Taking the P**s a bit?

L

LuciaSamson

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I help at a local riding school and livery yard in return for a free ride. It started off well, i'd work all day mucking out, poo picking etc and i'd get to ride for about half an hour in the evening. Recently it's completely changed :/ i'll work all day 6 days a week and not even be offered a ride. I'm beginning to think the yard owner is taking me for granted, as other helpers who turn up half way through the day, muck out one stable then stand around doing nothing get offered a ride, while i just get ignored. Last week i had worked for 3 days straight, the other helpers turned up half way through the week at lunch, worked for roughly an hour, then got offered a ride by the YO while i carried on forking the muck heap for the next two hours while everyone else was in the school. I'm really starting to get sick of it, and i feel the YO is just taking me for granted, but i have no idea what to do:confused:
 
I would say you are sorry! Riding Schools don't have a lot of money to spare and will not look a gift horse in the mouth, if you know what I mean! Have a look for a share or something? Can I ask how old you are? I am sure someone local will be looking for some help, instead of speading 6 days a week helping for nothing in a return xx
 
Tell the YO the problem, if it dosen't improve leave, i had this on a yard i used to work on, i was out in the freezing cold feeding all the horses, while another girl who had resently joined, was sat inside have tea, i didn't even get offered a lift, i had to go through a park on my own in pitch black.
Plus the YO took this other girl on holiday with her, and left me on my own to look after 10 horses. I left as soon as she got back.
 
I'm going to guess you're in your teens?

Just say to the YO - do they really need your help because you feel you're being taken advantage of. Simple as. I'd point out that you are there all/nearly all day and don't get a look in. It works both ways - they either need someone who will work a good day or they don't.

Is it the only place near you? Put an ad in a local paper or in a local store or feed merchant etc asking if anybody needs any help in return for lessons on their own horse/s and hacks out. . ? Not as much work to do for longer rides on better ponies/horses ;)
 
Yep - does sound a bit like taking the P but you don't have to put up with it!! look for a share horse.

There are LOADS of people out there looking for sharers - put up ads in local tack rooms and trawl through all the usual horsey advertising sites and you never know what you might find. There are often people with two or more horses who don't have time to exercise them both and would love to have someone to hack out on one of them whilst they ride another.

You can still get the stable duties experience but chances are you'll only have to muck out one stable for an hours ride, rather than 10 for half an hour!
 
poor you, try another riding school thats a lot of work for half an hour id gladly have you dogwalking, etc for a thirty minute ride on my horse , im sure if you look round /advertise you will be snapped up
 
Put up some wanted ads - riding in return for chores. I'd gladly teach a beginner for help poo picking and doing chores, let alone someone who could actually ride! I'm willing to bet other multi-horse owners feel similarly!
 
When the others are being offered you could always ask to join them? The YO may not notice that your waiting to be asked - to be honest I would just ask if you could rather than wait. Some people prefer the ground work rather than riding you know!

Long term view - look to loan yourself and view it as an amazing opportunity that has taught you the basics! :)
 
I started out paying £10 a week for 2 days (this WAS 8 years ago!) riding and full chores.
Now don't pay anything except new rugs, food when I can as more or less loan Kelly and am good friends with owner now - we do a lot for each other.
You will tend to pay a certain amount per day you have the horse plus maybe a bit extra for shoes vets dentist etc.
K x
 
Tinypony said:
I wish I could find someone like you. Whereabouts are you??
Click to expand...

Hands off MINE!!!

Only joking- seriously it irritates me that people get the p*** taken like this- We went through a stage at my yard where my little daughter was doing everything for everyone in the cold and dark for not even as much as a thank you, Its common courtesy which sadly some ppl just dont seem to have.

I would put up an ad as others have suggested you have far proven you are willing to put in the work and you deserve something in return, It may take a while but just keep going- something will turn up.
xx
 
if you are 19 and helping out 6 days a week for no payment and no rides why not look into doing your bhs stages and/or NVQ's.That way you will be getting to ride each day as well as doing the horse care side of things and possibly depending on the place you choose to do these may get paid as well.
 
Your 19. You should find a yard who will pay you or take you on as a working pupil where you will get training and more rides.
I would have a word with YO and just say that your unwilling to work like this, if your half way decent they will be terrified of losing you and offer more rides and/or some money!
 
yeah i agree with the others - id go find an NVQ yard or working pupil... your 19 not 9.... your being taken advantage of.

i used know of a yard that takes on kids (11-16?)... one day a week to run the riding school and muck out all the horses etc (no riding no pay!)! so the staff can have a day off.... think thats taking advantage? but kids will do that so you cant blame them...

but your not a kid so tell them to do one and go find a better school :)
 
I totally sympathise with you.

I was taken the p*** out of when I was younger and used to work my a55 off for a free ride and 9 times out of 10 never got it. My parents felt so bad that I wasnt getting my free ride that they ended up paying for my rides at the riding school. I would have moved riding schools but there were none other that were as local.

Speak to the YO. Let us know how you get on
 
Hi

I was in a very similar situation all through my teens I was eager to be around the horses and help but then found myself working from 7 in the morning til 7 at night in all weathers and did not get so much as a cup of tea, there were other more favoured girls that did nothing and were never out of the saddle in the end I approached the yard owner and asked either to be paid a nominal amount or increase my riding she was very arrogant about the whole thing and basically laughed in my face anyway to cut a long story short I got a job away from the yard and paid for lessons which she did not like either. Not all riding schools are the same but at 19 I think with the hours you are already putting in I would put that to good use and maybe go and work as a working pupil or maybe do equine studies at college or something but I certainly would not be working those hours for nothing assert yourself it my pay off. I now have my own yard and I would never expect anyone to do what your doing I treat anyone that comes to help as equal and it pays off because then everyone is happy.

I wish you the best of luck xxx
 
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