My mare is 17, swaybacked, and will do anything for me. She has jumped 3 1/2 feet (around there), an accomplished barrel racer, and really tough.
BUT
She can't possibly be ridden anymore without all boots and bell boots on because she trips over herself. She doesn't move pretty. She has a trot likely to chip a tooth. Shes overweight and has always been no matter what she eats. Shes mostly blind. She is missing a tendon in her front leg (forgot which one) and can't flex it. She kicks other horses...
So is it even worth it to keep trying? I am afraid every time we jump or go over a barrel that she'll fall and it'll be the last time. Will she ever be able to compete with real horses? From what a lot of you have seen, as far a videos and pictures go, is she hopeless? Today she was great at 2 1/2 feet because I had a friend with me who had never ridden and she was on another horse and I couldn't focus like I should have. Anyway, I just need a few opinions. It's hard to walk into a class and notice the judge isn't even paying attention because your horse's confirmation is all off or the rider has to cue her before every jump because she can't see it.
Sorry if I'm whining. It's just hard to see our two younger horses getting better and better. Stormy's best year of her life was last year. Now it all seems out of reach.
BUT
She can't possibly be ridden anymore without all boots and bell boots on because she trips over herself. She doesn't move pretty. She has a trot likely to chip a tooth. Shes overweight and has always been no matter what she eats. Shes mostly blind. She is missing a tendon in her front leg (forgot which one) and can't flex it. She kicks other horses...
So is it even worth it to keep trying? I am afraid every time we jump or go over a barrel that she'll fall and it'll be the last time. Will she ever be able to compete with real horses? From what a lot of you have seen, as far a videos and pictures go, is she hopeless? Today she was great at 2 1/2 feet because I had a friend with me who had never ridden and she was on another horse and I couldn't focus like I should have. Anyway, I just need a few opinions. It's hard to walk into a class and notice the judge isn't even paying attention because your horse's confirmation is all off or the rider has to cue her before every jump because she can't see it.
Sorry if I'm whining. It's just hard to see our two younger horses getting better and better. Stormy's best year of her life was last year. Now it all seems out of reach.