Looking for some feedback and advice on this tough situation!
My parents purchased my boy as my event prospect for me ten years ago, he was 12 at the time. He is a 1998 TB gelding, aged 21 now.
He had competed extensively in Eventing with my coach's husband, but was currently sitting in the field unable to be sold due to behavioral issues. He did not want to jump at the higher levels any longer and was bucking, bolting and having challenges at the mounting block. He was recommended to me by my coach who felt he would enjoy the lower levels. Although I was bucked off on my first ride, I really enjoyed his big jump and beautiful movement, so decided to give him a chance. I was quite keen to have a horse to learn on, and we had a great partnership as we mainly competed at BN for the first year. When I tried to upgrade to training I began seeing the same behavioral challenges- specifically stopping and bolting. My event coach felt he needed a career change. I was quite attached to him, so decided to see what I could do with him in the dressage world.
I moved out of town to train with a fantastic dressage coach. We made the junior team for NAJYRC and competed up to Prix St Georges. He continued to be spooky but overall was much happier in his new job. While in university we stopped competing but he was ridden consistently, and loved living outdoors. We struggled with some bolting and spooking, but I was able to manage him. We've had many ups and downs, and I've lost and regained my confidence with him more times than I can count.
He has always been quite sound and overall very healthy. This spring and summer he has had some great days, but also some real challenges. He has been very difficult to catch, and has become increasingly mistrustful of people. His barn manager who feeds him was unable to catch him for the farrier, and my mom who just feeds him treats and brushes him was unable to catch him a few times. He acts very fearful- almost as if he "forgot" who we were. This is not uncommon behaviour for him though. After having him for close to a decade, I do not feel as though he is bonded to me, he does not care for pats, or praise. However, other days he is happy to be caught and brought in. Earlier this month, I went to get on, as per our regular routine. Once he realized I was on top of him he panicked and began "dolphining" around the court yard. He has been challenging to mount since then on random days. This incident has seriously eroded my confidence in him. My confidence was shaky to start as I've landed in the hospital several times, been bolted with and dumped many times by this horse.
His teeth have been checked, saddle is okay...prescribed previcoxx which did not make a difference. My gut says this is behavioral since he's been doing this his whole life at different time periods. When do you call it quits and fully retire him? He hates hacking so that's not an option. We have pushed through rough patches in the past. I just don't know when to call it quits and stop trying to ride him.
My parents purchased my boy as my event prospect for me ten years ago, he was 12 at the time. He is a 1998 TB gelding, aged 21 now.
He had competed extensively in Eventing with my coach's husband, but was currently sitting in the field unable to be sold due to behavioral issues. He did not want to jump at the higher levels any longer and was bucking, bolting and having challenges at the mounting block. He was recommended to me by my coach who felt he would enjoy the lower levels. Although I was bucked off on my first ride, I really enjoyed his big jump and beautiful movement, so decided to give him a chance. I was quite keen to have a horse to learn on, and we had a great partnership as we mainly competed at BN for the first year. When I tried to upgrade to training I began seeing the same behavioral challenges- specifically stopping and bolting. My event coach felt he needed a career change. I was quite attached to him, so decided to see what I could do with him in the dressage world.
I moved out of town to train with a fantastic dressage coach. We made the junior team for NAJYRC and competed up to Prix St Georges. He continued to be spooky but overall was much happier in his new job. While in university we stopped competing but he was ridden consistently, and loved living outdoors. We struggled with some bolting and spooking, but I was able to manage him. We've had many ups and downs, and I've lost and regained my confidence with him more times than I can count.
He has always been quite sound and overall very healthy. This spring and summer he has had some great days, but also some real challenges. He has been very difficult to catch, and has become increasingly mistrustful of people. His barn manager who feeds him was unable to catch him for the farrier, and my mom who just feeds him treats and brushes him was unable to catch him a few times. He acts very fearful- almost as if he "forgot" who we were. This is not uncommon behaviour for him though. After having him for close to a decade, I do not feel as though he is bonded to me, he does not care for pats, or praise. However, other days he is happy to be caught and brought in. Earlier this month, I went to get on, as per our regular routine. Once he realized I was on top of him he panicked and began "dolphining" around the court yard. He has been challenging to mount since then on random days. This incident has seriously eroded my confidence in him. My confidence was shaky to start as I've landed in the hospital several times, been bolted with and dumped many times by this horse.
His teeth have been checked, saddle is okay...prescribed previcoxx which did not make a difference. My gut says this is behavioral since he's been doing this his whole life at different time periods. When do you call it quits and fully retire him? He hates hacking so that's not an option. We have pushed through rough patches in the past. I just don't know when to call it quits and stop trying to ride him.
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