Bit the bullet (kinda)

[smolmaus]

Have arranged to go see two ponies for loan on Monday. A year or more talking about doing it and all it took was a link from a friend on FB and a big glass of wine.

It may very well not work out as they are a "full bred Arab and an ex polo pony" which tbh don't sound ideal for a first loan but getting over the initial hurdle of actually enquiring is the hard part, right?? ?

Any guidance on what to do when I first meet them? Probably won't be riding as I'm sure the person has to make sure I'm not a nutjob first but like, what to ask? What to look out for on the yard? It says they are flexible on part loan or full loan so since I only want to do maybe 4 days max to start with I will probably be pushed aside for someone who can full loan but its experience anyway!

 

[rextherobber]

Ask if the ex polo pony will do anything on its own, hack out for example. Ask if there are any time restrictions on when you can go to the yard ( like this weekend, you need to be riding really early or late to avoid the heat) No reason why these two shouldn't be good for you, and I'd go prepared to ride, owner will probably have sussed you out on social media...Good luck, hope it works out for you!

 

[Esmae]

I have a wonderful full bred Arab. Super easy horse all round and also have polo ponies which are just the best. I'd look upon those as an excellent start.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I would be prepared to ride! How long is it going to take the owner to work out that you are not a nutjob?

 

[Lady Jane]

Be prepared to ride - I'm sure the owner will want to see you on the horse. Discuss excatly the terms of the loan, cost, what you can and can't do, what you are expected to do. Good luck!

 

[Coblette]

Make sure you see the owner ride first before you get on. So you know it’s not a complete loony ?

 

[Winters100]

Polo ponies are usually super easy. Some have issues hacking alone, but by no means all, my 3 will all do anything alone and my older one is as close to bombproof as you get. Just remember that you ride them with no contact, and you hold the reins in one hand and neck-rein. Oh and if you ask for stop be ready as they will stop immediately. The right one could be super fun.

 

[smolmaus]

I would be prepared to ride! How long is it going to take the owner to work out that you are not a nutjob?

Or work out that I am a bit actually ???

Apparently they both hack alone and in company, will "turn their hoof to anything". I am a chronic overthinker so the Arab thing and the polo thing is just intimidating me slightly. I'm much more of a hairy cob kinda girl! But it would be rude to discriminate.

Ask if the ex polo pony will do anything on its own, hack out for example. Ask if there are any time restrictions on when you can go to the yard ( like this weekend, you need to be riding really early or late to avoid the heat) No reason why these two shouldn't be good for you, and I'd go prepared to ride, owner will probably have sussed you out on social media...Good luck, hope it works out for you!

Time restrictions is a very good point! Ty!

My social media is 100% sharing posts to try and get donations for the rescue centre so hopefully that looks good ?

I'll have the riding gear in the boot.

 

[brighteyes]

If I was meeting a prospective loaner and they didn't bring their riding kit, I'd be thinking they aren't very serious about the job.

 

[smolmaus]

It was phrased as "come and meet them and we'll have a chat" is the only reason I thought I might not hop on but to be honest my riding gear lives in the car 90% of the time anyway (out of pure laziness) so I am always prepared to leap onto any available equine ?

 

[DabDab]

Ask about their routine to get a feel for how they are managed and who else rides them. Also helps to get an idea of what a loan scenario might be like - for some part loan/share situations you have days when you can turn up whenever, but others are more structured with a requirement to exercise horse at a particular time of day to fit in with their routine.

Maybe ask about instructors too - is there one they prefer you to use etc.

Try not to overthink the type of horse - I have always loved light bred & blood horses, but can't ride cobs for toffee. Arabs have their own way of going and some can be speedy but it is rare to find an unsafe one.

Good luck, hope one of them turns out to be a match. ?

 

[brighteyes]

It was phrased as "come and meet them and we'll have a chat" is the only reason I thought I might not hop on but to be honest my riding gear lives in the car 90% of the time anyway (out of pure laziness) so I am always prepared to leap onto any available equine ?

