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

[Ambitious_Kate]

Alison etc., that is :eek::eek::eek:

I once for a short time reted a nasty little cottage on a piece of property alongside the landlord’s house. They have a small goat barn and a fenced in pen of about 6 goats. One day, a purple minivan of hefty ladies in purple sweatpants pulled up when the owners were not there. They didn’t go to the door to ring the bell, so it seemed they were aware and unconcerned that the owners were not there. I had not seen them before, and thought it unlikely they were relatives of the owners, but you never know.

They started squealing, like school girls (they were probably in theirh 40’s) ran to the goat pen, opened the gate, went in and closed the gate behind them and proceded to run around, chasing the goats. Litterally chasing the goats and trying to catch them. Why they didn’t just stand there and let the goats come up to them, which these goats would do, I don’t know. But chase them they did. Around, and around, not really laughing, but squealing and screaming “OH, I almost got one!” They never actually seemed to catch one, and eventually got in their mini van and left. I didn’t say anything to them, as the place was owned by Very wierd owners, who were odd and agressive and I was moving out soon because I couldn’t feel comfortable talking to them, anyway. I might have gotten yelled at for yelling at these people, I had no idea who they were and didbn’t want to know. I just shook my head. Most bizzarre behaviour ever seen. But that’s not nearly as wierd as Allison Wunderland up there.

[quietann]

I would not loan mine out for rides, but for kids to love on, sure. She is so good with kids. When we trail ride, we get a lot of requests for photos, petting the horse, etc. She stands out and people love it when she has pigtails (working braids). I try to sneak in a few comments about Morgan horses, too.

[rascalpony]

Some of these stories are insane. My face tends to go :eek: :mad: :no: as I read. I’ve been lucky, as I live in a small town which was until about 20 years ago VERY agricultural. Most kids and adults either have livestock or have a relative that has them/knows about them. Grandparents like to bring their kids down to say hi to my horses, but they know the rules (so far). We do have a lot of new people moving in because there is now a relatively close train station which takes you into Boston. They don’t know as much about animals. Luckily mine are hidden from main view unless you really want to wander, but I’m just waiting for the day…

[FourFaults]

[QUOTE=AllisonWunderlund;8221352]
Mom called me last night and relayed this doozy…

Friend of hers owns a small farm - 4 stall barn on 8 acres. Her house is technically on the same property, but the barn and house have separate driveways. Barn is visible from the main road.

Saturday mom’s friend returns from a trip to the feed store and pulls into the barn area to find 3 mini vans, 6 adults, and about 12 kids unloading tables, coolers, chairs, etc. :eek: These people had decided to have a “pony party” for their kids!!!

The real kicker - when the BO asked them why they thought they could just trespass on her property they said we drive by all the time and don’t normally see anyone here this time of day :eek::eek:[/QUOTE]

What the frack??! I think this is what has me gobsmacked about this entire thread…that people think this is OK to do! Regardless of horses or whatever, just to go on someone else’s property like it’s their own?! I won’t even walk across my neighbour’s backyard to get my mail even though it would be shorter and he said he doesn’t care if I do. It just doesn’t feel right.

Just wow.

My friend, unfortunately, is going to have a similar situation this fall. She has a lovely 15 yr old gelding that she is training (on her own and has lessons with a trainer) and she has a friend coming to visit who is probably going to want to ride. Said friend overestimates her own ability, has had numerous falls and won’t listen to anyone’s advice about how to improve, etc. My friend knows it could be an accident waiting to happen so doesn’t want this friend on her horse. I had mentioned this thread to her b/c I wanted to know if any strangers had asked her to ride (yes lol), and she asked how people handle it. So, she probably will go the training route (which isn’t a lie since he really is in training and she’s worked really hard to get him where he is right now) or just simply no.

I feel for her though b/c it’s probably a bit tougher and potentially more awkward when it’s an actual friend.

[todaysspecial]

[QUOTE=4THEHORSES;8217263]
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.[/QUOTE]

^ for the win.

