What things do you do that other HHO mightn't approve of!!

I have been on a Parelli course - enjoyed it and use it regularly every day with all my horses/ponies.

I am the last one on my yard to rug in the autumn and the first to take them off in the spring.

I would never ever consider clipping in any way whatsoever after the end of January.

I'm going to breed from my yearling next year (she'll be 2 by then) by embryo transfer, eventhough she won't have a ridden competition record (or obviously even been backed). She does, however, have a BEF Elite Premium as a foal, and hopefully will also do well as a yearling this year.

I can't stand Pony Club politics.....but am weirdly still a huge fan and supporter of Pony Club per se.

I'm also not a fan of forum politics, and hate it that some posters are more 'popular' than others.
 
i've only ever worn a body protector once as it was compulsory, but took it off half way round and left it in a bush :D
and i don't wear hi viz. not that i ever go hacking in bad weather or the dark.. but i'm sure bright daylight is unacceptable to the pro hi viz too ;)
other than that i reckon i'm pretty much perfect.. ha.
 
I have never worn a BP, even when riding XC

I used to hack out my old share pony on the buckle and feet out of the stirrups

Have taken phonecalls/texted while riding aforementioned pony

Used to lead her on the very end of the rope

Turn current share horse out by opening stable door and chasing her out to the field :p

Not afraid to discipline a horse if it's naughty

Trot on the roads

Don't always wear Hi-viz for hacking

Used to race ponies bareback up old country lanes to the fields they were kept in at night

I throw my lefg over the neck to get off, I rarely dismount properly
 
Forgive me HHO for I have sinned...... I have done the following:

used a twisted snaffle

used draw reins

used a market harbrough

used spurs

mounted from the wrong side

Don't own any hi viz - although the fact I haven't hacked for YEARS might mitigate that!

And probably a shedload of other stuff.
 
I ride in Dr Cooks - for everything from hacking to jumping

My tack is all synthetic (Wintec saddles, biothane Dr Cooks and breast plates) and I hose it occasionally if I can be a r s e d

Sometimes I wash my numnahs - only when they are so stiff they won't bend anymore.

I never use boots of any kind

I use spurs on Ari - he is a lazy sod

They are both barefoot

My OH trims their feet - and used to shoe them when they were shod and NO he is not a qualified farrier :p

They are fed straights and oil - soaked oats and beet mainly

They get groomed if we are going out - round the saddle and briddle areas

They sometimes spend 14 hours a day in their stables

They have no grazing and live on hay in a paddock of about 1/4 acre, if that.

I never poo pick

There is barbed wire round their paddock as well as the electric tape

They have rubber mats and a scant bucket of sawdust in their stables - Ari is usually covered in pee stains and smells like a tramp.

I am the person who didn't muck out until ten minutes before they were due to come in - and did a shoddy job of it.

My stables are a converted barn - lots of sharp pointy stones in the walls and quite a low beam in Ari's.

We do our own innoculations/stitching/basic vet care

They are wormed once a year if they need it

I do wear hi viz as I don't want to be shot in the forest

I clicker train

I tell my horses off in no uncertain terms if they deserve it

I lunge in a head collar and don't wear gloves

They have one rug - a rain sheet - each.

I treat them like horses, not kittens, and expect them to do their jobs

I won't wear my BP except under exceptional cirumstances

I ride in trainers ALL the time


In the south:

FB lived in my back garden in a dirt pen 7m x 10m

He was fed on straw as forage and they will be again when we go back.

I rode without a hat, through the town

I rode in shorts

I lead three horses while riding FB

I often rode in a head collar out on hacks
 
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Ok my trun....

I hardly pick my horses feet out

He's never had a back person or a saddle fit (Although I did used to fit flair saddles so not too different)

He doesn't have shoes on (But does need them now, so thinking about it)

Don't do head collar up, just half do it

Trot and canter on roads all the time

Don't clean my tack as much as I should

Don't hold reins at all when hacking!!

Use my phone when hacking

And last one I don't tie him up when untacking, just do it in midle of yard.

Theres loads more but I would be here for years writing them all down. :D
 
I treat my horse like a pet (shock, horror) and like to give her a groom for no good reason at all.

I use a waterford, she likes it better than the KK sprenger...

I don't like to ride in the rain..

