Thats it, I quit!!!! success story down the pan!

[charlie]

Hi All- haven't been on the board since before xmas- so hope everyone had a fab xmas and new year.

Its the 2nd Jan and feel quite troubled allready- what to do??? some of you may have read the success story thread and indeed up until that weekend we were doing very well- Susanne Marshal RA came to visit and inspect our progress- all was well- she was impressed by teh work we'd done- the very next day he dumped me twice within a 10minute time scale- both times spinning and bolting- with NO apparent reason- have witnesses who though I quizzed, could not illuminate why he had done it- he was fine , soft, relaxed and then decided to freak. He is hardly scared of anything these days and with time we observe how he is actually quite stubborn- I have ridden him once in the roundpen since then and he was awfull- the trainer has now experienced the spin and bolt too- and could not for the life of him understand why.

I'm not one to give up on a horse, but I'm fed up- my will to work with him has ebbed drastically- he is unpredictably dangerous and in most circumstances you can predict or atlaest sit the freaks. We were well and trully conned when we bought this one- we knew he had issues, but nowt so extreme that I'd refuse to ride him!!! haven't ridden him for two weeks and am fed up with it all.

Am putting my WelshD back onloan, as can't run two relatively useless (when you should be riding at Elem level+) horses and now owe teh trainer £600.

TTT wise- well at this rate don't have a horse to take- the WB is turning out to be a complete nightmare and doubt either of us will be ready for training at TTT in less than 3 months- its a shame. Does anyone have, or know of a horse for loan that is sound, forward thinking and is of novice training already?

Am compltely disheartened and am not quite sure what to do at moment- my head wnats rid of the horse, but my heart says thats not right and I should stick with it- but I need to start learning, not falling off- "nuts" and it was all going so well- pissed of Cxxxx

[lynette]

Charlie

Don't do yourself down. From what you describe of your horses actions I would be inclined to think that he may have a brain tumour forming. If that is the case then there is no cure. It would explain the spinning and bolting.

[holi]

It does sound as if something is not right. Don't beat yourself up over it - you have done all that you could but you must stay safe and happy. Good luck with it all - sorry don't know of any horses on loan.

[lovelylace]

have he been thouroghly checked by a vet, for any medical reasons, not just saddle, back teeth and the ordinary stuff?

Also many of the problem horses I have reschooled have had fab periods of proogress and then you all of a sudden take a few steps back..this happens with horses and yes I know it is frustrating but.. I once had this mare that was an absolute nightmare, but we managed to get her up and compete intermediate eventing and even then she could be so unpredictable and still very dangerous... we stuck with her and she became better but would never be a safe horse and would never progress beyond that level.....
I think for what you want to do you perhaps bought the wrong horse....you sound like you want to further your riding so get ahorse that you can do that with..from the first day...some "problem" horses have fanatstic potential, and yes it does feel good to try to help, but it cost a lot money and perhaps it is not exactly what you need for your own riding. I know it is hard to give up on a horse but have a good long think if this is really what you need....

[charlie]

Hi All- he is definately NOT what I need right now. I'll disscuss with my vet ASAP- he seems to be more freaky on one rein and maybe tumour/blindness issue- who knows- he is such a nice person, sweet and loving- but so unpredictable- it makes me sooo sad!!!- as don't know what to do for the best! will call out vet right now- this is getting rediculous and I just can't imagine what the problem is!!!

[lovelylace]

mmm, I know the feeling, see if you can find out what, if anything is wrong with him, and if it is ....at least you have an explanation, otherwise it probably will be ab it harder to find a solution...could you have him on loan...or would he just be a bit too unpredictable for that?

[LisaM]

Hi Charlie, I'm sorry to read this...

Just a thought - but when Lyn came down would she not have picked up a tumour?? Maybe worth PM ing her...

I hope you can sort it for your own sanity xx ((hugs))

[marigold]

Oh poo Charlie, that not good to hear.
Big hugs
Off to think if I can suggest anything of use....

[charlie]

That's another reason why wouldn't really want to sell him- he's unpredictable with my experienced trainer- has never unseated him- but even he has a few moments- wouldn't risk letting anyone else ride him- am soo dissapointed and feel like apile of sh*t- there are good things about him- he's an excellent lunge horse, to teach people to lunge and very placid on the ground- but he is legally my mothers horse and she's not prepared to keep a pet running!!! I feel awfull- keep making excuses for him, as I am responsible and can't just chuck him in bin for not being perfect.

My choice is keep him and convince mum he's usefull, though she is not that keen- but forget riding him and also cancel TTT ( but have a clean concious)- or sell him and feel awfull and guilty- just feel pissed right off, with whole situation- would a tunour result in loss of use???

[charlie]

Lynn really only told me what we already knew- doubt she'd be able to recognise a tumour forming- however I got an email from his previous, previous woner saying he did this same thing over two years ago, so who knows, borred and fedup!

[lovelylace]

What about project horses??
I wish i could help, but having one already that I cannot compete, the next one I buy must be a bit more of a horse that works for me...otherwise I wouldnt have had any qualms of taking him on loan..maybe someone here can and want to help?

[kas]

Dunno Charlie What did you think his issues were when you brought him? I am thinking though that you weren't planning on buying a long-term project, you needed a specific horse for a specific purpose.
Maybe worth advertising him on project horses? Do you think he'd be different if just hacking out and doing lower-level work?

[charlie]

No worries Lovelylace- have teh vet coming out next Thursday- my mother and the trainer think he's just being a turd and its abad habit problem- yet am not so sure- but hope they are right and that work can be done.

If worse comes to worse we will claim a loss of use and let him chill out- perhaps he's ahd enough!

[charlie]

Hi KAS- when we purchased him, he had had a 5* vet check and was being kept in alot of the time and fed far too much- 've dealt with other remedial cases before and its not so much a case of giving up- as it is- I just don't know what else to try- progress was being made, only to find that we're back to square one- the experts I've talked to are as baffled as I- hence have booked vet for next week- to check his eyes and potencial for brain problems. As you know he's anice boy, kind etc- but he doesn't give us any clues to his fundemental problems- we knew he was overfed and underworked on purchase and knew it would take time- its only now we are in contact with teh previous, previous owner that he are aware of teh full extent of the situation. Hacking wise- I just wouldn't wnat to risk it myself- or anyone else to be honest- you just don't knwo when he is about to freak- no warning of any kind belive me and atleast in teh school there is some safety for both horse and rider. If he did his freak out- I don't know what would happen??? as previous previous Owner said he was not too good out and was unpredictable- oh poo- oh well if he has to be aloss of use then so be it!!!

[kas]

(Big sigh!). Well Charlie, safety is the major consideration isn't it? You're very experienced and if you and your trainer are having problems then this is unlikely to be an easy one to sort. I had to return a Blue Cross horse once that I'd worked with for 10 months, for very similar reasons.
I just wish you luck matey.