I have a 20 year old warmblood, who is an advanced dressage horse and competed a lot, he is a lovely horse but, and here's the but, he is super difficult. He has not had an easy life, he's been forced into a double bridle at a young age, I'd say he has been hit a bit too, shoved into an incorrect bend and flexion, and honestly fried a little. I got him 2 and a half years ago and have done lots of exercises to build trust and develop a relationship with him. He has come so far, he trusts me very much and we get a long great on the ground, yes he is very flighty and nervous, but if you take your time he is okay. He has come a long way, but he has cracked it now. When I ride him now he will kick out with his hind legs, rear, jump up in the air, double barrel. I have tried EVERYTHING to try and get him to stop. I have done different things with him, taking him on trail rides, tried some jumping, ground exercises, tried some western things with him. Changed saddles, bridles, bits, boots. Had a massage therapist, chiropractor, vet, all say he is fine and physically there isn't anything wrong and I've had second opinions. I've changed his diet, cut out grain, tried different products. He now gets all natural stuff to prevent any arthritis, and keep any at bay and him to be pain free. And he will run around in the paddock bucking and behaving like a 2 year old.
I am so tired of dealing with this every time I get one, we have the same fight everyday, he simply does not want to go forward and will do just about anything to get out of it. I have thrown away the contact, still no, ride on a lose rein, still no. I am thinking he is just sour and doesn't want to do it anymore. I have done everything and he can just be downright nasty at times, I have always treated him well, and I don't really think he has any respect, to be honest, he can be very rude. The last time I competed him, he warmed up great. Then he got in the ring and threw a massive fit! He wasn't nervous, there wasn't anything scary and he had been there heaps before and the weather was fine. He kept backing up, refused to go forward, kicked out his hind legs, threw his head in the air, shied at everything he could find. And peed! In the middle of the test, I was gutted, because I have put so much work in and it was an FEI comp, and for him to behave like that. All the judges said was disobedient, refusing, uncooperative and so on. I don't know what it was but he cracked it big time.
I have big dreams, and I need a horse that wants to work with me, I think it is time to move on and part ways with him. I have done everything and I am still nowhere. I just want some peoples opinions if they've been in similar situations. It breaks my heart because I love my horses, but I can't keep going with him, it is just to hard with him. Ive worked for years with him and he has just shut down and won't go any further. He will argue everyday and will keep going. Most of the time I've been riding him its been 80% bad 20% good, and its just going downhill fast. I am very positive and don't get involved, but it does nothing. It is such a hard decision and honestly I need a little reassurance that I am doing the right thing for me, Ive always done whats right for him but I am tired now. Thank you for reading and I hope you guys can give me some reassurance and tell me if you've been in similar situations. I should also add, I am an amputee, so Ive been taught to ride from my seat and core. I don't want him to totally flip it one day and hurt me.
Thanks!
I am so tired of dealing with this every time I get one, we have the same fight everyday, he simply does not want to go forward and will do just about anything to get out of it. I have thrown away the contact, still no, ride on a lose rein, still no. I am thinking he is just sour and doesn't want to do it anymore. I have done everything and he can just be downright nasty at times, I have always treated him well, and I don't really think he has any respect, to be honest, he can be very rude. The last time I competed him, he warmed up great. Then he got in the ring and threw a massive fit! He wasn't nervous, there wasn't anything scary and he had been there heaps before and the weather was fine. He kept backing up, refused to go forward, kicked out his hind legs, threw his head in the air, shied at everything he could find. And peed! In the middle of the test, I was gutted, because I have put so much work in and it was an FEI comp, and for him to behave like that. All the judges said was disobedient, refusing, uncooperative and so on. I don't know what it was but he cracked it big time.
I have big dreams, and I need a horse that wants to work with me, I think it is time to move on and part ways with him. I have done everything and I am still nowhere. I just want some peoples opinions if they've been in similar situations. It breaks my heart because I love my horses, but I can't keep going with him, it is just to hard with him. Ive worked for years with him and he has just shut down and won't go any further. He will argue everyday and will keep going. Most of the time I've been riding him its been 80% bad 20% good, and its just going downhill fast. I am very positive and don't get involved, but it does nothing. It is such a hard decision and honestly I need a little reassurance that I am doing the right thing for me, Ive always done whats right for him but I am tired now. Thank you for reading and I hope you guys can give me some reassurance and tell me if you've been in similar situations. I should also add, I am an amputee, so Ive been taught to ride from my seat and core. I don't want him to totally flip it one day and hurt me.
Thanks!