I'd bet good money if you look the part, they'd say have you got your stuff. On the other hand, if they turned up wearing the whole outfit, I'd feel pressured and mean if they looked as though they were probably hopeless and I didn't want to actually find out. Jods would be OK though and not too presumptuous.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Treat it like a job interview and think about answers to questions they might have about you - reliability, trust worthiness, ability to use your initiative, experience etc. You can always choose to turn the loan down but you want them to offer you the chance. So don't focus entirely on what they can do for you, but also on what you can offer them.

The details of the loan contract are important but you want them to have decided they like you first.

- Ask question about the horses in a way that establishes whether you and they are a good match - not whether you like them or they will do what you want
- Ask questions about routines in a way that makes it clear you want them to be happy and relaxed on your days and will manage them the ways that suits them. Not whether their routines suit you.
- Invite questions about yourself - saying that it a big decision to trust your horse with someone so you are open to any questions.
- If/when you ride, don't over-ride, trying to impress. Ask how the horses like to be ridden. Don't criticise the horse! And ask what ridden activities are ok.

After all that you'll have got the info you need to know if they are likely to suit you and the arrangement works for you but hopefully in a way that the owners feel good about too.

Good luck.

 

[Wishfilly]

Arabs can be absolutely lovely- a lot are that sort of small all rounder that everyone says they want. The movement is different, which I think can throw some people, but once you get used to that, they can do anything any other horse would. Some are hotter than others, some you absolutely could put anyone on!

One thing to establish before taking on a loan (maybe not at the first visit) is who will take responsibility for anything vet related- will the owner keep insurance in their name? Do you have permission to make decisions about minor injuries etc etc. Who will pay for what?

I would expect to be able to try anything you want to do before committing, catching, everything in the stable, riding in and out of the arena, and ideally off site!

 

[smolmaus]

Update!

The ex polo pony has one eye which was not mentioned ? he is still a lovely boy and I believe her when she says it doesn't affect him that much. One of the horses on the rescue yard was the same and he managed fine with a little bit of extra mindfulness about letting him know where you were. The Arab is also lovely, seems like a very chilled out dude. There was no riding after all, it was absolutely roasting so I wouldn't have felt great about it anyway, and she says she does it this way to prevent teenagers coming for a free hour on a pony which honestly? Fair enough. I'll let her know if I'm still interested and organise a ride later this week.

The only thing making me question is the distance and the fact the arena has no lights so it would be basically impossible for me to get up there on a weekday before dark in winter. Maybe that's a problem for when its winter? Overthinking again perhaps.

Can't make a decision without getting my ass in a saddle obviously but its not a no on either side.

 

[bouncing_ball]

Update!

The ex polo pony has one eye which was not mentioned ? he is still a lovely boy and I believe her when she says it doesn't affect him that much. One of the horses on the rescue yard was the same and he managed fine with a little bit of extra mindfulness about letting him know where you were. The Arab is also lovely, seems like a very chilled out dude. There was no riding after all, it was absolutely roasting so I wouldn't have felt great about it anyway, and she says she does it this way to prevent teenagers coming for a free hour on a pony which honestly? Fair enough. I'll let her know if I'm still interested and organise a ride later this week.

The only thing making me question is the distance and the fact the arena has no lights so it would be basically impossible for me to get up there on a weekday before dark in winter. Maybe that's a problem for when its winter? Overthinking again perhaps.

Can't make a decision without getting my ass in a saddle obviously but its not a no on either side.

How far is it? How flexible are your working hours? Ride before work? Can you ride weekends in winter?

 

[smolmaus]

How far is it? How flexible are your working hours? Ride before work? Can you ride weekends in winter?

It's 30 mins each way but it's not a nice 30 mins if you know what I mean. The roads are awkward, a couple of very nasty blind turns.

I can start work anytime between 8 and 9:30 so flexible enough. Sunrise/ sunset is about 8-4:30 so hypothetically I could be at the yard for 7:30, on for 8. Ride and hopefully be back for 9:30 but it would be tight and it would depend on me getting the work from home days I'm asking for.

Having slept on it I'll see if I can go ride both tomorrow. If I love one or both of them then it will be a yes and I'll make it work, if it's a meh then I'll keep looking for somewhere easier to get to.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I have pure bred Arabs and ridden many over the years I love them but they are not for everyone, most people that ride mine for the first time find them quite bouncy and wide.

