Mortified!

[laura mcl]

Hi all, I've just loaned my first pony recently and i went down to ride her tonight and she was lame. Unfortunately I didn't notice and I'm absolutely mortified. Do you think I should give up the loan until I get more experience or does this happen sometimes?

 

[EQUIDAE]

You would be surprised the number of owners who cannot spot when a horse is lame. The main thing is you now know how to recognise it and next time you will not miss it. Don't beat yourself up over it X

 

[milliepops]

Who pointed it out to you? Do you have some experienced people around you who could possibly help you learn to spot when your horse isn't right (in other respects as well as lameness - how to take her temperature, pulse etc)?

If you have some support on your yard to help you in the meantime I don't think you need to give up your loan, assuming you are enjoying her.
As this is your first pony, perhaps you could look into starting a course to gain some practical knowledge? The British Horse Society run some courses for first time owners, there might be some near you http://www.bhs.org.uk/training-and-...ations/essential-horse-knowledge-certificates

Alternatively a local riding school might run stable management classes that you could join. They usually cover this sort of thing, as well as basic first aid treatment etc.

 

[Equi]

It takes a hell of a lot of experience to notice a horse being lame when ridden. Now you know this one is lame, i would not ride it again until some one a bit more experienced told you it was not anymore, but you will remember how it felt and be able to apply it to the next ride. Don't fret

 

[millikins]

I've noticed lameness before by listening to the footfall, an uneven step is often easier to hear than see.

 

[laura mcl]

Thank you for the replies. I was quite upset about it (bit dramatic I know) yes it was One of the livery owners that told me, I got off straight away and asked the yard staff to take a look to confirm it. And this owner kept shouting (literally shouting) across the yard how lame she was, repeatedly, and I think she knocked my confidence a bit acting the way she did. I already felt awful for riding her. I will look into some stable management courses. Thank you all x

 

[Auslander]

Thank you for the replies. I was quite upset about it (bit dramatic I know) yes it was One of the livery owners that told me, I got off straight away and asked the yard staff to take a look to confirm it. And this owner kept shouting (literally shouting) across the yard how lame she was, repeatedly, and I think she knocked my confidence a bit acting the way she did. I already felt awful for riding her. I will look into some stable management courses. Thank you all x

As a novice loaner, you can't be expected to know everything, and the way to learn is by experiencing these things. Although it's good that the other person noticed and told you, her behaviour afterwards was completely unreasonable. You got off the horse and found someone to help you sort her out - there's nothing else you could have done. If one of my liveries did this to someone, I'd be taking them aside and having a firm word.

 

[Archangel]

And this owner kept shouting (literally shouting) across the yard how lame she was, repeatedly,

Almost every yard has a person like this they are best ignored and only approached when armed with a pitchfork (one only needs to be told the horse is lame once and certainly not shouted at).

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

It its the front the horse will nod at the trot.
Best to get someone to show you how toexamine feet and lower limbs which is something to check everyday.You will learn a bit as you go along.