Wrists slapped!

[Muddywellies]

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

I used to do this but with rollerskates ?

 

[RHM]

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

Unless you are one of the people on my yard. She got off to lead her horse past something it was frightened off and actually undid the martingale so she could hold the reins properly. All for a 30 second walk! I actually couldn’t believe it, I am way to lazy for that lark!

 

[scruffyponies]

Not a habit, as such, but I did once lead 10 horses from a field they shouldn't be in, 300 yards down a lane and across a road and into another by simply walking into the field, shouting 'hey you lot' and walking ahead of them as they formed a line behind me and followed in good order.

 

[Cob Life]

I’m awful for bad habits, I’m used to horses that are saints on the ground and they just encourage it!
They don’t get tied up to be groomed and tacked up, they get a head collar on, if they being a pain maybe a lead rope attached and we do it all in the middle of the field, when we’re finished its the same again in reverse! And who needs a grooming box when you can just rest all your brushes on their bum?
i will stand directly behind ones like the driving ponies to wash tails then have to explain to the kids that they shouldn’t copy me and if I stood behind one of the others I’d have no teeth left!
I got on the other day to find my other stirrup still rolled up.
and I never ever lead properly!

 

[1523679]

What’s worrying me is who’s going to be setting good examples of tact and diplomacy for these kids

they’ll probably be in far more danger from someone lamping them one for being bossy boots than they will ever be from incorrect rein/leading protocol ?

 

[J&S]

It would be ok if things worked in reverse......i.e. telling the child they are doing it the wrong way without the mother coming and giving you grief for being horrid to their precious little girl!!! I told a child off at P.C for clipping her lead rope onto the bit (while pony was still bridled) and tying it to her trailer. I explained fully why it was a bad idea. Oh wow, did I get an earful from mummy!

 

[Cob Life]

It would be ok if things worked in reverse......i.e. telling the child they are doing it the wrong way without the mother coming and giving you grief for being horrid to their precious little girl!!! I told a child off at P.C for clipping her lead rope onto the bit (while pony was still bridled) and tying it to her trailer. I explained fully why it was a bad idea. Oh wow, did I get an earful from mummy!

My friend constantly ties up by the bit and I’m constantly explaining why not to do it! Or with the rope over his nose (as he can be strong led). If it was her horse I’d prob have given up telling her by now as it’s every single time

 

[tankgirl1]

I let my pony bring herself in loose, sometimes I put a head collar on her and tie the lead rope round her neck

 

[Keith_Beef]

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!

It's an interesting question about drawing the line between doing what you know is safe with your horse versus setting an example to younger or less experienced people around you. I think you have to perhaps draw the line at about the age of ten or so. Keep an eye on younger kids, and set an example or speak out. Older than that, just let it go and let the instructor or YM deal with it.

My mother always talked to me about crossing the road: look around to see if there are younger kids who will just follow you into the traffic.

On my yard, there are young kids who are dropped off by their parents and are left to their own devices. And to be blunt about it, they are better off without their parents hanging about, because they have absolutely no clue about how to behave around horses. So those of us with a little bit more experience really do need to set an example, because the riding instructor cannot be everywhere making sure that they are all safe.

And that's before we talk about younger siblings who are not there to ride, just tagging along, and who turn up in sandels or flip-flops... I've had a word with half a dozen kids or their parents about that.

 

[doodle]

I realised the other day I had a firm hold of Robin ear in one hand while the other hand had a brush that was scrubbing his forehead. He didn’t seem to mind!

When Minto did his tendon again and wasn’t allowed out of stable but could benefit from cold hosing I would step him forward one step out of stable. I would then sit under his belly wedged to the side of stable and hosed for 20mins 3 times a day. He never moved a muscle until we were done and he took a step back in again.

 

[J&S]

I do realise we all have our own way of doing things but there are some things people do that are very difficult to ignore. A Tail bandage put on too tightly is one thing, in fact incorrect bandaging of any sort should really be addressed if noticed. As far as the OP's " sin" is concerned I think I would probably just have smiled sweetly and carried on, but of course in our TREC competitions the reins must be taken over horses's head for led obstacles. A rope attached to a head collar or combination bridle has to be in place if a martingale is used. Dealing with horses requires a constant risk assessment by the handler because as well as the predictable there is always the unpredictable!

