Oh, I do hear you, and support you 100%. Most of us have developed ‘our way’ with horses and don’t blindly follow any doctrine…(well I could argue that in some other instances - NH for one!)
My barn is a Pony Club barn and is NOTHING like that. Yes, of course it’s safe and kids learn proper technique. But measuring shavings depth with a ruler every single time? That’s nuts! There is no ‘requirement’ regarding the bridles being figure-eighted!
I won’t say what popped into my mind when I first clicked this thread! 
Like the other posters said, it certainly wasn’t riding with a halter.
You are a boarder. It is not your job to be a role model to anyone else’s children. If the proponents of any other method of horsekeeping don’t care for the example you’re setting, they can use it as a teachable moment for their students.
Signed,
Someone who is acutely aware of actually being a role model to a lot of people’s children, and takes her horse out for bareback hacks all the time- while discussing why it is perhaps not a good idea for you, Susie, on your green horse, until he grows up and gets civilized.
I would actually find it really awkward to have a lead on in the stall. I’ve tied Lucky to the wall a few times with a panic strap (which I knew he’d be okay with as he’s a racehorse and is used to being tied to a wall, and which I had to do because our fairgrounds had standing stalls so for one week a year I was grooming and tacking with a horse tied in a space slightly larger than a starting gate.) But I’d hate trying to either juggle the lead in my hand, or count on it staying around his neck.
I think you just have to ignore whatever looks you are getting. I agree with Mischievous, pony club is about teaching kids good, safe skills but there aren’t hard and fast rules about some of the things you describe, so those looks are more of an individual thing–not pony club. As long as you aren’t wearing flip flops and wrapping lead ropes around yourself, just smile and keep on about your day!
Remember that adults have better judgement than kids, so while it is okay for an adult who knows their horse and can read their horse to take more liberties or to be a little more relaxed sometimes when handling horses, kids often either can’t read their horse or aren’t paying enough attention, plus kids have a natural tendency to do silly things without thinking things through. ALSO, at pony club competitions (rallies) parents are not allowed in the stable area so the kids are taking care of and handling their mounts in a very independent manner. So, I think it is useful to be a little bit strict with kids sometimes about doing things the proper way to help make sure that they are going to be safe when they are on their own.
[QUOTE=myvalentine;7975569]
(they actually have a measuring stick to make sure they are putting exact inches of shavings in the stall).[/QUOTE]
What.
[QUOTE=myvalentine;7974677]
I swear the way these Mom’s are barking orders at their kids, I often wonder if the kids are even having any fun. I think I would have given up horses as a kid if I had joined their pony club. To me seems more like a boot camp or something…Funny thing is,some of my favorite memories from riding as a youngster are the memories I have of doing maybe not so safe but really FUN things with the adults. Things like taking the horses swimming, or riding through the drive-in at McDonalds, or body painting the old gray gelding for the town parade. I hope these kids get to have fun like that too![/QUOTE]
Again, your description does not match what I remember about Pony Club. The parents stayed OUT of the picture almost entirely. The kids were supposed to learn to be independent horsemen and women. Parents weren’t even allowed anywhere near the stable area or near the kids at all during rallies. At home, obviously the parents would lend a hand if the kids were little, but after that, not. I don’t remember any PC moms acting as you described. We did everything ourselves. The moms drove the trailers!
Why do you care? It’s not your job to teach those kids anything. It’s their parent’s job. You pay board there too. Enjoy your horse how you see fit.
I also boarded at a barn that routinely held rallies/events. If I happened to be doing something I knew was PC verboten (nylon hay net, stretchy standing wraps, putting blankets on the wrong way etc.) and some kid was standing there watching I’d say “pony club no no” to the kid right before doing it.
[QUOTE=vxf111;7975862]
I also boarded at a barn that routinely held rallies/events. If I happened to be doing something I knew was PC verboten (nylon hay net, stretchy standing wraps, putting blankets on the wrong way etc.) and some kid was standing there watching I’d say “pony club no no” to the kid right before doing it. ;)[/QUOTE]
Now that’s a good idea! Maybe I’ll get myself a t-shirt made that says “I am a pony club no-no” or “Don’t do as I do” and wear that to the barn on pony club days :winkgrin:
[QUOTE=vxf111;7975862]
I also boarded at a barn that routinely held rallies/events. If I happened to be doing something I knew was PC verboten (nylon hay net, stretchy standing wraps, putting blankets on the wrong way etc.) and some kid was standing there watching I’d say “pony club no no” to the kid right before doing it. ;)[/QUOTE]
This is exactly what I am talking about!
Not to pick on you, but nylon hay nets are allowed. Always have been.
Stretchy wraps are allowed. Always have been.
Blankets…yes, we expect the members to know that the blanket goes over the shoulders and is then pulled BACK, not placed on the back or haunch and pulled forward, so the hair lies flat underneath. Chest buckle is done first, fastening buckles as you work your way back. Funny, I don’t even know anyone, PC or not, that puts in on further back and pulls it forward, or that does up the back straps first, but would not even bat an eye at anyone that did.
