Riding ‘on the buckle’... minor rant

I do ride on the buckle but not on the road, only on off-road tracks and then I'll ride with one hand on the buckle so the other is ready to grab further down the reins if need be. Never had an issue and I live near an estate where they breed pheasants so they're always leaping out of the undergrowth - horse doesnt move an inch! I wouldnt ever take my feet out of stirrups though but thats up to you.
 
TPO said:
No wonder horse riders have such a bad reputation when the initial reaction of many is to swear at a passer by!
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Quite. Why not diffuse the situation with a jokey ‘It’s ok, thanks, we’re under a lot more control that it looks’ or similar?

I’ve had grief off horse riders when they try and insist it’s ok for me + dog to squeeze past their antsy reversing horse’s bum on a narrow track. Oh no it isn’t, sort your horse out so that you’re not backing into us. It does help to know the horsey lingo, that usually brings the eejits up short after they've tried to talk down to me thinking that I’m a muggle.
 
I fully expect to get shot down for this, so realise it is not everyone's opinion. I feel as riders it our duty to try to change the attitude of the general public, who I feel often think horse riders are rich toffs etc, etc. Whilst I understand the ff response in our head, I'm prone to that thought myself. I would rather I enlightened them by explaining, than risk alienating yet another member of the public. I always try to be happy and polite where possible. I also agree some people are frightened of horses in close proximity, so i feel it is courteous to look like we are being considerate by picking up the reins, if appropriate with that particular horse.
 
Tiddlypom said:
Quite. Why not diffuse the situation with a jokey ‘It’s ok, thanks, we’re under a lot more control that it looks’ or similar?

I’ve had grief off horse riders when they try and insist it’s ok for me + dog to squeeze past their antsy reversing horse’s bum on a narrow track. Oh no it isn’t, sort your horse out so that you’re not backing into us. It does help to know the horsey lingo, that usually brings the eejits up short after they've tried to talk down to me thinking that I’m a muggle.
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I wouldn't swear at a passer by in normal circumstances, but if someone actually stopped me in what I was doing (horse related or not) and in the OPs words "gave me a lecture" about something that I perceived to be so trivial then I would give them a gobful. If I did that to someone I would expect to receive both barrels. It's completely different to politely saying excuse me can I just ask something - how normal people speak to each other.
 
magicmoments said:
I fully expect to get shot down for this, so realise it is not everyone's opinion. I feel as riders it our duty to try to change the attitude of the general public, who I feel often think horse riders are rich toffs etc, etc. Whilst I understand the ff response in our head, I'm prone to that thought myself. I would rather I enlightened them by explaining, than risk alienating yet another member of the public. I always try to be happy and polite where possible. I also agree some people are frightened of horses in close proximity, so i feel it is courteous to look like we are being considerate by picking up the reins, if appropriate with that particular horse.
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me too as it happens-I am the most antisocial person you'll ever meet (I especially dont like horsey folk ;) ) but if I am out on my pony I actively engage with dog walkers, kids, MTBers, drivers etc. I know we don't/shouldnt have to but if it means that the next horse they pass by they slow down/put dog back on lead etc then job done.

Unsolicited advice is trickier-on one occasion I received dog 'advice' unasked for from another dog walker. she had no way of knowing I have a particular fear of dogs and roads for good reason, and was worried my young pup was going to bolt back to my car (admittedly only on an access track, not a road) because her grumpy old dog gave him a telling off from a distance. I didnt handle it well but then I also generally avoid dog walkers when dog walking so wont lose sleep over it.
 
magicmoments said:
I fully expect to get shot down for this, so realise it is not everyone's opinion. I feel as riders it our duty to try to change the attitude of the general public, who I feel often think horse riders are rich toffs etc, etc. Whilst I understand the ff response in our head, I'm prone to that thought myself. I would rather I enlightened them by explaining, than risk alienating yet another member of the public. I always try to be happy and polite where possible. I also agree some people are frightened of horses in close proximity, so i feel it is courteous to look like we are being considerate by picking up the reins, if appropriate with that particular horse.
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Absolutely this.
and remember that when that person drives/walks/cycles past when you ARE having 'a moment' on another occasion - thats when their reciprocal courtesy can help you out.
 
blitznbobs said:
I was about to give my lecture about stopping horses with weight and your back being more effective than hauling on the reins when I realised the correct response was Somewhat similar to “f off”

so my question is ... is it ok to hack out (off road) ‘on the buckle’? Did she have a point?
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I went out for a two-day ride a couple of weekends ago, and was given a horse I didn't know.

Once on him, warming up in the indoor school, I was warned "he can't stand any contact".

So that weekend was mostly on the buckle, not only at a walk but also trot and canter. I learnt a lot about slowing the trot just with the seat.

