Unfortunatley I have given Rio up .. To me it was the right decision

[Pie_x]

Bad news i'm afraid. I've given up my share horse rio up after only nearing 3weeks.

Some of you may find my reason un relevant to choosing not to keep him on but to me it was a safe and correct choice.

I have confidence issues known again when riding & handling, nothing major but I always have thoughts in the back of my mind, as previously mentioned in the 'over horsed' post that i made, questioning wether to keep rio as of me feeling nervous when he pulled back and went up whilst handling from the ground..

After this, i felt like i got over a few hurdles, i was more confident with him and rode him more etc .. & he was lovely, i felt a bond coming over strong already and began to really take to him.. I was really happy.

Yes he's a TB and i should of saw this coming, but after riding him all the time, he was laid back, calm yet forward going and just a general all rounder. His owner is very nervous and she said she felt 'safe' on him. So did i.

Until yesterday, we we're going on a hack, as per norm and there was me on rio, cousin on emma and the other girl on her horse beau.

As we asked for canter down a large grass verge, in which they are all familiar with, down a quiet country lane (yet it is still a road) .. I didn't want to canter because Rio was playing up that day, spooking at things and very on his toes.. Anyway, asked for canter, kept Rio behind the other 2 but as soon as we cantered, he just ****** off with me at a flat out gallop.. down the ROAD and i could not stop him with all my might and i just kept thinking as we approached the road corner, im gunna die im gonna die .. and he wasn't listening 2 me just getting faster and faster, i'd lost my stirrups and just literally had hold of his mane and was holding on for dear life, I will never know how i stayed balanced in that saddle but i did but as we approached the corner he galloped straight on THANKFULLY no traffic but i managed to grab his reins, I know i shouldn't but just pulled back and he slowed slightly, then went to pick up again and i just thought **** this i don't wanna die and i just dived off sideways... resulting in me somersaulting and going underneath him, i saw his hooves coming near my head (though it all went so quickly) and he managed to avoid me narrowly, yet ripping my coat.

Just as natural instinct i jumped back on my feet, Rio had stopped and i grabbed him and he was calm as anything.. My knee's had taken a right bashing and they we're bleeding, stiff sore and bruised. I'm so lucky thats all that happened.. I cannot describe how terrified i was, i thought i was honestly going to die.

I know its not the horses fault, when you ride you are prepared to take this risk, but i know after doubting me handling a big TB anyway, i would probably never ride him again and it would be a waste for myself and Rio. The nicest thing i could do, though sad was to say 'no' to not sharing him anymore. Myself, i know i've made the right choice, i wasn't suited to him, as much as i did like him. I know others would say give him a chance but after this i can't. My confidence has taken a beating now..

I'm not giving up on horses just yet though.. I have Penny coming on Halloween weekend and i may start loaning her, once i see how things go with her.

So a sad and battered bruised Pie Lol x :(

[Anni~Bell]

Awww Pie!
REally does sound like you've made the best choice for both you and Rio!
Good luck with Penny! Was she the one you posted about a few days ago?

[Pie_x]

Aww i hopeso anni~bell ! I was sad i had to do it but it wouldn't of been fair on either to carry on with him
Thank you :) Yep she is. Shes a really sweet little mare so hoping things will go well with her. I feel awful already moving on to another horse but it's just the way things happen i guess! x

[CityLights]

if you dont feel comfortable and confident handling and riding him then it is the right thing for both you and him, it will only make you more uncomfortable and wouldnt be fair on him either,

im sure there is a nice quite horse out there though that you will get along with and feel comfortable on and help your confidence grow

[Belle]

OMG :scared: my worse nightmare come true !!! I know what it feels like when they gallop off with you and you have no control. It happened to me on my second ever riding lesson I had no idea what to do and i fell off breaking my pelvis as a result. Cost me six weeks in hospital and lots of confidence issuesif a horse did anything much more than walk :ashamed::ashamed: pathetic I know but I was just so scared.

I think you've defiantely made the right decision you need to feel reasonably comfortable - it sounds like just the wrong horse for you at this time - hope the right one comes along soon. I found Belle and my confidence has come on leaps and bounds. She's no high flyer but who cares - not me !! I hope you are feeling better soon and the aches and pains are not too bad.

