Just want more horsey things in my life!

T

Toz

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Hi
Ok, so I'm feeling a little upset right now.
I ride once a week for an hour lesson. This is great and I really enjoy it all.
For me, however, horses don't just mean riding. I really like grooming, tacking up, helping out and caring for horses in general. I am perfectly happy to do the not-so-glamorous jobs, like mucking out, too!
Recently, I asked my YO if I could help out, when it is busy. She said, I'll let you know when we need more help- but I basically think she meant no, by the sound of her voice and the look she gave me.
So I am on a bit of a low right now, because I don't have much to do to keep my mind off things, and I was so hoping to be able to go up and be around horses all day!
Someone suggested I go to another stable nearby that is apparently more happy about that type of thing, so I don't know if I should try it there or what, really!! Does anyone have any ideas? I don't know what to do. I suppose it isn't vital that I get to do more horsey things, but I really want to and have been wanting to for a long, long time.
I don't really know what I want to get from posting on here, I just want to get it off my chest really and have a bit of a moan really :)
* I can't get a pony due to time issues and they are quite expensive too!
Suggestions are welcome! Thanks and sorry for moaning! I would love to have a bit more experience so maybe I can do more when I'm older to do with horses :)
 
I felt exactly like you when I was at a riding school so started looking for a one day share, which is a pretty hard thing to find but I got one in the end, and now have a decent amount of horsey time without having to pay all the expenses which come with a horse of your own. & yes the other stables sounds like a good idea, I would give them a ring or pop down to speak to them in person. :)
 
Well.... a few things you could try. Can you go up a bit earlier for your lesson and keep out of the way but get a broom and sweep something if it is messy, or use a skip to pick up any poo if a horse does one on the yard? YOs probably get asked twenty times a day by us keen horsy girls if they can help... if you show you are keen perhaps she will see that and start asking you to do some little jobs. Washing up and cleaning tack are usually the jobs people avoid so see if you can just gently start by helping with that.

Another thing you could try is to post on your local horsy facebook page - but if you are under 18 you should do that with some parental support as you dont want to end up with some spooky stalker on there.

Basically don't give up. Demonstrate that you are reliable, punctual, hard working and a nice person to have around and I am sure they will soon start to adopt you into the yard 'family'. If not, they are probably not right for you and you should try somewhere else. Good luck!
 
One day share sounds good! Probably will have difficulty finding one though! I am definitely considering the new stable
Thanks for replying and your good advice!
 
tobiano- sorry, busy typing in your post! I think part of the problem is all the other helpers are a good few years older than me, and every time I try to help, eg take saddle off afterwards I always end up being really clumsy, and can't be of any use! I sometimes can't undo the girth, and look so stupid!
Thanks for helping everyone, I will try!
 
Hey no worries.... but thats why I suggest starting with the grotty jobs that aren't so much to do with the horses... in the hopes of impressing them so that they will help you with the more horsey ones. And / or try the other stables :-)

Oh, PS. If you are having a lesson then I think it is perfectly ok to ask someone to show you how to tack up before / un tack after on the horse you have been riding, if that needs to be done. If they tell you to get lost when you do that - definitely go somewhere else! x
 
The yo may be worried you want to help so you don't have to pay for the lesson? Lots of girls try that and think that may be why as they dont want to loose money? As long as you don't need loads of supervising don't see why you can't help out around the yard
Seen quite a lot of shares advertised as well
 
Don't worry about looking clumsy, I was like that when I first started helping out at my yard, everyone needs a starting point to learn from!
I'd say either go to this new stables or post an ad online, somewhere like NFED where quite a few people post ads about wanting horsey experience, and a lot of people often reply, happy to have someone around to help them out for free in exchange for teaching them about horses. Hope you can find something.
 
What about helping with a rescue centre or something? Depends where you are I guess but blue cross, WHW or redwings? Sure there are others who would be happy for you to groom and help out.
 
pippixox said:
The yo may be worried you want to help so you don't have to pay for the lesson? Lots of girls try that and think that may be why as they dont want to loose money? As long as you don't need loads of supervising don't see why you can't help out around the yard
Seen quite a lot of shares advertised as well
Click to expand...

Yes you have a very good point about her thinking I wouldn't pay for lessons! Thank you for pointing that out, I might not have thought of that!

Thank you MissMione for the idea about advertising online- the thing is I don't think I would be old enough to go to some of the places, I'm not an adult yet and I don't know if people would want me. I have helped a friend at shows by tacking up, grooming, loading etc. and I know about lots of this stuff, but under pressure and after a long lesson, I just can't seem to perform!

Also thanks cheeryplatypus for the charity idea. I will give that a look

Thanks again tobiano for your support, and it looks like I'll be giving the new place a go too!

Thanks everyone for your help! I'm much happier now about it all :)
 
Why not try volunteering at an RDA center? Whereabouts are you? I volunteer at a lovely farm for people with special needs which does RDA lessons and it is one of the best, most rewarding things I have ever done and everyone there is so friendly :)
 
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