Anyway, point is two of your three examples are myths.
As others have said, most of these “rules” aren’t true PC rules.
- feeding treats by hand: at one point, this was actually on one of the D-level test sheets
- figure-8 bridle: not a rule, and something I only did in PC at rallies to help keep it clean
- going into a stall without a halter on: everyone I’ve met in PC realizes you can safely do this at home
- riding bareback with a halter: we rode bareback at PC events (with a bridle, but there were multiple horses in a strange place, so that was just being smart). I have never heard anyone in PC say that bareback with a halter was wrong, just that you had less control.
- nylon haynets: no rule against it (although nylon lead ropes and longe lines are discouraged because they are slippery and more likely to cause rope-burn)
- stretchy wraps: unless you are wrapping over a pillow with polo wraps (which is a no-no, and a rule that I strongly agree with, actually), most of the wraps the lower level kids use are stretchy; flannels are only required for upper level tests, to make sure you can actually wrap with them and still get decent pressure.
- blankets: yes, there is a right way to do it (chest straps should be on if belly straps are on). I have broken that rule. I have paid the price (horse spooking with belly straps only, damaging blanket). Its a good rule. You don’t have to follow it, but I don’t think you can use the excuse that “there’s more than one way to do things” if you don’t follow it. I’ve never seen a better way to do it.
- shavings: there are no rules on shavings depth. Actually, the majority of horses in PC are bedded on much less than the average A-circuit hunter/jumper.
When I have had issues with PC, it was because of one, or several, individuals with some degree of power, imposing their own personal ideals as what was “right” and what was “wrong.” Like any youth organization, it is directly related to those parents in charge. The times where I hated PC and “the PC way” has almost always been able to be traced to individuals. Usually DCs or examiners that I thought treated me or another person unfairly. But the issue there is with the individual, not the organization itself.
The one overall criticism I’ve had of PC is the lack of standardization of passing at ratings.
There are a few PC “rules” that we had to follow at rallies that were aggravating. Like salt always had to be present in the stall. And there had to be very specific ways to contain feed in the feed stall. But as much as I didn’t like it, I understand why they had those rules when you had a few adults around to watch over a lot of kids.
Interesting. We were never allowed stretchy wraps, but I’m with you on everything else. Our bandage padding had to be made from cotton batting and the wraps themselves had to be non-stretch flannel. No exceptions. I was in South Region. They also preferred cotton string hay nets, but no one would draw and quarter you for having nylon.
I’m sorry you’re having a bad experience, OP. I’m having the opposite effect. Am at a H/J barn and my PC skillz are causing confusion.
“But WHY do you always ride with a helmet? Wonder Pony is good and you’re older than 18.”
Uh, because accidents happen, small fry. Educate yourself.
“But WHY do you check what Wonder Pony’s being fed? The BM will tell you what she needs.”
Uh, because I need to be responsible for my horse and no, actually, she doesn’t always know what Wonder Pony needs. Educate yourself, small fry.
Some of the moms give me the stink-eye. Some are nice. Some are wandering around in ballet flats and designer handbags and shriek like banshees when Dobbin looks their direction.
Honestly, I think it has nothing to do with being PC (or H/J or dressage riders or whatever), it has to do with some people are enormous tools.
[QUOTE=Romily Bernard;7976158]
Interesting. We were never allowed stretchy wraps, but I’m with you on everything else. Our bandage padding had to be made from cotton batting and the wraps themselves had to be non-stretch flannel. No exceptions. I was in South Region. They also preferred cotton string hay nets, but no one would draw and quarter you for having nylon.
I’m sorry you’re having a bad experience, OP. I’m having the opposite effect. Am at a H/J barn and my PC skillz are causing confusion.
“But WHY do you always ride with a helmet? Wonder Pony is good and you’re older than 18.”
Uh, because accidents happen, small fry. Educate yourself.
“But WHY do you check what Wonder Pony’s being fed? The BM will tell you what she needs.”
Uh, because I need to be responsible for my horse and no, actually, she doesn’t always know what Wonder Pony needs. Educate yourself, small fry.
Some of the moms give me the stink-eye. Some are nice. Some are wandering around in ballet flats and designer handbags and shriek like banshees when Dobbin looks their direction.
Honestly, I think it has nothing to do with being PC (or H/J or dressage riders or whatever), it has to do with some people are enormous tools.[/QUOTE]
It makes me very sad that you have been told that you must use those bandaging materials. It is absolutely not required by the organization…at any level. Flannels are not required at any level. Never have been. Pre made padding has always been acceptable, at every level.
I am surprised that South region, a well respected region, would do this. Just goes to show that even the best region can give us all a bad name under the guidance of someone who has their own agenda.
It is NOT acceptable for a club or region to make up new standards and rules. THIS is what causes all the confusion and, frankly, down right lies, for lack of a more accurate term, that makes so many think badly of the organization.
