As you may have guessed by the title, I took my first dive in a while this past weekend.
Yep, Laura the lawn dart. Luckily for me, I took most of the impact in my amply padded derrière, with shoulder and head hitting second and third (yeah for helmets!). I also landed in a nice soft hay field, so that softened the blow a bit. I'm just a bit stiff today, but luckily I don't even have a bruise or any other injuries.
What happened, you ask? Well, Dolly had a hissy fit at being held back to a trot while out riding with 3 other people (who were all trotting nicely) and within about 20 seconds decided she wanted me off her back NOW! and did some pretty mean bucks to accomplish her task.
To add insult to injury, Dolly was also kind enough to run off after she succeeded in dumping me. I have to admit a not-so-nice thought crossed my mind as I sat on my knees in the hay, watching her cavort around the hay field...
My thoughts were something along the line of:
"If you had a half a brain, you little *****, you would keep running and not come back!"
We were able to catch her without much trouble and headed back to the barn. I had a total and complete meltdown, as this latest event is just another in a string of bad experiences with this horse. I know alot of the issues are mine - confidence being the big thing that keeps coming up, but she is also a horse that has some anxiety/attitude issues that are maybe suited to a more advanced, confident rider.
At one point, I was ready to just give her away and quit riding forever. After I was talked down from that ledge, some other, more sensible options were proposed.
My friend and I are going to start looking for a nice older gelding (Rusty! I miss you!) and see if we can find something that will work for me. I don't want to stop riding and there must be a horse out there that isn't a total idiot.
I feel comfortable riding her in the ring, so I will continue to do that and see if that helps her at all. I'm also going to proceed with moving Dolly to the new barn at the end of May and maybe put her up for sale then. I don't hate her by any stretch, but sometimes the partnership just doesn't click and you have to make the call to move on.
That is where I am right now. *sigh*
Name That....
2 days ago
11 comments:
Glad you're OK. Sometimes it's best to move on - good luck with selling her and I hope you find your new one soon!
Oh no! I'm very glad that you're ok. I will repeat the words that Jason kindly wrote to me a few weeks ago - riding should be fun. Every horse has it's own challenges but we don't all find the same challenges "fun" or worthwhile - which is good or we'd all want the same horse!
I think you're smart to reevaluate and consider options either way. If you do decide to sell I'm sure there's another horse out there who will be just what you're looking for.
We'll have to compare chiro notes tomorrow.
Glad you didn't get hurt badly. If you continue to ride her in the arena she may work out of her nonsense, if not I'm sure you'll find her a good home. Good luck with whatever you decide is best for you and her. Just sort of wondering if Rusty might still be available?
RB - comparing notes - definitely...
Grey Horse - funny you should mention Rusty - I emailed the lady that bought him! Haven't heard back yet...
Oh don't you hate when that happens. Been there, done it and got back on. Sounds like you are making some good choices. Sometimes there just isn't a good match.
Oh boy! I'm so glad you're fall ended up with nothing serious happening to you. I had a flashback of me and my own mare Dolly (Dakota's Baby Doll) and her spookiness and cranky attitude out on the trail. She was terribly barn sour and would do just about anything to get me to take her back home.
She was never happy on the trail and preferred to be ridden in an arena or round pen. She was dangerous for me on the trail and when I found her a new home, I made sure to tell the potential buyers her issues.
Sounds like both of our Dolly's have similar issues.
I'm sorry she was so mean to you and tossed you to the ground :(
~Lisa
Yep...time to ditch that b**ch...(Oops...did I just say that outloud?).
I'm sure that Dolly is probably a fine, little mare and work perfectly for someone who is willing to work her though her 'problems' (if you want go so far as to call them that)...but she sure doesn't sound like she is working for you.
I know the feeling. I have Flirt for sale because we don't click, AT ALL. It's not that she's horrid. It's that I don't love her and she doesn't love me. We're not bonding and she's a bit more horse than I want to deal with on the ground, much less the saddle, when she wants to be a drama queen. Flirt finally settled into the herd a month ago, but I'm still not feeling the love, so she's still for sale, to the right home.
So, I totally understand and empathize!
I'm so sorry this happened an so glad you weren't hurt!! I totally understand what you are going through. Been there with my Paint. I lost all my confidence with her after she dumped me. I did get some confidence back and we have never clicked either. I would sell her but she is the only horse we have that my OH can ride. And he loves and adores her. Go figure.
Anyways I think you are making the right decision on selling Dolly and finding the right horse for you. There is the perfect horse out there and you will find it!
oh no!
I'm so sorry to hear that you fell off and things aren't working out with Dolly. But, good for you for recognizing that things aren't working out and that it would be best for her to find a new home. That takes almost a much courage as getting back in the saddle!
Buttercup was passed around multiple times before she came to me. I'm the lucky one she decided to 'click' with. Sometimes I think it's a mare thing, they aren't as willing to 'click' with just anyone.
The right one is out there waiting for you for you to come along and find them. Hang in there!
Glad the ground was soft and you wore a helmet!!
If you find a horse that's better suited to you, and a home for Dolly, by all means move her down the road. But if you don't - if you feel a little better next week - you prolly can work through this. I spent months on end thinking I should sell Dixie and get something easier, and eventually I worked through it and came out the other side. You're not a bad person if you choose a different horse, please don't think I'm against it!
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