Just playing ponies (rant alert)

[blitznbobs]

Someone said something to me yesterday that kind of struck a nerve. She is a semi pro and doing ok at competitions at a national level.

she was commenting on my set up ( which in my eyes is amazing I’ve done ponies on all levels from a field and a sand school) I have a set up most people could only dream of (60 x40 arena, a few jumps (I’m not a show jumper but like the odd pop) full post and rail fencing, 7 stables all rubber lined one of which is a wash box a small human gym etc etc etc but No cross country set up, no horse walker.

she said (and I can’t decide if it was just a throw away line or being bitchy/ jealous) it’s ok if “you’re just playing ponies” ... this kinda stung a bit, I’d never considered I was ”just playing ponies”... I’ve ridden in my younger years at a highish level, I’ve kept my horses to the best standard, they never want for anything ... but it came to me in the middle of the night — hell yes, I’m just playing ponies, but shouldn’t we all be? From Charlotte and Carl, to WFP, and everyone involved with these amazing beings. No one in the UK needs to plough their fields with a horse or use a carriage to get around. There are much, much more efficient ways to make money than horses (joke : how do you make a small fortune out of horses.... start with a large one) so my conclusion ... if you’re not ”playing at ponies” then why the f**k are you doing it?

I, for one, am indeed proud to be “just playing ponies”

(rant over - just needed to get that off my chest.)

 

[ycbm]

I'm absolutely, totally, agreeing with every word you wrote.

And I'll bet anything you like that our horses are happier than hers.
.

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

*Pony playing YO here*

 

[scats]

To be honest, we’re all essentially just ‘playing ponies’, even the pro’s at top level. They just take their playing a bit more seriously than the rest of us.
It’s not brain surgery, or anything really worthwhile, it’s prancing about on a horse.

Edited to add- I thoroughly enjoy playing ponies, of course!

 

[DabDab]

I would like to think that I am an intermediate level pony player, aspiring to Advanced level. I'm intermediate because I'm pretty good at just titting with my ponies and enjoying it, but do take myself too seriously occasionally. For Advanced level pony playing you must fully channel the pony loving 8yo inside you at all times ?

 

[Red-1]

I found that playing ponies got even more fun when a cob became involved!

 

[catkin]

I would like to think that I am an intermediate level pony player, aspiring to Advanced level. I'm intermediate because I'm pretty good at just titting with my ponies and enjoying it, but do take myself too seriously occasionally. For Advanced level pony playing you must fully channel the pony loving 8yo inside you at all times ?

I'm going to brag now - I've got an actual pony, and we've got some barrels to bend round and race round - guess what we've been doing........ - Advanced pony playing here
Oh and both pony and his companion have picture-book long flowing manes

yeah I know - blummin show-offs, shouldn't be allowed, mutter mutter mutter.....

 

[LadyGascoyne]

I’m definitely playing ponies and I couldn’t care less if someone wants to look down on that. Totally, unashamedly pony-playing.

I don’t have an arena but do have cross country jumps. It’s a pity neither of mine can jump!

 

[skint1]

I am another pony player.... I don't even ride at the moment.... I brush them and do silly things with them and I don't even care what anyone thinks about that

 

[I'm Dun]

I am an advanced level pony player. I ride when it suits me, do what I feel like with them and often do things so ridiculous even I wonder if its a good idea. I once hogged my cobs mane into dinosaur spikes just for the crack. I quite often just faff with them. We are all radiantly happy!

 

[Lyle]

Your set up sounds utterly gorgeous! As a junior/young rider I prepped my 3* horse from a dirt field and hacking only....
I really do play ponies now, with 15 welsh cobs under my training!

 

[Kahlua]

For sure her comment was a bitchy / jealous one, or at the least an uneducated one, because the stables of the Olympic rider I worked for only had an indoor, outdoor and a barn (no walker, loads of paddocks etc etc). When I went and tried horses O/S last year and visited a number of friends who are top of their game, all operated from minimalist properties. The level of fancy facilities you have does not make you more professional or serious. Your set up sounds quite perfect and I’d love to have something like that!!

Edited to add: and yes I think we are all playing ponies!!

 

[Carrottom]

I'm envious of your playground ?
I love playing ponies, albeit with retired racehorses.

 

[Flame_]

I remember some off the cuff comment from an endurance rider being very dismissive of "middle aged women who just want to hack round a hill".

Now I'm kind of proud that's exactly what I am and I'm sure, if asked, my horse wouldn't beg to run further or be tested harder.

ETA I'm envious of your playground too

 

[Bonnie Allie]

I’m going to go one step further propose when this stuff happens we call it. This comment was deliberate, sharp and nasty.

Just a simple, “wow, what a nasty thing to say” And then be silent.

I absolutely hate this crap from women who have never matured emotionally beyond age 14yrs and won’t tolerate it.

 

[blitznbobs]

I’m going to go one step further propose when this stuff happens we call it. This comment was deliberate, sharp and nasty.

Just a simple, “wow, what a nasty thing to say” And then be silent.

I absolutely hate this crap from women who have never matured emotionally beyond age 14yrs and won’t tolerate it.

