Strangers riding my horse without permission

Sarah Ann, It is very irrelevant, but I am just trying to explain one of many reasons I am incredibly angry and upset, he isn't a dope on a rope and I do think it matters as he requires an advanced and confident handler - Still irrelevant I know, but one of many points I have rattling through my head at the moment
 
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I don't know how to handle what happens next without causing an argument, I have full insurance, however, where do I stand legally if this happens again? What if there is an accident?
Is there a definite legal issue here I can mention to stop her from repeating her actions?

Handle it without causing an argument??

I would be apoplectic! You must confront the person who did this, and tell them that you will tear a new rectum for them if they even deign to look at your horse again.

You also need to inform the YO immediately.

I can't believe it........!!
 
Seriously, speak to YM first thing then speak to idiot person who did this and go mental. Don't let her play it down, I would go seriously ballistic. I think this is absolutely appalling!
 
You're right and that is what I am going to do of course. I can't believe the difference in respect, I respect people and their own animals and property, a shame people cannot do the same for me
 
Omg! If i was in your situation i would be foaming at mouth. Your horse. simplys. You do not habe to explain to anyone including YO why you are understandably not happy. Your Horse your property. Dreadful thing for anyone to do.
 
Fuming , that's not on. If she wants to give pony rides this person she should use her own. They should not be even touching yours without permission.
 
Sarah Ann, It is very irrelevant, but I am just trying to explain one of many reasons I am incredibly angry and upset, he isn't a dope on a rope and I do think it matters as he requires an advanced and confident handler - Still irrelevant I know, but one of many points I have rattling through my head at the moment

This has me wondering if their actions would be regarded as child endangerment. But yes, complain in writing and in person. The people involved should be kicked off the yard, imo.
 
Interesting how many people are telling you to leave the yard ASAP. If the ym is not involved them I don't see why you should be the one to leave - it should be the other livery
 
Interesting how many people are telling you to leave the yard ASAP. If the ym is not involved them I don't see why you should be the one to leave - it should be the other livery

That's a good point, I guess it would all depend on the YO's reaction, but yes if it were my yard the offending muppet would be leaving.
 
Speak to the offending livery. Speak to the YO & if the YO has any guts they will notice to leave to the offending livery as her actions are totally unacceptable.
 
I do hope you explained to the lady and the child, NEVER to get on your horse again!!

I would have torn a new poop shoot by now, there is absolutely no way I could wait to 'speak without causing an arguement'
Bad enough if someone moves my horses without me knowing, but to get on their back???
 
Yes good point, she should have to endure the task of finding another yard - not I.
Mithras- Yes I only found out today, that is the reason. Tomorrow is going to be an incredibly stressful day!
 
I too would be furious! Offending person needs to be given notice... If I was the YO I wold be questioning just how many horses she has done this to!

On a nicer note - welcome! And we do very much like pictures of neddies x
 
No, YM/YO (same difference on our yard) is not aware. As I said, I will be talking tomorrow, slightly nervous as I know I will be told I am overreacting or that it was nothing to be upset about and played down
Well best just keep your conversation to the minimum, next thing, you will be told "you are to blame". If you have a large male relative take him with you as a witness.
Ask what YO intends to do about it, you can't stay there without support of the YO, but yes, the other person should be turfed out.
Otherwise find somewhere else and move him, YO has broken the contract, "duty of care". If YO does not know what is going on, that is evidence of lack of care, if they do know, that is collusion.
 
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Good luck today OP, screw up your courage and give them hell! I understand fully why you're feeling nervous about it, I would be too, I'm very non-confrontational and hate things like that.
But in this case you have to be strong for your horse, these people cannot be allowed to think that this is in any way acceptable.
 
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Questions I would have asked in this scenario;
How often have you ridden my horse?
When did you start riding my horse?
Have you been paying someone to ride my horse?
What type of riding ..school hacks?

As to avoiding conflict? No! This would be one situation that I'd really enjoy dealing with.
I ride a friends horse with her permission. However I still ask whether it's ok to take him out. In the early days of her owning him YO was inclined to treat him like one if her's and put random people on him..sometimes she forgot to ask if she could do this. Situation was dealt with so now only myself and his owner ride him as we needed consistency.
 
Bless you Eboni, you sound far too nice. Cause an argument? I'd be ranting and raving at the culprit, asking them what the *** they thought they were doing and making sure they were under no illusions that this is totally unacceptable, and if it happens again you will be going to the police and asking them to find something suitable to charge them with (theft, behaviour likely to cause a breach of the peace, I'm sure they will think of something!). Then IF it happens again they will know they are doing so against your express instructions and will have to be prepared for the consequences. Scare the pants off them!!
 
Sorry, on reflection, a quiet word might be more appropriate as in - take them to one side and "Was it you who decided to allow someone else to ride my horse? Why exactly did you think you had the right to do that? Would you find it acceptable if someone used your property in that way? Are you aware that if it happens again I will get the police involved?" Etc etc - sometimes quiet and low key can be more forceful than rating and from your post I suspect you would be more comfortable with that.
 
I too would be going nuts and I'm not a fan of conflict either! I'd speak (shout) to her, speak to YO, put a cheeky sign on stable door and field gate, lock up my tack and do something with the rugs your horse wears so you know if they've been removed. Baler twine tied round the buckles a particular way or similar. Really feel for you. This actually happened to meant years ago, but I didn't find out until a couple of years later!
 
Put your mobile phone on to voice record as you are about to deal with this person, if you haven't got someone you can take with you for moral support. Or arrange to ring somebody so that they can hear what is said. One of us if needs be!!! PM me if you want to do that. Chin up, chest out and think of your horse ( and maybe other horses there) that you are protecting! Good Luck. Can't wait for next instalment.
 
I would speak to the YO/YM about the situation. I would also speak to the person responsible for riding your horse. Explain to them that you have never and would never give permission for your horse to be ridden. Also inform both that you will be speaking to your Solicitor (wheather you do nor not is up to you).

I would also inform the person whose child etc has been riding your horse that you are going to charge them for the number of times this has happened. Also explain to this person that anything relevant to your horse when they have been handling /riding by them is their responsibility ie injury to horse or rider wheather they are handling or riding him. They have no insurance and yours would be void.

I would keep calm and collected about things. If you feel you need to move don't tell anyone until things are in place, this can only cause more trouble, people can turn nasty once they know you are moving.

Apart from this incident if you are happy with the yard do not be forced to go.
 
While I agree that this situation is unacceptable and the entitled woman completely out of order, charging the child/parent (1) implies that you are prepared to loan out your horse and (2) implies that you are happy to run an unlicensed riding school. This is not about money!

Hopefully parent-and-child already understand that there will be no more riding of your horse anyway.
 
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