Leary
Well-Known Member
Just got back from the south of france, and whilst there decided to try out the local stables for a hack. Looking back I should have walked away at the beginning, but as I had promised my 12yr old we would go, ended up staying. I couldn't believe my eyes, the horses are basically chained up (a thick metal chain from headcollar to big metal hook), no hay or water in sight. Anyway, we went out for this hack, about 30 customers, and it was apparent 90% of them had never ridden. Only about 4 people were wearing hats, my daughter and I being 2 of them. Most were wearing flip flops and such like. There were 2 people in charge of the hack, and one galloped from one end of the single file to the other, spooking all the horses, some even charged off. Then the leader turned round and asked who wanted a gallop. My daughter wanted to have a canter so we asked if that was possible, next thing 4 others joined us and I was a bit nervous at this point. Well the canter had to stop pretty quick as one chap had fallen and was dangling by his foot, which was stuck in the stirrup. He was badly shaken up, but luckily his horse stopped when he fell. After this we were told to stop for 30 minutes to let the horses stuff their faces with grass and suchlike, then we rode home. The leader was showing off all the way home, doing things like laying on her horse whilst cantering passed. The next day we drove passed in the car and the horses were all chained up next to each other (about 40 of them) and we realised the staff go home at 12 and return at 4 and the horses are just left there. I can't believe a country so close to ours and part of the EU allows places like this to run, with absolutely no health and safety policies whatsoever. We should have walked away at the start.
