Disapointed

[eahotson]

Don't quite know what to do.In short I have a nice kind sensible little cob which is now getting quite nicely schooled coutesy of my v.good instructor.A member of the staff who isvery young,novice and nervous likes riding him.There is not many horses in our yard that she can ride (and she is suposed to as part of the job) so I let her ride the newbie.I even let her do a small competition on the yard, where he did very well for her and go on a small fun ride.I ride him in a jointed snaffle and caveson nose band.No trouble but Lily we will call her says he gets strong hacking out in company so I bought a cheap second bridle, a flash noseband and dutch gag strictly for these occasions.She has not respected that and she was riding in the school in it.I removed it.Today she wanted to ride him for an assessment she was doing.He was a good boy for her but she kept on complaining about how strong he is.She keeps her leg on him and then hangs onto the reins and his mouth.I went to untack him and discovered the caveson on so tight that it practically split his face in half.When I complained she said that having it loose did nothing, he was very strong and needed a flash.She is convinced she knows everything and I am fed up.I know she likes riding him and he gives her a lot of confidence so I have tried to be tolerant but today is the last straw.Will have tocall a halt I think.Sad.

 

[topclass]

It's very nice of you to let his young lady ride your horse and if the horse is a little strong for her then she should ask you for your advice and maybe let you watch her riding him. She should not be telling you what to do with your horse, he has been perfectly happy until this young lady appeared I take, so maybe it's her riding that needs to be assessed as to what and where the problem if any lies. If you feel this is really a bit issue to your horse welfare then Im afraid I would say i'm sorry but I think it's best if you dont ride him again or you may end up with a vet bill through no fault of your own. Let me know what happens x

 

[chestnut cob]

That's a shame but if she won't respect your wishes then you are perfectly right to end the arrangement. It sounds like she's been rather ungrateful to you by doing as she pleases despite your wishes.

 

[Slightly Foxed]

Yes, I think you should put a stop to her riding your horse but going from a jointed snaffle to a Dutch gag was a bit of a leap wasn't it? There are plenty of less severe bits in between!

 

[Firewell]

I would stop her riding your horse now tbh. It sounds like she is undoing your schooling and that's not good at all. You have been generous but now is the time to stop it before you have a horrid, leaning horse on your hands.

 

[concorde]

Cheeky girl isn't she !
You have been more than generous but now it's time to put your horse first.
I would not allow her to ride him anymore .

 

[ponypops]

simple~~~she obviousley finds your little horse too strong so(she should) find one that suits better!!!!! explain that it takes 2 in setting against each other and thats obviously happening because he is not strong with you. explain kindly if you like that its a pity the little horse doesnt suit as you offered with best of intentions etc. talk about biting hand that feeds!!!!!!! perhaps in future she may learn to accept gracefully any offer of nice horse to ride and even if she is challenged not be stupid enough to whinge to the owner. i wouldnt give it a second thought!!!

 

[HLOEquestrian]

You have done everything you can to help her and been very reasonable in letting her use a different bridle in the first place. Having loaned my 12.2hh to people who insisted on changing his bit when instructed not to do so in the loan agreement I completely understand where you are coming from.
Don't feel bad, it was kind of you to let her ride your new one when she is a novice

 

[eahotson]

She thinks the dutch gag isn't strong enough!!!! I know what the problem is I think but she will not listen to me and does things behind my back.Yes, it has to end.

 

[flyingfeet]

Well you've 2 choices either let her continue or not

When someone I was paying to ride my horse insisted on doing up the cavesson too tight, I solved the problem by having no noseband at all!

That said I hate having someone hanging on to my horses mouth, so would either make them use a weymouth alone (so severe you cannot hang on to the mouth, but carries its own risk)

 

[Spring Feather]

I blame it on fashion If she's young, she has probably seen all the showjumpers riding in these contraptions and thinks it's "cool".

 

[katiecuckoo]

Is he your horse? If so, I'd tell her to get stuffed. Cheeky madam.

 

[eahotson]

He is my horse and a good one in all ways.I was trying to help her as basically she is the yard numpty and I felt sorry for her and thought with a bit of help she would improve.Its the slyness (but she is not clever enough to be properly sly, she always gets found out) that annoys me as much as anything.