This was just posted on my local craigs list:
Title is “HORSES OWNERS…look here”
"HELLO I AM LOOKING TO RIDE FOR ONE DAY WITH A HORSE not LESSSONS JUST WANT TO RIDE. not IN A LITTLE PIN!
please name a price and where i would be riding?
thank you :] "
Then someone posted a new add with this title: “To the person who wants to ride a horse for one day”
"Can you please explain to me why you seem to think that a horse owner would feel it is a good idea to let you, a stranger, ride an animal that takes us much time and money to care for, train, and maintain? Your most recent posting suggests that you are insulted by someone’s suggestion that you could ride in an arena.
Do you really think anyone would just let you take their horse out for a joy ride when you have not mentioned any experience or abilities that would lead someone to feel confident handing over their animal to your unknown hands. It is like handing someone on the street the keys to your sports car because they want to go for a joy ride and assuming they will not 1.) do damage to the car, 2.) do damage to the property/ neighbor’s property, 3.) do damage to themselves. There is a reason why people must first take lessons on a horse before most people will even lease the animal out on a contract. Many stables that at one time leased horses out for an hour or day will no longer do it because the instances of the either the horse or rider being injured were to high.
I suggest you take a few lessons from someone to instill confidence in your ability to handle the animal or accept a ride on in animal, whether it be in an arena or on a trail, while the owner is there to observe your abilities. If you approach the matter with more willingness to work with someone you may actually get a chance to ride. "