I usually do call nasty things but it was slipped into a normal horsey conversation and I was kind of ‘ did I really hear that right?’ And ’maybe I’m over sensitive’ it was when my mind was overthinking it at 3am that it started to really grate....

 

[catkin]

I remember some off the cuff comment from an endurance rider being very dismissive of "middle aged women who just want to hack round a hill".

Now I'm kind of proud that's exactly what I am and I'm sure, if asked, my horse wouldn't beg to run further or be tested harder.

ETA I'm envious of your playground too

This made me snort with laughter. Maybe I've lived a sheltered life but the one time I tried Endurance it was exactly that - hacking round a hill

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

Pony player and proud! I love rocking up to my intro test with an unplaited hairy in the middle of winter.

 

[J&S]

Done nothing but play with ponies most of my life....... or so the ex husband says!!

 

[Peregrine Falcon]

I've been "playing ponies" for 27 years! Not owned a horse in that time. NF's rock. ?

 

[Dave's Mam]

Me to boss - "Can I have a half day please?" Boss - "You want to go play ponies?" Me - "What else?"
Playing ponies is the best & that person is missing out big time.

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

Surely "playing ponies" is what it's all about..?! I didn't have horses as a kid, didn't ride til I was in my very early teens. I did have My Little Ponies though......and I've just graduated to bigger versions ? I spend alot of time just "faffing " with mine, whether it be teaching them silly tricks, grooming them or plaiting their manes and tails with ribbons ? And do you know what..?! I don't give a shit what other people think these days....I do it for me and the horses, we have FUN ..!!!
In fairness, BnB, your pony playground sounds amazing..!!! I don't have a school, or stables, and mine live out 24/7 so it all sounds posh to me.
This woman sounds like a right bitch, I know it's hard but don't let her rain on your parade x

 

[Lois Lame]

Someone said something to me yesterday that kind of struck a nerve. She is a semi pro and doing ok at competitions at a national level.

she was commenting on my set up ( which in my eyes is amazing I’ve done ponies on all levels from a field and a sand school) I have a set up most people could only dream of (60 x40 arena, a few jumps (I’m not a show jumper but like the odd pop) full post and rail fencing, 7 stables all rubber lined one of which is a wash box a small human gym etc etc etc but No cross country set up, no horse walker.

she said (and I can’t decide if it was just a throw away line or being bitchy/ jealous) it’s ok if “you’re just playing ponies” ... this kinda stung a bit, I’d never considered I was ”just playing ponies”... I’ve ridden in my younger years at a highish level, I’ve kept my horses to the best standard, they never want for anything ... but it came to me in the middle of the night — hell yes, I’m just playing ponies, but shouldn’t we all be? From Charlotte and Carl, to WFP, and everyone involved with these amazing beings. No one in the UK needs to plough their fields with a horse or use a carriage to get around. There are much, much more efficient ways to make money than horses (joke : how do you make a small fortune out of horses.... start with a large one) so my conclusion ... if you’re not ”playing at ponies” then why the f**k are you doing it?

I, for one, am indeed proud to be “just playing ponies”

(rant over - just needed to get that off my chest.)

Your set up sounds wonderful and I am so glad you don't have a horse walker.

 

[SEL]

Middle aged woman who happy hacks and has a field of pets here - happily playing ponies! I'd love to advanced level pony playing if that winning lottery ticket turned up and spreadsheets could take a back seat

 

[Roxylola]

I'd love a 60 by 40 to play ponies in. I know pros who train with Carl who have much less than you describe.
I think your set up sounds fab. Unless you have multiple young green horses riding at the same time you have room for 5 easily to mind their biz in there. Assuming you have sufficient land for turnout all year why would you need a walker or anything like that?
Again if I were dealing with youngsters a lot I think its worth having a lunge pen as its not great for your surface but I think a lot of the fancy stuff now is just really a replacement for hacking and turnout.
I think I (and most horses) would rather play ponies with your set up than do whatever it is that the pro does with their "not playing" set up

 

[Tiddlypom]

It's so annoying when you think of the perfect retort to a snarky remark after it's happened .

I agree with Bonnie Allie, it was a jealous deliberate barb at your lovely home set up which you have for your personal enjoyment, not as part of a income stream. Bear that in mind in any future dealings with this woman.

 

[Midlifecrisis]

I’d love to play ponies in your set up..sounds fab.

 

[Trouper]

I would rather be "playing ponies" than using an equine for my own selfish/financial ends. And it doesn't sound as if it is making her happy, as her remark has more than a touch of jealousy in it to me.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

Oh my goodness I have happily been playing ponies for nearly 70 years now, still not bored by it. Only thing is now I am shrinking and getting smaller and my 'ponies' are getting bigger lol!

I might not be able to ride for the next year or so but I happily potter and play half the day with my retired mare and my donkeys. So yes, still happily playing with my unicorns.

I envy your lovely little set up bitznbobs, back in the day if I did anything slightly more exciting than hacking it was always done straight from the field. I think you friend is suffering from an advanced case of up your own a*%e horse owner snobbery and jealousy.

 

[Coblette]

Honestly some people are so rude. Don’t take it to heart, people are just jealous, your set up sounds amazing!! And I love just playing ponies I’m pretty much just a happy hacker !