Manners (both horses and people)

YorksG

YorksG

Over the hill and far awa
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14 September 2006
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Following on from a few posts over the last couple of weeks:
I expect my horses to stand still while I get on, remain still until I have tightened my girth, checked my stirrups etc. (preferably without me holding the reins for all but actually getting on) I also expect them to stand still in company when asked (within reason) and at any other time when I am on board.
If I meet others on horses out on the road, I always speak, if I feel the need to pass some-one I ask them if I may and then pass at a sensible speed and giving them a wide berth.

Does everyone on here do the same or am I very old fashioned? This is the way I was taught and get the feeling that this is not always the case these days.
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Nope you're right - I feel the same.

However, will admit to the fact that whilst Thumper will stand still for me to mount - he's not great at standing still thereafter. It's a case of 'your on - off we go'.
 
I am being taught to ride 'properly' by my OH, and she was trained by an 'old fashioned' riding school / YO.

We are very much the same as you.
 
I also agree. At the moment though I have to get on in the barn as its the only place she will actually stand still. But then I try not to molly-coddle too much, yes she's a baby but if I tell her its OK to mess about now its not very fair to change the rules when she's 'grown up'. I am a great believer in 'the line'. Tell them when they are on either side of it straight away, either good or bad. Less confusion that way.
 
Yep me too although I do have your problem AmyMay. Both my horses will stand (kind of) while I get on but after that It's fair game. Talking to people out hacking has to be a quick "hello how are you bye" I have benn passed by people at speed who leave your horse going mental and find that extremely rude. I also expect horses to pick up feet and hold their own weight not lean. Lead without pulling and pushing and move over when asked. So no not old fashioned just have horses that are nice to be around and respect from other riders when out and about.
 
I expect similar from my horses as well. Although we rarely manage to pass another horse! We're so slow it's normally us getting overtaken
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I always say hello to other riders I meet out on my hacks, and dog walkers etc.

It does annoy me when I'm overtaken by faster horses without warning. If I was on a more highly strung horse it could cause a nasty accident
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I'd take it further - I expect my horses to stand still when loose in the field to be groomed, have rugs changed, feed picked out, etc. If I prod them and say 'over', I expect them to move sideways, and if I point at their chest I expect them to back up.
And I don't expect them to snort water all over me for an equine laugh, whilst I'm cleaning a trough out, but after this morning, I realise this last one needs some work
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S
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I do think that the old fashioned riding schools did a great job of teaching people a lot more 'horse sense' than is currently the fashion! I hope it comes round again. Mind you I can remeber calling my instructor 'Mr' and our first farrier when I was 15 was Mr Xxxxx. !
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None of the current informality!
 
[ QUOTE ]
And I don't expect them to snort water all over me for an equine laugh, whilst I'm cleaning a trough out, but after this morning, I realise this last one needs some work

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Ah, some equine chat has been going on then across the ether................. That seems to be a favourite past time of his lordship
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Agree with all of your points and train ours to do the same (rugs etc) Don't train to spit at us, however the best one at that was the old appy who managed to fill her mouth with water, cross the box and deposit and enormous mouthfull down the inside of the back of my sisters jeans!!! Me and the horse laughed a lot.
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It is a serious issue if they will not stand still to mount.
We have a rescue 16.3 hh Dutch Warmblood.
Not a single good manner when we took him in - long story though.
Worked with him and the day came to get on him. I am 5ft2" always on my own at the time.
Got one foot in the stirrup and off we went! I had to lengthen the stirrup to get on so there we were going flat out with me scrambling to get into the saddle. I did survive - just!
Yes Manners vital!
 
My biggest lad is 17 hands of solid warmblood. He is a hot head at times but I expect him to respect me as anything less is just damn dangerous to him and to me. Even my ultra excitable anglo-arab knew that if i asked him to stand still he had to... he might have bounced down the road afterwards but when i needed him to stand he would.

As for courtesy while riding, I think people who can't be friendly to other riders/road users just give the rest of us a bad reputation. Riders that don't ask permission before passing are not only rude but also dangerous - how do they know you aren't on a young, slightly explosive youngster?
 