She's usually covered in poo stains in the summer.... she's white.

She wears a JW blingy flowered brow band.

I don't clip her feathers off when she's clipped out.

I don't tie up to groom or tack up and she'll stand loose outside whilst I untack her.

I walk BEHIND her all the time... very none BHS ;)

She has 2 treat balls every day cos she sulks if she doesn't get them.

But, she's well loved and cared for and I enjoy my time spent with her so I don't care :p
 
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Oooh, loving this thread, here we go:-

He goes best in a Waterford gag

I bought a sparkly browband

I love sparkly spurs and have considered buying some even though I don't ride in spurs

I rarely clean tack and dunk bit in water bucket after riding

Always ride in jeans (breeches a little tight at mo)

He is sometimes in 24/7 as he hates rain and midges

He follows quad up hill to come in headcollarless (don't panic, it's a 5,000 acre private estate)

Loves his snack ball

Stands at door of stable with door open while I'm in next door shed

Rugged to the max and clipped in winter (he likes being toasty)

He's kept alone but appears to be none the worse for it

Have ridden bareback and/or hatless (but after recent fall have reconsidered)

When I was (much much) younger, friend and I rode pillion (only for a short while)

I'm off to hide now....................

My favourite is the Shetland in the Fiesta, supposed to be working but laughed out loud!!!!
 
i love this thread!

i use draw reins
i have one in the evilest bit you can imagine - a dutch waterford gag - yes one rein!
i turn everything out alone
i dont wear high viz
i text/call people on my phone/listen to ipod while riding
i use too many studs in their feet
i know what i want and when i want it in the warm up which is highly arrogant :)
i call them 'it' sometimes


so many sins!
 
I weigh over 8 stone and still ride my daughters 15 hh.
I have sold out grown ponies.
I bought my daughter a point two.
 
I will slip the blindfold on now and you lot can take aim.......

Totillas isnt impressive.
I prefer a pelham and think snaffles are overrated.
Nosebands should NOT be tight, no amount of expensive foam padded bridlework changes the fact that its tight.
I dont see the point of pure thoroughbreds.
Horses DONT melt in the rain and are beautifully engineered to eat grass.
Im nearly 50 and if I dont want to ride in a monsoon with horizontal gale thrown in - I wont.
If my horses run round screaming to come in....I go and get them.
 
My elderly TB mare is out 24/7 all year.

I trimmed her mane with scissors.

My youngster is barefoot.

I ride him in a Wintec Isabelle.

I have shown at National level using a Wintec!

I like Pelhams if it suits the horse.

I have used a Swales in the past.

I have used draw reins in the past.

I don't care at all what other people say behind my back.

I don't like watching Morlands Totilas.

I regularly used to wear a Beagler or top hat when showing.

My expensive dressage youngster will be living out this summer, instead of wrapped up in 4 rugs in his stable every night (this is big SHOCK HORROR for some people I know!!!).
 
- I have the ability to be open minded. I don't read something and automatically think 'that's right/wrong!' especially just because everyone else thinks so. That must be wrong! :p
- I'm neither for or against Rollkur
- Have used draw reins/waterford/double bridle/hackamore etc. - without being a 'professional' first. Before I was 14 actually, and usually on my own ;)
- Bought 4/6 saddles I've owned so far off ebay, and 2 off the shelf. All fitted & horses they were bought for never had a problem! (lucky coincidence maybe :p)
- Have told more than 1 instructor that I didn't agree with what they told me/it didn't work for me & my horse.
- Used to hack out on my instructors 17.1 showjumper when I was 10 (and about the size of a 6yr old child...), on the roads & in fields, knowing I could never stop if she took off!

Oh dear (:
 
I don't always wear my hi-vis (always if I'm out on my own though)

I haven't had a lesson for about 5 years

I'm a happy hacker and I haven't competed in about 4 years

Trot on roads

I don't own my own horse yet (shock horror!)

I don't see a problem with horses living out 24/7

I think gadgets are overrated and the true solution lies with good schooling

I let horses be horses
 
I don't ride in an arena unless at a clinic/show-I do all my schooling on hacks and my horse is very well schooled.

they all live out 24/7, unrugged and are ridden year round

they eat grass, hay, chop and pony nuts

2 are unshod and I use a normal farrier

I hack out bareback on occasion

I think most competition dressage is ugly

I secretly want a pinstripe showjumping jacket

My main riding horse is 15.2, I also ride ponies (I am 5'7) and dont see the point in really big riding horses.

both animals or riding age can perform lateral work in long reins
 
0ldmare said:
Oh god so many things...

