Proper Novices-Owning Horses? Thoughts.

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Elvis

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We've recently had proper novices join our yard. They don't know how to put a bridle on, how to tie/un-tie a haynet, which rugs are turnout rugs and which ones are stable rugs. There is 3 of them (mother and 2 daughters) and it's like the blind leading the blind, one daughter put the saddle on back to front, the mother didn't know what a shavings fork was etc. They are on 5 day livery so they are in charge of their horse over the weekends, so have to muck out, turn out, hay, bring in and rug. And I just can't see how they'll cope. The yard are supportive as are other liveries, but it did get me thinking, how wise is it for people who know nothing to own horses? What if they had rented a field instead and had to do everything themselves? So what are people's views on this, is it a recipe for disaster or just a case of 'we all have to start somewhere'?
 
I don't see a massive problem if there is a support network in place, but it doesn't sound much like there is, although at least they had the sense to use a 5 day livery. Does your yard owner offer support and help to them when they are doing the horse at weekends?
That is also assuming they have purchased a suitable first horse, which is patient, and understanding of novices?
 
We certainly do all have to start somewhere - and that somewhere should be at a good RS, unless you have family members with enough suitable experience, to by-pass that stage. It really concerns me that complete novices can and do buy horses with very little riding experience and next to no stable management knowledge and I'm afraid that even a good livery yard is no substitute for experience. I was accused of not being supportive in the 'New Riders and Owners Board' because I said that someone with 6 months riding experience at a RS wasn't yet ready to buy their own horse. But I dread to think what will happen to both the horse and the owner if this project goes ahead.
- Definitely a recipe for disaster imo. We can read on here almost every day that someone has over-horsed themselves or lost their confidence because of something their horse has done and the vast majority of those members are experienced owners, so what chance do complete novices have?
 
Hmm... I'm curious as to how they have an interest in horses if they put a saddle on backward etc when I was first interested on horses as a young girl I would read books upon books about stable management, tack, equipment, points of the horse... You name it. The only bit I was never keen on was the feeding part! Don't get me wrong when you get your first horse it's a massive learning curve and you learn things you didn't before or hadn't had the chance to experience before. If they're that unknowldeagable though I'd be worried, even for the horse's welfare eith rregards to feeding and hay. Perhaps offer help and lend of a good book?!
 
They are on a livery yard where im sure someone will intervene if theres a poblem. Im sure its lovely yard where everyone is kind and spportive and does nt bitch about them behind thier backs.
 
Totally agree; that's why so many good horses get ruined. The worst thing I saw was a HUGE woman (as in she must have weighed about 16+ stone) buying a 12.2hh new forest for her daughter and then riding it herself when she thought no-one was at the yard. She had never had a riding lesson in her life she just got on it and expected it to "go". Six months later she bought an ex-racer ...

Thing about a RS though, I am not sure what they actually teach? I went to a (BHS approved) riding school last week as I wanted to start jumping again and dont have anything suitable out of the three horses I own (1 retired, 1 recovering from KS/PSD ops and 1 youngster). Turned up and watched member of staff get horse ready. Took it into the lesson and had to re-tack it up. Horendous.
 
I will admit, when I started looking after Ned (way before YO gave him to me), although I could ride...I didn't know THAT much about how to look after them. Sure, I could tack up, muck out, spot basic illness...but not much more than that. Thankfully, for the most part, I was surrounded by knowledgeable people who taught me everything I need to know about looking after my own horse. Now I'm by myself, I feel comfortable that I can look after him properly.
I have people on here to thank too!! I've learnt a lot from you guys.

Like Holeymoley, I did read a LOT of books and still have all of them, I used to look after my "own (model) ponies" too when I was a kid, which included tacking up, hacking, feeding etc.

Though, with Google, I don't think there is an excuse for some things, like the backwards saddle!!
 
