Cowgirl, I Have A Horse Question

[Snark]

Awww, sorry to hear that about your friend - please pass along my best wishes for a full recovery for her son.

Nah, I wouldn't want my horse used for lessons either, no telling how much she'd work the horse or who she'd put on her. Anything you might accomplish, riding-wise, could easily be undone by some beginner yanking on her mouth or bouncing around on her back. Plus the wear and tear on YOUR tack so the trainer can make money. Sounds like a win-win situation for your trainer, but not for you.
Okay... if there aren't any boarders you feel you could trust, what about the Y program? Not necessarily the instructors cuz you said they don't look at horses, but one of the more advanced students?

 

[rowdy ridgeback]

The lady that has the horse is out of town for a week. So, I have a little time to get something together. I witnessed something the other day at the stable where I am taking lessons. This is what changed my mind about the lesson horse. A little girl about 11 was riding the horse. I stayed after my lesson and watched. There were 3 girls riding together during the lesson. After the lesson, the little girl and I were standing by the horse talking and she was holding the reins. The horse put her head down to eat some grass and she wacked it and said no and yanked her head up. Now, I would of just pulled her head up and held the halter. It just made me uncomfortable. I would never know what would be happening to my horse.
What I have found out she is doing is selling all her horses to students and making them keep them there for lessons. She told me at my last lesson that she has 60 students.

 

[Snark]

I'm afraid I would have said something to that little girl, nothing nasty, just something along the lines of, "How would you like it if I did that to you?"

60 students and she doesn't have to pay upkeep on any of her 'lesson' horses?! Good heavens! No one has figured out this little scam??

 

[rowdy ridgeback]

Well, I think she just started this. I know she has done it to two of the horses. But I didnt really pay attention until she offered the horse to me. So yeah, she has 10 horses. 60 students. $140 for lessons 4 days out of the month. So if she sales all the horses, she gets the money for the horses and all the lesson money. No overhead. I was thinking about negociating with her about how much she could use the horse. But after what that little girl did, I said no way. I might offer her more money just to out right buy the horse. i would love to get her out of there but doesnt look like that is going to happen. So Friday is my last day there. I am not going to say anything. I start the YMCA on Wed of next week.

 

[Zoom]

From what you've said about this trainer, I'd find a different place to learn to ride PDQ. If the Y is a decent place, go there. And who knows about your friend, maybe she'd enjoy an afternoon thinking about something besides chemo? A little break from that does everyone good.

And older horse, provided it is sound, is usually a great place to start for beginners as they tend to be calmer and less fractious.

 

[rowdy ridgeback]

Yes the YMCA is a great place. They have certified trainers there. You have to take tests before you can move to the next level. I dont think you get on the horse the first couple of weeks. They also have a boarding stables. But, I do talk to my friend on the computer and she give me advice. Her son gets really sick with the chemo. She has never offered so I wouldnt ask. But she did give me good advice.