I couldn't agree more. My girlie is pretty good really, always stand to mount, stands to talk to people on a hack, etc. In the stable I cannot fault her, she moves back automatically when I walk through teh door, and understands the briefest of commands to move one way or another, she lifts each leg in turn ready for me and does not lean.

However, she can be strong in hand which has always been a problem. I have just bought a Dually headcollar and I am goint to do some work on the ground with her this weekend. She is a quick learner and I hope I can get her to stop before she invades my space.

However, this post I think can be applied on a much deeper basis to people in general. Nobody seems to set much store these days by manners, is it lack of parental guidance, slackening of standards generally by government, a litigatious society? There is a general lack of responsibility for actions, etc. etc. I could go on but probably the men in white coats will come and get m............................................................
 
i agree,it is very important that my horses have manners my horses must stand still to be mounted,i hate it when you see people getting on to there horses and the horse wonders off just as they put there feet in the stirup,an accident waiting to happen if you ask me.
 
No not old fashioned just sensible. I'm with you on this one.

When taking our newly backed 4 year old out on one of her first hacks last month we were approached from behind by a horse and rider trotting. They continued until nearly level with us ( the 4yo at this point was up the verge with eyes bulging) It wasn't until I asked her to walk past that she pulled up. Soon as she was past off she went again. I was furious!
 
Totally agree. Mine stand still for mounting, stay still until I'm ready to move off, move over and back when asked, lead beside me, stand still for rug-changing etc.

Ride behaviour - a few years ago my endurance riding branch were forced to issue a Good Manners leaflet to new members because we'd had so many complaints about people being passed at a canter, not waiting at gates etc. On the whole (but certainly not exclusively!) it seems to be people who learn as adults and don't go through the Pony Club/horsey family route who are less aware of how their behaviour affects others.
 
Completely agree. Also, all my horses are taught never to barge out of the stable. They will all wait to come out until they have their headcollar on, even if the door is open. I hate bargey horses - having a dodgey leg and two young granddaughters, it is very important that my horses have excellent manners.
 
Yep totally agree. Mine also have to wait to be asked to leave the stable, have to stand still without being tied up in the stable and have to stand for me to get on, do girth, etc. The only exception I find is the odd youngster who needs to walk forwards as soon as the girth is done so I don't make a point out of it but I still expect them to stand still for mounting.

Ditto on the rude riders, we get loads of people round here who go past at a trot and the odd person who will canter right next to you in the stubble when you are on the road (?!).
 
My horse usually has excellent manners and I pull him up if he starts to try it on, which is rarely. He always stands still to be mounted, stands in company, stands while having his girth adjusted etc. Does grimace abit though!! Also i try to be considerate to other riders and other people i may meet esp when out hacking
 
Well I guess I am old-fashioned too then, as everything you have mentioned is what I expect too.
 
I expect the same, mine do everything you have mentioned so far (well 99% of the time
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), I hate bad mannered horses especially ones that are difficult to be caught (that's my feel pet hate, that and people who ride too close to the horse in front).
 
Completely agree.

Don't always get what I want though. I find it quite annoying when riding with company when the group doesn't wait for you to sort out your stirrups, girth whatever and just sets off despite you with your leg still up trying to get the pin in the hole.
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i agree although mine doesnt stand still when i get on from the ground (we kinda walk in a circle) she used to stand still if i got on from a mounting block but for some reason swings her bum out now
as for passing riders i always say hello and pass at a walk unless their horse seems to be nappy or exicteable in that case i wait for them to pass then carry on
im 16 and always use my manners with people but most people on the yard my age just ignore dog walkers etc when im out on a hack it only takes a second to say hi or thank you
 
I expect my horse to stand still whenever I'm doing anything with them. I often change rugs etc when they're in the field and I don't tie them up (I know, I'm lazy
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) The only time she won't stand is if there's food on offer nearby when I'm tacking her up but a well timed growl works wonders!!
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