anyone else think this was cheeky?

I actively encourage people to be interested in my horses - I tell them about them and ask them to keep an eye when they are out and about so that if anything happens (which often does in the world of horses!) they know they can ring me and I can go check. This village network has saved the life of a horse that got itself into trouble only a few minutes after I checked the field. I received the phone call saying that one of my horses was lying very oddly in the field and was able to take instant action.

How mean that you begrudge a child the chance to pat a horse - were you never that child?

Always remember you 'reap what you sow'.
 
Trouble is that people always push it. I used to let my horses go to the fence because they like a cuddle and people passing like to cuddle them. But we had families putting their small children (and dogs) in with the horses to go and pat them, let alone the rubbish they were feeding them. So I ran a strand of electric round and signed it appropriately to keep people out. Then I got threatened by a woman whose dog had a got a shock when it went in "to play with the horses". People were still calling the horses over and feeding them and that was causing fights amongst them. So I fenced them off a metre away from the rails and people were still leaning over with food. So I went to three metres and people would stand at the fence and throw carrots, apples, half loaves of bread for the horses. Now those fields are empty of horses and will stay that way until the weather dissuades people from walking their children up there after school. I still have to keep the two strands of electric on the post and rail live though, otherwise people seem to think it's acceptable to allow dogs and children to wander freely across the empty fields to where the horses are.
 
cobgoblin said:
The problem is that people are incredibly stupid. If you allow them to pat your horse and feed it a carrot when you're there, what happens when you're not there? Half a dozen apples? Chewing gum? A pocketful of sugar lumps? A bucketful of grass cuttings? How about going into the field and forgetting to shut the gate? Or climbing over a locked gate and being squished by a herd of horses eager to see what treat they are getting today?
Nah! When people get some sense they can come near my horses, but I can't see that ever happening.
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To me, that's the best thing about allowing people to pat your horse, you can talk to them and educate them a bit, let them know why certain. Foods are bad. A lot of walkers are locals and come past regularly. We even have an outward bound school for city kids, who know nothing about animals, next door to the field. They can be very noisy and silly, but if you tell them how to behave and the horse's names etc they mostly take it on board.
 
I understand where you're coming from OP, I don't have a problem with people asking to pat the horses or ponies away from the yard, Ie when we're out riding, but when it on the yard or in the field it makes me a little uncomfortable as people just seem to have no respect for other peoples privacy and belongings these days, you let them in once and they think it's an open ended invitation to come and go as they please.
it's sad but the general lack of consideration and manners in society and the worry that if someone gets hurt they'll sue your ass off has made me a lot more wary
 
I try my best to be friendly to people whom I meet on hacks or who visit the yard, I sometimes will let a child pet my horse or give him a carrot under my supervision. However, after a family had been allowed to pet the horses over the fence, they returned uncalled the next day and were caught trying to feed them loaves of bread with cheese (as they had "become friends with the ponies"), and once a very young child was suddenly being thrown up into my saddle by his loving dad on a hack, after I had allowed them to pet him. People can, indeed, be quite stupid around horses, so I feel better if I avoid unnecessary contact. I've even encountered people stating that I must be wrong about this or that, as they have "learned" otherwise from movies, children's books or even comics. Also, I don't feel I'm obliged to make anyone's day, and I don't have my horse to entertain others, so I'm on the OP's side this time.
 
I agree with OP,yes they were being cheeky when you were obviously busy.

I don't mind people seeing my horses but on my own terms.

just like to add- it will soon be blackberry season when mr world and his wife will be out picking MY blackberries :( :( :(
 
My field borders a nature reserve so I see lots of people walking past and petting/admiring my ponies. I chat to a few who walk out at the same time as I am poo picking and all are friendly and genuinely interested in my ponies. I have put electric up so the ponies can't get close enough to be fed by the walkers but I have no problems with people admiring my pride and joy.
 
It's and incredible priviledge to own a horse so I always take time to give children the chance to touch them .
I love their faces when they suss that this huge thing is incredibly gentle .
So yes OP I think like your horse your grumpy .
 
cobgoblin said:
what happens when you're not there? Half a dozen apples? Chewing gum? A pocketful of sugar lumps? A bucketful of grass cuttings? How about going into the field and forgetting to shut the gate? Or climbing over a locked gate and being squished by a herd of horses eager to see what treat they are getting today?
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Talk about making a mountain out of a mole hill. Lighten up.

You're doing a very good job of coming across as the stuck up, snobby stereotype we're all portrayed to be.

I've never in my life heard of or known someone who has jumped a gate, fed a herd of horses chewing gum and then proceeded to be tramped on.

Instead of hiding away like a grumpy old sod, why not bring your horse to the fence and educate a little?

ETA - people are going to be much more likely to go behind your back or piss you off if you're rude/grumpy to them.
 
