Hey All, I finally got to go on a hound walk and saw to my dismay that a really inept member has gotten a new horse. It’s not that this horse is beyond the person’s ability-he is-but that this particular rider had absolutely no control of the kind little quarter horse he used to ride and now he’s got a 16.3 TB!!! Just a couple of examples-his horse stepped on mine’s heel last year, making him temporarily lame and making me miss a fabulous run and kill. And when I was just preparing to jump a tricky coop onto a paved road here comes ol’ Goober flying up beside me at an angle about 2 strides from the coop. I told him to back off then felt horrible and like a Bayatch (ok, I may have used stronger language than “back off”). I know we’re hunting and that this is not a show ring etc. but this guy was dangerous on a 15.2 hand QH with a strong sense of self preservation. I can’t imagine what will happen on a nervious TB who didn’t show himself to be 'et up with sense when professionals rode him last year-which was why he was sold. This guy’s trainer should be shot-she was sucking up to the seller-probably literally.
Anyhow, can y’all think of a way to tell this guy to stay at least away from me, without seeming too awful and bitchy. Thanks, Huntin’Fool
PS of course he was all over everywhere on the hound walk!
Carry a hunt whip with a lash … and leave the lash dangling loose? And practice cracking it whenever he’s nearby. :D;)
I know. I’m bad. :lol:
Don’t worry these things have a way of taking care of themselves. Just figure out where he is and make a point of staying away from him.
His horse will plant him neck deep before too long. Problem solved.
miss maners would suggest
politely ask him to ride ahead of you
mine had such a thunderous gallop he made most of the horses in front of him a little nervous
[thats how I got to the front]
I remember one out of control moment. I just steered him away from the hunt until he was listening.
when we return every one was curious but I had no clue. [maybe a bee sting]
members like this can and will hurt others. It 's also poor PR for the hunt should people cap in or new members see this is what the hunt allows. Watch carefully, ask a master to keep an eye out. If there are concerns they should address them.
I agree with letting them go in front. Of course, be careful as this is the person whose horse will dart out just before a jump or stop dead making it your problem when they hit the ground.
Just ask him to ride ahead of you, or ask to pass if he is having trouble.
You may be tempted to dangle the lash or crack your whip - but that is more likely to result in injury to horses and/or riders than help the situation.
You could also ask the Master to keep an eye out - if the Master deems the horse dangerous or completely unsuitable, he/she could excuse the member or ask he not bring that horse out again.
Better a polite and constructive approach than simply yelling, cracking the whip, or doing anything to make the member or his horse more nervous or uncomfortable.
Nah…!
Nah! I’d tattle tale them to mommy & daddy!! :winkgrin: The MFH’s need to know absolutely! It’s highly likely they already know. Keep reporting every incident. Sooner or later; they might deal with it.
But I agree with all the other suggestions but it does depend on YOUR horse. I had one that could take abuse and be “intimidating” perhaps. It’s just that you have to choose your battles and the timing is oh-so-crucial. I have several sayings or things I’ve been know to say to people who were acting badly. Anyone got some priceless suggestions? 
Avoidance is always a good policy and know that sooner or later; good things will come to those who deserve it!! 
Be patient! I’m a confronter and this can make things nasty at hunt breakfasts!! You gotta be brave to confront!! :lol:
I compeltely agree with J Swan’s recommendation.
I have seen one too many times people in the hunt field that are “over-mounted.” And although many times, they are also the ones that will have trouble getting over the paneling, I’d much prefer them being in front of me than riding up my horses butt all day and making me and my horse miserable.
Just be polite, discuss it with “powers that be” in your hunt, and try to avoid that horse and rider.
I once lost the brakes on my little qh (well, many more times than once, but am describing a particular incident here). He had a bead on the coop and was danged if he was gonna wait for any more of the horses in front of him to get over it (actually hounds were running and there really wasn’t much of a wait…). MFH of other hunt (this was a joint meet) who was approaching at a slightly different angle and had most of a length on me graciously pulled up his timber-winning tb (going in a snaffle) to let me barge on through, and we both got a chuckle out of it. BUT…we both knew what the deal was, and I ‘could’ have circled to avoid any problems had that been necessary (one always has steering even if the brakes are faulty).
