Owner of share

[Charlotte.04]

Hi all,
Probably a silly post but I am meeting the owner of the pony I share/ exercise for tonight for the second time as she works in surrey during the week. I am a worrier! How do I make myself seem like a trustworthy person, as he is her whole world (she broke him herself and has had since he was weaned) and I want her to be as comfortable as possible with the arrangement, as I really do love him and I plan to share him for as long as she wants/ until circumstances change (which won't for the forseeable on my end as he is perfect for me).
I may also be overstepping here, so tell me if I am out of line but I am sure she would want to know, I do not believe his saddle fits. I am obviously no expert and this is not an accusation, as I genuinely believe she wants the best for him! I think it doesn't fit because he has recently lost weight, and we got a new girth however I do it up quite snugly, and the saddle still slips. It slips to the side drastically, so much so that I have fallen twice... I may well be the problem, however I still get weekly lessons and my balance is not an issue on the wide variety of horses I ride, therefore I don't believe I am. Fom behind the saddle seems to move as if the tree is to narrow perhaps? Should I say something, and if I do how do I say it kindly, respectfully and in a non-accusatory way?

 

[ester]

How long have you had share/known owner?

 

[paddi22]

i'd just politely say 'why do you think I should do about the saddle slipping?'

I think you are right that she would want to know. so i'd say she will be open to trying to solve the problem.

 

[Charlotte.04]

How long have you had share/known owner?

Just over a month, only met twice, once at viewing and once briefly (stopped the car and asked if I was okay) the week after.

 

[ester]

I’m assuming she rides when home too? I’d say you’re having an issue with it and see if you can get her to watch you ride so she can see what is happening. If it’s due to lost weight but it has fitted previously it may be a case of padding differently. (Pro choice/alt branded grippy girths can be helpful too)
I’m experienced enough that I will make quite direct suggestions to my owner , but she’s also known me long enough now, it can be tricky!

I will say thought that if it is always slipping to the same side it can be a horse lameness issue too.

Do you have lessons in the horse? I have also found it useful to have an instructor the owner trusts to back up what I’m saying.

 

[Lady Jane]

Firstly, if she is letting you ride her horse by yourself after meeting you twice she is not that protective about her horse unless you ride much better than she does. Even then it would take me a few more meets (seeing someone ride) before I would be happy to let someone get on with it. That said if she is still riding, you could tell her about the problem you are having and ask if he has the same problem? If she hasn't ridden for a while she may not know there is a saddle problem. If its slipping and you have fallen off its slipping alot! I think she would want to know, just be tactful!

 

[Charlotte.04]

Firstly, if she is letting you ride her horse by yourself after meeting you twice she is not that protective about her horse unless you ride much better than she does. Even then it would take me a few more meets (seeing someone ride) before I would be happy to let someone get on with it. That said if she is still riding, you could tell her about the problem you are having and ask if he has the same problem? If she hasn't ridden for a while she may not know there is a saddle problem. If its slipping and you have fallen off its slipping alot! I think she would want to know, just be tactful!

You have put it perfectly, it is mainly hacking and some light schooling (he isn't incapable just relatively unfit and uneducated in the school) and the turns he does in the school really 'wonkies' the saddle, although it isn't too bad in straight lines so maybe she hasn't schooled... - I too was confused by the lack of watching!

 

[Fjord]

I'd be polite, as I'm sure you are, tell her how much you like her horse, then ask her advice on the saddle and if there is anything you can do to prevent it. She will hopefully suggest getting a saddle fitter out.

 

[9tails]

Tell her how lovely you think her pony is, we all like to hear that our pony is the best. Ask if there's anything she likes being done in a particular way, or things you can do to make her life easier. Then say "I'm having an issue with the saddle slipping to the left/right, the girth is done up but it doesn't feel stable. Could you have a look and let me know what you think please?" I probably wouldn't mention falling off at this point, I also wouldn't give my opinion but ask the owner to be the knowledgeable one here.

 

[Gloi]

If the saddle doesn't slip to the right on other horses you ride it can be a sign of hind limb lameness, often hock arthritis.

 

[Charlotte.04]

Tell her how lovely you think her pony is, we all like to hear that our pony is the best. Ask if there's anything she likes being done in a particular way, or things you can do to make her life easier. Then say "I'm having an issue with the saddle slipping to the left/right, the girth is done up but it doesn't feel stable. Could you have a look and let me know what you think please?" I probably wouldn't mention falling off at this point, I also wouldn't give my opinion but ask the owner to be the knowledgeable one

Tell her how lovely you think her pony is, we all like to hear that our pony is the best. Ask if there's anything she likes being done in a particular way, or things you can do to make her life easier. Then say "I'm having an issue with the saddle slipping to the left/right, the girth is done up but it doesn't feel stable. Could you have a look and let me know what you think please?" I probably wouldn't mention falling off at this point, I also wouldn't give my opinion but ask the owner to be the knowledgeable one here.

Great advice thank you so much!

 

[9tails]

How did it go?