Do I complain?

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mamapony

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I have been competing at a large well known equestrian centre in Gloucestershire this weekend just gone and have been for the past couple of weekends. About a month ago, I witnessed a larger rider on a small Welsh A x of sorts. The rider was the same height and weight as my youngest daughter from what I could see and pony was 11hh/11.2hh and not the typical stockiness of a Welsh A.
The combination was just ridiculous, the girl didn't only look unbelievably long on the pony, you could tell she was over the weight limit of 20%. Turns out daughter knew the girl as they go to college together, confirmed they were similar height and weight (5ft4, roughly 9 stone) and said it was the girls new pony. She had ridden about 1 hour to the venue, completed a dressage test, hung around for the results and then rode 1 hour home. I wasn't sure if the people who run the competition had said anything about it, but I heard many people around me were not happy with what they saw.
Then this weekend, I noticed her again, this time competing in a showjumping class. The whole scene was a mess and I am worried for the welfare of the pony. I know this post may seem like I am sticking my nose into other's business, but I am small myself and have rode many ponies over the years however it was really uncomfortable to see this.
What can I do? Can I complain to the venue or is that going completely overboard?
Please tell me if you think I should mind my own business.
 
I think if you have concenrs yes you should raise them with the judge/secretary who can then address them as necessary, beaing in mind there can be perosnal opinion differences on weight.
 
If you feel the pony is suffering then complain to the welfare organisations, the BHS would possibly be the best as they will go and check the situation and offer advice if they feel it necessary, I don't think complaining to the venue is helpful or really appropriate, they can do nothing other than to refuse to allow them to enter if they feel there is an issue.

There may be more to this than meets the eye, it would be very unusual for a mid teen to buy such a small pony, is there a chance it is being schooled, however badly, being produced for a sibling or a short term project that is getting out and about, I have had small ponies in for schooling/ boot camp and to an outsider the riders may appear too big but in the short term it can sometimes be essential, just wanted to put another perspective on things, maybe your daughter could find out the whole story in a tactful way.
 
SusieT said:
I think if you have concenrs yes you should raise them with the judge/secretary who can then address them as necessary, beaing in mind there can be perosnal opinion differences on weight.
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I agree entirely, hence I am worried to bring it up and be promptly told to mind my own business.

I forgot to add also that the saddle the pony has on definitely does not fit. The saddle is slanted backwards so the poll of the saddle is higher than the cantle and looks generally uncomfortable.
 
be positive said:
If you feel the pony is suffering then complain to the welfare organisations, the BHS would possibly be the best as they will go and check the situation and offer advice if they feel it necessary, I don't think complaining to the venue is helpful or really appropriate, they can do nothing other than to refuse to allow them to enter if they feel there is an issue.

There may be more to this than meets the eye, it would be very unusual for a mid teen to buy such a small pony, is there a chance it is being schooled, however badly, being produced for a sibling or a short term project that is getting out and about, I have had small ponies in for schooling/ boot camp and to an outsider the riders may appear too big but in the short term it can sometimes be essential, just wanted to put another perspective on things, maybe your daughter could find out the whole story in a tactful way.
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I thought that at first, which I think is what others were thinking, however daughter found out the story quite quickly. The pony is a friends who she loans it from. The pony was bought as a ridden companion for the friends other horse. Girl can't afford her own and I think started riding the pony as a way to hack out with her friend. Things progressed from there and she now loans the pony full term and rides most days and competes at this venue most weekends. It is most definitely not a pony in for schooling or kids pony that she is competing to gain some experience for it.
 
mamapony said:
I thought that at first, which I think is what others were thinking, however daughter found out the story quite quickly. The pony is a friends who she loans it from. The pony was bought as a ridden companion for the friends other horse. Girl can't afford her own and I think started riding the pony as a way to hack out with her friend. Things progressed from there and she now loans the pony full term and rides most days and competes at this venue most weekends. It is most definitely not a pony in for schooling or kids pony that she is competing to gain some experience for it.
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In that case speak to the BHS, they will go in and give advice, which may well be to make some simple changes to what she does with it, it is a shame as the pony is probably going to benefit from being exercised as well as making a young girls dream of having of her own pony come true.
 
Can't see how on earth a pony being ridden in an ill-fitting saddle (if that is the case), by a girl too large/heavy for the pony to comfortably carry can be of ANY benefit to the pony at all. ****** the girl's dream coming true - at the expense of the pony's welfare?

Yes, bring your concerns to the attention of the BHS. Maybe the saddle does fit, and maybe she isn't way too heavy for the pony, but you obviously are bothered and it sounds as though other regulars at this venue are too, so in your shoes I would do my best for the pony and bring it to the attention of someone who can intervene.
 
