Echo Bravo
Well-Known Member
Be polite and say NO and your insurance wouldn't cover you if she got injured as there is a clause!
Saying no when someone asks to ride your horse
- Thread starter poiuytrewq
- Start date
kerrieberry2
Well-Known Member
theres a woman like that who I work with! luckily she cant ride anymore but she always asks to come and see my horses! and talks like she knows them better than I do! she's met them once! it really bugs me! she said things like "your horse rang me last night and told me that he misses me" and shes said stuff like that more than once!
so I get what you mean about people being WEIRD, I can't offer any advice because im just rubbish and just change the subject haha!!
so I get what you mean about people being WEIRD, I can't offer any advice because im just rubbish and just change the subject haha!!
Hippona
Well-Known Member
Ditto.
Hippona
Well-Known Member
Has she ever received repeated blows to the head???
DragonSlayer
Well-Known Member
Was asked once as a favour for a friend, to let her friend's kid come sit on a horse. OH horse was the best for that job....and, seeing as I was in a good mood....so they arrived....
Wasn't told this girl could actually ride, in all her gear she hopped on and proceeded to boot him in the guts to get him going. Now, I could have dragged her off BUT....OH's cob is very shrewd...and refused to move. Girl asked for crop, I denied the request, mother said she could have one...I said NO.
Eventually, she got him going and he mooched about the paddock at a snail's pace, putting his head down to grab the odd mouth of grass here and there...girl shrieking on his back (cob can fight his own battles, let me tell you!)
The NEXT thing to happen was the list mother gave me....dates for when kid WILL ride so I would need to be available for that, and a list of shows I was to take horse to, and they would meet me there....
Jaw-dropping wasn't the word, I nicely explained that I wasn't needing a sharer.....when mother wouldn't accept that, I had to get a little more 'firm'....
Cue lots of slagging off behind my back around the area, I had destroyed a young girl's dream...blah blah blah....
JUST SAY NO and save yourself some grief!
Wasn't told this girl could actually ride, in all her gear she hopped on and proceeded to boot him in the guts to get him going. Now, I could have dragged her off BUT....OH's cob is very shrewd...and refused to move. Girl asked for crop, I denied the request, mother said she could have one...I said NO.
Eventually, she got him going and he mooched about the paddock at a snail's pace, putting his head down to grab the odd mouth of grass here and there...girl shrieking on his back (cob can fight his own battles, let me tell you!)
The NEXT thing to happen was the list mother gave me....dates for when kid WILL ride so I would need to be available for that, and a list of shows I was to take horse to, and they would meet me there....
Jaw-dropping wasn't the word, I nicely explained that I wasn't needing a sharer.....when mother wouldn't accept that, I had to get a little more 'firm'....
Cue lots of slagging off behind my back around the area, I had destroyed a young girl's dream...blah blah blah....
JUST SAY NO and save yourself some grief!
Tiddlypom
Carries on creakily
:eek3: :eek3:
CBAnglo
Well-Known Member
I am so shocked by some people's cheek! OP, if her mum is a riding instructor, why isnt she teaching her to ride?
I have a retired horse that has arthritis and I only hack him once or twice a week, in walk (except when he decides that he wants to run off). There is absolutely NO WAY I would let anyone on him, he is my pony. I dont care if it sounds selfish (I have 2 other horses as well) I work 60+ hour weeks to afford my horses. When my two older ones were out of commission and the baby was being a baby and I wanted to get back into jumping I went to a riding school and jumped their horses. I didnt want to get into riding someone else's horse (done that before - couldnt stand the politics) and I wanted to to do it on my terms. Seemed crazy to be spending £30+ on a lesson when I have 3 horses of my own but I knew it was just for the short term.
I have been offered rides before when my horses have been injured (TBs - need I say more?) but I was always grateful and (I hope) never took it for granted i.e. I never asked, they always offered me the rides. I would have returned the favour, except no-one wants to ride my TBs and the baby is teeny so too small ...
I have a retired horse that has arthritis and I only hack him once or twice a week, in walk (except when he decides that he wants to run off). There is absolutely NO WAY I would let anyone on him, he is my pony. I dont care if it sounds selfish (I have 2 other horses as well) I work 60+ hour weeks to afford my horses. When my two older ones were out of commission and the baby was being a baby and I wanted to get back into jumping I went to a riding school and jumped their horses. I didnt want to get into riding someone else's horse (done that before - couldnt stand the politics) and I wanted to to do it on my terms. Seemed crazy to be spending £30+ on a lesson when I have 3 horses of my own but I knew it was just for the short term.
I have been offered rides before when my horses have been injured (TBs - need I say more?) but I was always grateful and (I hope) never took it for granted i.e. I never asked, they always offered me the rides. I would have returned the favour, except no-one wants to ride my TBs and the baby is teeny so too small ...
