Gloi
Too little time, too much to read.
Probably because so many people lie about their ability.
Will anyone take this on (or another AIBU!)
- Thread starter Glitter's fun
- Start date
JBM
Well-Known Member
I mean they could still do that? I could lie about anything
Keith_Beef
Novice equestrian, accomplished equichetrian
I think that on the whole it's not too bad. The statement about "western or gaited style riders" is a bit badly worded (I see no reason why a person can't ride several different styles), but other than that I don't see anything really bad.
I wonder if the owners have had problems with
rank beginners who overestimated their competence,
owners who are so accustomed to their own horses that they have forgotten how to handle a new horse,
out of condition riders who can manage a hour of dressage or jumping but can't manage two to three hours up hill and down dale.
And what would happen if there were three experienced riders who went out in a group with a novice who was uncomfortable with cantering or who fell off after ten minutes of a three hour hack?
oldie48
Well-Known Member
Before I bought my own horse I rode at two centres on Exmoor very regularly. They did assessment rides with all new clients and I saw potential customers turned away as being too inexperienced. They were fab places, I generally did a 2 hour hack with the occasional half and day ride. The horses were well schooled, knew their job and we had long canters as well as a gallop in suitable places. I know people who have ridden for years who would have struggled as we also went up and down steep tracks and a rider needed to be balanced and fairly strong as the horses certainly didn't hang about. They have both closed now but I always had to book in advance to guarantee they could take me. The horses weren't difficult to ride but the terrain could be, the horses were well looked after with tack that fitted and mostly Irish/hunter types not cobs. The owner of the one place was ex army, very plain speaking and he had no problem in telling you off if he didn't like something about how you rode, definitely not for anyone with a thin skin! TBH I don't blame centres being upfront and I'd go there.
Wizpop
Well-Known Member
Also sounds very off putting- as if they are trying to undermine confidence…..
Rowreach
Adjusting my sails
They're not saying single horse owners aren't welcome, they're saying if you've only been riding the one horse for years and years, are you sure you'll be happy riding a completely different one in a group for 2-3 hours. A lot of people wouldn't cope, despite being technically experienced.
This reminds me of when my mother was ranting about the council refusing to take "paint tins" in the bin lorry, when they were actually refusing to take "tins of paint" - slightly different result when they go through the crusher.
I like that this trekking centre values it's horses. I hope the business does well.
This reminds me of when my mother was ranting about the council refusing to take "paint tins" in the bin lorry, when they were actually refusing to take "tins of paint" - slightly different result when they go through the crusher.
I like that this trekking centre values it's horses. I hope the business does well.
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Rowreach
Adjusting my sails
Porlock?
Snow Falcon
Hoping for drier days
Years ago I went on beach ride in Devon. Fabulous sandy beach so I was looking forward to it. Inexperienced riders and a unsuitable horse spoilt it. Although there was an assessment, it was clear that some were ok in a school environment but not in an open space. One rider fell off after the first canter as the horse "bounced her out of the saddle" coming back to trot'. She landed in front of another horse which spooked at her, the rider screamed which unnerved it, (unsuitable mount for treking centre) and it ran off towards the sea, rider fell off and we then waited for 30mins whilst rider was collected. Fortunately they were ok. One of the escorts then had to take the horse back leaving the ride short staffed.
As they could see I was experienced I was asked if I minded bringing up the rear of the ride. So I can see where the place is question is coming from. A local stables here will not take people out on the forest unless they have attended a lesson there too.
As they could see I was experienced I was asked if I minded bringing up the rear of the ride. So I can see where the place is question is coming from. A local stables here will not take people out on the forest unless they have attended a lesson there too.
Keith_Beef
Novice equestrian, accomplished equichetrian
This reminds me of when my mum fell during a beach ride, as I described in another post.
We (mum and I) were not experienced riders, but we'd done the same ride the previous day with no problem. Choosing to put my mum on Monty and not warning her that he didn't get on with another one led to the accident.
Glitter's fun
Well-Known Member
There are assessments and then there's going through the motions of ticking the assessment box.
Since my retirement i've been doing a bit of very gentle horse tourism that mainly consists of identifying a nice little B&B or pub-with-rooms that is near a place to ride. I am becoming a bit of a connoisseur of new rider assessments! It's common to "test" all the riders at once, in a line, so actually you are only testing the one at the front. Once my test took place in the warm up area outside a dressage competition. ("Just keep to the outside track & don't run into anyone"!)
