Went to the New Years Meet (on foot) and I saw.......

wizoz

wizoz

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....a friend of mine's daughter on her pony with a Pelham in it's mouth but the cheek pieces were attached to the top rein ring
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I couldn't decide if I should say something or not, but thought it would be better for the pony if I did! So imagine, if the cheek pieces were attached to the top rein ring, the rein was attached to the bottom rein ring, therefore the angle of the bit was horizontal and the ring for the cheek piece was pointing towards its nose!!!

The pony wasn't at all bothered, as it wasn't attached properly in any way, it can't have been harsh to the ponies mouth but I did sidle up and just say to her that it was fitted wrongly and that the next time I go and do her Grandma's hair, I would show her how it's supposed to be.

It is quite sad that if you belong to a non horsey family, like she does, you don't know if you're doing things wrong. She hadn't a clue that she was doing anything wrong, so all I can do is point her in the right direction if and when I see things that aren't perhaps quite right. I'm not about to berate her, or say she shouldn't have a pony either, we all have to start somewhere and apart fom that the pony looked fine.
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Why did she think she had to use a pelham if she obviously didn't know how to fit it? She couldn't have known what it was for if she didn't know which way up it went?!
 
Hang on! As an ex PC mum, the number of times you let the kids clean their tack they put it back together, and when you have plenty of things to do, it is all you can do to check the reins are attached to the bit!
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It could be genuine ignorance or maybe just an oversight, it really isnt the end of the world.
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ETS I usually point stuff like that out too. I was once judging at a RC show, when a girl came in with a pelham upside down, when I pointed it out, she said quite matter of factly 'that was why the bit was sitting too low in his mouth then'
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She had it the right way up just a little wrong on which part of the bridle went on which ring of the bit and who knows why she thought she needed a pelham? I wasn't about to give her a lecture in front of a whole load of people. I said the next time I visit her grandmother, which is monday, i'll show her how to fit it properly and also have a chat about why she is using it!
 
Quite right Fatarse, great name btw
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Poor kid does it all by herself, not been to ponyclub and doesn't have any friends that she does horsey tings with, she lives on a farm in the middle of nowhere too!
 
I disagree with you it is the end of the world. At no time is there an excuse for suffering especially through ignorance so therefore before you buy a horse you should know how to use the equipment it stands to good reason in all other spheres of life for example ownership of a car overship of a firearm.

You can attend numerous courses where this information can be taught properly. If you want to see the results of badly fitted bits go to any welfare sanctuary the places are full of them.
 
Bullsh1t, so right fom the word go, you knew EXACTLY what you were doing with all tack and equipment and if you didn't you went on a course to learn? I did actually say that it could not have harmed the pony, it would have been much worse if she had fitted it properly to the cheek pieces and only put one rein on the lower ring, yeouch!
 
Nope didn't own a horse whilst I was learning and come to think of it still am. If you don't know you don't do simple. The pony isn't a toy or a comodity it is something that ultimately takes over your life you can't put it away like a motorcycle and bring it back out in the summer months expecting it to work, it's every day of the week for life.
 
Could you possibly lend her an old copy of the Manual of Horsemanship or another general horsecare and riding book. I still go back to mine occasionally (for trotting pole distances or something like that usually), she may learn a lot of other stuff as well that would help her.
Poor child - pony club or something would really help her make friends as well.
Fiona
 
I do believe that it is OK for people to learn as they are going along with horse ownership (we all live and learn, right?) However, personally I believe you should have a reasonable grasp of horse management before you buy one. I'll probably be shot-down but that is my opinion. As an owner you have responsibilities for your horse's management, comfort and ultimately, it's welfare. With little hands-on or practical experience I fail to see how you can meet these obligations.
 
Bless the kid, i'm sure she'll take any advice well.

And im sure we have all made silly mistakes that others would have a chuckle at.

im presuming the pony is a strong one and 1 rein works for her - just a shame she got the ring for the cheek pieces muddled up.

W as you said - not the end of the world.
 
I don't think anyone said on here that they are 'perfect' or even that they expect everyone else to be 'perfect'. It's a matter of having enough knowledge to utilise a horse in a reasonable way.
 
Ha! I think you did exactly the right thing.

I once saw someone with a pelham upside down!

I think we made a joke of it and put it on correctly.
 
I hope you were using quick reply rather than directly to me. I was trying to be constructive (and certainly didn't say anything about being perfect).