Hack out on the buckle and dont mind if she wants to grab the odd particularly delicious bit of hedgerow as we pass (although she has to keep moving and I draw the line eating grass)
Click to expand...

I do this too. Just can't motivate myself to be remotley bothered if he grabs a scooby snack on route :D
 
I ride my high withered horse in a treeless saddle,
I sometimes forget about picking out his feet,
I only ride in hi-viz in the evenings,
Believe that my TB is waterproof (as long as its not cold),
In the winter my horse doesn't see a head collar...
I tie to solid objects
I ride in mucker's
I've been in the school 10 times in the last 8 years ...
I don't want to show
and I take a TB on endurance rides
I let my horse weave without a weave gate as I think it's better for him to get it out of his system,
I discipline my horse when he's bad!

I dream of riding my boy in from the field bare-back, with only a head collar but he's too big to get on and his back is too bony its painful :(
 
i have used a double- and :eek: i loved it!!!
i am selling my mare because she is a handful and i want her to go and have fun :eek:
i didnt clip my mare this winter and still rugged her up and rode her :eek:
my ponies stay in at night :eek:
i have gone for gallops on a dressage saddle :eek:
i use pink boots on my share pony :eek:
i hate jumping :eek:
i get nervous hacking :eek:
matrix is on a diet :eek:
i ride a 13.2 :eek:
shoot me now!!!
 
Reading some of the things people do or have done is making me chuckle....Daughter keeps asking whats funny..... I have to admit(when young and fearless) riding tandam,bareback and with no hat!!!! I also use things designed for humans,I once used Canestan on her thrush, and it worked.Also use savlon on scratches etc.Tell her not to be so soft when going past a big scary hedge with Cows behind it.(she used to live with cows..lol.
 
Oh dear, there are probably quite a few. Here are the ones I can think of, sorry if they have already been mentioned!

Sometimes, my horses just have to fit in around my life and work. Yes, they will get done early if I'm going out early eve or something
I event my TB without hind shoes or studs
I do use my phone out hacking
I do have music playing whlest I ride, even out hacking sometimes, *but not on roads*
I never wear Hi-viz unless Im on a nutcase then I wear one that says something about a young horse
I break in a racing saddle
I ride in said racing saddle on all of my horses bar the ones that are competing
I don't always poo-pick the fields everyday
If I look after/ride someone elses horse whilst they are away and it is not perfectly behaved it is disciplined
Sometimes my horses get away with things they shouldnt. God forbid anybody else's horse which attempts the same crime as mine gets away with
I ride and lead bareback and in headcollar turning out to the field
I have a pony who I bought in July which has been trimmed by farrier once (in about September) and will not be done any time soon cos' it's feet aren't long
I own at least 1 of possibly every single bit ever made!
I never clean tack, apart from my Harry Dabbs which gets done most weeks, unless competing
I hardly ever groom unless there is mud under where tack goes, and I rarely pick out feet
If I'm not sure what it is like to handle I pop in a chifney
I only ever wear a BP when i absolutely have to
I am putting my perfectly sound mare in foal because she won't travel and is therefore uncompetable
I live for horseracing
I bitch at shows

phew...I could go on I reckon but will leave it there for now!
 
If i have an opinion on something i will say so ;)

I have full TBs and a stallion that live out :eek: (and they are shown at county level and evented too :p)

If i have a 'problem' with a horse i prefer to try and understand why, rather than reaching for the supplement/whip/gadget/stronger bit/etc. I would rather spend more time training for the benefit of the horse rather than a quick solution for the benefit of me:). (and no, i dont hug trees)

I am usually very safety concious but i dont put a headcollar on when picking out my horses feet in the field. Not even on the foals :rolleyes:
 
Just thought of a couple more

I have been know to text whilst trotting down the road hunting
My pony kicks out at hounds and I still hunt on a regular basis, I just keep away from them
I don't always sweep the yard
I swear, alot, sometimes at my horses and often without meaning to, but they aren't concerned, they don't know what it means
I ride in any weather
I believe that competing is not about taking part, it's about winning
 
I sometimes use draw reins.
I sometimes use the same tack on both horses as I can't be bothered to walk back to the tack room- nothing wrong with a baggy noseband!
I compete and school in a beagler.
I have been known, in moments of desperation, to pull a branch off a tree to use as a stick!
I hunt without a body protector.
Sometimes, I ride in my double bridle as its easier and looks nice!
 
