Advice needed :/

S

**Star**

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Today I went down my yard and someone I rarely see was there trying to tack up her ex racer. To be clear I am not bad mouthing these people and they have always been perfectly polite to me, they just don't seem to do much with either of their horses. They don't turn them out much and this one she was handling today weaves and has caught her head several times in the stable.
I went past her on the yard trying to get the bridle on and she and the horse were getting really distressed. I didn't want to see either of them like that so grabbed a my friend and gave her a hand to get the bridle on (pulling the whole thing apart and taking nearly an hour!).
The woman is very nervous and then wouldn't get on, so I offered to get on first. All done up with body protector etc I got on and she was fine except one spook at the new mirror in the school, which was to be expected. I was also very nervous which probably didn't help. I walked, trotted and cantered and then helped the owner get on and do the same.
My problem is she has now asked me oif I will ride more often as the horse really likes it (you could tell she was alot happier after being out and having a burst in the school) but I am worried something will go wrong and I will be blamed. She is a 20yr old ec racer but she doesn't act her age. I just don't want to get into a situation i can't get out of but I really want to help the horse. What do I do? I don't know the people very well and have heard some nasty things on the yard about them blaming other people for lameness or horse misbehaving and I don't want to be involved in that but the poor horse needs riding :/
 
walk away.....


the horse at 20 dosent "need riding".... it probably just need more turnout

so walk away imo let her get on with it
 
I don't mean this as harsh as its going to sound, but not your horse, not your problem.

I would maybe advise them to pay for a rider to exercise their horse but I wouldn't get involved myself if they had, potentially, accused other people of causing problems.
 
I'd politely say thanks for thinking of me but I just don't have the time to take on another one.

Situations like that are best avoided especially if you know they've blamed others for problems in the past.
 
I agree with Noodle. Make your excuses and dont get involved. You could say you have committments at home or something and so only really have time to work your own horse, and that could give you an opening to advise them that more turn out would be most beneficial for the horse. It sounds like your own instincts are telling you this too, so listen to them.
 
She probably likes being ridden as it gets her out of the stable if she gets no turnout, although taking an hour to get a bridle on suggests she may not like it that much.

I would also say walk away, try and get them to let the poor horse out, its summer now most are turned out 24/7 if the owners have any sense.
 
**Star** said:
She loves being ridden though it's the calmest I've ever seen her and it's hardly old, she acts about 4. I still ride my 35yr old tb 3 times a week as advised by the vet.
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I wouldn't commit to anything long term but if you wish to be helpful and you enjoyed the ride and felt safe, then say that over the next week or so, you could do the same as today a couple of times before the owner gets on board to get her going again but time constraints means you can't help her more than that. Depending on how you feel after that, you could suggest that she rides out with you when are riding your own horse after that a few times.

However, if you don't want to continue, be honest now and straightforward now. Lot easier in the long run when dealing with other people.

So, completely up to you! Not much help! ;) suspect you know what you want to do :)
 
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be positive said:
She probably likes being ridden as it gets her out of the stable if she gets no turnout, although taking an hour to get a bridle on suggests she may not like it that much.
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She weaves and caught her head on a bolt in her stable wall which hadn't been checked and she has been head shy ever since. They do go out for a little while each day but all of ours are in now because the YO said the fields are too wet from all the rain. My boy is going nuts :(
 
What ZondaR said.

You don't exactly sound mad keen on riding it so why put yourself in a potentially risky situation? Think about blame, insurance implications, any damage to yard or - God forbid - you or the horse, lameness, your reputation locally...?

All well and good if you've offered and made appropriate arrangements but I think you answered your own questions. Say no and suggest turnout and a paid rider if still felt necessary after that.
 
MissChaos said:
What ZondaR said.

You don't exactly sound mad keen on riding it so why put yourself in a potentially risky situation? Think about blame, insurance implications, any damage to yard or - God forbid - you or the horse, lameness, your reputation locally...?

All well and good if you've offered and made appropriate arrangements but I think you answered your own questions. Say no and suggest turnout and a paid rider if still felt necessary after that.
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Horse is fine I was totally fine after 10minutes or so like you say though it's the thought of rumours that could be spread if anything goes wrong :) I think I'll keep both feet in the ground and try and help them any other way I can. Thanks everyone :D
 
i found myself in the same situation a few years ago and wish i had never gotten involved. You get attached to the horse and when you dont agree with what the owner is doing or not doing you feel really frustrated. I agree wholeheartedly with the line of thought that it is summer and horses should be out 24/7! horses that are stabled up and left develop behaviourol problems, fluid in limbs, and just want out! if it took an hour to put on bridle did anyone think that the horse might have a sore mouth/teeth probs? Sorry for rambling on. Save yourself the hassle. Concentrate on your own : )
 
Can't quote but that sounds like a perfect plan of action, OP. Am sure horse is probably grand in itself but accidents happen and if you're not totally sure of these people's characters or if you really want the arrangement, don't do it. Offer to work with them a bit on its general management instead if you can but at army's length.
 
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