It makes me wonder more about who sold the horse to these novices than the novice family themselves, do people really not check who they are selling to, whether the new owner can even put on the tack?
Everyone does have to start somewhere and a good livery yard will support them, offer advice and hopefully educate them along the way, not all RS are that good at showing people the basic care involved many do not offer any stable management lessons and even those that do may not be really helpful.
I was approached a few years ago by a family wanting to buy a pony for their daughter, she had been riding and doing a Saturday club at the local BHS approved RS, I could not believe how little she could do, she could groom but not much else could not really tack up without help, could not put on a headcollar or tie up had never been able to go and catch or turn out yet they had been charging her parents £££s every week just to brush a pony or two and calling it pony care, once she discovered the reality of having a pony the novelty wore off.
 
holeymoley said:
Hmm... I'm curious as to how they have an interest in horses if they put a saddle on backward etc when I was first interested on horses as a young girl I would read books upon books about stable management, tack, equipment, points of the horse... You name it. The only bit I was never keen on was the feeding part! Don't get me wrong when you get your first horse it's a massive learning curve and you learn things you didn't before or hadn't had the chance to experience before. If they're that unknowldeagable though I'd be worried, even for the horse's welfare eith rregards to feeding and hay. Perhaps offer help and lend of a good book?!
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This definitely. Maybe somebody could find them a copy of the BHS/PC manual. Maybe march them off to PC whilst they're at it...

That said most of the basic stuff isn't that hard - tacking up is easy when you know how, as is grooming, mucking out and so on. Ok feeding is more complicated but the basic principles are simple enough.
 
luckyoldme said:
They are on a livery yard where im sure someone will intervene if theres a poblem. Im sure its lovely yard where everyone is kind and spportive and does nt bitch about them behind thier backs.
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Sounds unlikely doesn't it? If the OP is anything to go by. :rolleyes:
 
luckyoldme said:
They are on a livery yard where im sure someone will intervene if theres a poblem. Im sure its lovely yard where everyone is kind and spportive and does nt bitch about them behind thier backs.
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It's hardly bitching, I was illustrating their level of 'novice' by giving examples. Then people could answer the question I was pondering knowing the level of experience I was talking about, as 'novicey' is a very broad term. They are well supported and it is a lovely yard. And whilst I've mentioned on here some of their more shocking moments, I would never belittle them, ignore them, laugh at them etc. Surely that's what matters.
 
Elvis said:
It's hardly bitching, I was illustrating their level of 'novice' by giving examples. Then people could answer the question I was pondering knowing the level of experience I was talking about, as 'novicey' is a very broad term. They are well supported and it is a lovely yard. And whilst I've mentioned on here some of their more shocking moments, I would never belittle them, ignore them, laugh at them etc. Surely that's what matters.
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FWIW I didn't think your post was remotely bitchy - it's a perfectly valid question: how are these people going to take care of their horse?
 
Out of curiosity OP, what are they feeding it and where are they getting that advice from? That would be my main worry . Ie amounts , even foods that need soaking, I'd be doubtful that they knew anything like that.
 
justabob said:
Sounds unlikely doesn't it? If the OP is anything to go by. :rolleyes:
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I don't believe at any point I said how stupid they are, how awful it is that they have bought a horse, how little I think of them, etc.

No. I was asking people's opinions on proper novices owning horse.

And just to put your mind at rest, I have been completely pleasant towards them, have helped them turn out another pony, offered grooming supplies, been approachable, to the point where one of the daughters comes to see my horse and watch me potter about and groom.

Apologies if this comes across as defensive, it's just I don't like the idea of forming an image of someone from a post or thread.
 
The yard is in charge of feeding all horses (either what the yards provides or what the owners supply) but from what I believe the horse is on no hard feed as is a good doer. So regarding feeding, apart from treats, the owners of any horse aren't overly in control. And the yard feed around exercise etc so there isn't a risk of the horse being fed too soon after/before exercise.
 
