Cutter is coming home!!!!!

[CaddoCinnamon]

Cutter has been at the trainers for 4 months. We talked today and he and I have decided that Cutter probably won't make it as a show horse. She just doesn't have the right attitude for it. So he will be bringing her home on Sunday.
We went on a trail ride on his property last Thursday and she went through the creek, a bridge, and fallen timber without so much as a fuss. To him this was his biggest clue that she is happiest out on the trails. So even though I won't show this year or maybe never I at least have a horse that is good on the trails.
I am kind of sad because I want to show. Unfortunately the only way for that to happen is for me to sell Cutter and buy me a show horse. This thought is running through my mind right now. Hubby said that I could sell her and he wouldn't be mad. This is a possibilty but I don't know yet.
I know this though she is much better than she was when I first took her to him.

This is a pic of my Cutter.

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad203/equus71779/Cutters%20training%20pics/DSC00299.jpg

[natisha]

You know, there's no reason you couldn't still show her. If she walks, trots, lopes & can hold a steady gait you could go to open shows & just have fun. Ride for the experience for both of you. Rail classes may not be her thing but it sounds like she'd do pretty well in trail classes. I wouldn't call it quits this soon,

[CaddoCinnamon]

That is what he was saying she don't like doing arena work. She is a different horse on the trails just totally relaxed. I tried to show her once already this year and she blew up in the class. I have looked into ACTHA but there aren't any around me. So at this point I don't know.
I know today I walked, trotted, and loped her and she did awesome. She isn't consistent enough for the shows. One day she does great and the next day you fight.

[TheBadLands]

I agree..you can still show. Maybe not in reining or cutting, but there are always trail classes at breed and open shows. And game days are fun! Try your hand at poles, barrels, keyhole.. there are so many things you can do with your horse!

[FredRock]

How long had it been since she'd been given a break on the trails? Some horses (like my gelding) need a dose of trails or some kind of change in routine before they settle back into being happy arena horses. And if she'd been worked exclusively in the arena up until then, it would make sense why she would enjoy it. Show horses need trails too!

It was her first show, and many horses spook at the judge's stand. You might reign in your plans to lower level shows, but there's no reason why she can't be a show horse. It's all about the experiences that you create for her at the shows, and how you respond to her antics. The more miles she gets and the more confident she becomes, I'll bet she'd make a nice little show horse. But you need to vary her training and what her environment is.

[Cedarsgirl]

I wouldn't give up on the idea of showing your horse. Like others already mentioned there are other options in showing your horse.

Not sure what you have available in your area but a good dose of trail riding and then returning to the ring might help your horse. I try to alternate some arena work with trail. My horse is like yours and absolutely enjoys the trail.

[CaddoCinnamon]

The problem is I don't have access to a trail around me. I have to travel 15 miles for me to come to one. This is mammoth cave. well for now she will be at home enjoying about 6 weeks off. Since I am on nights I don'r ride I try to keep myself on night shift even on my days off. We will see.

I did go look at a horse today that is 2500 dollars. She is WP bred and is already showing. The owners said that I could use Cutter as a part trade. They would take Cuter for 1500 so I still need 1000. She is another paint but solid. She was shown a lot last year. But there is a big age difference. Cutter is 4 years old and this mare is 13 years old. Not sure if the asking price is good. I think it is but not sure.

[Cedarsgirl]

Well, I dont' know what prices are down you way but at 13 years of age and having show ring experience might be what you are looking for. Why not take a friend along who knows a lot about horses to help you out and help you determine if its a good fit for you?

A friend of mine bought a show horse with a similar situation as yours and shows her horse western pleasure. He's a beaut. He was also an older horse. Been there done that. :)

[CaddoCinnamon]

Unfortunately my boys are crying because I told them I might sell her. They don't want me to sell her because they can ride her. They want me to keep her.

[Cedarsgirl]

It's always a very difficult decision selling a beloved horse.