[Pie_x]

Smile and wave - I no, I just thought if i carry on i'll be a nervous wreck and Rio isn't going to be ridden because there is no way im in any fit state to get back on him right now! Its sad because no horse is perfect and they are all prone to do this but with him being a bit more highly strung, he probably would do it again so i wasn't prepared to take the risk in keeping him, his owner seemed upset about the incident and me giving him up but i just explained it to her and said he probably would benefit more from a confident rider etc. I'm still going to give him a fuss when i see him cos Pen will be in the field next door so its not like i'm not going to see him again! & if i have the guts i'm welcome to ride him whenever :)

Belle - Ouch! Sounds really nasty! No you don't sound pathetic at all! I think thats just how you would feel when you next rode .. I know i'm not going to be rushing off into canter again anytime soon .. As stupid as that sounds, well not in open spaces anyway or near roads! Aww thanks, its good to be re-assured that i have and i'm not just over reacting!
Aww i'm glad you found the perfect horse :) Hopefully Pen will be more suitable for me when she comes on the 31st this month. She's 14.2hh welsh sec d cob so i think i'll feel more at home on her!
xx

[chescar]

Ouch. You have made the right choice for you and Rio. Losing confidence is a horrible thing. We should enjoy our horses - if you were not going to enjoy him, someone else will and you will find a lovely horse who you can have hours and hours of fun with.

Check out my Troy. A huge chunky cob - not particulary a picture to look at- but - safe as houses, jumps almost anything, gallops like sh1t off a shovel but I trust him with my life. As soon as i come unbalanced he comes straight back to trot.

I went on a fun ride today and so many people just walked round cos they don't trust their horses in an open field.

Try not to worry

[Belle]

Smile and wave - I no, I just thought if i carry on i'll be a nervous wreck and Rio isn't going to be ridden because there is no way im in any fit state to get back on him right now! Its sad because no horse is perfect and they are all prone to do this but with him being a bit more highly strung, he probably would do it again so i wasn't prepared to take the risk in keeping him, his owner seemed upset about the incident and me giving him up but i just explained it to her and said he probably would benefit more from a confident rider etc. I'm still going to give him a fuss when i see him cos Pen will be in the field next door so its not like i'm not going to see him again! & if i have the guts i'm welcome to ride him whenever :)

Belle - Ouch! Sounds really nasty! No you don't sound pathetic at all! I think thats just how you would feel when you next rode .. I know i'm not going to be rushing off into canter again anytime soon .. As stupid as that sounds, well not in open spaces anyway or near roads! Aww thanks, its good to be re-assured that i have and i'm not just over reacting!
Aww i'm glad you found the perfect horse :) Hopefully Pen will be more suitable for me when she comes on the 31st this month. She's 14.2hh welsh sec d cob so i think i'll feel more at home on her!
xx

You can't beat a cob for confidence giving - will look forward to seeing her photo - Good Luck

[Pie_x]

Thanks Belle :) She needs a bit of tlc atm. The little mite needs fattening up a bit but that can be solved asap!

Chescar - you have made me feel so much better :) Thank you. I think Troy's beautiful, he is a picture to look at! It's lovely to hear you can just trust him and he does as you want .. Thats what i'm looking for, with Ri i had to keep the contact but he had to have a loose rein or he'd panick so it felt like i wasnt 100% in control. The only slowing down he paid attention too sometimes was if i sat back in the saddle..

I'm hoping i will find the right horse, can't go wrong with cobs by the sounds! Favourites with everyone ;)

x

[Savvy]

Sounds very scarey! For what its worth I think your completely doing the right thing.x

[Welly]

LOL at you saying 'you know you shouldn't have pulled on his reins"!!!! I think you can be forgiven considering the little ****** was galloping down the road with you!
In my opinion you're doing the best thing for you and Rio by not riding him anymore - I'm sure he's a nice horse but if you're not confident on him then it sounds like he's the type to see an inch and take a mile! Hope new one works out better for you xx

[Pie_x]

Thanks for the reassurance, i feel a bit sad that its come to an end but i've got the other one coming soon so hopefully will take my mind off it! :)

[Pie_x]

LOL welly i no!! I felt like a beginner i was shouting 'JUST ******* STOP!' .. I completley lost all my nerve and couldn't keep quiet lol! I can laugh now but if a car was coming i'm sure it wouldn't of been funny then and maybe i wouldn't be here today who knows.. But im not going to dwell on that! I wil just feel sorry for myself with my battered knees instead ;) haha x

[My Crazy Clan]

Thats a shame but sounds like this is the right decision for you, it really is not nice being bolted on.