Makes me sad to think that so many young people miss out on the chance to develop such a broad base of common sense horse knowledge because the organization has been given a bad name by a few folks who make things up to suit themselves.
I sometimes put blankets on over the head because I grew up riding breed horses before open front blankets were invented.
Pony clubbers at my barn were absolutely forbidden from using nylon hay nets and non flannel wraps. It was not my place to question whether the DCs were misapplying the rules.
[QUOTE=Eventer13;7976047]
As others have said, most of these “rules” aren’t true PC rules.
- feeding treats by hand: at one point, this was actually on one of the D-level test sheets
- figure-8 bridle: not a rule, and something I only did in PC at rallies to help keep it clean
- going into a stall without a halter on: everyone I’ve met in PC realizes you can safely do this at home
- riding bareback with a halter: we rode bareback at PC events (with a bridle, but there were multiple horses in a strange place, so that was just being smart). I have never heard anyone in PC say that bareback with a halter was wrong, just that you had less control.
- nylon haynets: no rule against it (although nylon lead ropes and longe lines are discouraged because they are slippery and more likely to cause rope-burn)
- stretchy wraps: unless you are wrapping over a pillow with polo wraps (which is a no-no, and a rule that I strongly agree with, actually), most of the wraps the lower level kids use are stretchy; flannels are only required for upper level tests, to make sure you can actually wrap with them and still get decent pressure.
- blankets: yes, there is a right way to do it (chest straps should be on if belly straps are on). I have broken that rule. I have paid the price (horse spooking with belly straps only, damaging blanket). Its a good rule. You don’t have to follow it, but I don’t think you can use the excuse that “there’s more than one way to do things” if you don’t follow it. I’ve never seen a better way to do it.
- shavings: there are no rules on shavings depth. Actually, the majority of horses in PC are bedded on much less than the average A-circuit hunter/jumper.
When I have had issues with PC, it was because of one, or several, individuals with some degree of power, imposing their own personal ideals as what was “right” and what was “wrong.” Like any youth organization, it is directly related to those parents in charge. The times where I hated PC and “the PC way” has almost always been able to be traced to individuals. Usually DCs or examiners that I thought treated me or another person unfairly. But the issue there is with the individual, not the organization itself.
The one overall criticism I’ve had of PC is the lack of standardization of passing at ratings.
There are a few PC “rules” that we had to follow at rallies that were aggravating. Like salt always had to be present in the stall. And there had to be very specific ways to contain feed in the feed stall. But as much as I didn’t like it, I understand why they had those rules when you had a few adults around to watch over a lot of kids.[/QUOTE]
This. Just because a Pony Club instructor, DC, parent, or other person has certain policies doesn’t mean they are actual Pony Club rules … Just ask anyone who survived Pony Club past the C2 level
Even the Pony Club rules that I break on a somewhat regular basis now that I’m an adult taught the younger-and-less-knowledgeable me to be more conscious of safety. Adults are more able to understand why rules can be “broken” without consequences in some situations but not others.
And in all my years of pony club, I never once had my bedding measured with a ruler!
I once got eliminated by the DC at a Pony Club schooling Event for jumping an UNFLAGGED warm-up fence “the wrong way” at 7:45 AM when I was the only rider on the show grounds. As in, unmarked cross-rail sitting alone in a field with no one around. Oh, but she let me ride the dressage test but it wouldn’t be scored.
Now THAT’S anal. Hope she enjoyed that little power trip.
[QUOTE=Lady Eboshi;7976383]
I once got eliminated by the DC at a Pony Club schooling Event for jumping an UNFLAGGED warm-up fence “the wrong way” at 7:45 AM when I was the only rider on the show grounds. As in, unmarked cross-rail sitting alone in a field with no one around. Oh, but she let me ride the dressage test but it wouldn’t be scored.
Now THAT’S anal. Hope she enjoyed that little power trip.[/QUOTE]
I can actually see where jumping a fence that was not a designated warm-up fence would be an issue at many venues.
[QUOTE=Lady Eboshi;7976383]
I once got eliminated by the DC at a Pony Club schooling Event for jumping an UNFLAGGED warm-up fence “the wrong way” at 7:45 AM when I was the only rider on the show grounds. As in, unmarked cross-rail sitting alone in a field with no one around. Oh, but she let me ride the dressage test but it wouldn’t be scored.
Now THAT’S anal. Hope she enjoyed that little power trip.[/QUOTE]
If I’m not mistaken, jumping anything that isn’t flagged (from either direction) is grounds for elimination at the discretion of the GJ at a USEA event too, so it’s not just a Pony Club thing.
[QUOTE=Sticky Situation;7976453]
If I’m not mistaken, jumping anything that isn’t flagged (from either direction) is grounds for elimination at the discretion of the GJ at a USEA event too, so it’s not just a Pony Club thing.[/QUOTE]
In 1987?
