Did I do the right thing?

[Paint Me Proud]

A very novice owner of the yard, who has an unbacked 3 year old, had a lady and her daughter come to the yard today to back the horse.

As I had wasnt doing anything I decided to watch, and to be completely honest I was shocked and appalled at what they were doing.

Once they had gone I spoke to the owner and told her my concerns about their techniques etc and said I wouldnt have them come again if I were her.

Did I do the right thing by being honest with her to prevent her horse being ruined, or should I have just shut up and let it happen?

I am glad I told her for the horses sake but feel bad for interfering to be honest.

What would you have done?

 

[horsesatemymoney]

What did they do that was so bad?

 

[ClassicG&T]

What did they do that was so bad?

this

 

[Theocat]

told her my concerns about their techniques etc

That bit's fine

and said I wouldnt have them come again if I were her.

That bit's maybe overstepping the mark Good for you for speaking up, but it's probably one of those situations where raising concerns is good, but telling her what to do is a bit ... well, that's for her to decide really!

Better that you raised it than did nothing, especially if she's very novice. How did she hear about these people?

 

[Paint Me Proud]

What did they do that was so bad?

horse didnt know how to lunge so after 10 minutes of trying to get it to walk around in circle and it turning in every few steps they decided to just get straight on instead. Horse clearly didnt understand any voice commands but when it wouldnt walk on the girl just kicked and kicked it, the mother told her to pull his head around to make him move and she was ragging his head from side to side. Daughter riding didnt have her stirrups in the correct place and wasnt holding the reins correctly.
They put him back on the lunge with the girl riding and tried to make the horse trot, despite the fact it clearly didnt know how the aids and commands to walk let alone trot. I had to walk off at the point, i couldnt watch anymore...

also the novice owner didnt realise the bit she had was far too big, yet the 'starters' didnt say anything and rode him with it in. The owner is lovely and just making novice miskates that we've all made with our first horse

 

[Echo Bravo]

Then you did right to tell her your concerns,lets hope she takes heed.

 

[Theocat]

In that case, yes, you did the right thing! Can you offer the owner help with this horse? It sounds like it's nowhere near ready for backing in any case (although it sounds as though the temperament must be spot on if it put up with all that!)

 

[Paint Me Proud]

In that case, yes, you did the right thing! Can you offer the owner help with this horse? It sounds like it's nowhere near ready for backing in any case (although it sounds as though the temperament must be spot on if it put up with all that!)

yes several of us on the yard offered her our help to back it after we had witnessed what was going on.
The horse is adorable and such a sweetheart, he put up with all of it.

 

[Parker79]

I think so....sounds like you approached it well, maybe best not to discuss with others on the yard though as then it turns into something else.

My friends horse is still a nightmare following a bad start by a 'professional' who she paid a lot of money.

If you can offer assistance...maybe just keep an open dialogue so that the owner feels happy to ask you...then you wont be overstepping the mark.

 

[Paint Me Proud]

The horse is so lovely we were all concerned that these people would ruin him. Everyone on the yard wants to help the owner, so I am going to chat with her about us helping with the horse if she would like us to.