Wrists slapped!

[blitznbobs]

I was toddling with my pony back to his stable after riding in the arena. There’s a fiddly gate to open (2 gates fastened together so almost impossible to close mounted) so I’d got off and was leading him back. There were a group of mums with kids on ponies just back from the farm ride as I wandered passed. I had my pony’s reins looped over my arm (still over his head in riding position) when one of the mums said could I ‘do it properly’ as I was setting a bad example. Good on her tbh ... I did it properly for the rest of the way back ... I can see her point this particular pony is a saint but not all ponies are as good as my boy plus having them at home over the summer has got me into some pretty bad habits ... I think I need to be better behaved in future!

what bad habits do you have?

 

[Auslander]

I'm pretty laid back but I wouldn't have taken very kindly to someone saying that to me! It's up to them to make sure their kids do things correctly! I bet no-one would have noticed, if she hadn't told you off!
I do loads of stuff that I shouldn't - and if I do it in front of my liveries, who I have a working relationship with, I often point out that I would probably be struck off if the BHS saw me, and they should do as I say, not as I do!

 

[Equi]

Oops I do that too but I do try not to as I know it’s naughty! Another bad habit I have is letting go entirely cause he’ll not go anywhere, but I’ll try and work on that too lol

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

I have to say, I’d also be peed off to be told, it sounds very patronising. You know your horse, he wouldn’t tank off, so I think I’d ignore their rather precious demands!

My bad habit is letting the horse out of the gate rather than go into the field and bring him out. He turns, stands and gets a treat while I put on the headcollar.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

I have too many bad habits to even contemplate listing them ... but I have my lot at home and not on a livery yard so there's no one around to tell me off ??

The reins over the head thing - if the pony got loose whilst the reins are over the head then they are more likely to stand on them, snap them, the bridle or as I have seen at the racecourse when a jockey has come off and pulled the reins over with them - a broken leg on a horse as well as a fractured jaw. So to me keeping the reins over the neck as though you were riding may give you slightly less to hold on to but less dangerous in the long run.

 

[Muddywellies]

After having horses for 40 years, I wouldnt know where to start with bad habits. That comment would have peed me right off. I'm spending my own spare time with my own horse, not causing any harm to anyone, and I'm not there to set an example to anyone. Had I been riding without a hat, then fair enough. But that comment about your reins, would have made me really quite cross.

 

[scruffyponies]

I have yet to be challenged on any of my actual bad habits (of which there are many!), but there's always some self-entitled know-nothing who will shout things at you out of a car window when they haven't a clue.

Today someone called me selfish for making my halfwit welshD go between a big lorry (that he didn't mind), and the flesh eating manhole cover of doom. She actually called him "that poor horse".

 

[The Xmas Furry]

I'm pretty laid back but I wouldn't have taken very kindly to someone saying that to me! It's up to them to make sure their kids do things correctly! I bet no-one would have noticed, if she hadn't told you off!
I do loads of stuff that I shouldn't - and if I do it in front of my liveries, who I have a working relationship with, I often point out that I would probably be struck off if the BHS saw me, and they should do as I say, not as I do!

This, this and this!

 

[MissTyc]

I do whatever I want when I'm on my own. And sometimes I forget that I'm not on my own.

 

[Crazy_cat_lady]

It would have irritated me too i thought it fairly patronising!

Whispers.... I sit on the floor if I'm trimming his back legs... it makes my legs ache less!

 

[ycbm]

I'm another that does the same because it's safer if the horse gets loose. I'd have given her a mouthful, I'm afraid.

My bad habits list is endless. Not tying up to rasp feet is probably the most stupid one ?
.

 

[PapaverFollis]

Many! Although having had that ex-racer that had read all of the Manual of Horsemanship and duly attempted to kill himself if you stepped out of line probably not as many as I used to. The one I'm finding myself doing at the moment is not leading at all and just walking and expecting them to follow... because Granny horse WOULD follow! So will The Beast and MrT, until the nearest patch of grass. ?

 

[Auslander]

It would have irritated me too i thought it fairly patronising!

Whispers.... I sit on the floor if I'm trimming his back legs... it makes my legs ache less!

Ditto!

 

[Winters100]

I really don't know where to start. Leaving the horses standing free while tacking up / doing chores, riding without saddle or bridle, changing rugs in the field, reading emails and taking calls while riding, changing from one horse to the next without getting down, the list is endless. Luckily my horses are saints, but if I am with anyone who is not experienced I do find myself repeating "but don't ever do that with any other horse" quite a lot.

