Somethings I want to just get out in one post...

I really wanted to get this out in ONE post.. because I feel like everyone is getting mixed info and going off others, or maybe old posts when I was angry/frsuterated. But hers the full story basically.

For those who want to bring up Chance in most of my posts I KNOW I've had problems with her and still do, I don't deny that. But everyone who rides her mentions how smart she is and how much horse she is [her and her 14.3H self ]. I get complimented on well we work together when she's being good. She's a hot breed, and was abused/neglected from the day she was born till I got her even a few weeks afterwards..by me. I was still EXTREMELY unexperienced, and scared by this mare.. and I was still at the barn who was abusing her.. so they way they told me to lunge her and lead her around was by 2-3 chains in her mouth..it was to teh point where she tounge bled when lungeing.. but to them it was teh only way to keep her 'in control' I hold NO pride in that.. I make mistakes, everyone does. Im not saying im perfect in anyway or know everything. But I HAVE learned a lot from the horses I've worked with, the type of horse barns I've been at.

I DO get defensive, not making excuses here, but I've only ever gotten hell for owning Chance. Even my mom is asking me to sell her because of how many times she just "snaps". But now knowing there could be something physical changes the whole story.

When she does "snap" It is ONLY in teh winter.. I think that's the part people are missing. In teh summer she show ready basically, 100% trust worthy. In the winter she turns into a spooky flightly horse. But to do what I have in teh warmer months is what keeps me wanting to work with her.. because I never thought i'd EVER get to where I have with her. She's 6 years old and only been broke a year and a half. I know I can get her past that huge road block.. I've gotten her past most of the stuff she's run into. Im sure others could do it faster then I could but I want to be the one to finish her. Keeping the safety in mind of course.

I have reached out to people in the past to help, barn owners, trainers, friends.... she was only called names, told me to put her down and that she was worth nothing. They only made her worse, so I decided to stop trying to have others do it and figure it out myself... People who see her now in my videos.. are absolutely amazed and doesnt believe its the same horse.

Pictures to show what I can and have done with her[riding wise] IF your interesting.
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...hele/jumps.jpg
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...ichele/069.jpg
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...ichele/009.jpg
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...Picture2-4.png
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...e/DSCN0300.jpg
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...esternpony.jpg


So YES we've had some down, but A LOT of ups to make up for it.. so don't just base me on the bad, most of the posts I've made were defensive.. and based on frusteration... I've made some posts mostly when I was angry and frusterated.. only because my mom wouldnt listen and only would want her gone.. so I posted only to get things out ... but I forgot to post teh postivie.. so that's my fault.

So go ahead and reply :) I hope, maybe, I cleared some of it up????

Wow it sounds like you two have been through alot! Congrats to you though for sticking it out. I firmly believe that if you don't give up on her it will only solidify your relationship. Keep it in mind that yes she is a mare and will be tempermental from time to time. That is normal and natural. Continue to work your respect level with this mare and I am sure you will have many more years of gratitude and respect with her. We all have good days and bad days with our horses and in my opinion I think more horses need owners like you and I that don't give up every time there is a hick-up in our training. Remember that every day that you interact with her the both of you learn something. Continue to ask questions and continue learning. I like your post! I too sometimes think that our "stuck" moments will lead to selling my horses but my love for them prevent that from happening. My philosophy is that I need to change what I am doing to make a positive change. If I have to take the time to research a better way, I do. Horses are not wrong, we as the dominant species are wrong in what we are trying to communicate. Hope this helps............. : )

Thank you so much Tina! :) Really nice reply.
I also believe that, it seems the more I worked with her and got her over her little problems the stronger we are as a team. Which in teh end that's a reward in itself knowing where she came from.

I've said I was going to sell her millions of times but it just takes a few hours to realize that theres no where I can let her go. To me it would feel like I put all the hard work into it for nothing. Maybe that's just me. I also can't stand people who sell horses only because they need something to get them further... idk that bugs me.

Have you got a body protector like I recommended? I hope it does work out for you and Chance.

TOTALLY off topic but...to me that makes sense. Some people aren't meant to do certain things, and some people aren't meant to do them very well. Same with horses. You can't hold having high aspirations against people!

But I digress....I agree with Lis, get a body protector! I want one myself but don't have the $$ right now. I have a few comments on Chance and those pictures, but I'll hold off for this one. Over all I think if you stick with it, you may be able to make her better, but there is also the possibility that this is the best she's going to be. Good luck though!

Everyone makes a mistake that they regret, but a horse is willing to forget and look into the future. It's great to know that you have kept trying not giving up. If others still knock you down, just prove them wrong with how wonderful your horse and you are coming along. =]

I think lately you've done a lot of growing....mentally and emotionally. Learning is rarely comfortable or nice, especially when it comes to self-analysis. You've had some huge bumps in the road with Chance but I truly believe that if you commit to her, and to learning, growing and progressing, you will be just fine with her :) Just stay focused (but in the proper way! Lol) and stay true to her and what you know works....and I'm always here if you need to talk :)

Me and my horse have almost been through the same thing. She was abused/neglected. I know some of the things I've done to her can be considered abuse, but I just didn't know. And then people tell you a million different things. My horse acts the same way in Winter too. All I can say is stick with it, she will get better.

Very very well said. I agree completely!

Sometimes, no matter how much we want them to be, some horse-owner relationships aren't meant to be.