What would you do if....

[kilty]

You had a horse in the following situation:

Rising 6yo, you want to pursue dressage seriously with it (ie: affiliate and move upwards as far as you can go, possibly selling the horse on or sending it to a professional if it goes further than you can take it within the limitations of work etc).

You are on a seriously lovely yard. The horse is very happy and receiving 100% fantastic care, schooled when you're not there (bloody job in London) by professional rider or one of the staff (all very capable). BUT. It is a showing yard.

Now, for various reasons you can't move yards in the foreseeable future. You don't have equine transport, nor is this a possibility in the near future, therefore in order to get out and about to dressage you are limited to what the yard can accomodate. Realistically this is very little when they've got 25+ horses showing at top level from March - October.

Now as much as I adore the horse, I also look at it as an investment. It is a horse with a fair amount of potential that I don't want to see wasted. I also know that there is only so long you can advertise a horse as 'potential dressage horse, brought on slowly' or similar - at some point they've got to be proven. Equally, I'm sure the horse isn't tossing and turning in his stable at night because he isn't fulfilling his potential (in fact quite the opposite I would imagine )

Incidentally also having an issue at the moment with the school being unusable due to the amount of rain we've had, so I've not been able to do any schooling or have any lessons (to work towards doing those phantom dressage competitions in the future;)).

So. Do I cut my losses now, sell the beastie as a 'potential dressage horse, brought on slowly to allow time to mature' and maybe get myself something straightforward (how boring...) that I can just hack and do local competitions (which I don't want to do). Or do I persevere and hope that something gives - either I find transport, move yards, or spend another summer working away and hope that I can make a change over the winter and start competing seriously as a 7yo?

I'm reluctant to let him go because not only do I adore it, I also don't know if I will ever be able to have a horse this nice again, but the sensible voice of reason is speaking ever more loudly to me as time goes on.

(Apologies for the essay )

[ammevo]

I'd say stick with it it is always hard this time of year with rain, wind, more rain mud it sounds as if you have a good yard and good people around you to help, :-/but only you know if its worth paying all the livery fees for someong else to ride

- what leval are you competing at?

You could always put a ad for a horse share would help with cost and you would not have to pay the extra for someone to ride you're horse and the differance could go towards lorry.

[kilty]

Neither beastie or I have done 'proper' dressage before, so technically we aren't competing at any level. There again is another reason I would really like to be getting out and about this year, as we will need the experience at the lower levels to find our feet, before progressing.

[ammevo]

Are there people from the yard that go out and compete at Prelim Nov that you could get a lift from?

Alternatively would be to concentrate on clinics and workshops /lessons. You would still be learning that way yourself and improving the horse many dressage riders only compete in the summer because of work commitments and concentrate on the schooling.

[kk]

did i start all this one off? if so sorry! i dont know what to suggest tbh. the thing is you know that atm things are easily going to change, what about loaning/leasing him to a dressage home for a year? its a tough decision and in the end only you can make it

[kk]

ammevo said:

Are there people from the yard that go out and compete at Prelim Nov that you could get a lift from?

Alternatively would be to concentrate on clinics and workshops /lessons. You would still be learning that way yourself and improving the horse many dressage riders only compete in the summer because of work commitments and concentrate on the schooling.

the problem with this is it is a proffesional showing yard which from april onwards are out competing the majority of the time so there is noone going to dressage to share lifts with. its a difficult situation to be in

[ammevo]

well if you can't beat them join them ;D ;D

Many dressage horses go out and about and do shows to get them going.

[kilty]

Ahh, but I bought him from said professional yard as a 3yo because he can't show (dodgy legs ). He was bred to show (closely related to Soldier Brave and other HOYS winners), out of HOYS mare, by Catherston Gold Storm and his previous owner bought him as a foal but he developed curbs and now has a socking great splint as well. I could theoretically do local level with him but I've worked on aforementioned professional yard for 6 years and don't fancy local showing - nor do I think it's appropriate for someone who is to all intents and purposes a professional on a professional standard (if totally flawed) horse to be trawling the local circuit.

KK - it wasn't you, I've been thinking about it for ages. I just don't know what to do.

[kk]

that makes me feel a bit better! i thought i had started you thinking and was feeling guilty. i'm no help, as im the one who still has my not good enough 13.2hh sp instead of getting an intermediate or something, but i know if i ever sold her i would regret it for ever and ever. would y consider hiring transport for a day for you and her to go off to dressage?

[Voice]

Have you spoken to the yard owner for there thoughts?

[Guestless]

I think I would look around for a sharer. If you're looking for someone to bring him on a bit, then you may need to get a rider rather than someone who will contribute financially (old chestnut about someone paying to bring someone else's horse on, etc) but it may be worth looking into.

[sallyw]

You have to imagine what life would be like without him - would it make you happy - or would you really miss him. If it is the latter, as I think it might be then you would do best to keep him. I always think if I am not sure about selling any pony then I should not sell it. A sharer is a good idea.

[julie]

I would send him to the very best dressage rider I could to be brought on and have the enjoyment of seeing him compete for at least 12 - 18thmonths. Having no regular transport is a real pain and as someone once said to me you can have all the training in the world and be told you/the horse are brilliant but its going up the centre line that counts.

You would know then if he was truly talented to go all the way or whether to sell and start again and the fact he would then have a decent CV. Its amazing with these dressage horses how many get so far and no further and the amount of lameness that occurs as they progress is mind boggling.