 

[Auslander]

It's an interesting question about drawing the line between doing what you know is safe with your horse versus setting an example to younger or less experienced people around you. I think you have to perhaps draw the line at about the age of ten or so. Keep an eye on younger kids, and set an example or speak out. Older than that, just let it go and let the instructor or YM deal with it.

My mother always talked to me about crossing the road: look around to see if there are younger kids who will just follow you into the traffic.

On my yard, there are young kids who are dropped off by their parents and are left to their own devices. And to be blunt about it, they are better off without their parents hanging about, because they have absolutely no clue about how to behave around horses. So those of us with a little bit more experience really do need to set an example, because the riding instructor cannot be everywhere making sure that they are all safe.

And that's before we talk about younger siblings who are not there to ride, just tagging along, and who turn up in sandels or flip-flops... I've had a word with half a dozen kids or their parents about that.

Fair point, and if there were kids on my yard, I'd probably have to do things very differently, because I have a duty of care to my clients.

 

[Trouper]

.... and I suppose her little darlings have never had an accident that might have been preventable?.......

 

[cauda equina]

Does she only insist on good examples being set when with horse people, I wonder

I bet she doesn't tell off random strangers for not looking before they cross the road or picking their noses in public

 

[ycbm]

My friend constantly ties up by the bit and I’m constantly explaining why not to do it! Or with the rope over his nose (as he can be strong led). If it was her horse I’d prob have given up telling her by now as it’s every single time

Tell her when my friend did that the horse pulled back and cracked a front tooth. Removal cost over £500 with repeat visits to flush the hole and the horse is now minus a front tooth with extra dentist visits for the rest of its life.

Another was lucky enough to get away with a broken bridle, a horse they couldn't catch, being locked into the park they were in and having to pay a release fee.

That's one of the very few things I would speak up about if saw it.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Fair point, and if there were kids on my yard, I'd probably have to do things very differently, because I have a duty of care to my clients.

YO's do have a duty of care but fellow liveries' only duty is to make sure their horse doesn't get loose and cause damage/injury. That mother should have simply said quietly to her child 'Don't copy that, it's not safe with your pony'

 

[jnb]

deleted

 

[Arzada]

Does she only insist on good examples being set when with horse people, I wonder

I bet she doesn't tell off random strangers for not looking before they cross the road or picking their noses in public

If only. Such people are everywhere commenting on/criticizing others. It seems to be a new national sport.

 

[Auslander]

YO's do have a duty of care but fellow liveries' only duty is to make sure their horse doesn't get loose and cause damage/injury. That mother should have simply said quietly to her child 'Don't copy that, it's not safe with your pony'

Couldn't agree more! Part of the reason I don't have kids on my yard (other than having done my time with ankle biters!) is that I don't want to be constantly keeping an eye on other people's kids, because their owners don't necessarily know what is and isn't safe!

 

[FlyingCircus]

There are kids on my yard, and to be honest I don't alter my behaviour because they're around. I only alter it depending on horse. For example, my mare isn't reliable enough yet to be told to "stand" and wait whilst I potter around, whereas the gelding is.

I do mention to the kids when they are doing something unsafe though. Running behind horses, trying to crawl underneath them (why?), etc.

 

[Annagain]

I use headcollars that have the clip on the throat and rather than deal with buckles I just undo that to slide the headcollar over their ears....or I would if I ever did it up. I just leave the throat bit dangling as I can't be bothered for the either 30 second or 2 minute (depending which field they're in) walk from the gate to the stables. As soon as they're in, the headcollar is off, I never tie them up to do anything with them. In fact Archie's has been broken for about 2 years and I've never replaced his headcollar as I've never needed to - the only time he gets tied up is for the farrier and it will still hook on, it just doesn't close so it does the job. When I first got Charlie I had to tie him up to pick out his feet and hold him so he could walk round me while i desensitised him to fly spray. I'd have to remind myself to do up the clip all the time.