Canter, not so much. Instructors often tell me that because of my weight (92kg! I lost 3kg!!), I ought to have my weight in the stirrups, not in the saddle. So it was short but gentle pulls on the reins quickly released, repeated until he slowed. I don't know if it's orthodox, but it worked well enough, and he didn't get agitated.

So for me, hacking on the buckle isn't a problem. You've got the reins in your hand to be able to react quickly enough if the situation needs it.
 
She wouldn’t of wanted to meet me out hacking then, I regularly ride my retired hunter up the bridle way without even holding on to the reins ?
 
I will drop my reins and put my hands either side of his/her neck to give them a reassuring pat/stroke but only when the road/track is clear. I will also take feet from stirrups to give my old ankles a wiggle if necessary, but once again, only if there is no traffic around.
Riding on the buckle is a sign of trust in your horse and a "thank you".
 
Each horse is an individual there's some that I would ride like that but others who you'd stand no chance with. The only thing would be if you were to be involved in an accident whether your insurance would cover you
 
I agree with the posters above that swearing at the woman wasn't helpful - it would just confirm her internal rhetoric of careless horse riders. I prefer a friendly laugh and a demonstration of control (if appropriate in the space), or just a "don't worry, she's under control!" which can be believed or not at the personal choice of the walker. TBH I don't always register when people are being rude in person, I'm too busy being confused as to what they're on about to be rude back!

Dyllymoo said:
My comment of "no wonder she came off" was the way in which the horse spooked/ bolted and bronced so rapidly. I think even being sellotaped on to the horse most would have found it hard to stay on.
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But if that's so, surely it's a reason not to ride, rather than not to ride without stirrups / reins. In fact, it's probably safer to go without stirrups if you expect to be launched out the back - less risk of being dragged etc... It's not your decision to ride with them I'm disputing, it's the argument you used to support that decision which I don't think holds a lot of water. Personal choice, on the other hand, is an entirely reasonable basis on which for you to base a decision.
 
magicmoments said:
I fully expect to get shot down for this, so realise it is not everyone's opinion. I feel as riders it our duty to try to change the attitude of the general public, who I feel often think horse riders are rich toffs etc, etc. Whilst I understand the ff response in our head, I'm prone to that thought myself. I would rather I enlightened them by explaining, than risk alienating yet another member of the public. I always try to be happy and polite where possible. I also agree some people are frightened of horses in close proximity, so i feel it is courteous to look like we are being considerate by picking up the reins, if appropriate with that particular horse.
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Agree 100%. Sometimes I've passed people who appear anti horse riders, so I smile and make a friendly comment. So far, they've always smiled and replied. In a world where tolerance is frequently tested and riders depend on public goodwill, we need all the friends we can get.
 
MagicMelon said:
I do ride on the buckle but not on the road, only on off-road tracks and then I'll ride with one hand on the buckle so the other is ready to grab further down the reins if need be. Never had an issue and I live near an estate where they breed pheasants so they're always leaping out of the undergrowth - horse doesnt move an inch! I wouldnt ever take my feet out of stirrups though but thats up to you.
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Agree.
 
muddy_grey said:
Thank God she didn't see me cantering through the orchards with one hand on the buckle and the other videoing the kids ?
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I do a fair amount of canter work with no reins, standing up and facing backwards at the moment. I do check for dog walkers before I start, so I'm not a risk to society, only myself. I am not sure that the OP's acquaintance would like it much though!
 
Out hacking if I pick up my reins my horse instantly goes into alert spooky mode. On the buckle he is a dead donkey. So I know what we prefer!!
 
Mmmmmm, I have really mixed feelings about this as thinking about the horses we've had over the years, they have all been quite different to hack and hacking has played different parts in their working week as has the terrain. So I guess I try to find out what works best for that particular horse and what will encourage them to use themselves correctly and pick their feet up! With regard to the lady's comment, it's clearly none of her business but I have to admit I sometimes feel like stopping and suggesting a rider needs to sit up and stop riding like a sack of potatoes but I don't! FWIW I never slop along on a hack either. a very experienced trainer, for whom I have the greatest respect told me, " in every interaction with a horse you are training it, make sure you are training it for what you want". You may disagree with me, but I don't want my horse "slopping" along.
 
oldie48 said:
Mmmmmm, I have really mixed feelings about this as thinking about the horses we've had over the years, they have all been quite different to hack and hacking has played different parts in their working week as has the terrain. So I guess I try to find out what works best for that particular horse and what will encourage them to use themselves correctly and pick their feet up! With regard to the lady's comment, it's clearly none of her business but I have to admit I sometimes feel like stopping and suggesting a rider needs to sit up and stop riding like a sack of potatoes but I don't! FWIW I never slop along on a hack either. a very experienced trainer, for whom I have the greatest respect told me, " in every interaction with a horse you are training it, make sure you are training it for what you want". You may disagree with me, but I don't want my horse "slopping" along.
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I think I'd have to agree. Although, hacking should also be a stretch and a relax or maybe even invigorating for the horse. There has to be a happy middle ground between that and using your environment to practice what you've trained for in the school e.g. going through a gate properly... travers/renvers around some parked cars... proper bending and stretching... interspersed with a stretch in canter on a verge (maybe thats just me).... perhaps an unintended pirouette at someone starting up a lawnmower. I jest.

