Are you a BHS member?

[Mabel98]

I have just rejoined but only because I felt I ought to support the welfare work. I get the same insurance by being a riding club member. There is another current thread on BHS approved yards and some of the negative comments on the BHS as an organisation made me wonder how much good it does. I first joined in the days when you had to be a member to compete at affiliated level. What do you all think?

 

[Shysmum]

Nope, wanted to be a welfare officer but I would be out of pocket.

 

[Shilasdair]

Nope, wanted to be a welfare officer but I would be out of pocket.

How would you be 'out of pocket'? I believe they pay travel expenses...
S

 

[Shysmum]

yes that was all.

 

[Shilasdair]

yes that was all.

Oh, I see.
I thought it was obvious that voluntary work for a charity would be unpaid or am I missing some other expenses?
S

 

[Shysmum]

mobile / home phone calls, insurance for public liability and personal injury... just those really. Yes it's voluntary, agreed.

 

[Shilasdair]

phone calls, insurance...

You don't have to be insured to be a welfare officer. And the BHS normally call you, don't they?
S

 

[Shysmum]

No way I'd do it uninsured ! Calls to vets, owners, complainants...guess it just wasn't right for me. Feel very sad about it, but that's life I guess. Just put me off.

 

[Mabel98]

If you saw a neglected horse, would you call the BHS, WHW or RSPCA ?

 

[competitiondiva]

No I am not a member, as far as welfare is concerned you have redwings officers, whw officers and rspca! Oh and trading standards! So my money based on welfare decisions would go to one of the others as they do more welfare work. Insurance reasons, well all my horses are insured anyway so don't need that! They do do good work with bridleways etc, but I don't have any near me anyway and use private land to hack on! So I don't have any reason to join. I think they do good work with riding schools, but again have seen some supposed approved yards which I wasn't happy about.

 

[MrsMozart]

Yes, both D1 and I are Gold members. We use the bridleways they help keep open

 

[Mabel98]

I hadn't really thought about the work they do keeping bridleways open; there aren't any near me so it doesn't seem that relevant. Selfish point of view I know!

 

[Brontie]

I am! Mainly because I was riding uninsured horses, so needed riding insurance. Plus they're keeping open the bridleways that keep me going for two hours!

 

[Tharg]

Gold member for the insurance. Would love it if they got more access for riders in the Republic

 

[mtj]

I'm a gold member as I want the insurance and for horse riders to have a voice.
BHS also organise regional activities.

I went on a try western day several weeks ago.

 

[only_me]

gold member for insurance.

Would love more than 1 bridleway here though

 

[gabbypinkjessica]

I'm a member, for insurance, access and exams. I get a lot out of my membership, to be honest, and I find the BHS very helpful. As mentioned earlier, anything that gives riders a voice has to be a good thing.