Glitter's fun
Well-Known Member
Or genuinely don't know. I'm trying to remember whose law it is..something about beginners being the most likely to describe themselves as experts because they don't realise how much there is to know.
ester
Not slacking multitasking
I totally understand the why, and arguably that would attract me as I’d rather go out with an experienced bunch at decent speed. Just not the way they’ve put it across 
Keith_Beef
Novice equestrian, accomplished equichetrian
I think it might be the Dunning–Kruger effect.
paddy555
Well-Known Member
if you found that narrative it would possibly be on a web site (or you could call their web site up)looking at their pics and further info may tell you it would be pretty good or in fact the unfriendly write up was correct.I totally understand the why, and arguably that would attract me as I’d rather go out with an experienced bunch at decent speed. Just not the way they’ve put it across
It would be more helpful if OP posted a link to the whole operation.
Glitter's fun
Well-Known Member
Thank you!
Hackback
Well-Known Member
I think I'm confused over the terminology. I always think of 'trekking' in relation to the holidays of my childhood, which was riding Highland ponies through forests and up and down mountains, enjoying the stunning scenery. Stopping by a small river for a packed lunch and for the horses to drink and graze. No cantering or wild riding, just chilled together time with a sturdy pony. It was bliss.
I too am struggling to see who the customer base is for this centre.
I too am struggling to see who the customer base is for this centre.
Aperchristmas
Well-Known Member
I've been to one of this kind of riding centre in a different part of the country recently and thought it was fantastic - they don't do mixed ability rides so you don't get absolute beginners holding up the experienced rides. The staff were friendly, the scenery was beautiful and we had so much fun. Best of all, their horses were impeccably schooled (well, hacking schooled - I doubt they ever do anything else) - happy, willing, forward-going horses but so mannerly. You could walk all their usual canter or gallop spots if you wanted to with no fuss, and they coped with the very steep terrain really well. They were an absolute pleasure to ride.
Reading that paragraph in the OP makes me think that maybe their horses aren't as reliable as the ones I've described above and it would make me hesitate, even though I'm not a terrible rider. I do wonder if they'll get enough business with that approach but best of luck to them.
Reading that paragraph in the OP makes me think that maybe their horses aren't as reliable as the ones I've described above and it would make me hesitate, even though I'm not a terrible rider. I do wonder if they'll get enough business with that approach but best of luck to them.
Caol Ila
Well-Known Member
It's super easy to find if you copy/paste the OP's quote into Google.
paddy555
Well-Known Member
thanks, I found it.
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
I just had a browse and their horses do look nice enough. A couple of endurance horses, sounds like current too, so I guess guests will be getting them fit!
A variety, and two are suitable for less experienced riders, it sounds like a nice place to ride from, apart from the off-putting paragraph.
Horses to train up to BHS L3, so must also be able to jump to a degree.
A variety, and two are suitable for less experienced riders, it sounds like a nice place to ride from, apart from the off-putting paragraph.
Horses to train up to BHS L3, so must also be able to jump to a degree.
paddy555
Well-Known Member
I thought it looked OK. Possibly they have sufficient trade from regular returning experienced riders and that works for them.
Crazy_cat_lady
Well-Known Member
Found them, the horses look quite nice - would appeal to me as a former horse owner
Is it me or are they super expensive for a hack?
Is it me or are they super expensive for a hack?
AmyMay
Situation normal
teapot
Well-Known Member
I can see both sides, and I say that knowing which place it is, and actually having had some good business conversations with them during lockdown training, and indeed the issues they've had as a centre that attracts tourists more than anything else. It's one of the few places in Scotland where you can take slightly higher BHS exams too so the horses won't all be your usual trekking centre type either. I am fairly sure they've never taken beginner beginners anyway.
The western/touristy thing is probably because a LOT of trekking places especially in the US/Canada are literally nose to tail donkey rides in a western saddle for security and only at a walk. These people then think they've ridden loads and want to a book a nice hack while on holiday in the UK... and they turn up and can't ride, especially not over undulating ground and at speed in an English saddle. You do have to be fit and have some balance to do that, regardless of whether you ride english or western imho!
Price wise - seems reasonable to me, especially so as a small group!
The western/touristy thing is probably because a LOT of trekking places especially in the US/Canada are literally nose to tail donkey rides in a western saddle for security and only at a walk. These people then think they've ridden loads and want to a book a nice hack while on holiday in the UK... and they turn up and can't ride, especially not over undulating ground and at speed in an English saddle. You do have to be fit and have some balance to do that, regardless of whether you ride english or western imho!
Price wise - seems reasonable to me, especially so as a small group!
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Crazy_cat_lady
Well-Known Member
How much??
Hacks
1 1/2 hr - £75
2 hr - £95
3 hr - £135
Full day - £190 (please bring your lunch with you)
SatansLittleHelper
Well-Known Member
How exactly would you go about proving you have the required 5 years experience etc??