[Sunflower]

I used to have a very fluffy Australian Shepherd who had a cute face and looked like a giant stuffed animal. ( Sadly, he has now passed on). He was a very typical Aussie who was a one-person dog. He did not like strangers, and did not like children. But he was polite and well-mannered. The bane of his life was if I took him walking along a popular walking trail-- children in strollers would cry out “Doggie!” and those on feet would run up and hug him. He would stand there, not moving, but the look on his face was pure disgust. Parents evidently had no qualms about their toddlers running up to strange dogs. Mine was always on a leash, by the way, even though he was perfectly controlled off-leash. A less wonderful dog than mine might have resulted in children being bitten-- and parents who would want to blame the dog and its owner, not themselves.

I tried to use the trail when it was likely to be less populated with happy families and roaming toddlers.

At the moment I am blessed with good co-workers, who all ask about my horse, and I ask about their kids ( in that office kind of way that you do). Not a soul has asked if they can come to ride. But then I always say he is an ex-race horse learning to be a riding horse. That might scare them off. I am always amused at the glamour they associate with an OTTB. They do not realize the sad truth of how many unwanted ones are out there…

[thatmoody]

My worst “barn guest” was probably my own older sister when I was a teen. She was so sure of her riding ability (after all, she had ridden hunters) so she was going to ride my young horse. The one who occasionally still pitched a bit of a fit about being a “grown up.” One day while I was at school and mom and dad were at work, she tried (THAT part was especially dumb). We came home to her icing her back and declaring my horse “crazy.” I said, no, I told you not to ride him (we had several others she could have ridden including my dad’s saint of a mare who was SO much fun to ride, but I digress). She has never forgiven me for that, and I still roll my eyes at her (on the rare occasions I see her) because I really don’t think that it should have to be said…

OTOH, it had the effect of getting a really nervy and annoying family member off my back.

[SecretAgentMaam]

[QUOTE=Sunflower;8222481]
I used to have a very fluffy Australian Shepherd who had a cute face and looked like a giant stuffed animal. ( Sadly, he has now passed on). He was a very typical Aussie who was a one-person dog. He did not like strangers, and did not like children. But he was polite and well-mannered. The bane of his life was if I took him walking along a popular walking trail-- children in strollers would cry out “Doggie!” and those on feet would run up and hug him. He would stand there, not moving, but the look on his face was pure disgust. Parents evidently had no qualms about their toddlers running up to strange dogs. Mine was always on a leash, by the way, even though he was perfectly controlled off-leash. A less wonderful dog than mine might have resulted in children being bitten-- and parents who would want to blame the dog and its owner, not themselves.

I tried to use the trail when it was likely to be less populated with happy families and roaming toddlers.

At the moment I am blessed with good co-workers, who all ask about my horse, and I ask about their kids ( in that office kind of way that you do). Not a soul has asked if they can come to ride. But then I always say he is an ex-race horse learning to be a riding horse. That might scare them off. I am always amused at the glamour they associate with an OTTB. They do not realize the sad truth of how many unwanted ones are out there…[/QUOTE]

Oh lord, this is my life. My dog is (we think) a Bearded Collie/Newfoundland mix. He’s 110 lbs and looks like a giant fluffy teddy bear. He’s also a rescue, was not socialized as a puppy, and is on a hefty dose of Prozac for his anxiety. There’s basically two dog parks we can take him to, and other than that and the vet, he stays home. The kids on our street have been trained to walk up quietly and stroke gently after he sits, but I’m done with giving idiots a chance to traumatize him further.

[billiebob]

See, I’m actually really happy to let other people ride my horse as long as a) they wear a helmet and b) they can do w/t/c decently. I have a well-behaved horse and I love seeing other people enjoy him. I used to use him for lessons, especially when my riders were learning the beginning stages of lateral work or were worried about xyz fence (horse will jump anything). I wasn’t able to afford to even take lessons until I was 20 and working them off. Had it not been for wonderful people helping me along the way for basically free I don’t know what I would have done. I love paying it forward, I really do.

