New twist on can I ride your horse....

[shakeytails]

[QUOTE=paintjumper63;8216875]
How does everyone handle to people from work that ask to ride? I bought a third horse at one point for this reason, but she ended up being really nice and I sold her to a lady who does western dressage. Any polite suggestions? I am a teacher and one person who asked was my assistant principal. I even had district persons ask…[/QUOTE]

I usually just say no, I don’t have an “anybody can ride” horse. Then I show them a picture of one of my Saddlebred show horses- a trot picture from the show ring. They quickly realize I don’t have trail horses.

I’ve never had anybody invite themselves out, so I’ve never had to be rude. They’re polite, I’m polite. It’s never been a big deal.

[Flash44]

[QUOTE=RocketRidge;8216606]
This morning at church my mother was asked by a couple that my parents only know from church if their adult son who is a bull rider from Texas, whom we have never even met, could borrow two of our horses and our trailer to take trail riding while he is in town visiting.

Mom said No of course![/QUOTE]

Wait!!! Cowboys are cute and polite! Ask to meet him (assuming you are single and into cowboys…).

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20660207,00.html - Sexiest bull rider alive

[North_Dakota]

My sister just started back into riding after a 7+ year break. She’s a natural rider, has amazing body control and is riding my old upper level event horse who while he can be a bit of a pistol is very well trained. She’s back in lessons etc. Since she’s started riding again, some of her friends from university have asked if they could come out one day and “learn to ride.” She thinks the one day learn to ride may be because they didn’t know her when she was showing, and have seen her just get back on and essentially go back to dressage/jumping/hacking quite quickly. So it’s obviously something to learn in one ride. She’s been straight forward with them that no, she doesn’t teach riding, and you can’t learn to ride in one lesson.

My family is good about not deciding hey lets go ride, but the most awkward conversations are people who find out I have horses and start talking about how they haven’t ever ridden a horse, and would love to. There always ends up being a long awkward pause, and I just usually default to “well I know some barns in the area that teach lessons, I could give you their names!” So far no one has wanted to pay to ride.

Once in awhile I have let friends come out and ride, neither of my current horses, but my previous horse. A good friend wanted to try riding, and I knew it would be a one time deal for him, but he wanted to give it a go. He thought it was pretty cool, and we just went for a walk around the indoor arena with me leading my horse. He was happy with that, and felt walking was fast enough!

[Highflyer]

I actually thought the twist was going to be that bull rider wanted to ride one of their cows. I’m a little disappointed.

[Desert_Topaz]

Yet another reason I’m glad I live so rurally. I do occasionally give pony rides to my husband’s co-workers kids, but when I haven’t had an appropriate horse the parents totally understand (see above rural living, people around here get that horses aren’t appropriate and/or get hurt.)

I think if I had random people asking me if they could ride my horse I’d say to them, “Imagine for a moment you have a Ferrari (or some other expensive car.) Would you let random people drive your car? No? Then why do you think I’d lend out my horse?”

[SmartAlex]

[QUOTE=shakeytails;8216903]
I usually just say no, I don’t have an “anybody can ride” horse. Then I show them a picture of one of my Saddlebred show horses- a trot picture from the show ring. They quickly realize I don’t have trail horses. [/QUOTE]

Two of my BFFs got married. I distanced myself from the situation, because they were both high maintenance and I knew I would never be able to cope with them all in one package. But we still run into each other now and then. Male portion of this couple used to own a Saddlebred show barn at which I was employed. (read: he should know better)

About once a year I get a call out of the blue from the female portion saying her horse crazy grand daughter is in town and can they come see the horses? I always call back and leave my mother’s contact info (because it’s her barn, her pet horses, her schedule) and I never hear back. I also refer them to the local dude ranch place that does great with kids. I also state that I am typically at the barn every Saturday from 10am to Noon and if they would like to stop by casually, that is the time to catch me.

This year I get the usual phone call. Leave the usual phone message back regarding Mom’s contact info and times etc.

