all four legs - one at a time - already this year) just very stiff, planky and not herself. It didn't feel right to keep insisting she go forward when she very clearly wasn't able to oblige so I put her back to bed (and told the YO that they could apply the credit to my next lesson) She's already on bute . . . will just hacking out be any better for her? She can get a little silly if she's not ridden regularly so she can't just be turned out and only ridden once or twice a week . . . will she be bored just hacking?

Also, I've never hacked alone! She's utterly bombproof on the road so I'm not worried about getting her to the forest . . . I'm worried about her tanking off with me IN the forest!!

Alot to think about . . .

N

essexgirl · #2 1st May 2007, 05:29 PM

I bought an ex-riding school horse. He was finding the riding school routine too much and looked really sad and stiff. He was about 17 at the time too.

The minute I bought him he completely changed. He was really happy - he too was completely safe on the roads and on his own in the forest was fine. He did - on a couple of occasions - tank off with me when he wanted to race the others - he also learnt to buck if I tried to hold him back. I think many years of riding school hacks where he had really done what he wanted took its toll and he didn't like being asked to control his canter

Saying that - he really enjoyed his life out of the riding school and his "naughty" episodes were few and far between and the enjoyment I had with him far outweighed the bad.

If you do decide to share this horse, she may test you initially - particularly as she is probably used to hacking out with others and may feel insecure on her own - but if anything like my boy - it will be worth it.

Hope this helps a bit

Nimbus65 · #3 1st May 2007, 08:48 PM

That helps alot . . . thanks very much. I'm not taking her on from an ownership perspective, but it does help to hear your perspective. She's got such character and strength of heart, I hope her story goes the way of your horse and she has many more years of happiness and enjoyment in her "work" in her (for her owner and me . . . or whoever else ends up riding her).

I'm just so fond of this horse. She's such a lovely "person." I'm pleased her owner is thinking of moving/retiring her and giving her a new quality of life . . . regardless of whether I get to ride her any more.

Be great if I could though.

N

Selle Francais · #4 1st May 2007, 09:05 PM

Well, how flattering to be invited!

I've never been in that possie, but as you've been asked, and you like her so much - why not give it a go? It could be lots of fun for you both for years to come, and if it doesn't work . . . well at least you've tried.

Chances come along irregularly, and we don't always recognise them - the worst thing in life is regrets for opportunities you missed; at least if you try, and it's wrong, then you'll know - you'll not be there wondering "If..."

SF

*toHorse&Away* · #5 13th May 2007, 11:09 AM

Nimbus65 - what happened?

Nimbus65 · #6 14th May 2007, 02:02 PM

She hasn't been moved to her new yard yet and I've discovered that she has navicular so I'm questioning whether I should ride her at all.

I'll certainly go and visit her as she's just a short walk from our house . . . but I need to think carefully about whether I feel "right" getting on her.

N