Should I say something...?

Brimmers

Brimmers

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Basically I have been asked to take out a ladys horse a few times a week as he is feeling a bit fresh and a bit naughty.

Lady is 60+ and quite nervy. Horse is 16 and although leading a slower life, still gets silly at times :rolleyes:

One of the issues is that sometimes Billy will jog and feel like he wants to go faster. Another issue is that he can get very light on his front two feet and the lady has complained of him "rearing" before.

He is ridden in a harsh bit - 4 ring gag with the rein on the bottom. When i take him out I put the rein up onto the snaffle rein as he just doesn't need something that strong but I haven't told her. I also think that having the rein on the bottom ring wont exactly help the "rearing" situation.

I don't really think its my place to question her tack. She obviously knows her horse better, but as she is quite a nervous rider, and if Billy gets a bit excited I feel she may hang onto him.

Energetic (but very controllable!) horse + strong bit and not being allowed forwards = engery spent by jogging and prancing rather than just walking out.

Should I say something? I'm only hacking him out a few times a week as a favour, I don't feel like its my place to barge in and say she should change the tack that shes clearly comfortable with...

Help? :o
 
Could you mention that you think he may go better with the reins on the snaffle and would she mind if you give it a go?

Then sing it's praises once you have had the go ahead and a few rides
 
Hmmm, I don't know. For your riding of him I'd be inclined to put another set of reins on the snaffle ring, which is the correct usage anyway, and say something along the lines of "I didn't want to sock him in the gob unnecessarily and this gives me a handbrake if I need it but he seems to really like being ridden like this so do you want me to leave them on for you?"
 
yes IMO you should say something but try and be very tactful if necessary. otherwise horse may get itself an undeserved bad name - does the owner have lessons as well as hacking, maybe that would help too.
 
*hic* said:
Hmmm, I don't know. For your riding of him I'd be inclined to put another set of reins on the snaffle ring, which is the correct usage anyway, and say something along the lines of "I didn't want to sock him in the gob unnecessarily and this gives me a handbrake if I need it but he seems to really like being ridden like this so do you want me to leave them on for you?"
Click to expand...

This. Emphasise how much better he was with it. Is there another safe and sane horse you could hack out with her on when she tries this so she can relax a little and not worry about not having as much 'control' to try it? I wouldn't worry about having changed tack as you've not changed bits (which would annoy me without asking) you've used his tack
 
Speak to her avoyt how you get on with him and what works for you.
Don't be know all but explain it and back it up and suggests she just trys it to see what she thinks.
 
Maybe a gentle chat in a kind way? I rode my mare in a Universal & then my pro friend who helps me had a sit on & said she didn't need it & convinced me to try a snaffle, I was really nervous that I wouldn't be able to stop or turn her especially jumping & she is fine, but he had to be very firm but kind with me as I was worried about changing & did tend to grab her in front, which of course in a stronger bit was worse.

Could you ride him with her watching & then help her when she gets on, this is what we did & once I realised it was all fine then I relaxed & we laugh about it now.
 
I'd word it in such a way that you are just mentioning what you have done and that it's worked well for you. Chances are she will be willing to take your advice anyway and if not it hasn't sounded like you've been telling her what to do with her horse :)
 
I'd do as hic says. Chances are at some point she'll eventually admit to not being able to ride in two reins herself, at which point you can kindly offer either to show her, & open her up to discussions on tack.
 
Absolutely say something! In the nicest possible way of course, but I think if this already nervous lady trusts you enough to ask you to ride her horse she obviously sees you as someone trustworthy and experienced and who is going to try and improve his way of going and so a friendly suggestion made in the right way is likely to be well received rather than her *discovering* you've been riding him differently and not said anything to her (don't know how busy a yard you're at but in my experience there is always someone ready to drop you in it!). If you can arrange to ride together that's great but otherwise just a general chit chat about how it's going (am presuming she asks you for updates as to how he's been) and just say to her something along the lines of, "ooh while I think about it, I hope you don't mind but I added an extra set to the snaffle, have ridden a horse a bit like him before and he responded really well so thought I'd give it a try and it seems to work, maybe you fancy trying it see how you get on?" and let her take things from there.
 
Please do say something. If you word it nicely, and there are some excellent suggestions on her about that side of it, she could very possibly be so relieved. It might just be the single little tip she needs to get her horse back under her control and cure her loss of nerve.
 
If she is never there when you ride, I'd be inclined to accidently leave a second set of reins on the bit, or, leave the reins you rode in, one the snaffle ring. That way she can approach you if she's curious.
What suits you as a rider, may not work for her, particularly if she has a history with the horse and is nervous. The most important thing is that she feels safe and able to ride her horse. It may not be perfect or as good as you but at least the pair can work on some level.
If she asks how you are getting on, then say what works for you and she then has the opportunity to think about changing her approach without be demoralised or worse, alienated.
 
If I were said lady, I'd appreciate the advice!! :) I'd also like to see it in practice, and appreciate being offered a quick lesson in riding with the reins in the new position!!

:)
 
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