A friend had a similar problem as some of you. With walkers feeding the horses by the gate
So she put a plastic tub with a sign on 'feed the horses'.
Inside was a note that said
Feed at your own risk I only provide these to protect my horses de being fed the wrong things!
Please note horses are sweet but also accidentally dangerous. Never go in the field as they may very well trample you by accident

These are special horse sugar free treats
To feed them either throw one at a time to the feet or (insert photo of open flat hand)
If you run out of treats that is because they will get tummy ache if you feed th anymore
If you come back another day I will have put some more in here BUT please don't bring extra food it may seem extreme but horses can die easily from too much of any food
You are welcome to bring 1 carrot per horse but don't give them anymore

Hope you enjoyed my horses and see you soon

Love Karen
 
As a pony mad child i spent many an hour seeking out horses in fields and calling them over to give them a stroke / feed a handful of fresh grass.

When did everyone get so miserable!
 
Well I'm a grumpy sod too. If you'd agreed for them to come, fine, but when you've said no they should have respected that. It wasn't their place to invite themselves against your wishes. I wouldn't have said anything about yo horses though. If they call them over against your advice and get bitten, their look out, though if I was yo I would put warning sign on fence if this is the case.

My problem is I used to care for a 13.2hh welsh pony who had been badly abused by children. She was a sj, and if she didn't win every class they beat the living daylights out of her. At home when they 'schooled' her, if she refused they did the same. It got to the point she was deadly in the field being caught by kids and constantly tried to bite them. So I took her on, as a small adult. She tried to bite me once, and I hugged her. Because of my response, we got on brilliantly, never tried to bite again, I could walk in her field though I have to say even I would never turn my back on her in the field.

BUT. Problem was she was a lovely white grey huggable pony. All the time people would ask to pat her, kids and parents with kids. I knew if a kiddie hand came near she would bite them because of her memories of abuse, so I had to say no. I'm not grumpy, but I did fear for their safety. Even when you said no I would get stroppy parents going 'but Annabelle/Daisy etc says she wants to pat it'. Obviously darling Annabelle was used to getting her own way. Once again I'd say no (btw they were usually spread over the track in the way so you couldn't just ride past), I'd even explain about the abuse. Deaf ears, they didn't want to listen or see it any other way than what there darling wanted. If they persisted beyond this they would get the sharp end of my tongue saying basically they should learn to discipline their darling and not give them everything they wined for. I have even had them try to follow me onto private land where the stables were still wining.

If I'm on my mare, who is gentle, and they ask politely, I will allow them to fuss her (lovely grey arab so lots of people do ask), but never come to the stables. If someone demands, I just ride off saying no. I've got a much shorted fuse now with demanding parents.
 
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Not to be argumentative, but why should all horse owners be oh-so sociable, always open to friendly communication, ready to educate and to basically share their horses with stranger? Maybe I'm just still fussy after the time after some complete stranger and his young son had entered the livery yard I keep my horse at (it's partially a lesson facility, so we sometimes get visitors and I'm okay with that) and, while I was schooling the horse in the arena, yelled at me to hop off and give the kid a ride - because he just happened to want one!
 
That's different though. I would be angry at those people wandering onto the yard and demanding a ride.

But why would anyone not be polite and friendly to someone walking past and interested who are not trespassing! It costs nothing, doesn't hurt, and possibly helps prevent someone who doesn't know better harming your horse..

And as for people who think the people in the original issue were rude for following when they'd been told not to, OP could only tell them not to go on the private property, she had no right to stop them from following her up the road...
 
pip6 said:
Well I'm a grumpy sod too. If you'd agreed for them to come, fine, but when you've said no they should have respected that. It wasn't their place to invite themselves against your wishes.
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You don't have to be "invited" to stand on the road and look at people's horses. Its the same as people who get annoyed when other people park their cars outside their house. Yes, it's annoying that someone else has parked outside your house, but if you don't like it, don't buy a house on the side of the public highway.
 
RunToEarth said:
If you want to, you can. Most people just love something to whinge and be miserable about - there's always a half arsed excuse why people can't.
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As I said before, my own horses are well away from any public access.
However I do acknowledge that it is difficult for some people to achieve this, whether this is due to the lie of the land, public rights of way or the fact that they do not own the land in question.
Frankly, it should not be necessary for anyone to have to take measures to protect their grazing animals from the general public. Unfortunately half the general public are arses, which quite unsurprisingly leads to people ' whingeing' about them and any measures they have to take against them.
 
RunToEarth said:
You don't have to be "invited" to stand on the road and look at people's horses. Its the same as people who get annoyed when other people park their cars outside their house. Yes, it's annoying that someone else has parked outside your house, but if you don't like it, don't buy a house on the side of the public highway.
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exactly - same applies for people taking photos. Not everyone is a dodger / plotting to steal your horse, most are just admiring them for the beautiful creatures that they are. Makes me feel proud (and fortunate).
 
stilltrying said:
As a pony mad child i spent many an hour seeking out horses in fields and calling them over to give them a stroke / feed a handful of fresh grass.