My issue comes when people think I owe it to them to lend my horse out. Horses are a privilege, not a right. If someone wants to ride my horse and isn’t interested in abiding by my rules then they don’t get to ride my horse. I’ve had to explain this multiple times to the cousin and aunt I mentioned in my post from the first page. They seem to think that because my horse looks easy when I ride him that anyone can…not so much. Can you tell that entitled people drive me crazy?

[sabinomare]

I’m at the age where everyone I know is popping out kids, so I’m slightly nervous for 5 years from now when I’ll start getting messages from out of the blue asking if Little Jimmy can ride my horse. :no:

Last time this happened, my friend called me and asked if her co-worker could bring his daughter out to ride my horse. WTF.

[Beck]

It bothers me a bit that more than a few replies to this thread seem to assume that all those who are posting stories do not allow anyone to ride their horses. Some have very good reasons - and every right - not to. I have several horses and ponies that I use for lessons and I invite people out to ‘ride’ (mostly to bring their kids for a ‘pat-the-pony-and-be-led-around’ visit) all the time: the key word being invite. The ones who presume to invite themselves are a different class entirely.

[thatmoody]

Right, exactly Beck. I have a good friend whose daughter is absolutely horse crazy, and who just doesn’t have that much exposure to them. So I invite her out often to get pony rides and to “help” me with barn chores (she’s young enough so that she’s not much help, but she can hold hay bags for filling, etc.). I think the highlight of her life was when I asked her to hold my daughter’s pony while I did his feet (pony will stand there just fine but she felt really important). I call them every so often and say “when are you going to bring Gwennie out again?” But she’s a good kid - respectful, not pushy, and her parents are similarly awesome. They can’t really afford lessons, but I told them when she’s a bit older I’ll give her some basic lessons on my daughter’s pony - he’s good on a lunge line but might be a bit too much for her off

[DancingArabian]

[QUOTE=Beck;8224048]
It bothers me a bit that more than a few replies to this thread seem to assume that all those who are posting stories do not allow anyone to ride their horses. Some have very good reasons - and every right - not to. I have several horses and ponies that I use for lessons and I invite people out to ‘ride’ (mostly to bring their kids for a ‘pat-the-pony-and-be-led-around’ visit) all the time: the key word being invite. The ones who presume to invite themselves are a different class entirely.[/QUOTE]

Why does it bother you? Someone who owns a horse isn’t now obligated to share their horse with people who otherwise wouldn’t have access to a horse.

[Sunflower]

[QUOTE=SecretAgentMaam;8223126]
Oh lord, this is my life. My dog is (we think) a Bearded Collie/Newfoundland mix. He’s 110 lbs and looks like a giant fluffy teddy bear. He’s also a rescue, was not socialized as a puppy, and is on a hefty dose of Prozac for his anxiety. There’s basically two dog parks we can take him to, and other than that and the vet, he stays home. The kids on our street have been trained to walk up quietly and stroke gently after he sits, but I’m done with giving idiots a chance to traumatize him further.[/QUOTE]

Sounds like your dog has found a lovely home, where he can live quietly.
Once, my then 8 year old niece had come for a visit, and I came into the house to find her in tears, and the Aussie sitting across the room, looking annoyed. When I asked what happened, she said, “The dog hurt my feelings. He won’t play with me and he doesn’t like me.” She loved animals and she was heart broken. I got the Aussie to come and stand near her to be petted, but she noticed he made a sour face when she petted him, and smiled when I did.

On the other hand, I also have had a Border Collie that made a friend’s child cry for the opposite reason. Friends were staying over with their son, who was about four or five, who was enjoying a lively game of fetch with the Border Collie. After a while the child burst into tears, saying, “Make him stop, he won’t stop.” because the dog wanted to play fetch forever…!

[Beck]

[QUOTE=DancingArabian;8224270]
Why does it bother you? Someone who owns a horse isn’t now obligated to share their horse with people who otherwise wouldn’t have access to a horse.[/QUOTE]

I think you misunderstood me. I’ll work on my communication skills.

[DJohn]

DancingArabian, I agree.

