Newbie with a question.

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BayLove

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Hello. I'm new here and still finding my way around so sorry if this is in the wrong place.

I just wanted to ask a question.

I used to ride as a child but gave up taking it back up about two years ago.

I can walk, trot and was learning to canter when I had two falls in quick succession doing some sort of damage to my coccyx.

My lovely riding instructor left soon after and my confidence was so knocked I took her leaving as reason to give riding a break for a while.

That break has lasted nearly a year and I’m in no rush to get back in the saddle however I do miss the interaction with horses.

So to the question – I’m not advertising so please don’t tell me off I just want to see if it’s possible.

As a horse owner/loaner/sharer would you consider taking someone like me, a complete novice, under your wing and teaching the basics of horse care in exchange for poo picking, tack cleaning, mucking out and general duties (once taught how to do them properly of course) or is it completely unrealistic that someone would want to do that and I should just forget the whole thing?

I’d ask to help at my local stables but as a complete beginner I’d feel like I was just getting in the way of them and their business.

Sorry this turned out long but I appreciate you taking the time to read it. Thank you. :)
 
I'd take you on. I seem to have a thing about introducing and encouraging people to the joys of horses, and invite all sorts of "non-believers" to the stables to help me out and learn a bit about what horse-ownership is all about. Someone with a bit of experience would be just as welcome. I get just as much joy from the looking after as I do from riding.
I had a long break from horses, and got back into it by a chance meeting with someone horsey and asking her if she knew of anyone who needed some help from time to time. I was completely hooked again after my first session!
 
I don't think you would have a problem finding someone to do that. why don't you put an ad up in the local tack shop and see what happens, or pop into the local stables and ask the question. nothing ventured nothing gained and all that :)
maybe good idea to say what area you are in, you might find someone on here. Good luck x
 
Hello Baylove, welcome to HHO :)

I would certainly give someone like you a chance, help with day to day tasks is always welcome! I think it's a really good way to get back into horses.

Whereabouts do you live? You might find someone on here.
 
Thank you that's given me some hope. I was a bit scared to ask incase people thought i was pushing my luck!

Im in Dorset, around the New Forest area.
I'd love a chance to learn as much as possible. I've learnt alot just from reading on here but you can't beat first hand experience.
Thanks again for reading through all that lol.
 
appylass said:
Hello Baylove, welcome to HHO :)

I would certainly give someone like you a chance, help with day to day tasks is always welcome! I think it's a really good way to get back into horses.

Whereabouts do you live? You might find someone on here.
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Hi appylass, Thank you for the welcome. Everyones so friendly! I don't know why i was nervous to join!
 
BayLove said:
So to the question – I’m not advertising so please don’t tell me off I just want to see if it’s possible.

As a horse owner/loaner/sharer would you consider taking someone like me, a complete novice, under your wing and teaching the basics of horse care in exchange for poo picking, tack cleaning, mucking out and general duties (once taught how to do them properly of course) or is it completely unrealistic that someone would want to do that and I should just forget the whole thing?

I’d ask to help at my local stables but as a complete beginner I’d feel like I was just getting in the way of them and their business.
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I would :) although i imagine some people wouldn't, as a lot of people have full time/stressful jobs and i think they'd rather spend their time at the yard relaxing with their horse instead of teaching a novice. (i know that sounds fairly mean, and obviously not everyone will be like this, but there are a few people i know who have busy jobs so the time they get with their horse is fairly limited.) Is there an RDA center near you? As they're always happy to have less experienced volunteers :)
 
i think lots of people would be interested, i would be for one! I enjoy teaching, and am another one who has people coming up to have a look around quite alot- all my friends and family are completely non horsey and occasionally show an interest. What area are you in? Try advertising in tack/ feed shops and online websites like newrider.com and the local ones- for example we found a great loaner from an advert she had posted on merseyhorse.com cheshirehorse- so dont know where you are in the country- but im sure all areas have these local kind of websites you could post and ad, or have a look for people wanting a bit of help- no harm in making a few enquiries!

good luck xx
 
Hacked_Off said:
I would :) although i imagine some people wouldn't, as a lot of people have full time/stressful jobs and i think they'd rather spend their time at the yard relaxing with their horse instead of teaching a novice. (i know that sounds fairly mean, and obviously not everyone will be like this, but there are a few people i know who have busy jobs so the time they get with their horse is fairly limited.) Is there an RDA center near you? As they're always happy to have less experienced volunteers :)
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Not mean at all, that's one of the reasons I thought i might get laughed at for even thinking it.

I'm sorry, you'll need to talk to me like i'm stupid! What is RDA?
You'll all be fed up of me after a while with my many questions! lol
 
BlairandAzria said:
i think lots of people would be interested, i would be for one! I enjoy teaching, and am another one who has people coming up to have a look around quite alot- all my friends and family are completely non horsey and occasionally show an interest. What area are you in? Try advertising in tack/ feed shops and online websites like newrider.com and the local ones- for example we found a great loaner from an advert she had posted on merseyhorse.com cheshirehorse- so dont know where you are in the country- but im sure all areas have these local kind of websites you could post and ad, or have a look for people wanting a bit of help- no harm in making a few enquiries!

good luck xx
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I'm just on the western outskirts of the New Forest. We do have a website for the area but thought i'd check here first to see if anyone would actually be willing or if I was just dreaming! Thanks for replying :)
 
BayLove said:
Not mean at all, that's one of the reasons I thought i might get laughed at for even thinking it.