Sad to say, but around here nearly every riding school has shut down within the last 10 years, so owning by novices is on the increase as there's no other way to access horses.
Don't have a problem with it providing that they are on a good yard with lots of help, and that they buy the right type of horse for their level.
Sadly though, novices are the least likely to end up with a suitable horse as their lack of experience makes it very hard to judge what would be a good choice!
It saddens me to see novice owners buying young, inexperienced horses and then blaming the horse when it all goes wrong, happens all to often unfortunately. :(
 
Pearsasinger said:
We certainly do all have to start somewhere - and that somewhere should be at a good RS, unless you have family members with enough suitable experience, to by-pass that stage. It really concerns me that complete novices can and do buy horses with very little riding experience and next to no stable management knowledge and I'm afraid that even a good livery yard is no substitute for experience. I was accused of not being supportive in the 'New Riders and Owners Board' because I said that someone with 6 months riding experience at a RS wasn't yet ready to buy their own horse. But I dread to think what will happen to both the horse and the owner if this project goes ahead.
- Definitely a recipe for disaster imo. We can read on here almost every day that someone has over-horsed themselves or lost their confidence because of something their horse has done and the vast majority of those members are experienced owners, so what chance do complete novices have?
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Ditto. Except sensible people like us are then called snobs, arrogant, elitist and general party pooper. And out of the wood work crawl the 'proved you wrong' examples that really just prove the rule.


Yes, everyone needs to start somewhere but buying a living feeling large animal you know ****** all about is NOT that place!
 
I didn't know loads when we had our first but had the support of a decent yo & friendly liveries - fast forward a few years now have 3 horses - & I rent a small yard - I'm still no expert , but can get by & have people that I can turn to for help if needed - it's a massive learning curve & sadly not all 1st time owners make beacuse they dont have support or get bored & the poor innocent horses are passed around :(
 
I didn't have much experience before I bought my first horse, but I had an amazing friend and her mum to help me along the way. Both instructors through pony club so had weekly lessons both practical and theory. I can not tell you how many times my friend got me to go over the points of a horse I pretty much know all of them know. They even helped me look for a horse and found me the perfect one, even if she is a tb she acts more like a cob in the school. We've now moved yards and everyone is still supportive of me, even the most experienced of riders learn something new everyday.
 
I would guess that many of us learned much stable management by working for rides are riding schools or with local horse owners but today there isnt as much opportunity for that

The price of lessons has gone up and the cost of horses and equipment has come right down

Many of those cheap horses are not suitable for the new owner

Price of vets etc are frequently not worked out in the sums

Its not surprising there are so many novices out there falling on their @rses. A good suppotive network may just save them
 
From my POV support is the key. Risks are massively reduced when there are people keeping a quiet eye on new owners and offering advice and making themselves approachable. Thankfully it looks like the new livery will have plenty of support, and the horse seems kind and experienced too.
 
Kallibear said:
Ditto. Except sensible people like us are then called snobs, arrogant, elitist and general party pooper.

Yes, everyone needs to start somewhere but buying a living feeling large animal you know ****** all about is NOT that place!
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Oh yes, I got all that on the thread in question - and not just by the OP of the thread. Which makes me question the wisdom of the horse owners on the thread.

I've seen more than enough horses ruined and novices who could have developed into competent riders and owners put off for life by being over-horsed. And that doesn't mean that they've bought either a youngster or a high-powered competition horse but that they've bought a wily creature who knows exactly how to get the better of them.
As for the argument about there not being enough riding schools these days, I quite agree that the numbers of good RS are declining but there still are some and there are a lot of riding holiday centres where people could gain valuable further experience of riding different horses in different surroundings, rather than in an arena. I'm sorry but 6 months RS experience is nowhere near enough to go out and buy your own horse - no matter where you keep it.
And as for support - I've lost count of the number of posts on here about how other liveries interfere with horse owners, with loads of people piling in and saying 'tell them to butt out'.
 
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They'll learn fairly quickly I would imagine. Or hope, at least.

I think it is a bit naive jumping in and getting a horse straight away, the logical thing would be lessons, stable management lessons, maybe a part share for a while, and so on. But then most people haven't been fortunate enough to have ponies as kids, and you have to start somewhere. I only got my first when I was 15, and before that had lessons and ponies on loan/share etc, but a big (and actually quite difficult) horse that was my sole responsibility was still like diving in at the deep end - and I did do stupid things! Not quite saddle on backwards stupid!! But I did fall off a lot.