I used to smoke on horseback, sometimes when riding and leading. :eek:

I used to regularly ride bareback in a headcollar with no hat!

I have been known to use my phone whilst riding.

I only wear hi-viz on a dull day.

I never wear my BP (which is an ancient Racesafe I've had since PC) unless comp rules say I have to.

My horses live out whatever the weather.

My sec B never wears a rug, she doesn't even own one!

I never poo pick.

I have used a Dutch gag and a pelham with only one rein and NO roundings!! :eek:
 
I have never really had a saddle fitted (I have had saddler out to look, but always buy mine on ebay or get them 2nd hand)
I don’t titbit at all
I ride in spurs, all the time
I would rather have a ridden horse than a well groomed one
I feed LOADS of hard feed
I feed bran..can you believe it
I feed ad lib haylage even on spring grass, to a pony!
I think if me and my horse haven’t sweated we haven’t worked properly
I don’t boot my horses much
I don’t have a sandschool, or floodlights, but still have a yard full of really well produced and happy horses that go out and win weekly!! Woop!!
 
I do most of the things that all of you do on a daily basis - give or take a few that I'm not brave enough for (i.e Shils - although that does sound a lot of fun).

I have been x-country schooling in very short shorts and full chaps. However it was being videoed by a guy , so most of the footage is of my ass hanging out of my shorts over jumps. Oh the shame :rolleyes:

Once I was so hungover/still streaming drunk, and stupid enough not to cancel my early morning lesson, which resulted in me vomiting all down my poor horses shoulder. Disgraceful...
 
I think we are all quite normal!

Definitely feel happier on this thread than on the one about obsessive compulsive behaviour!

Takes a deep breath as confession is good for the soul -

I hate the Shetland Pony Grand National at Olympia and always go shopping when its on.

I muck out at a time of day which suits me, depending on work, baby sitting etc and also don't feed at a set time. I love my horses but they have to fit in with me.

I would rather see my neds out in the field naked and enjoying the sun if poss but I have rugged up a particularly grubby grey in an attempt to lessen the washing/grooming needed (all in one fly/dust sheet combo).

I don't groom very thoroughly every day, just make sure there is no mud or sweat to rub under tack.

I have used my mobile when riding.

I don't mind doing dressage myself (ok attempting dressage) but could only watch a couple of tests (even at Grand Prix level) before my eyes glazed over and I fell asleep with boredom.

I get very annoyed with people who keep their horses at yards with fantastic hacking but either ride in the school everyday or trot in the field for 5 mins.

I know I am a grumpy old woman but I hate children running round the yard screaming and also playing in the hay barn - breaking bales, tearing haylage bales and dropping sweet wrappers.

I think that (most) Pony Club Mothers are a dereanged breed apart and are best kept at least a fields distance away. On the same lines I think that there are quite a few PC mums who should not be allowed near a clapped out old fiesta, never mind a Disco and Ifor with two ponies aboard. (Reverse my trailer, oh no I get someone else to do that!)

I firmly believe that when any animal of mine's (dog or horse or whatever) quality of life is no longer acceptable then I will do the decent thing by them and be with them at the end.

And I always have at least one dog on the bed with me at night!
 
jodie3 said:
I get very annoyed with people who keep their horses at yards with fantastic hacking but either ride in the school everyday or trot in the field for 5 mins.
!
Click to expand...

Don't come here then. I can count on one hand the number of people that hack out in the lovely wood out of around 150 horses? Unbelievable isn't it? They prefer to do circle after circle in a school than go for a good galumph in the wood now and again. And I'm not talking old ladies/old horses here.

I just committed another crime this very evening and thought of this thread as I did it - I let my horse stop to do his poo. Well, he did seem to be enjoying it so much and it's been long day etc etc excuse, excuse.....;)
 
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