MY horse is MY horse.
I don’t have to share him with whoever feels the want to “ride” just because! I was once a child who’s parents couldn’t afford a horse and I worked my butt off to be able to buy/keep one. I didn’t pity other people into allowing me free rides.

So when I say NO, you can’t ride my horse, it’s solely because he’s my horse and I don’t want to share him. Simple as that.

You should never feel guilty for not sharing your horse. I certainly don’t share my car, or my bank card or my bedroom…

[GaitedGloryRider]

I’ve got a cousin that is married to an absolute toad of a man. He fancies himself an expert at everything, a real legend in his own mind. He’s been pestering me to ride my horses ever since they got together because, you know, he’s seen a few spaghetti westerns and knows it all. Tried impressing me with prowess in the saddle by telling me about how he rode his friend’s horse. “Ran it all up and down the gravel road, whipped it to make it go fast and showed it who was boss. I KNOW how to RIDE” he informs me every damn time I see that creep, like we didn’t have the same exact conversation at the last ten family functions ending with a big fat hell no from me. Some people just cannot accept NO or even HELL NO really is in fact a complete sentence.

Horse issue aside I find him a disgusting creep of a man and have to work really hard to control my urge to punch him in the jewels every time he opens his mouth around me. Bragging about whipping a horse and “showing it who is boss” (his exact words, every single time he tells his story which is probably a crock anyway) is the least of his offenses. He is a foul man I won’t let near my dogs, my horses or even in my home and he is the sole reason I won’t host family functions at my farm for that side of the family. Every year I pray they divorce and why cousin didn’t dump him after he slept with her aunt and bragged about it at the Thanksgiving dinner table I’ll never understand. He is a foul beast.

Sorry, got a little off topic there. But yeah, he is about the most offensive, entitled piece of excrement that’s ever pestered the living crap out of me to ride my horses. I have no problem telling him NO in a rude way. He would burst a vessel if I got up from the holiday dinner table, went outside and fired up that filthy piece of junk Harley of his but what the hey, I should just invite him into my home and barn to let him show my horses who is boss. Jackass.

[JanM]

Gaited-as attractive as having him turned into a lawn dart is, someone like that jerk would be the first person to sue you into poverty if he ever came on your property and hurt himself in any way.

Don’t expect him to ever be an ex-in law (or outlaw) either. The people who marry someone like that, and tolerate them seem to stay married to them forever. However, kicking him in the family jewels seems like a fun idea to think about too.

[ESG]

[QUOTE=Schatzi09;8218635]
My ex-husband called me after our nasty divorce was finalized to tell me he would be in the area with his new “young girlfriend” (his words, not mine!) and wanted to know if he could bring her over to ride my horses. All I could do was burst out laughing and hang up! He was put on medication shortly thereafter. What was he thinking? LOL[/QUOTE]

I can understand why he’s your ex. Sounds a bit like mine.

When we were still married and living together but planning to separate, my ex insisted on accompanying me to work one Saturday at the training facility I was managing. Since we had plenty of geriatric school horses, I put him on one and sent him on his merry way, while I tacked up the latest sales prospect we’d been sent. Big(17h+) red TB gelding with four sox and a blaze, and the disposition of a king cobra. All actually went well until about halfway through our ride, when suddenly King Cobra started dancing and snorting. I look back to see soon-to-be-ex steering his mount’s nose up mine’s tail, in an effort to get me thrown. Guess he was trying to kill me so he wouldn’t have to pay alimony.

[ESG]

[QUOTE=AllisonWunderlund;8221352]
Mom called me last night and relayed this doozy…

Friend of hers owns a small farm - 4 stall barn on 8 acres. Her house is technically on the same property, but the barn and house have separate driveways. Barn is visible from the main road.

Saturday mom’s friend returns from a trip to the feed store and pulls into the barn area to find 3 mini vans, 6 adults, and about 12 kids unloading tables, coolers, chairs, etc. :eek: These people had decided to have a “pony party” for their kids!!!

The real kicker - when the BO asked them why they thought they could just trespass on her property they said we drive by all the time and don’t normally see anyone here this time of day :eek::eek:[/QUOTE]

I,…they,…
There are sometimes just no words.