what's the dumbest thing you've ever heard a non horsey person say about horses?

This from an experienced horse owner I know:

Me: How many hands is your new horse?
Her: Not sure - between 14.2 and 15hh I think
Me: 14.3hh then?
her: Don't be silly - you don't get 14.3hh horses. It goes 14hh,14.1,14.2 then 15.
Me: Oh OK!

The same girl had an argument with me when she asked why my horse had on a martingale - which I told her was a breast plate. She would not believe me that it was indeed a breastplate - and she insisted that her horse had on a breastplate (which was actually a martingale).

So it's not just non-horsey people who say thick things about horses!
 
LaurenBay said:
Overhearing an RI telling a fellow livery at my old yard. "You need to make your straw banks atleast 3 foot high, your Horse will never ever get cast then. It's the only way to stop a Horse getting cast".
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Technically around 3 foot is the height that banks would need to be to stop horses from becoming cast. It's ridiculous, and nobody would ever bother with that much bedding, but the RI was actually right.
 
My dad and brother are both convinced that riding is really easy, despite neither of them ever having tried it. My dad went for a (walk only) pony trek a few holidays ago, and this holiday when we booked a trail ride in Spain he insisted that he be allowed to canter, because walking was really boring. When I told him that he wouldn't be able to, he informed me that riding was easy, everyone could do it and he was a natural. At which point I said "okay, let's have a canter then!" Sadly I missed watching him learn his lesson the hard way because he forgot his boots and couldn't ride after all.

My mum, on the other hand, when I was talking about teaching my 3yo to lunge, told me that I would be far better off long-reining and proceeded to tell me why at length. I never should have lent her that damn Kelly Marks book.

Years ago when I got my horse on full loan, I tried to explain to somebody the concept of livery. She decided that because the horse was only on loan, not mine, that meant that I wasn't allowed to take him home. I left it at that - too much effort to explain.

Oh, and I constantly get asked why I have lessons when I can already ride. :D
 
LIZ66 said:
This from an experienced horse owner I know:

Me: How many hands is your new horse?
Her: Not sure - between 14.2 and 15hh I think
Me: 14.3hh then?
her: Don't be silly - you don't get 14.3hh horses. It goes 14hh,14.1,14.2 then 15.
Me: Oh OK!

The same girl had an argument with me when she asked why my horse had on a martingale - which I told her was a breast plate. She would not believe me that it was indeed a breastplate - and she insisted that her horse had on a breastplate (which was actually a martingale).

So it's not just non-horsey people who say thick things about horses!
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A hand is 4 inches so you can get 14.3 :)
 
I am soooo glad someone else has pointed that one out! I have been sitting here frowning at myself, convinced you can get a 16.3hh, so surely you can have a 14.3hh, but didnt want to be wrong!
 
Not a dumb comment, but made me smile - my partner's youngest daughter was watching show jumping on TV with me. The horse had a fence down which dropped them right down the placings and I made a comment "that was an expensive mistake". She turned to me, horrified, and asked whether they had to pay a fine if they knocked a fence down! Bless her :)
 
Sorry can't quote on phone but to Broke but Happy - I know you can get 14.3 horses - the point was that the girl I was speaking to didn't think you could :)
 
My other half "so that horsey dancing, once they have done the same one a couple of times, would they be able to do it on their own?"
Me. "what without a rider? No, they would need a rider"
Him. " why not? I thought you said horses were clever?!"
 
I have a few horses, one of which is a pure Clydesdale, I often get asked why Im riding him and shouldnt he be ploughing a field..?? :rolleyes:
Also because we have a Shetland too, we are asked if Goliath (Clydie) is his Mum....:eek:
 
The people at my work asked if i was teaching when i said one day i had to leave on time as had a lesson to get to - no, i'm having a lesson! They said why if i can ride!? Couldn't understand why i'd have lessons!

I also ruined the 'horse dancing' for my auntie when i told her most of the routines are done first then music matched to it, not the horses bopping along to the music. Felt a bit rotten afterwards as she looked like a kid who'd had her ice cream stolen!
 
And my non horsey vet.

I would love to have a horse but just can't afford it.

Me: we'll if you pick a breed that suits your needs etc most can live out and if you hunt about you can find cheaper yards etc.

Vet: oh no live out, horses need a stable. I can't stand people leaving their horses out in winter.

Me: oh right....(best not mention my 20yr old and the unrugged cob in my field then....)
 
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