HandBR said:
Can't see how on earth a pony being ridden in an ill-fitting saddle (if that is the case), by a girl too large/heavy for the pony to comfortably carry can be of ANY benefit to the pony at all. ****** the girl's dream coming true - at the expense of the pony's welfare?

Yes, bring your concerns to the attention of the BHS. Maybe the saddle does fit, and maybe she isn't way too heavy for the pony, but you obviously are bothered and it sounds as though other regulars at this venue are too, so in your shoes I would do my best for the pony and bring it to the attention of someone who can intervene.
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Thank you. You're right though, it may be ok and she might be fine to ride the pony and if she is she will be able to prove it and all will be sorted. I'll contact the BHS.
 
I've ridden my 5yo son's stocky 11hh welsh pony a couple of times 10 min walk and trot in the school or a 45 min hack, but I wouldn't even sit on his other pony who is same size but much finer. I'm 5ft, and 9 stone.

Poor wee pony :(

I'd certainly mention it to the organisers if you are at the venue in the future and saw the same combination..

No point doing it via telephone or email, it would have to be on the spot....
 
As someone who has to deal with this kind of complaint the first thing I would need to know is who were the organising bodies on the days of the events concerned. If it was an affiliated RC, or a PC then the first port of call should be to the committee of the club / branch concerned or their parent association. They can either deal with it themselves or escalate it if they feel out of their depth, If you have photographic evidence so much the better, but do be careful who you share this with.

However it so much better when people who have any welfare concerns (including safeguarding) report it to an official AT THE EVENT rather than afterwards.
 
Yes yes if it's any kind of affiliated event speak to the organisers. I'm on the committee of our BHS affiliated RC and we have a welfare officer and would take this kind of complaint very seriously.
 
Just quickly done the maths. An average section A of about 11hh would be about 250kgs. Using the 15% rule you should be looking at no more than 6 stone including rider and tack.

To give some perspective, I ride a stocky Welsh D x who is 14 hands. I weight about 8 stone 12. The 15% rule would allow a weight of 9 stone 4lbs on him including tack. My saddle weighs next to nothing as its a little synthetic.

I think by any calculations a rider of 9 stone on that pony, on a regular basis, doing semi hard work is going to be too heavy.
 
HandBR said:
Can't see how on earth a pony being ridden in an ill-fitting saddle (if that is the case), by a girl too large/heavy for the pony to comfortably carry can be of ANY benefit to the pony at all. ****** the girl's dream coming true - at the expense of the pony's welfare?

Yes, bring your concerns to the attention of the BHS. Maybe the saddle does fit, and maybe she isn't way too heavy for the pony, but you obviously are bothered and it sounds as though other regulars at this venue are too, so in your shoes I would do my best for the pony and bring it to the attention of someone who can intervene.
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It may not be in the best interests of the pony but we only have the opinion of the OP as to whether it is a welfare concern, my point was that most ponies do benefit from plenty of exercise rather than getting fat in a field, if it is of concern then the BHS will advise on what would be appropriate.
 
Without knowing the weight of the pony it might be a hard call to make. If say its tiny at 260kgs, 20% is 56kgs or just under 9 stone. What if the rider looks 9 stone like you say, but is really 8 stone. Plus a light saddle would bring her under the mark.

Of course I know neither the horse or rider so couldn't possibly comment, but it gets tricky if you are getting close to the line.

I think to "complain" is the wrong way to put it, unless you were personally aggrieved. I think a far more useful thing to do would be to contact the event organiser and give them details of what you saw, so they are aware in future. If you know the girl personally, then maybe see if there is someone she trusts and looks up to who can best advise her, is it an equine college she is at?

My only issue with contacting a welfare charity is there might be better things for them to do than visit a girl who may or may not be half a stone too heavy for her pony. If it is a genuine welfare concern and I have the figures wrong then of course that is different.
 
be positive said:
It may not be in the best interests of the pony but we only have the opinion of the OP as to whether it is a welfare concern, my point was that most ponies do benefit from plenty of exercise rather than getting fat in a field, if it is of concern then the BHS will advise on what would be appropriate.
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Agreed. I occasionally have got on my daughter's section A for ten minutes to ensure something has a positive outcome. She has absolutely no problem carrying me and I can fit my backside into her 14" saddle too. Would I go anywhere public or ride her often or for longer than a few minutes - no, but at the end of the day I would prefer the pony to learn the right thing and continue as an excellent child's pony than not!

I really don't think getting involved in this one would be my cup of tea. It's near nigh impossible to guesstimate weights of riders. Most section As are prone to devilment and fatness so really even if she is a little heavy for it in the grand scheme of things if it's keeping the pony exercised and I doubt it's doing a lot of harm and certainly far less than it creeping around 50kgs over weight and laminitic it's whole life. Most section As I know would be pretty quick to say stuff off if they weren't enjoying themselves!
 
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