hALTERpossibilty
Oct. 30, 2009, 10:46 AM
I was hoping to get some insight from the great folks in CoTH land...
Basically, this is a what would you do.
I have been having health issues for the past couple of years that has severely limited the amount of riding as well as the quality of riding that I have been able to do. At this point, being able to show locally in the adult pleasure division will be a great accomplishment for 2010. That's hard for me to acknowledge since I have shown the A circuit on and off my entire life, but I am looking forward to being able to ride and possibly show at all.
So...
I currently have a TB that is around 10 years old. I have put a LOT of work into him over the past 4 years, but the last two years he has not been able to improve as my riding has been very sporadic, to say the least. He will never win the under saddle, but has a lovely canter, great jump and is a pretty picture to watch over fences. Again, moves like a slightly improved cart horse. I don't have a problem with any of that. However, the main reason I was able to acquire this horse is because he is a little unstable mentally. One day he will lope around a course, do his changes and be the sweetest thing ever. The next day he can be rearing and plunging because a standard was moved. He just isn't predictable at all.
I recently found a much older solid horse that will have some maintainance issues, nothing that can't be taken care of with some Legends and supplements. The older horse is about as predictable as horses come. This horse is just over 20. Super educated, super talented, great mover, etc. Will probably not last more than 5 years doing what I "think" I want to do.
I believe that after I have all of the surgeries that I am scheduled for, that I will have a long recovery time. I can not afford to keep both horses on the money I make now.
The younger horse is one I would love to try in Jumper world, but I worry that he will have more problems if I give him 6-9 months off. The older horse will cart me safely around now, but then I will more than likely have to find a replacement down the road when he can no longer do the Adults. I have a reasonable place to retire the older horse that will basically cost me nothing, but I am having a hard time deciding what my options are with the younger horse. He isn't an easy horse to ride and it isn't likely that I will be able to find a home for him quickly.
I probably haven't done the best job describing my situation, but I just wanted some other horse people's opinions.
My family is so worried about my surgeries that they think I should just give the younger horse to anyone that will take him and ignore the improvement that has been made over 4 years. Each person that knows me and the horses has very strong feelings about each animal so it is hard to get an unbiased opinion.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and help me wrap my brain around my options!
Basically, this is a what would you do.
I have been having health issues for the past couple of years that has severely limited the amount of riding as well as the quality of riding that I have been able to do. At this point, being able to show locally in the adult pleasure division will be a great accomplishment for 2010. That's hard for me to acknowledge since I have shown the A circuit on and off my entire life, but I am looking forward to being able to ride and possibly show at all.
So...
I currently have a TB that is around 10 years old. I have put a LOT of work into him over the past 4 years, but the last two years he has not been able to improve as my riding has been very sporadic, to say the least. He will never win the under saddle, but has a lovely canter, great jump and is a pretty picture to watch over fences. Again, moves like a slightly improved cart horse. I don't have a problem with any of that. However, the main reason I was able to acquire this horse is because he is a little unstable mentally. One day he will lope around a course, do his changes and be the sweetest thing ever. The next day he can be rearing and plunging because a standard was moved. He just isn't predictable at all.
I recently found a much older solid horse that will have some maintainance issues, nothing that can't be taken care of with some Legends and supplements. The older horse is about as predictable as horses come. This horse is just over 20. Super educated, super talented, great mover, etc. Will probably not last more than 5 years doing what I "think" I want to do.
I believe that after I have all of the surgeries that I am scheduled for, that I will have a long recovery time. I can not afford to keep both horses on the money I make now.
The younger horse is one I would love to try in Jumper world, but I worry that he will have more problems if I give him 6-9 months off. The older horse will cart me safely around now, but then I will more than likely have to find a replacement down the road when he can no longer do the Adults. I have a reasonable place to retire the older horse that will basically cost me nothing, but I am having a hard time deciding what my options are with the younger horse. He isn't an easy horse to ride and it isn't likely that I will be able to find a home for him quickly.
I probably haven't done the best job describing my situation, but I just wanted some other horse people's opinions.
My family is so worried about my surgeries that they think I should just give the younger horse to anyone that will take him and ignore the improvement that has been made over 4 years. Each person that knows me and the horses has very strong feelings about each animal so it is hard to get an unbiased opinion.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and help me wrap my brain around my options!