I'm sorry, you'll need to talk to me like i'm stupid! What is RDA?
You'll all be fed up of me after a while with my many questions! lol
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It's Riding for the Disabled, they're always looking for volunteers and it doesn't matter how experienced you are :) http://www.rda.org.uk/
 
If I had a horse suitable then I would.
It's much preferable to have someone who wants to learn and help than someone just wanting to turn up for rides.

In return for passing knowledge, a loaner would get someone they know has learned everything correctly/their way and wouyldn't be looking at the way their horse is managed because its not the way they would do it.

Someone less experienced could therefore have their advantages, provided they are right for the horse.
 
Hey, I keep mine in Wimborne on my own yard, and I would be more than happy if you wanted to come and spend some time with them! Let me know, they're all bigger horses at 16hh - 17.3hh, but they're all lovely and easy to handle.
 
Hacked_Off said:
No problem :) They often do a volunteer lesson once a week, so if you do decide to get back in the saddle after a while the option is there and you'll know all the instructors/horses. No pressure mind :p
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Sounds like just what i need! I'll be a quivering wreck but i'll be back in the saddle one day. I love riding too much not to. As soon as I see people having fun i'm sure i'll have to stop myself from pushing them off and jumping on myself! :D
 
I too can recommend helping at an RDA group, having just pointed a very novice horse-handling friend in that direction :D. The first close encounter she had with a horse was August last year, and she has been helping with RDA for the last month. She is experienced at helping people with disabilities though. Sister and I got involved with the same RDA group well over 20 years ago, both of having ridden since we were children, we have made a lot of friends from doing this and have been stewarding at one local show for nearly as long, as a result of it :D
 
fidleyspromise said:
If I had a horse suitable then I would.
It's much preferable to have someone who wants to learn and help than someone just wanting to turn up for rides.

In return for passing knowledge, a loaner would get someone they know has learned everything correctly/their way and wouyldn't be looking at the way their horse is managed because its not the way they would do it.

Someone less experienced could therefore have their advantages, provided they are right for the horse.
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Thank you. I really do just want to learn all there is to learn and i've got no problem with hard work.
 
Hot_Toddy7 said:
Hey, I keep mine in Wimborne on my own yard, and I would be more than happy if you wanted to come and spend some time with them! Let me know, they're all bigger horses at 16hh - 17.3hh, but they're all lovely and easy to handle.
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Oh my goodness that's so generous thank you. Wimbourne is just a bit too far for me with petrol costs to think about but thank you so much for the offer. Would it be ok if i kept you in mind? :)
 
YorksG said:
I too can recommend helping at an RDA group, having just pointed a very novice horse-handling friend in that direction :D. The first close encounter she had with a horse was August last year, and she has been helping with RDA for the last month. She is experienced at helping people with disabilities though. Sister and I got involved with the same RDA group well over 20 years ago, both of having ridden since we were children, we have made a lot of friends from doing this and have been stewarding at one local show for nearly as long, as a result of it :D
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That's encouraging thank you. I have worked with pre school children for the past 9 years and have experience with autism, challenging behaviours, developmental delay but not much experience of disabilities.
 
Personally I wouldn't be /that/ confident in taking someone with your experience on as a private owner (sharer in my case.)

I'd recommend
- helping out at your local RDA (national website will have details)
- asking about helping out at your local riding school
- getting some non-ridden lessons, e.g. BHS horse care and stable management (google it) or owner's course
- getting insurance before approaching private owners (if you're in charge of a horse and e.g. it breaks free, runs in front of a car and both horse and driver die you are likely to be sued - not saying this is likely but you want the insurance!)

This isn't to put you off at all... that is the list of things I did before starting to be a sharer.

Enjoy!
 
Tickles said:
Personally I wouldn't be /that/ confident in taking someone with your experience on as a private owner (sharer in my case.)

I'd recommend
- helping out at your local RDA (national website will have details)
- asking about helping out at your local riding school
- getting some non-ridden lessons, e.g. BHS horse care and stable management (google it) or owner's course
- getting insurance before approaching private owners (if you're in charge of a horse and e.g. it breaks free, runs in front of a car and both horse and driver die you are likely to be sued - not saying this is likely but you want the insurance!)

This isn't to put you off at all... that is the list of things I did before starting to be a sharer.

Enjoy!
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Thank you. You've opened my eyes. However if i wasn't in charge of the horse personally and was just there doing the poo picking etc whilst soaking up what i'm being taught would it still be advisable to get insurance or would it not be such an issue in that case?
 
Tickles, I think you misunderstood...OP isn't looking to share/ride/be solely responsible for anyone's horse, she wants to be around horses, learn about horse management, groom, poo pick, muck out, tie up haynets properly etc. My own public liability insurance would cover anyone doing all that. Am I right in thinking that's what you want Baylove?
 
bumper said:
Tickles, I think you misunderstood...OP isn't looking to share/ride/be solely responsible for anyone's horse, she wants to be around horses, learn about horse management, groom, poo pick, muck out, tie up haynets properly etc. My own public liability insurance would cover anyone doing all that: am I right Baylove?
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That's exactly what I want :) Someone to show me how the care side is done and let me have the occasional horsey cuddle!
 
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