When did everyone get so miserable!
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I used to do this, especially when I was visiting my Grandma. There was one pony I used to race to see - Mr Ed. I'd sit on the gate and be delighted when he came over for a head scratch and cuddle.
 
cobgoblin said:
Frankly, it should not be necessary for anyone to have to take measures to protect their grazing animals from the general public. Unfortunately half the general public are arses, which quite unsurprisingly leads to people ' whingeing' about them and any measures they have to take against them.
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Are you confusing humans with horse-eating zombies? What exactly do your horses need protection from?

So far in your posts all you've done is call people arses and stupid; perhaps if you spent as much time being educational as you do being rude, there wouldn't be so many 'stupid' people bothering you.
 
Can't quote as on phone but agree Stillarising & Amymay-I was the same. No pony anywhere near our home was safe from my patting & feeding hands full of grass-& I was lucky that most owners ended up letting me have a ride! I wouldn't dream of doing that with mine,although things were very different years ago,& I admit to being very wary re people being around them (but when I am there I happily get them out for little girls to pat). I do think it's very sad that we have all become so suspicious,& I am so very glad it wasn't like that when I was growing up.
 
I'm the grumpiest, most anti-social person in the world.

I'd have let them stroke the ponies. Who's it harming?
 
RunToEarth said:
You don't have to be "invited" to stand on the road and look at people's horses. Its the same as people who get annoyed when other people park their cars outside their house. Yes, it's annoying that someone else has parked outside your house, but if you don't like it, don't buy a house on the side of the public highway.
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Stand on road, fine, watch, odd but fine, invite child to pat, no. That involves touching someones private property when they have asked you not to. BTW I'm a highway engineer so pretty au fait on laws regarding highways.
 
Sleipnir said:
Not to be argumentative, but why should all horse owners be oh-so sociable, always open to friendly communication, ready to educate and to basically share their horses with stranger?
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Because it's courteous and polite. Because horse owners have typically been known as "stuck up", "elitest" and "snobby" and it's a stereotype that surely we all want to try to dispel? And not only that, it's educational and why would any horse owner not want to encourage a little education among the non-horse-owning public? It's in OUR best interests, and our horses best interests, and it's something I've done my whole life so I always find threads like these so bizarre and saddening.
 
Asking to come to the yard is a bit strange, it would be different if you had the horse out on the road or something, but I don't blame you for not allowing them to tag along for entertainment purposes (I'm assuming you have better stuff to do than amuse other people's children), and it was certainly not on for them to follow you after you've said no.

But as for them watching from the road, I can't see the issue with that, really, it's a no harm no foul situation, and it does make you seem grumpy that you'd chase them off.

My old mare used to stand by the road in the mornings, there was a bus stop there and she'd sit by the fence waiting for all the kids going to school to say hi, and it never bothered me. Actually it used to make me smile as you could see how happy she was down there having a chat with them every morning. Maybe I've been lucky, but we've never had any trouble from people stopping to say hi and look at the ponies, which happens all the time given how our property is situated - in fact I remember one year another mare foaled in the front paddock in the middle of the day, I reckon we had half the neighbourhood parked up watching! Clearly she has no modesty!
 
pip6 said:
Stand on road, fine, watch, odd but fine, invite child to pat, no. That involves touching someones private property when they have asked you not to.
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Wow this post has really shocked me,
if people do not want their horse touched for whatever reason then the horse should not be able to access the boundary to a public highway.

I too find it really saddening that people are so anti social, you know treat people with respect and try and give them some knowledge into why the horse is kept how it is/why it can't be fed and you may be educating far and wide by word of mouth. my neighbours were feeding (lots of windfall apples to) the little shetland, I explained why it was not a good idea due to lami. then another neighbour was feeding the 2 mares bread and carrots, again I explained one of the mares was not very sociable with other horses and feeding them over the fence was likely to lead to an accident between the mares, now by word of mouth no-one feeds any of the horses anything but they all stop me to give them a pat as I pass. my mare I dont stop with as she has rubber lips and anyone other than the most careful with their hands tends to finds them somehow ending up sucked up in to her mouth!
 
Sleipnir said:
Not to be argumentative, but why should all horse owners be oh-so sociable, always open to friendly communication, ready to educate and to basically share their horses with stranger?
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I am usually this person.

But I agree with you Sleipnir. I resent not being allowed to need some "me time" or to be unhappy and unsociable sometimes. I don't always want to share my hack or my time with random people. I can walk down the street without expecting to be hassled why should I put up with it when on a horse? I may be upset and tearful having gone for a hack to cheer up, I may be on a long lunch break with no time for both chatting and riding. I didn't ask to be an ambassador for equestrianism. I'm just a normal person trying to go about my business, I'm not public property and neither is my horse.

The "you are lucky to own a horse so should share" arguement annoys me so much. If I can afford a horse on small wages so can anyone, but it means changing their lives and they don't want to do that. Educating themselves on good management and first aid so they don't need the vet every 5min, no more xbox and iPhone, no designer clothes or holidays or take aways or getting into debt, extra jumpers in spring instead of turning the heating on etc. They could have a horse if they gave up a lot of what they think is essential, but isn't.

Normally yes I'll let people stroke my quiet and safe horses and answer their questions, but sometimes I want to be left alone.
 
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