[kilty]

In an ideal world, Julie, I would love to do just that. However as I said in my original post, I can't currently move yards.

The YO understands my situation perfectly but there isn't anything she can do. She cannot, understandably, commit a member of staff and a lorry to take me off to dressage in the middle of campaigning 25 horses for RIHS/HOYS!

I'm not that keen on loaning him out, mainly because no matter how thoroughly you 'vet' a home, there is always the chance that they aren't what you expect and you end up with a horse that you have to reschool.

Equally I don't need a sharer as I'm more than happy with the riding situation at the moment (as I can make it out a couple of mornings a week before work once the school is rideable again), unless it's a sharer with a lorry, which isn't very likely!

ARGH. I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. The sensible thing to do is sell him. Now.

But it would kill me to do it - the horse is the only thing that keeps me happy (and I know that isn't particularly healthy but that's the way it is at the moment)

[nikki]

I think you have just answered your own question. He makes you happy so keep him - what price can you put on happiness?

[Voice]

Then you've answered the question, keep him, use the school when it's dry to ride your dressage tests and with the money you've saved by not competing use the summer to have dressage lessons with a professional person who comes to the yard. Re-think the situation having ridden "Dressage" for a few months in the Autumn.

[pho3nix]

kilty said:

In an ideal world, Julie, I would love to do just that. However as I said in my original post, I can't currently move yards.

The YO understands my situation perfectly but there isn't anything she can do. She cannot, understandably, commit a member of staff and a lorry to take me off to dressage in the middle of campaigning 25 horses for RIHS/HOYS!

I'm not that keen on loaning him out, mainly because no matter how thoroughly you 'vet' a home, there is always the chance that they aren't what you expect and you end up with a horse that you have to reschool.

Equally I don't need a sharer as I'm more than happy with the riding situation at the moment (as I can make it out a couple of mornings a week before work once the school is rideable again), unless it's a sharer with a lorry, which isn't very likely!

ARGH. I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. The sensible thing to do is sell him. Now.

But it would kill me to do it - the horse is the only thing that keeps me happy (and I know that isn't particularly healthy but that's the way it is at the moment)

I think u should keep him. We are in a similar situation technically. We have a young pony which will be going under saddle this year. but as we both work full time, and as it was dark before we got to him after work, there was no chance of riding or working him (the school lights dont work) so we only had chance to work him at the weekend. he needs more then that really but weekends are the best we can do. however, now its getting lighter we can have lessons and hack out more and we're sending him to a friends whilst we're away to be brought on for a couple of weeks. You could do that too. ;D win win situation, he develops and u keep him, sorted!

[lesleym]

to be honest i would keep him as hes a lovely honest horse and in the future when things may change you will have that star that you can compete with. To be honest a potential dressage horse to sell should have been out competing unless they are 3 or 4 as by 6 they should have sort of proved that thye can do it at competitions.its a whole different ball game schooling at home and trying to do it at an affiliated event( trust me) away from home. If only my horses would do as well as they do at home. Only you can dedcide but remember you may sell him, get a dressage or show horse in the future and they could be a real pig to look after. Your boy is an angel so he has a lot going for him.

as others have said spend your money on dressage lessons and training when the arena is ready, as the training for riding a dressage test is very usefull ;D

[kilty]

Angel?! What horse are you thinking of Lesley ?

I think I will probably stick with it for now - I've been a bit antsy as I've not been able to get on and do anything serious this winter, but hopefully things will improve and maybe I'll be able to do a bit this summer There are also some clinics and stuff that I will try to get myself on... Think positive, eh

[julie]

Are you part of a riding club/dressage group or BD? Just thinking that if you are on a route to a EC or similar you may be able to find a dressage-er who may be willing to share transport (which you would have to keep quiet about of course....LOL)

[kilty]

I'm not part of a RC, so don't really know anyone in the area. Also most of the nearby yards seem to be either high goal polo or happy hackers, no stressage queens that I know of! We are within reach of several ECs, which is lovely - if only I could get there!!!

[Guestless]

At the end of the day, he's not going to care whether he is out doing high level stressage or hanging around the yard going out for enjoyable hacks (with the odd competition if you can manage) so if you don't want to part with him, then don't. It's different if you have financial reasons for not keeping him, but I'm don't agree with the view that "it's a waste of a horse" not to let them reach their full potential. I'm none of them see it like that as long as they get fed and watered, they are usually happy (and often have a happier life!)

He's young enough for you to relax and enjoy him for a couple of years and then pick things up if that's what you want to do.

[Thoughts]

What a difficult decision for you. I guess you must have a good reason to stay at your current yard & probably a personal one at that as you haven't mentioned what it is, hey i am not prying but in an ideal world surelt the first thing to do would be to move yards to a more Dressage orientated yard. At least there would be like minded people to help you, encourage you & give you lifts to the sort of event that you want to go to.

Have you thought about booking an assessment lesson with a good dressage instructor? Perhaps they could offer some help & advice i.e "this horse is fantastic, don't sell it cos it will be at London in 2012!" or "what a lovely horse but i don't think he will make it past Medium level!" At least that might help you make an informed decision.

Remember nobody says that you have to compete your horse, you obviously love him very much & want the best for him but ultimately it is you that works hard to keep him & you that is entitled to the privalige of looking at him. I wonder whether it is the fact that you watch the yard owners lorry rolling out of the yard every weekend that makes you feel the way you do or what is it that causes that "little nagging voice"