[Pie_x]

Nope, specially not down a road with a blind corner Rhea :( x

[chescar]

Aw thanks - many cobs are so forgiving too - I can pull on his reins, let go of his reins - make the most stupid riding mistakes and he just takes it all in his stride as if to say 'never mind mum, i know what you really mean'

[Burnie]

OMG sounds like a really scary experience! Don't beat yourself up about it, you've definitely done the right thing. Confidence is a very fragile thing and it's so easy to lose it. But I don't think the people who you rode out with really helped either, making you canter downhill on a horse you were still getting used to :(

[Puss in boots]

Sounds terrifying, I do not blame you for not wanting to go though that again, I would opt out for something different too

[ness]

Oh dear-how scary that must have been for you.(hugs) It does sound that you have been over horsed considering your lack of confidence and as others said, the other riders weren't very considerate. (i would never do that to any nervous rider.) Well done for saying you will try again with the new girl. I think maybe have a few lessons on a riding school master just to build your confidence back up? and take it really slowly then! Good luck, Ness

[Mobell]

Sometimes going with your gut instinct is the best way to go. Sorry you have had such a scare I think Ness is right get some lessons and boost your confidence and then you will be better prepared for Pen. Big Hugs xx

[Pie_x]

Thank you all above who have been so kind and considerate. :) Hmm I agree actually, when i said i don't want to canter because he was making me nervous that day all i got is 'he's fine!' so maybe they'll be a bit more considerate sometimes and listen to me when i say something is going to happen!
I'm glad you all think i have made the right decision, as hard as it was. I even got a slight bit jealous when i saw him advertised for a sharer! But not that jealous to want to take him back again.
I'm just looking forward to Penny now ..
Yeah i think i might try that ness, god knows i need a confidence boost! I can see me walking and trotting for a month or so now lol.. Back to square one i go! But your right, least i haven't given up and still want to continue :)
Thanks all xxx

[Belle]

There's nowt wrong with walking and trotting till your ready - one day you'll just think "*** it i'm going for it " and it'll happen - thats what happened to me.............afterwards i couldn't stop grinning and kept shouting "I've done it, I've done it " :lol:

[Pie_x]

Haha! Too right i'll be saying that ;) hehe x

[Jill]

Well done for staying on as long as you did! Thank goodness it wasn't any worse. This must have been so frightening for you.
Of course you have made the right decision, and well done too for not persevering once you knew you weren't made for each other - people can waste so much time that way, and really lose their confidence.

[Pie_x]

The painted lady - Oh god! That must of been awful for you :O. So glad Bella makes you feel safe now and that you've built your confidence back up. Atleast its made me aware of what kind of horse i am looking for now and need. :) x

Jill - Thanks, I feel positive about my decision now, I know most people keep horses because they can't let go, even though they won't do anything with them again, so yeah atleast i've been fair i suppose. :)

xx

[Loony]

Ohh Mica I'm sorry it didn't work out but it sounds like you made the right decision! There's no point staying with a share horse you're scared of and don't ride, you're paying to share him so you should be enjoying it!

xxx

[Pie_x]

Exactly! I guess deep down i knew it wasn't right because i didn't even put much on my facebook about having him.. Knowing i was having doubts about wether the share would even last out .. I'll be down at the yard tomorrow and some people are coming to look at him, i want to nosey at them! I was a little jealous at first, then not because i thought well I won't be riding him again (ok i'm still allowed but .. you know!) lol and i want him to benefit from more confident people :) Rather than me whos a big wuss!

x

[Smoke on the Water]

Such a shame Pie and I'm so sorry to hear it but you have definitely done the right thing. Both for you and him. Keep your chin up, the perfect loan is just around the corner I'm sure.

[Pie_x]

Ohh i hopeso smoke :) xx

[GreyEventer]

i had that once, and it was the scariest thing! i've noe become accustomed to that feeling where you think your going to die, as my current horse is a *** to canter in groups- thinks its a race. but if your having confidence issues anyway, it definitely is a good decision. Also the new mare sounds much more suited, and if her full brother was calm and quiet, then im sure she will have similar traits. Good luck, hope you haven't been knocked too much so that you don't want to canter etc. im sure the new mare will help you get through it all!
Good luck!

[GreyEventer]

i'd like to add that despite my horse enjoying p1ssing off with me, i trust him to stop- which he does. and i trust him with my life. hes so so genuine and is very aware of you on top of him! hence why i don't mind that feeling of omg im going to die anymore!

[Pie_x]

GreyEventer - Ohh god it is scary though isn't it! I'm glad your horse responds to you when you require the brakes! Bless him :)
Thanks for that about Penny, i hope she will be like her brother to ride and handle! He was fab. Bit of a tank when he wanted to be but like your horse, listened to when i wanted to actually stop. :)
xx

[GreyEventer]

GreyEventer - Ohh god it is scary though isn't it! I'm glad your horse responds to you when you require the brakes! Bless him :)
Thanks for that about Penny, i hope she will be like her brother to ride and handle! He was fab. Bit of a tank when he wanted to be but like your horse, listened to when i wanted to actually stop. :)
xx

Definitley not something you want to be scared of every time you ask for canter! not fun! and yes nice to know he listens!
I think you have def. made the right decision, hopefully Penny will be just as good as her brother. Should make riding much more enjoyable for you! ps. saw the pics. she looks so sweet and calmmm! Good Luck and Enjoy.