Can you believe the stupidity?

Hullabaloo

Hullabaloo

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Got to the yard just before 5.30 last night to find 2 of the teenagers on their horses about to go out on the road. We are on a narrow, unlit country lane and both the horses are black. They had hi-viz exercise sheets on, and that was it! To make it worse one of them is on loan to another family and the girl just exercises her for them occassionally, so its not even her horse. She also rides my horse for me sometimes and I would be furious if I thought she was taking him out in virtual darkness.
I questioned their sanity and they said they were just going up the lane for 5 mins. They were gone nearer 20 and came back in pitch dark. My heart was in my mouth the whole time they were gone.
The thing that really got me though was that the other girl's father was there and seemed quite happy for his daughter and her friend to ride out in the dark!
One of the other liveries almost ran into them on her way to the yard and we gave them a good talking too when they got back, expecially the girl on the borrowed pony.
Now I have to decide whether to tell the owner. She is normally a sensible girl and I think she has taken the lecture on board, but if she's taken my horse out I would want to know.
So, should I tell?
 
I would tell the owner. A friend of mine has others exercising her horses and I was concerned to see these people out hacking without any hi-viz at all. Despite it being in day light,due to the shadows from the trees,they were not particularly obvious. I rang my friend and as it turns out she had even bought tabards to leave up the yard for them to use.
I am fanatical about wearing hi-viz all year round and I would not let anybody hack my horse out unless they were wearing some.
 
utterly stupid i too use high viz leg bands religiously! tell the owner, another lecture wont do the young girl any harm but if she thinks its ok to go out on the roads when its dark she and the horse may well end up having a serious accident!
 
I'd tell the owner TBH. I know I'd want to know what sort of person I've got exercising my precious horse
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If that was my horse then I would certainly appreciate being told. What if she does it again and the horse is injured?

There is no way I would ever leave the yard on a horse if it was going dark, no matter how much hi-viz of flashy lights I had on. If you have an accident you could be left in the pitch dark. It just is not worth it at all.

If you dont want to tell the owner face to face perhaps just leave a note.
 
I would tell the owner, at the end of the day, someone has to act in the HORSES best interest when an owner is not around and the horse is being ridden by someone else.

My friend loans her pony out and he has just come back from being lame, the teenager and some others went for ride at the weekend and cantered around a wooded area known as chalk wood.......so hard, very hard ground, usually only good for walk/trot. I informed my friend who has spoken with said teenager and it wont happen again.

This is why I never loan out my horses, even at the moment, since not riding for 7 months now, I'd rather pay my instructor and be at the yard when a friend hacks Ralph out, I'd be worried sick.
 
I wouldn't tell the owner, as it is between the owner and the teenager regarding the horse's safety, not your concern. And it is between the teenager and her parent/s regarding her safety.
Either way, your only involvement is for your horse's safety - if you are worried, don't let her ride your horse.
S
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