Oh! I’m sorry I wasn’t clear. I am most certainly NOT racing this horse. I’m not riding him to get him fit to race. I’m aware he’s not sound. I’m aware he’s not going to be sound, racing or otherwise. He’s been in the pasture for a year and a half. In another year, he’s going to be less sound, not more. Some things are too broke for time to fix and we’re it. We’re only hacking here. Hacking for fun and to see something besides our own paddocks and barn. He loves to go out, see the world. We would walk only (that was my plan), but there are times when we need to go a bit faster, mostly to get out of the bugs. Also, he loves to go, so I thought if we could do what he loves in such a way as to make it more comfortable for him, why not give it a try? Otherwise we’ll only walk. Why am I riding him at all? It’s not that I’m opposed to having a pasture puff. It’s because he’s more comfortable if I keep him hacking fit. Debatable as that might be. I am most definitely NOT going to try this out on our straightaway. It will be in an enclosed spot and if it doesn’t work or I feel like we’re unsafe, we won’t be trying it again! I have no death wish here. LOL Anyway, thanks for all the help and suggestions. I appreciate the concern and insight since ignorance is certainly not bliss. I think, in a year or so, after all this is said and done I’ll try for a sound horse. It seems so much easier! LOLOLOLOL
I can’t speak for anyone else, but I knew you weren’t trying to get him fit to race. That was sort of my point however. As in there being no real reason to be getting on him at all since its not like you are preparing him for anything. I do understand TBs and their work ethic however. My mare was pregnant with her second foal before she stopped following the trailer down the driveway. I had another horse who retired from racing at 13 years old. We wanted to give him some time off before starting his event training. He was absolutely miserable and literally sighed the first time we came towards him with tack in hand. But he was sound. Sometimes we have to do what’s in their best interests even if they aren’t happy about it.
I am sorry you are going through this and reiterate that he is very lucky to have you.
Your last post makes things alot clearer and it sounds like a great plan, he is a very lucky horse as alot of people would have cast him off long ago and not put up with the trouble. Who knows where he might have ended up? Best of luck with him!
[QUOTE=Laurierace;3321195]
I can’t speak for anyone else, but I knew you weren’t trying to get him fit to race. That was sort of my point however. As in there being no real reason to be getting on him at all since its not like you are preparing him for anything. I do understand TBs and their work ethic however. My mare was pregnant with her second foal before she stopped following the trailer down the driveway. I had another horse who retired from racing at 13 years old. We wanted to give him some time off before starting his event training. He was absolutely miserable and literally sighed the first time we came towards him with tack in hand. But he was sound. Sometimes we have to do what’s in their best interests even if they aren’t happy about it.
I am sorry you are going through this and reiterate that he is very lucky to have you.[/QUOTE]
Laurie, the 13 yr old, was that Slyvester? If so, do you still have him?
Yes that was Sylvester. He had nine months of professional training and was jumping a 2ft course and going basic dressage when I donated him to TRF. He has since been adopted. I don’t know any specifics beyond that.
[QUOTE=Laurierace;3321730]
Yes that was Sylvester. He had nine months of professional training and was jumping a 2ft course and going basic dressage when I donated him to TRF. He has since been adopted. I don’t know any specifics beyond that.[/QUOTE]
I’m glad he went to a good place…he was a very cool horse!