FIona
 
I get exactly what you're saying breezes and I have to say I agree.
Regardless of whether this kid is starting off on her own or not, she should not have a pony of her own in the first place if she doesn't know how to do the basics?
Though with that aside, i'm more concerned with whoever told her that her pony had to be in a pelham - especially if she doesnt know how to fit or use such a harsh piece of equipment.
She may mean well and yes we're not all perfect but incorrectly fitting tack is worrying.
 
OK this is a young girl we are talking about, who i think from what i gather comes from a non horsey background, with no horsey friends and lives in the middle of nowhere. Im absolutley sure she must love her pony , I would also wager that she has absolutely no idea she had it wrong. Im sure once pointed out she will not make the same mistake again. Im not condoning ill treament, abuse or ignorance when it comes to any animal but come on!! It was pointed out that no harm was caused. Would you like to give the girl a dressing down & tell her she shouldnt own a pony or kindly point out the right way! (and yes i am using quick reply, its not aimed at anyone, just voicing MY opinion)
 
At my old yard in the full livery tack room (so tack had been cleaned my "professional" grooms) one day I found out of 6 french link snaffles only 2 were the right way round......................!
 
Deary me!
I will say though that I would have done the same thing as OP did - just mention it at the time and then offer to come round and explain why it was wrong and how to do it properly etc and maybe lend her a few books etc
 
I am sure that there was actually no suffering from the pony, if it didnt need the pelham in the first place, then it is probably not a 'puller' so as I said no harm done! If this kid is muddling along then she is probably very grateful for any friendly advice, rather than know-it-all air of authority types getting all upset because she had made A MISTAKE!
FFS my mum who is the most knowledgable person I have ever come across, was out hacking when she met my uncle who asked her why she had the reins on the front of the bit?
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Simple answer A MISTAKE!
Heaven forbid anybody should be able to learn from them????
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**Stands up and applauds**

That is exactly what I wanted to hear, not some holier than though comments from people who "never do anything wrong"!!

Bah, we all have to start somewhere
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Oi i wouldn't exactly say I don't do anything wrong and I don't think breezes meant that either - I think you're being completely out of order and very rude by saying that. This is an open forum open to everybodys opinion - god forbid some should contradict yours!
Like I said earlier - Iwould have actually done what the OP has done - I am just saying just because she is a child from a non horsey background it does not give her an excuse to be wearing incorrectly fitting tack that COULD cause the pony discomfort. I would definately NOT berate the girl I would offer my help and advice and learning to her - but i would NOT mollycoddle her or coo all over her because "bless her shes a girl from a non horsey background".
 
FGS! No its not ideal that the girl put the bit on the wrong way round but it happens and I am sure everyone of us on here has done something in error at some point, through ignorance or not!

I am sure the pony was none the worse for it, phew poor kid if some of these posters got hold of her!!
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Well said fatarse2. When I think of the silly mistakes I made with my first pony I cringe! Nothing life threatening or harmfull, just inexperience, but if anybody had told me at that point I didnt deserve to have a pony my world would have crumbled. I lived for my pony, I breathed my pony, If I wasnt riding I was grooming or fussing. If I wasnt with my pony I was thinking about what I would be doing the next time I saw him. I love him dearly (still do allthough I am too big for him now he is still going strong & I still have him. No amount of riding lessons & pony care lessons can prepare you for every day care of owning your own pony. If love was all you needed I would have been at the top. With all this in mind when I see youngsters maybe getting it a little wrong I remember warmly the exhilarating feeling & rush of love & excitement I felt every time I rounded the corner to my pony in his stable or field. So to anyone who may see youngster getting it wrong please be kind & have a quiet word, Dont be harsh & crush young dreams.
 
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Well said fatarse2. When I think of the silly mistakes I made with my first pony I cringe! Nothing life threatening or harmfull, just inexperience, but if anybody had told me at that point I didnt deserve to have a pony my world would have crumbled. I lived for my pony, I breathed my pony, If I wasnt riding I was grooming or fussing. If I wasnt with my pony I was thinking about what I would be doing the next time I saw him. I love him dearly (still do allthough I am too big for him now he is still going strong & I still have him. No amount of riding lessons & pony care lessons can prepare you for every day care of owning your own pony. If love was all you needed I would have been at the top. With all this in mind when I see youngsters maybe getting it a little wrong I remember warmly the exhilarating feeling & rush of love & excitement I felt every time I rounded the corner to my pony in his stable or field. So to anyone who may see youngster getting it wrong please be kind & have a quiet word, Dont be harsh & crush young dreams.

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BEAUTIFULLY said. That is exactly how I feel and how the responses should be.
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