That said, I would advocate a slight variation on J. Swan’s advice. (And I would not have felt the least bit guilty about your use of ‘back off’ language for the situation you experienced). I would put a red ribbon in my horse’s tail and point that disclaimer out to this person. Never mind that your horse may not really need that ribbon. Then when he loses control and infringes on my horse’s space I can be a little sterner in saying ‘look out, and back off.’ Then, I can politely mention to the Master after a few near misses that I am genuinely concerned for this rider’s well being (and mine) and ask the Master to take appropriate action. Option A- put the guy with the hilltoppers for a while. Option B (either after or instead of Option A)- require that this guy’s trainer hunt with him at least a few times, staying in front to intercept the bumps and/or otherwise keeping him out of trouble.
Speaking as a MFH, I would want to know. Of course this puts the delicate process on our shoulders to resolve as diplomatically as possible. Oh well, I guess that’s why we get the big bucks!
You know, I don’t envy MFH’s one bit. I see what goes on and I just don’t know how y’all keep from going insane. You have to be part Patton, Mr. Rogers, Dr. Spock, Captain Kirk, Churchill, be able to outride everybody, have to smile and nod when you want to strangle someone, the list goes on.
Nope - don’t envy any of y’all. I appreciate what you do, and admire the dedication, but Lord have mercy - the work involved is just incredible.
[QUOTE=J Swan;2666130]
You know, I don’t envy MFH’s one bit. [/QUOTE]
There is only one thing that is certain: somebody will be unhappy with the outcome.
[QUOTE=J Swan;2666130]
You know, I don’t envy MFH’s one bit. …You have to be part Patton, Mr. Rogers, Dr. Spock, Captain Kirk, Churchill, [/QUOTE]
I think you left out Mom and Nanny
Oh well, there is only one thing that is certain: There will be somebody who is unhappy with the outcome.
OK, y’all have just voiced a big fear of mine. Buddy, my QH, is the type of guy that is calm and steady, and would let another horse use him as a stopping device.
However, I have spent YEARS and tons of MONEY getting him sound again. Most of his issues were body ones, and the chiro has said that finally he’s structurally good to go.
If anyone plows into him because they have no brakes, I will be LIVID. I’ve done too much rehab in the barn on him to make him into that.
Do I put a red ribbon in his tail, even though he’s a saint? I don’t need his back screwed up again from someone’s else’s ineptitude.
[QUOTE=Rt66Kix;2666345]
OK, y’all have just voiced a big fear of mine. Buddy, my QH, is the type of guy that is calm and steady, and would let another horse use him as a stopping device.
However, I have spent YEARS and tons of MONEY getting him sound again. Most of his issues were body ones, and the chiro has said that finally he’s structurally good to go.
If anyone plows into him because they have no brakes, I will be LIVID. I’ve done too much rehab in the barn on him to make him into that.
Do I put a red ribbon in his tail, even though he’s a saint? I don’t need his back screwed up again from someone’s else’s ineptitude.[/QUOTE]
I would definitely put a red ribbon in his tail. And I would also make a point of finding out where the folks are in the group that you want to stay away from (on a daily basis) and be sure to avoid them.
I sometimes put a green ribbon in my filly’s tail, because I don’t want her scared or upset while she is learning, but I still look for the folks to stay away from and then do it.
edited to add that even though she is a homebred and my baby (I delivered her) I really need to stop calling her my filly, she is almost 5!!
what is it my mom says: I don’t care how big you get you will always be my baby 
a bit off topic
Jaeger- don’t worry about calling your girl “filly.” The broodmare we have at the farm is 10 this year and we call her “the filly,” mostly due to her being born and raised on the farm. She’s already had one foal, and on her second…we really should start calling her by her real name, but it’s so hard!
I have to say that I am always hesitant to put a red ribbon in the tail of a horse that doesn’t actually need it. Too often I’m riding horses for sale that a red ribbon would not be a plus in any case.
I am forever asking people if they would like to go ahead of me. It’s much easier to deal with the accident you see happening than the one that sneaks up on you.
I agree with mentioning incidents to the MFH.
Good Luck!
When you were mentioning MFH having to be “den mothers” et al, you left out that they must not only have deep pockets, they need to have full, deep pockets! Nope, don’t envy anyone the diplomacy they must practice. And if the OP is REALLY lucky, the overfaced rider in question is either a landowner or a huge financial contributor to the hunts coffers. There’s an uncomfortable scenario. It’s a big field, just mind where he is and be where he’s not. I did get a smile out of the “lady” ahem, trainer, and her latest victim. It’s usually the other way 'round.