[CaddoCinnamon]

Yeah but also I need to consider to buy a good kids horse around me I would spend at 3500 for one. Cutter she has always loved my boys and they can touch her and walk her and she just plods a long. Those 3 make a great team. She is teaching Robbie how to ride. I don't have to worry about him being hurt she won't do more than a walk with either of them no matter how hard they kick her.

[zoel_222]

Well if you get a new horse just make sure your kids can ride her. It's not that hard to train a horse to be ridden by kids anyways. I'd think especially if you're looking for a seasoned show horse you'd be able to find one that accepts kids. You said you can't find one under $3500? Well didn't you say Cutter is worth $1500 and she's a good kids horse? I'm sure you can find something. Or you could just buy one that's not trained for kids yet and train it yourself, or have Stick do it.

You've been saying for months you want to sell Cutter. We all said give her a fair chance, you did. Just sell her and buy something that works for you.

[CaddoCinnamon]

Here is my problem honestly. We have raised her from day one it is kind of hard just to say oh well your not good enough you have to go. I don't know yet the boys have a great love for that horse and they aren't bonded to the others just her.
Yes Zoel you are right I probably could go out and get another and train it to except my kids but the thing is I never trained her to accept my kids they have been such a part of her life that she just did. At 18 months I decided to put Robbie on her and lead her around that is how willing she is for them.
I am contemplating something else right now. I have been offered some money for Caddo. Even though I am very attached to Caddo my boys aren't so it would be easier for them to accept him leaving.
We will see when she comes home. I will ride her here and continue what Stick has showed me with her. We just might have to postpone going to the shows a little longer. She still is a good horse.

[FredRock]

Here is my problem honestly. We have raised her from day one it is kind of hard just to say oh well your not good enough you have to go.

You need to think about what you're doing and what you want to do, because you're the one who is going to be paying the bills for this mare, and if she doesn't fit into your plans, then she doesn't fit.

It's not saying "you're not good enough," it's saying "I don't think you're going to be happy with what I want to do, and we're going to end up hating eachother, so let's try to find someone who has plans that you can enjoy too."

One breeding/training barn that I visited and tried to work with never chose what disciplines their horses did. They took a little bit of everything and tried it out until they found something the horse loved. They figured that a happy horse was a better competitor and easier to work with. If a horse didn't fit into their plans, they found someone who was looking for a horse like it. They're pretty big and successful IMHO, so I'd say that they're onto something. You're a breeding barn, the last time I checked, so you need to be prepared for the idea that not every foal you get is going to be a keeper. That's why you're trying to breed quality stock that has a high chance of being bought and taken to great heights (be it a world show or a good trail ride).

Just my two cents.

ETA: Didn't comment about the kids because I have none myself and little experience with them at all, so I feel I really have no place to say much. I figure that they'd get over it, though, if you decide to sell her. My sisters and I got over our dog going to lollypop, and we loved that dog to bits and pieces. To me, it's a life lesson to learn that you can't always keep something just because you love it. I think a lot of people (still myself included) need to learn it, and haven't fully understood it yet.

[Peggy Sue]

Why not let the boys have her and find yourself something else... then you have a kids horse for the boys and sell Caddo and buy you something that YOU want and can show

[mare]

Why not let the boys have her and find yourself something else... then you have a kids horse for the boys and sell Caddo and buy you something that YOU want and can show

I like that idea.

[CaddoCinnamon]

Well after careful thinking of this with Cutter. What I have decided to do is we are going to keep Cutter. Hubby will not let me sell Caddo so we might be selling PT. She is our only broodmare unless we breed Cinnamon to Sky again. The thing is that I have decided to do with Cutter is look around and find me a trainer that does ACTHA. Have Cutter trained for that and show my mare in that avenue. I could probably train her myself but since Stick has had her she is better trained and accepts different things. So now I just need to continue her education and join her in what she wants and makes her happy. I still might have a show horse. I have Caddo and QT that will be coming up. So I may never make it big time but my dream has always been to do something with my horses that they enjoy and I do.