I really want to be a dressage rider. My horse has other ideas. What am I supposed to do? Maybe eventually he'd be a decent dressage horse, but it's not worth giving up his happiness and personality to make him into a dressage robot. I have no idea what to do.
Option One: Make Shaker into a dressage horse no matter what -
Bad idea. He's told me he really doesn't want to be a dressage horse. I should listen to him
Option Two: Play eventers -
Honestly, I'm afraid to jump. The idea of doing cross country terrifies me. I also doubt Shaker's ability to make it through even a starter level course without dying. Also starter would be where we'd max out no matter what.
Option Three: Play jumpers -
I hate the H/J world, and don't want to go back. I want ride times. I also want to have a sound pony well into his 20s, if not 30s. Pounding his legs into the ground to make him a jumper is not very appealing.
Option Four: Be a trail pony -
Both of us love trails, but I'll be bored out of my mind if that's all I do, especially with the very limited trails at this barn.
Option Five: Just hack around in the hackamore -
Pony likes this option best. After years of having lesson kids and Parelli people yank on his mouth, he's kind of sick of bits. He's happiest when ridden without a bit. He likes his ridiculous hackamore. He's made it clear it is the only thing to go on his face.
Option Six: Sell or lease him -
I need my pony. This option is off the table. Just want to cover all my options.
Options Four and Five will result in the happiest pony. Above all, that's my goal. Hopefully in the new year I can take some dressage lessons on a real dressage horse, and maybe even part lease one.
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