 

[Tiddlypom]

You should post this as a negative on the ‘those on full livery‘ thread.

Being expected to be a beacon of perfection to passing kiddies and their mums would be a big no from me .

 

[Palindrome]

Once I got told off by another livery for not riding on the pavement (I was on the road). She rolled down her car window and told me to get on the sidewalk as it was dangerous to be on the road. She was a very controlling person.
I do sometimes ride on the sidewalk so I am no example. I also let my horse graze while hacking, ride on the buckle, etc...

 

[Winters100]

You should post this as a negative on the ‘those on full livery‘ thread.

Being expected to be a beacon of perfection to passing kiddies and their mums would be a big no from me .

Totally agree. It also ignores the fact that I am bigger, stronger, more experienced and probably know my horses better than a child does. What next - should we all wear a helmet to pick out hooves or take our horses to the paddock because that is what children are instructed to do? It is for parents to decide what risks they allow their children to take, to make rules and to enforce them - what I am doing is none of their business!

 

[Dasher66]

I used to walk down the field jump on my pony bareback and no head collar and gallop as fast as possible back to the gate - occasionally hatless and on more than one occasion barefoot. The other ponies would gallop alongside.
I think my parents would have told me off if they had seen.
More recently I let the horses out the field to walk to their stables on their own. They knew dinner was waiting so it wasn’t particularly risky though if one had gone in the wrong stable things might have kicked off.

 

[ycbm]

More recently I let the horses out the field to walk to their stables on their own. They knew dinner was waiting so it wasn’t particularly risky though if one had gone in the wrong stable things might have kicked off.

That's just my normal winter routine ?

 

[Frumpoon]

I think my response would have been one of righteous indignation too

 

[P.forpony]

Think I would have told darling mumsy to bog off! ?

My pony is terrible for encouraging bad habits as she’s such a good girl. I know what is safe or otherwise with her and as a grown up it’s my choice what risks I wish to take.

I teach my niece and nephew the ‘correct’ way but it’s not my responsibility to be a beacon for anyone else’s children!

 

[PapaverFollis]

I'm terrible for telling them to "stand" while I just quickly take a few steps away to do something or fetch something. Drives MrPF potty! Again it's a Granny horse habit. MrT is very good at this. He has high inertia. ?

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I have too many bad habits to even contemplate listing them ... but I have my lot at home and not on a livery yard so there's no one around to tell me off ??

The reins over the head thing - if the pony got loose whilst the reins are over the head then they are more likely to stand on them, snap them, the bridle or as I have seen at the racecourse when a jockey has come off and pulled the reins over with them - a broken leg on a horse as well as a fractured jaw. So to me keeping the reins over the neck as though you were riding may give you slightly less to hold on to but less dangerous in the long run.

And if you ride with a martingale you can't take the reins over the horse's head.

 

[Carrottom]

As a teenager I used to lead my pony from a bicycle ?

 

[P.forpony]

As a teenager I used to lead my pony from a bicycle ?

I used to go a mile down the lane from home to summer field with one on each side ?

 

[Gloi]

I'm pretty laid back but I wouldn't have taken very kindly to someone saying that to me! It's up to them to make sure their kids do things correctly! I bet no-one would have noticed, if she hadn't told you off!
I do loads of stuff that I shouldn't - and if I do it in front of my liveries, who I have a working relationship with, I often point out that I would probably be struck off if the BHS saw me, and they should do as I say, not as I do!

Just tell them it is the advanced way and when they are as good as you they'll be able to do it.

 

[Gloi]

As a teenager I used to lead my pony from a bicycle ?

As a teenager I used to tow my friend on a bicycle with my pony's tail ?

 

[Snow Falcon]

I used to lead my pony whilst pushing the pushchair. Mine are taught to stand without tying up and as for wearing a hat and gloves when bringing in/putting out ..........

 

[Gloi]

It would have irritated me too i thought it fairly patronising!

Whispers.... I sit on the floor if I'm trimming his back legs... it makes my legs ache less!

Yep. I sit on an upturned bucket to do his belly. Saves the bad back.

 

[Goldenstar]

Bad habits I have a few ?riding with the reins dropped on the neck ,riding with one hand .
Feeding the horses treats if they stand while I mount .
Talking to the horses all the time .
Letting them load them selves
I could go on but perhaps this is moment to learn brevity .