Moving on

“Horses blossom when they find the right match, so letting him go to a new home could be the best thing for him”

“If your horse isn’t right for you, the best thing you can do is pass him on — as long as he’s sound and not dangerous, of course,” says Sharon. “Think about his welfare. If you’re not enjoying riding him, he’s probably not enjoying it very much either. Horses blossom when they find the right match and being in the wrong hands can be as stressful for your horse as it is for you.”

If you don’t want to sell him, and you don’t need the money to buy a new horse, then loaning him is an option. Remember, though, that a loan horse can be returned at any time, which may not be the outcome you want.

“To avoid being paired with the wrong horse again, get as much help as you can with the process,” advises Sharon. “Buy from someone with a strong reputation and have someone experienced to help you. They should be up to speed with what you need — and what you can cope with.

“Always have the horse vetted, although in my view they don’t need to pass with flying colours. Your new horse just needs to be fit and sound enough for whatever it is you’d like to do with him.”