They are both safe though they can be silly at times but I find it's because they are a bit more sensitive than a lot of other horses, they like a job to do and thrive on work and using there brain.

 

[rextherobber]

You can get battery lights from Screwfix for the school...Hope the trial ride goes well!

 

[smolmaus]

You can get battery lights from Screwfix for the school...Hope the trial ride goes well!

My OH suggested this actually, if it comes to it. There are definitely options. Be interesting to meet the other loaners on the yard (there are several long term ones) to ask how they manage.

 

[smolmaus]

All trials postponed until Monday when (hopefully) the whole province won't be like an oven. Riding lesson cancelled too. For all my worrying about WINTER stopping me riding! ?

 

[smolmaus]

FINALLY got to try both boys today. Ended up bringing my friend again as she decided she might want to loan for a few weeks while she has some time off and kindly gave me first refusal of which horse I preferred even though she was the one sent me the link to the ad in the first place.

So I hopped up on the Arab who I very much liked the look of and she went to get on the one-eyed ex polo pony when they finally say he rides WESTERN. Could have let us know that earlier but to be fair I had made my preference for the Arab lad well known the last day. Anyway, she had a terrible time! I liked the Arab but he is a bit more whoa than go and I am not really feeling the magic. We switch, and it turns out a very fresh quarter horse X who I can't really steer and can only half figure out the brakes is what puts a big fat grin on my face. He's a dreamboat. And he is very honest so even after just 10 mins of me figuring out the basics we are getting along much better.

So I am genuinely considering the one eyed western fella. At least for a few weeks, my friend can ride the Arab who I think suits her down to the ground and then when she goes back to having no free time I can decide again!

Yes it is a stupid decision and I should look for something more suitable but I don't care right now. I might change my mind in the morning ?

 

[Zuzan]

........... the one-eyed ex polo pony when they finally say he rides WESTERN. ......

I think that what they mean is neck reining ..which is used a lot in Polo .. like western .. or in the classical world the indirect rein.. have an ancient tomb of an equestrian book written by a polo player who trained with the Portuguese cavalry school (classical) ..

 

[smolmaus]

I think that what they mean is neck reining ..which is used a lot in Polo .. like western .. or in the classical world the indirect rein.. have an ancient tomb of an equestrian book written by a polo player who trained with the Portuguese cavalry school (classical) ..

I did know polo ponies are one-handed so to speak but since his polo career ended his owner has been riding him western for I think they said 6 years? He does have a proper big western saddle (if I want to use it which I do not! They are expensive and I would be scared to ruin it!) and the owner is apparently into the hats and the buckles and all that. The proper gear ?

 

[rextherobber]

Glad it went well, sounds like you had fun!

 

[Reacher]

Sounds like a good opportunity to learn western! What fun!

 

[I'm Dun]

I would love the opportunity to ride the western pony! I probably wouldnt want to do western on my own, but I cant imagine anything more fun that having a pony like that to play with!

 

[Alibear]

Western will do that to you, its a lot of fun

 

[smolmaus]

It was SO MUCH FUN. I wanted to loan to improve my position with more saddle time (weekly lessons are not cutting it for training good muscle memory) so I don't think learning an entirely new different way of riding is going to do that for me at all but when will I get an opportunity like this again?

I would love the opportunity to ride the western pony! I probably wouldnt want to do western on my own, but I cant imagine anything more fun that having a pony like that to play with!

I can learn from youtube right? ?? I am mostly joking, his owner gave a very brief lesson yesterday and proper lessons are available if I want them but I felt safe as houses even when communication was fuzzy and he was quite fresh so I am happy to pootle about on little hacks until we get used to eachother. He has the best personality too. Even if I learn very little that's in any way useful to me I think I can have a great time with him.

 

[EarsofaSnowman]

It was SO MUCH FUN. I wanted to loan to improve my position with more saddle time (weekly lessons are not cutting it for training good muscle memory) so I don't think learning an entirely new different way of riding is going to do that for me at all but when will I get an opportunity like this"

I now regularly ride both western and english. There are elements that are different, and you have to remind yourself which one you should be doing, but I've found western has really improved my seat which has in turn improved my english riding, and my confidence.

Sounds a lovely find for you to enjoy