Did you have a PPE done when you bought him?
Yeah @IPEsq I think that would be much more of an investment that I don’t think would be worth it. Since it’s arthritis, it’ll always need to be maintained. I know that correct work for the muscles surrounding absolutely can help issues like this but it needs to be maintained. Since he’s currently not sound, it just makes sense to focus on the feet the most right now.
And yes I did a PPE. And no didn’t use the sellers vet. And I did a trial. And had a professional look at the horse.
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I do think how young this horse is and how little he has worked well definitely factor into to how deep into rehabbing him I will go as far as a riding horse.
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It’s heartbreaking and disappointing but you are right to be looking for alternate career choices for this horses. There is nothing kind about trying to make a horse do a job for which he is not physically suited. It’s a recipe for pain, frustration, bad behaviour, an empty bank account and heartbreak. Ask me how I know.
Agree with the poster who said to focus on making him as ammy / beginner friendly as possible once you are able to get him back into work, and let the dressage dream go for this horse. Once he’s back to work and you have a firm sense of what he can comfortably do, find him a home that’s a great fit and start the search for your next dressage horse and focus on your own goals again.
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@bigMama yes sometimes we just have to come to the realization. I see people doing all kinds of things for their horse’s, which is admirable. But sometimes I see people doing stuff to keep a horse going when it really can’t do what they want it to do. I don’t want to go down that road.
He’s pretty quiet and sensible so he has that going for him. And he’s been trail ridden a bit. He can be a more alpha horse-that will be the biggest challenge besides soundness.
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IMO an alpha horse can become a puppy in the right hands. The problem Is that he most likely won’t remain a puppy under the ownership of a beginner. If he were my horse I would let be a companion horse for someone who needs one, and someone who is familiar with his physical ailments and treatment. There are people like that out there, it just takes time to find the right match
@NotGrandPrixYet yeah he could definitely be a problem in beginner hands, especially since he’s young. He’s a good guy but the boundaries always need to be there.
I wasn’t thinking a beginner horse-more a well rounded horse that could appeal to someone. I could see him doing really well doing those trail obstacle courses in an arena. He might even enjoy pushing cattle around. And he likes the trail-although will never be able to do difficult, rocky trails. Just a hack. Either way- the more quiet and well behaved he is, the better.
He should definitely be rideable. It’s just a big difference asking for 3rd level plus work over playing around on a loose rein.
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