Seems like a terrible business model to me
Seems like a terrible business model to me
SOS
Well-Known Member
I’ve read through the post a few times and I think have come to the conclusion that it is just very badly worded. That said it sounds like the rides previously were a mix of experience levels and riding styles which was never going to work. In my limited experience of riding abroad at similar set ups, we had to fill in a form on riding experience and expectations and then had a short trial on our potential horse when we got the yard and before going out in the open. Rides were then generally run in groups of more experienced and a novice group, however this does require more staff members so maybe their point is genuine.
Anyway I’ve rewritten the post, from a marketing and equestrian perspective:
Exciting news! We are making a number of changes at […].
After many successful years running rides across our beautiful Scottish countryside we have decided to focus on offering rides to the more experienced rider looking for an adventurous experience, off the beaten track.
We have a great selection of well schooled, forward thinking horses for you to enjoy. Rides will include include varied terrain tackled at all paces. We offer different lengths of rides ranging from 2-3 hours.
Our adventure rides will be best enjoyed by experienced, balanced riders with an independent seat, happy riding new horses over challenging country.
Unfortunately this does mean that our popular all ability rides will be coming to an end. We have struggled to fill staff positions and this has led to us making the difficult decision to run the adventure rides only.
We look forward to you joining us on our new journey and meeting faces old and new in the coming months. For any questions about our unique adventure rides please do get in touch at XXX.
Please note all tack is English and therefore riders that have not ridden in this style will have a short assessment before the ride. Regrettably due to the nature of these rides we cannot accommodate children under 14.
Anyway I’ve rewritten the post, from a marketing and equestrian perspective:
Exciting news! We are making a number of changes at […].
After many successful years running rides across our beautiful Scottish countryside we have decided to focus on offering rides to the more experienced rider looking for an adventurous experience, off the beaten track.
We have a great selection of well schooled, forward thinking horses for you to enjoy. Rides will include include varied terrain tackled at all paces. We offer different lengths of rides ranging from 2-3 hours.
Our adventure rides will be best enjoyed by experienced, balanced riders with an independent seat, happy riding new horses over challenging country.
Unfortunately this does mean that our popular all ability rides will be coming to an end. We have struggled to fill staff positions and this has led to us making the difficult decision to run the adventure rides only.
We look forward to you joining us on our new journey and meeting faces old and new in the coming months. For any questions about our unique adventure rides please do get in touch at XXX.
Please note all tack is English and therefore riders that have not ridden in this style will have a short assessment before the ride. Regrettably due to the nature of these rides we cannot accommodate children under 14.
Tiddlypom
Carries on creakily
I've just been back to the trekking centre that 2ndtimearound rides at for their 2 hour mixed ability ride. You fill in a form in which you state your height/weight and riding previous experience, plus when you go out to be united with your horse you are quizzed again as to your experience and what sort of horse you would prefer. I got an easy 17hh who rides like a 15.2hh, which is exactly how he was described.
It probably is true that the more experienced you are, the more you play down your abilities. I just want a nice easy happy horse with brakes and steering to enjoy - I've done my share of nutters in the past, thank you very much.
There was a young girl on the same ride who had only previously ridden at a riding school and I overheard her before the ride bigging up her ability to walk, trot and canter, but the centre staff were right on her from the start giving her very close supervision, and she couldn't in fact rise to the trot. She did her own slow escorted walk/trot loops while the rest of us cantered. But if you'd taken her word for what she was capable of...
It probably is true that the more experienced you are, the more you play down your abilities. I just want a nice easy happy horse with brakes and steering to enjoy - I've done my share of nutters in the past, thank you very much.
There was a young girl on the same ride who had only previously ridden at a riding school and I overheard her before the ride bigging up her ability to walk, trot and canter, but the centre staff were right on her from the start giving her very close supervision, and she couldn't in fact rise to the trot. She did her own slow escorted walk/trot loops while the rest of us cantered. But if you'd taken her word for what she was capable of...
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
YES! That sounds a lot more exciting and friendly!
2ndtimearound
Well-Known Member
The fabulous Tyri, by any chance? He’s totally like a very big pony.
Unfortunately, it’s a fairly regular occurrence to have riders who have seriously overstated their ability. It’s more of a pain in the proverbial on the experienced rides. We’ve even had the odd person who can’t do rising trot, lie blatantly and book on an experienced ride (they had to be escorted back to the trekking centre). The staff are usually pretty good at working it out pretty quickly at least, to minimise the impact on everyone else on the ride.
And on that note, I’d better get off here and in my car to get over there for my ride this morning!