The thing I don't understand is, how hard is it to read a book (or these days, watch a youtube video) on the basics of horse care? How to tack up, how to tell if a bridle fits, basic ailments etc. I was obsessed with horses, I knew all the theory inside out before one of my own was even an option. A lack of research in my opinion indicates a lack of dedication.
 
My involvement with horses started in June 2011- so just over two years. During that time I've had weekly or twice weekly lessons at a RS and for the past 18 months I've shared a friends horse and more recently an ex racer. It amazes me that there seems to be do many new riders who almost on a whim get a horse with very few lessons and little experience on how to care for the animal correctly. The more I learn about horses and riding the more I worry about having my own living breathing creature to care for so I don't understand why others just seen to jump in.
When my friend got her first horse it was an impulse buy. He was not quite as advertised; safe as houses cob. He was in fact quite green and not very confident so that coupled with her being self taught and nervous and him being a crafty beggar resulted in quite a few spills. She got there in the end but there were many tears on the way. She has also learnt a huge amount and is now a great owner with a well behaved horse.
In the case the OP mentions they will probably muddle through ok. After all they're only in charge during the weekends.
I do however have a problem with horses being badly ridden. The 'I've had 6 lessons and now I'm going to have my very own horse'. I just believe that we owe it to whatever horse we ride to do it as well as we can so that no damage is done. However I also know that it's not just novice riders who are guilty of this. :(
 
We had some lovely novices come on to our yard. they asked questions about everything(eg the new delivery of hay is slightly different in colour. is that ok ?) and was a real pleasure answering thier questions giving advice and watching them grow in confidence. They now have 2 ponies and they are cared for beautifully so hey it can work
 
JFTD - me too. Especially one's who decide you don't know what you are talking about because it will cost money/ take effort. The question is - the horse they have been feeding the mouldy hay to was coughing badly this morning, do I tell them yet again that mouldy hay is no good for horses, even if it is half the price of decent hay? I suppose it is an improvement on leaving it stabled for nearly 2 days with no hay.
 
babymare said:
We had some lovely novices come on to our yard. they asked questions about everything(eg the new delivery of hay is slightly different in colour. is that ok ?) and was a real pleasure answering thier questions giving advice and watching them grow in confidence. They now have 2 ponies and they are cared for beautifully so hey it can work
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People like that are fab! I know one myself and her pony is the most well behaved, beautiful little thing. It was a rescue too :O

But when you get bratty teens (Or adults, but the one I knew was a teen) who know nothing, but think they know everything...it's awful!
She rode a pony at my ex yard, that anyone could ride. I've seen a 6yr old take him over a 2ft course of 12 jumps. She couldn't even make him jump two!! All the horses she ride for an extended period end up bucking and refusing jumps. Yet she thinks she's gods gift to horses!! She lies SO MUCH. She said she rode Ned out by himself and my friends ex racer...no she did not. I am the only one ever to ride that horse alone and she's never even met my friend!
She was advertising for a loan on facebook and said she was "experienced and confident" confident maybe, but not experienced.

My point is, asking questions is the best way to go, along with lessons, books, google and youtube! I would be lost without this site, google and youtube!
 
If they are novice and KNOW they are novice and are willing to listen to sensible advice (and find thenselves a good instructor!) it can be a better scenario than some novices who are convinced that they are Gods gift to the horse world and never listen to anyone.We had one and I swear that if Mary King, John Whitaker and Carl Hester had all come down to our yard hand in hand to explain where he was going wrong he STILL wouldn't have listened!
 
eahotson said:
If they are novice and KNOW they are novice and are willing to listen to sensible advice (and find thenselves a good instructor!) it can be a better scenario than some novices who are convinced that they are Gods gift to the horse world and never listen to anyone.We had one and I swear that if Mary King, John Whitaker and Carl Hester had all come down to our yard hand in hand to explain where he was going wrong he STILL wouldn't have listened!
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Bet he'd have listened to Pat Parelli though - they always do :D
 
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