Then I got a second phone message from the daughter saying she’d love to stop by sometime and get a lesson for her daughter (BFF’s grand daughter). I Facebook back to be clear:
I got your phone message and thought it best to message you back so I can offer a suggestion with link. While we would love to have you visit, the horse I have is not suitable for children, nor do we have any child sized equipment. There is a small pet pony, but not something rideable and it sounds like your daughter is excited to ride and learn. I can suggest XXXX stables. They have a lot of lesson horses and do group rides. They are also geared towards children and would give your daughter the best possible experience. They have a Facebook page found here. yada yada

Two weeks later Mom emails me that BFFs #1 and #2 dropped in (out of the blue) on Saturday afternoon about 4pm with grand daughter. Mom was tired and trying to get supper, but she took them to the barn and let them pet the pony and fiddle around a little. She says BFF#1 tried to text me a photo but couldn’t get a signal (not surprising)

The next day my phone finally found a text with photo saying “we missed you”. Yeah. Cuz you didn’t tell me you were coming and you stopped by 4 hours after I told you I would be there. This is why I no longer involve you in my life…

[Ambitious_Kate]

[QUOTE=paintjumper63;8216875]
My sister (non rider) was coming to visit and wanted to know if we could take my two horses out on trail with her two kids (we would ride double). I explained that it wasn’t safe and when that wasn’t a good enough answer told her that because both are Paint/TB crosses, they tend to be hot (they are actually super quiet).

How does everyone handle to people from work that ask to ride? I bought a third horse at one point for this reason, but she ended up being really nice and I sold her to a lady who does western dressage. Any polite suggestions? I am a teacher and one person who asked was my assistant principal. I even had district persons ask…[/QUOTE]

Well, “No” is a complete sentence. I like the earlier poster who said “Sure, if I can ride your husband”. For the principal, you can say, “Sure, if I can drive your car. Actually, that was facetious. The answer is No. I’m sure you understand.” and walk away.

I did have someone say that once, from work and I stared blank for a short while, my mind racing through all the reasons why “never” was the answer. I said a wildly untrue thing, but it was close, actually, to the truth, “No, he’s an athlete in training. Only professional riders handle him. You wouldn’t qualify. And if you did, It would still be “no”. I would never put a new rider on him at this stage of his training.” I said all that just to see how they would react. I did see them START to defen their expertise, but there were so many 'no’s in there and my teeth were really showing alot and my eyes had narrowed into these dark slits, so they backed off.

[Pocket_Pony]

I have on very rare occasions given pony rides on Paddy, but only to people I know and it is basically me giving a free lesson. One was to my cousin who was just a beginner but loved it so much she has gone on to be a great rider with her own horse who shows and has a bright future. The other was to Mr. PoPo’s partner’s kids and I just lunged Paddy with them in the tack.

I don’t get people randomly asking me if they can ride my horses. Maybe it is my resting bitch face that puts them off, who knows. I have no problem saying no. One horse is retired, one isn’t under saddle yet, and the other is difficult enough that it would be a huge liability to put anyone up on his back.

[RocketRidge]

[QUOTE=Flash44;8216928]
Wait!!! Cowboys are cute and polite! Ask to meet him (assuming you are single and into cowboys…).

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20660207,00.html - Sexiest bull rider alive[/QUOTE]

Lol! I am married and in another state.

We have a farm near Nashville Tn that we just bought last year but horses are still at the parents farm in Ocala till the fence/barn gets finished.

I have lucked out to have some of the best neighbors ever. They have a ranch acrossed the street from us and own the local feed store. They have a few horses and have offered that I may come over and ride anytime I please! Also that we may borrow their teenage son to help with the farm chores! They also have a younger horse crazy daughter who wants to learn English riding so I offered to work with her and her pony when I can.

They even invited me for thanksgiving dinner when they found out my husband would be working and I would be alone. It was so nice.

[ilmjumper]

I have two answers, depending on the person Nice people that I know are just clueless about horse things in general get the “well, my horse(s) aren’t really safe for most people to ride, they’re still in training and you just wouldn’t have any fun trying to ride them”. Followed with a suggestion to trail/lesson barns.

The other type? They get the “Sure! The only thing is after the last person my lawyer said I need to have you sign these release forms, and this emergency contact form, and provide proof of insurance…”

[Field_of_Dreams_Mini]

My Dad offered to let one of the people that worked for him come out and “use” my horse. I gave him the best blank stare I had- I didn’t even LIKE this person. I don’t remember but I’m pretty sure she never came out. My horse was an Arabian- hot, wired and flighty. No WAY am I letting anyone “use” him.

Now I just get the kids asking to ride my Minis. Fortunately none are saddle broken.

[4THEHORSES]

[QUOTE=paintjumper63;8216875]
My sister (non rider) was coming to visit and wanted to know if we could take my two horses out on trail with her two kids (we would ride double). I explained that it wasn’t safe and when that wasn’t a good enough answer told her that because both are Paint/TB crosses, they tend to be hot (they are actually super quiet).