Janah
Well-Known Member
A friend fro years ago asked me if she could ride my horse. She had no idea of his size, age, temperament. She thought it cheaper than paying a RS. I just said no! I gave no reasons, didn't feel the need to. As an aside have been offered a ride on someone's horse without knowing how I ride or if capable, this on a youngster that is very green, also said no.
lastchancer
Well-Known Member
Say yes, as long as you can take their car out for a spin. Only really works if they have a nice car though.
Tinypony
Well-Known Member
I don't see the problem. What's wrong with just saying "No, I don't think that's a good idea"?
DragonSlayer
Well-Known Member
Another cheeky twonk who heard I had a brand new trailer (never met him, didn't know his name) called me up in the hope that I'd deliver him and his daughter with pony to a local show, leave trailer and pick them up later. I kid you not...
OH went absolutely nuclear.....
southerncomfort
Well-Known Member
I always say no but suggest a couple of local riding schools they could try.
The problem is they look at my butter-wouldn't-melt aged Welsh B and think she'd be perfect for their little angel to ride but trust me! Little welshie B needs a rider not a passenger and if the rider doesn't make firm decisions she'll make decisions of her own....and they occasionally involve bogging off up the field towards home when she's decided she's had enough!
I have been asked to give lessons to randoms that turn up at the field gate but I always say 'I'm sorry, but I'm not insured' to which they reply 'But I'd never try and sue you'. Yeah right!
The problem is they look at my butter-wouldn't-melt aged Welsh B and think she'd be perfect for their little angel to ride but trust me! Little welshie B needs a rider not a passenger and if the rider doesn't make firm decisions she'll make decisions of her own....and they occasionally involve bogging off up the field towards home when she's decided she's had enough!
I have been asked to give lessons to randoms that turn up at the field gate but I always say 'I'm sorry, but I'm not insured' to which they reply 'But I'd never try and sue you'. Yeah right!
Dumbo
Well-Known Member
Interesting thread!
A girl used to ride mine without permission when she knew I wasn't
going to the yard that day (he was on part livery) and her horse was out of action because she'd broken it by hammering it around on hard ground. You can imagine how upset I was to see photos on facebook of her hacking him and hearing that she'd been jumping him.
I then went DIY so no one has had the chance to ride behind my back. However last week I went away for 2 days and I got a call from a fellow livery asking if she can take him for a hack and her friend (who doesn't haven't a horse) rode hers. I didn't expect the call so on the spot said 'ok' as had no reason to say no (without being too precious!)
A girl used to ride mine without permission when she knew I wasn't
going to the yard that day (he was on part livery) and her horse was out of action because she'd broken it by hammering it around on hard ground. You can imagine how upset I was to see photos on facebook of her hacking him and hearing that she'd been jumping him.
I then went DIY so no one has had the chance to ride behind my back. However last week I went away for 2 days and I got a call from a fellow livery asking if she can take him for a hack and her friend (who doesn't haven't a horse) rode hers. I didn't expect the call so on the spot said 'ok' as had no reason to say no (without being too precious!)
LadyGascoyne
Still Fig-uring it out...
I'm moving to London next year, leaving my horses in South Africa, so I'd like to ride all your horses please! And you can all drop them off at shows for me and I'll choose which one I feel like riding on the day. And your horseboxes please, I'll have those too ;-)
I actually can't believe how many people take advantage, I've never had anyone ask to ride my mare. But that could be because she's so... special...
I actually can't believe how many people take advantage, I've never had anyone ask to ride my mare. But that could be because she's so... special...
Sleipnir
Well-Known Member
Ah, threads like this remind me of a conversation I recently had with my mother dearest.
Mom: I've got a colleague with a horse crazy kid, can she come and ride your horse?
Me: No, sorry, he's not beginner safe, but I can give you the contacts of my YO, she gives affordable pony rides to children on her horses.
Mom: Nonsense, she's a sweet girl and your horse will like her, I know that! (NB - she's seen him once and thinks she knows him better than I do, although is completely unhorsey
)
Me: That's not true, he doesn't really care of how sweet a kid is, he's just not a beginner ride. He may buck her off or bolt with her, if she doesn't give him clear cues, which she won't, and I don't want that to happen.
Now comes the best part.
Mom: Well, why did you buy such a horse then?! You should have bought a child friendly horse to give rides on! (NB - I don't have children and don't like them either!) Besides, you'd give a ride for free, and I don't want my colleague to pay to your YO! That's too expensive! (Who says I'd give rides for free to people I don't know?! )
OP, I think you don't really have to explain. You have all the rights to refuse a ride on your horse with a simple "NO".
Mom: I've got a colleague with a horse crazy kid, can she come and ride your horse?
Me: No, sorry, he's not beginner safe, but I can give you the contacts of my YO, she gives affordable pony rides to children on her horses.