Slopping along with a horse on it's forehand half asleep is almost as bad as those people that hack with draw reins and martingales and the horse barely able to see past it's own hooves. Seriously, this isn't competition... chillax a bit... if the horse is apparently so uncontrollable you need half a tackshop to ride it down the village, do not leave the yard.
 
The thing is though this isnt about educating non horsey people. Its about another horsey person giving unsolicited advice.
I would do a mrs brown on them and say..thats nice and think to myself..tosser.
 
I could well have missed where it was mentioned that this person was a horsey person. In any case I still think the best way if they are horsey is to show then how much control you have, such as the one shown by another poster of the polo cross pony I think. That leaves them no where to go metaphorically speaking.
 
Just a Festive Troll in the Dungeon said:
But if that's so, surely it's a reason not to ride, rather than not to ride without stirrups / reins. In fact, it's probably safer to go without stirrups if you expect to be launched out the back - less risk of being dragged etc... It's not your decision to ride with them I'm disputing, it's the argument you used to support that decision which I don't think holds a lot of water. Personal choice, on the other hand, is an entirely reasonable basis on which for you to base a decision.
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Honestly I think this is pedantic and I seem to be only one whose opinion has come under fire because I used an example I have witnessed.
 
magicmoments said:
I fully expect to get shot down for this, so realise it is not everyone's opinion. I feel as riders it our duty to try to change the attitude of the general public, who I feel often think horse riders are rich toffs etc, etc. Whilst I understand the ff response in our head, I'm prone to that thought myself. I would rather I enlightened them by explaining, than risk alienating yet another member of the public. I always try to be happy and polite where possible. I also agree some people are frightened of horses in close proximity, so i feel it is courteous to look like we are being considerate by picking up the reins, if appropriate with that particular horse.
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I agree with this wholeheartedly. I never not thank someone even if hacking down the main road I am raising my arm or nodding my head every two seconds. I am always stopping people behind me on sharp bends until I can see the way is free and to wave them on. Whether they wish to take the risk and ignore me and go early when they clearly can't see round the bend, or wait until they can trust their own eyes is entirely a matter for them.
 
Dyllymoo said:
Honestly I think this is pedantic and I seem to be only one whose opinion has come under fire because I used an example I have witnessed.
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It probably is pedantic - but I still think your line of argument is illogical (or factually inaccurate) and I think it's relevant to challenge biases in risk assesment. You're not under fire - I disagree with the "evidence" you are using to support your decisions, there is a difference.
 
I used to ride my mare on the buckle and no stirrups home after every hack, I wouldn't do it on the way out as she was always too excited. Wouldn't do it with my cob though.
 
stormox said:
Suppose it was the other way around - you are riding or walking along a narrow track and a motorcyclist (or cyclist) came towards you with no hands on the handlebars. We all know the bike can be steered by weight and balance - but would you expect them to put their hands on the handlebars to pass you?
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Good question and... no.
 
To everyone that knows they have complete control of their horse stirrupless and on the buckle that's great but how is everyone else meant to know that? I have very little faith in the abilities and training of a random horse and rider I meet out hacking, a lot of people really do have very little control over their horse and are lucky their horses are so amiable. With how dangerous it could be for a passerby, particularly one that doesn't know horses and could be scared of them, I don't think it's particularly unreasonable to expect people to pick their reins up.
 
Otherwise said:
To everyone that knows they have complete control of their horse stirrupless and on the buckle that's great but how is everyone else meant to know that? I have very little faith in the abilities and training of a random horse and rider I meet out hacking, a lot of people really do have very little control over their horse and are lucky their horses are so amiable. With how dangerous it could be for a passerby, particularly one that doesn't know horses and could be scared of them, I don't think it's particularly unreasonable to expect people to pick their reins up.
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Equally.... how are riders meant to know how well trained a human is around horses? Especially those with dogs/cycles/cars/guns.

Get a grip people.

Get a grip.

It's a 500kg beast (there or therabouts) that is capable of wrecking anything to shreds yet has sufficient training to carry a lump on it's back and a metal thing between it's gums and walking through all manner of manmade claptrap without so much of a sigh even. You're telling me some dipshit walking along the lane needs absolute reassurance they are safe???

Are you a millennial?
 
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