How does everyone handle to people from work that ask to ride? I bought a third horse at one point for this reason, but she ended up being really nice and I sold her to a lady who does western dressage. Any polite suggestions? I am a teacher and one person who asked was my assistant principal. I even had district persons ask…[/QUOTE]

paintjumper63, I actually had a work colleague ask if I could put my 3 y/o 17+hh and growing Clydesdale in the service elevator and bring her to the 10th Floor office for an employee lunch!!!

I told them she gets really excited around new people and it makes her shart.

[GypsyQ]

[QUOTE=Beck;8216873]
My husband delights in introducing me to acquaintances and co-workers who say they ‘ride’ and then standing back. Thus far (for the last 30+ years) 98% have been the “OH we go for a trail ride at those trail riding places every year!” -type. The second stage is when they announce they should bring all their family out to ride my horses with me - since I have enough to go around. Some of them ask every time I encounter them - for years. Funny: the ‘real’ riders do not suggest anything of the sort.

Third stage is when I get even with beloved hubby for setting me up.[/QUOTE]

This reminds me of a coworker of my husband’s. The guy’s wife had a few horses and they pasture boarded a couple, and he liked to come in and brag about what they had going on at their place. He came in one day and said his wife was getting a free breeding to Smarty Jones. It was some deal so that he could “get foals on the ground”.

I gave DH enough information to ask the guy some good questions and the coworker called his wife later in the day. She had had him believing it was the real deal. It seems it was a young stud that is somehow related to Smarty Jones in some way. Probably your father’s brother’s nephew’s cousin’s former roommate.

[midstride]

[QUOTE=GypsyQ;8217293]
Probably your father’s brother’s nephew’s cousin’s former roommate.[/QUOTE]

nice reference

[OveroHunter]

I get it all the time because people know about DH’s dude ranch. Luckily, I can refer them to the website for pricing

The only time it becomes a pain is when people think that if they pay to ride then I should most definitely be their trail guide… I do not work there, have another full time job, and a life… I cannot be at the ranch at your beck and call to guide you on your nature hack.

[thatmoody]

Just as an aside, many of the pro bullriders that I used to know were excellent riders, and we welcomed them as extra hands (and of course lent them horses) when we worked cows. Not that I would let a complete stranger borrow one of my horses, but I don’t necessarily think they’d throw a flank rope on them and buck them out

[Didi]

C’mon, people!! EVERYONE knows the horse does all the work!! :lol:

[GrayTbred]

Just a sympathetic “oy vey” to these stories of overly entitled wannabes.

Only once has a distant relative tried to talk me into free lessons for his daughter. Laughable, because not only am I not an instructor, but also because my first horse absolutely hated children.

OTOH, I’ve given out pony rides on my dependable old second horse, but it’s always been at my invitation.

[HungarianHippo]

I don’t take offense at being asked, but I just leave it at No, sorry, I don’t loan them out.

I don’t bother with any reasons, because it gives the false impression that I will change my mind once they convince me that my reasons aren’t valid. And when I don’t accept their version of reality (“I’m not a beginner! I rode once on vacation!”), then it becomes “I’m right/you’re wrong” which can’t help but cause offense.

I also don’t bother talking about the horse’s training, i.e. that she’s trained to a higher level, not suitable for a beginner. To them, the horse being safe for a beginner is the foundation, and the training progresses up from there to more skilled levels. You can explain the reality that they start out as suitable only for expert rides, and end up as beginner-safe, but that gets you back into causing offense by saying “you’re not a good enough rider.”

Or, they walk away thinking your horse is mean and dangerous. If someone said to you “don’t pet my dog, he is not safe around new people” for most of us probably, your first mental image is a dog that bites/is aggressive. Your first thought probably wasn’t that you are the one causing the bad behavior, right? A non-horse person is just not going to understand how much they can affect the horses’s training.

And for anyone reading this thinking who CARES if they take offense, they shouldn’t have even asked me! Well, then it doesn’t really matter how you respond, right? Why not just fire both barrels at them for asking– rather than try to find a cute response.

[shiloh]

[QUOTE=mscho;8216777]
Daughters response “Oh, that’s ok! Maybe I’ll come show you how to train them when they grow into bigger horses” :eek: Is there a stronger word than “No!”?[/QUOTE]

God bless know-it-alls - they provide us with so much amusement.