Mom: Nonsense, she's a sweet girl and your horse will like her, I know that! (NB - she's seen him once and thinks she knows him better than I do, although is completely unhorsey
)Me: That's not true, he doesn't really care of how sweet a kid is, he's just not a beginner ride. He may buck her off or bolt with her, if she doesn't give him clear cues, which she won't, and I don't want that to happen.
Now comes the best part.
Mom: Well, why did you buy such a horse then?! You should have bought a child friendly horse to give rides on! (NB - I don't have children and don't like them either!) Besides, you'd give a ride for free, and I don't want my colleague to pay to your YO! That's too expensive! (Who says I'd give rides for free to people I don't know?!
) OP, I think you don't really have to explain. You have all the rights to refuse a ride on your horse with a simple "NO".
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fatpiggy
Well-Known Member
Ah, the Astral Telephone. Better be careful in case the horse reverses the charges
Foxy O
Well-Known Member
When anybody asks to ride my horse I just say I'm sorry he has mental issues so you can't. When they see him having a bad day they soon understand
Mind you the little girl next door loves the companion pony, so when he's broken in I will let her ride him sometimes, as it will do him good
Mind you the little girl next door loves the companion pony, so when he's broken in I will let her ride him sometimes, as it will do him good
myprincess
Well-Known Member
I'm having the same problem, glad to see its not just me thought I was being selfish!
An overweight friend keeps asking to ride my 4 year old as she's not very confident and as my horse is so good she thinks it will do her good to ride him.
But hes not been broken in that long and I doubt hes ever had anyone as heavy as her on him and he is good but hes very sensitive and I dont want her nerves upsetting him and sending him backwards but I dont know how to tell her this without offending her!
An overweight friend keeps asking to ride my 4 year old as she's not very confident and as my horse is so good she thinks it will do her good to ride him.
But hes not been broken in that long and I doubt hes ever had anyone as heavy as her on him and he is good but hes very sensitive and I dont want her nerves upsetting him and sending him backwards but I dont know how to tell her this without offending her!
my bfg
Well-Known Member
Really irritatates me when folk ask this, to me its along the same lines as asking someone to teach them to drive for free as that person has a car and they don't!
Used to be on DIY at a riding school an as my girls an Ardennes I was forever getting asked if -ahem- larger folk could "have a go" erm no she's not a school horse and even if she was if I can't pick you up she sure as hell won't be having to try!
As she looks quite docile and laid back I often get folk (most i barely know) asking if their kids can have a ride, a brief description of her having once became a rodeo horse (unknown to me she had an ovary issue that gave her back pain) an chucked me off along with the costs of a replacement hat and the ongoing physio and chiropractor work on my now knackered back usually puts them off
Used to be on DIY at a riding school an as my girls an Ardennes I was forever getting asked if -ahem- larger folk could "have a go" erm no she's not a school horse and even if she was if I can't pick you up she sure as hell won't be having to try!
As she looks quite docile and laid back I often get folk (most i barely know) asking if their kids can have a ride, a brief description of her having once became a rodeo horse (unknown to me she had an ovary issue that gave her back pain) an chucked me off along with the costs of a replacement hat and the ongoing physio and chiropractor work on my now knackered back usually puts them off
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Ibblebibble
Well-Known Member
no one asks to ride my big girl, the up side to having a miserable faced 17hher i guess
Sugar_and_Spice
Well-Known Member
Say he's young and still learning so you don't want him confused by other people's different styles of riding.
nikkimariet
Well-Known Member
Just say no. It's your horse - why do you have to give a reason?
EmmyMD
Well-Known Member
The easiest thing if you can is just say no.
Not always easy i know, I have two vvv good friends from my university days who i'm still in touch with who are forever badgering me about coming to ride my two. I don't let other people sit on my mare full stop, and I'm less fussed about my gelding as he's pretty chilled, and a few people from work have hacked him out/borrowed him for a lesson when their horses are lame but they are both ex racehorses, both very tall, big striding, forwards horses, and with all due respect they aren't the sort of horses for someone who's never sat on a single horse that hasn't been a RS schoolmaster type, which is all the girls have ever ridden. I know it's nt their fault they can't afford their own etc but it's not my horses job to provide free rides just cause they can't afford regular lessons/share horses etc.
Anyone random just gets a straight 'no'
Not always easy i know, I have two vvv good friends from my university days who i'm still in touch with who are forever badgering me about coming to ride my two. I don't let other people sit on my mare full stop, and I'm less fussed about my gelding as he's pretty chilled, and a few people from work have hacked him out/borrowed him for a lesson when their horses are lame but they are both ex racehorses, both very tall, big striding, forwards horses, and with all due respect they aren't the sort of horses for someone who's never sat on a single horse that hasn't been a RS schoolmaster type, which is all the girls have ever ridden. I know it's nt their fault they can't afford their own etc but it's not my horses job to provide free rides just cause they can't afford regular lessons/share horses etc.
Anyone random just gets a straight 'no'