So want to stop this

RuthnMeg

RuthnMeg

Well-Known Member
Joined
5 September 2009
Messages
3,502
Location
North Dorset
Visit site
As Iam a BHSAI, and have many years of experience I am shocked by what I see on a daily basis at the yard.
I am not employed by anyone who has got horses on livery, my horses live out so I am rarely in the yard, but as my mum rents a cottage on site I call in for a cuppa after 'doing' my horses. This cottage has a very good view of the arena and this is what I've seen this last week;
1- Girl aged 12 on 14.2hh 'jumping' pony GALLOPING around the arena jumping the same 2'9'' ish jump at least 25 times... to the point that the pony - normally bay, is lathered white in sweat. The head is in the clouds, wrong bend and the girl is 'hauling' it in the mouth - so much so it starts stopping - so off they set again at break neck speed. Never seen her walk and trot, and in 6 weeks never left the farm for a hack!!
2- Middle aged lady doing 'dressage' on a horse that is far too thin, hips and ribs clearly visiable. Although in a nice outline sometimes, horse can't go forward cos the lady pulls back on the reins with her hands (no joke) by her face!! (she has 2 horses and its the same for both).
3- Another lady lungeing, where she assumes faster is better and yanks them to stop - its hideous. TBs with no protective boots. She cracks the whip, line tangled around her arm, no gloves. Line attached to bit, with 'over the head' way. Horses looked shocked and upset by this. - no softness what-so-ever.
4- Novice lady who clearly can't ride wobblying about and can't use the outer track. - Don't mind novices, but then blaming the horse and getting cross with kick pull kick pull.
5 - the lame arab - saying no more!!

I know I have to let them do what they do, I don't want to interfere but I really don't want to have to view this!! Its not 'horses' its 'cowboys'!!
I want to help them, but so far my offers have fallen on deaf ears... So, what do I do? What would you do?? How would you do it??

ps, did I say the girl fell off, but left the gate open and 'we say ''bye bye pony''!!
 
Knowing what a small world HHO is, and the fact that there are lots of people viewing who never post, I'd say your work is now done, you will be the yard pariah from here on in whom everyone hates because you've 'bitched' about them on a forum (and yes, they will see it that way), and this post will be swiftly followed by a 'my life is now hell on the yard' one.

Seen it several times before on here
wink.gif
 
Unfortunately ignorance is definitely not bliss when it comes to horses... but very unfortunately we now live in a time when horses are owned by totally ignorant people (i was one once, i shudder to think what i put my pony through before learning better... although never as bad as above). all you can do is offer to help, or, if you don't mind being detested, tell them the flipping truth.
 
True, but I can assure people Iam not bitching about anyone, I just want to help!! I also hate interfering without permission, so I felt Iam 'stuck-in-a-rut' scenerio. Makes me fustrated and somehow have to tell someone indirectly.
 
[ QUOTE ]
As I am a BHSAI, and have many years of experience I am shocked by what I see on a daily basis at the yard.


[/ QUOTE ]
LOL, I'm not a BHSAI but I do have many years experience and I can't say any of that is shocking. Pretty standard really on many yards. Most of those horses don't sound too badly off except maybe the sweating stressy pony, although are you sure its not a fizzy pony who's only purpose in life could ever be to race round over a little jump? Presumably these horses are fed, watered and turned out, and only tortured with miserable work for 30 minutes to an hour a day. Its not ideal, but its far from as bad as it gets, and you must have had a sheltered life if you find it shocking.
tongue.gif
 
Yeah, ok, compared to 'life' its not shocking, its just on 'my' door step!
I'd just like to show them right from wrong and make it easier for humans and horses.
 
How about offer 20 minutes free lessons to all the liveries.You could always say it is an attempt to boost your customers.With any luck you will be able to make a big improvement to these horse and rider combinations to the point that they decide they want further lessons with you.
 
i think that the problem is that most people (myself included
blush.gif
) don't like unsollicited offers of help- no matter that you have good intentions they probably see you as a nosey no-it-all (not saying you are...i see why you want to get involved but trying to see why they have said no)...unfortnately there is nothing you can do if they don't want help as its not open abuse in the full sense of the word...
crazy.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
How about offer 20 minutes free lessons to all the liveries.You could always say it is an attempt to boost your customers.With any luck you will be able to make a big improvement to these horse and rider combinations to the point that they decide they want further lessons with you.

[/ QUOTE ]

I like that idea ^^^^^^
 
QR

I might be in the minority here but I would love someone to offer to help and give me a few tips. Especially if it was because I was harming my horse.

I think you should say something. If you can make it sound like it's something they have realised themselves - by planting a seed - then so much the better as people can get defensive if they feel they're being attacked and will try to justify their behaviour to themselves. The hard part is to find a way to say things.

I think you should also speak to the YO/YM. She may be able to offer some suggestions and be supportive.

Horrible situation for you. Very difficult to sit and watch cruelty/ignorance. I don't think I could ignore it either. At least if you say something you'll feel that you have tried even if it's ignored.

Good luck
 
The underweight horse and the sweated up pony (and possibly the lame arab - you don't say enough about it for me to judge) would worry me, and I would speak to the YM/YO about because they are inexcusable The other things? Leave them. They may not be right, but they are small fry compared to the underweight horse and sweated up pony, and if you go to the YM/YO with a list as long as your arm, they will discount you as a serial complainer.
 
I don't mean to pontificate but it was Winston Churchill who said: "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men should do nothing." You have to allow for the language of the time. The important thing is, if we all drew the curtains, if we all looked away, crossed the street, whatever, then mob rule wins. Operation Esther would NOT have happened on this Forum if we'd all looked the other way. Little Stig would be dead by now. And so it goes on. Good for you ruthnmeg. So it doesn't make you Miss Popular, so what. If the horses could speak they'd thank you for trying.

Hands up who wants to arrive at the pearly gates head lowered and mumbling well, it wasn't really my place.................... Or arrive sweaty and flushed saying well, bloody hell, I TRIED!
 
Hands up who doesn't want to get to the pearly gates a lot earlier than planned beaten and stabbed because they upset some nutter by interfering, your in the news one day and outside toilet paper the next, Oh high God, sorry I'm early, if you have a minute could you remove this schooling whip from my arse before I go into the waiting room for eary unexpected arrivals..........
 
Maybe a good way to get across to as many as you can is to offer a cheap "clinic date" on the yard - common problems and how to solve type day. Like someone said, maybe 20 minute segments, but have it all in a clinic format. Offer it up at a tenner or something - no reason you should have to do it for free tho!
 
God I hope mine isn't the lame arab
shocked.gif
! Not that she's lame, I'm just always paranoid that she is and I can't see it, to the point where everyone on the yard has said she's not, but I'm still considering getting the vet out, just in case! Are you near Newcastle?
grin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
True, but I can assure people Iam not bitching about anyone, I just want to help!! I also hate interfering without permission, so I felt Iam 'stuck-in-a-rut' scenerio. Makes me fustrated and somehow have to tell someone indirectly.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sod upsetting people!!! if you can help then help!! in my day people didn't mind upsetting more novice riders, providing it was for the good of the horse, which is meant to be what it's all about. If no one says anything then how are these novice owners supposed to learn? good on you - I wouldn't give a toss how popular I was as long as one of them stopped jabbing there poor horse in the mouth.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top