Greylegs
Well-Known Member
As those of us who live on livery yards know too well, the only way we all get along, share facilities and generally get the chance to enjoy our horses is if there's a bit of good manners, give and take and flexibility on all sides. As such, there are loads of "un-written" rules on how to behave which ensure there's a minimal amount of friction and everyone gets along. For example .......
On Sunday, a couple of girls on the yard were planning to hack to an event at a venue quite close by, which was about a 45 minute ride away. They chatted about plans before hand and the husband of one of them was roped in to take a car load of gear - water, buckets, hay nets, grooming kit and all the other necessary stuff and meet them there. No-one else was involved although another girl did say she too was thinking of going, but hadn't made up her mind.
Come the day of the event, and preparations were in full swing - grooming horses, packing the car etc, when the other girl arrived, announced she was going along and asked "When are we leaving?", assuming she could ride along, before dumping her spare stuff by the car expecting it to be transported too. She hadn't asked if she could tag along, and hadn't asked if the husband would mind carrying her gear to (and back from) the venue. She just assumed it would be OK.
So, un-written rule no. 1 ... Always ask before assuming it's OK to tag along/free-load on others' facilities.
There must be many more .....
On Sunday, a couple of girls on the yard were planning to hack to an event at a venue quite close by, which was about a 45 minute ride away. They chatted about plans before hand and the husband of one of them was roped in to take a car load of gear - water, buckets, hay nets, grooming kit and all the other necessary stuff and meet them there. No-one else was involved although another girl did say she too was thinking of going, but hadn't made up her mind.
Come the day of the event, and preparations were in full swing - grooming horses, packing the car etc, when the other girl arrived, announced she was going along and asked "When are we leaving?", assuming she could ride along, before dumping her spare stuff by the car expecting it to be transported too. She hadn't asked if she could tag along, and hadn't asked if the husband would mind carrying her gear to (and back from) the venue. She just assumed it would be OK.
So, un-written rule no. 1 ... Always ask before assuming it's OK to tag along/free-load on others' facilities.
There must be many more .....