question about drugs at shows, from a complete non- horse person

Yes, riding saddle seat is a fine way to start whatever discipline she ends up in.

If your daughter changes disciplines, yes, the new trainer is going to fuss over her position and make changes, but ultimately much carries over. I have known many riders who have changed disciplines and the truth is, it’s not a big deal.

If you feel uncomfortable asking about the injection at this point given the time frame, I’d just keep an eye out. The trainer was openly walking around with a syringe–a syringe that she easily could have hidden. So it’s possible that it could happen again and you’ll have a chance to ask, or maybe that was a one-off unusual situation. It’s also okay to ask in a general manner. “Hey Trainer Sue, I was reading about medications in show horses. Do the horses usually receive any medications when they show?”

I would be maybe more vigilant, and speak up and ask if things concern you or even if you don’t understand something (not medication related as well!). Learning will be great as your daughter gets more involved with horses and showing. Maybe pick up a horse book or two just to learn the basics about horses, will help you maybe notice when something seems out of the ordinary. I know that as a child with non-horsey parents, I certainly appreciated when they asked questions and showed genuine interest in the thing that I loved

Good luck OP!

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Aside from the whole injection question, perhaps you need to question whether this stable’s priorities are going to work for you long term. Having a new, young student get all the clothing and put on makeup to show in leadline may mean a lot of push to go to shows. IMO, this is common in saddleseat barns. Rider are less likely to trail ride or ride for pleasure, especially as they go up the levels. Saddleseat “brilliance” is more often achieved with short, intense workouts.

There are intense show barns in all disciplines at which the focus is on showing and time and money are focused on that. However, I think you are more likely to find a low-key fun lesson program that focuses on all-around horsemanship, fun, and partnering with your horse at a relaxed hunt seat stable. IME the value of 4-H and Pony Club groups is quite variable and depends greatly on the leadership. Though you will often find good groups associated with one of those “backyard” lesson barns.

I would suggest certainly taking the remainder of lessons that are paid for. At the same time, you can look around at other stables. As you finish with this package, you can look at places you can find through ads at your tack store and also asking people there. See if you can visit some barns (now that you have watched some lessons and seen the barn you have been using) and even watch a lesson.

Your daughter might well be sad about leaving this barn and you have to weigh that against the value of the program. One parent I know allowed the package to run out at one stable (kid knew how many lessons had been promised) and then waited a short time to see if daughter still wanted more. She then took her to a new stable for lessons.

Especially if your daughter is not a daredevil, you don’t want her pushed too far (a little is good!) so choosing the appropriate program is important. We hate to lose young riders!

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Thank you all for your thoughtful responses. I was just looking at photos from the show, and my daughter is beaming with a giant smile in all of them… She is happy where she is right now, so that’s a huge consideration. Pony club emailed back with a recommendation on a barn affiliated with the local pony club. I called that number and arranged to tour that facility, just so that I could see what’s out there and have a comparison. We most definitely will finish the lesson package, and I’ll speak up and ask questions when I have questions.

As for the person who recommended that I read up a bit to better support my daughter, I will start another topic to ask for book recommendations- a more positive topic!

Thank you again!

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I just want to say that you are being a thoughtful and supportive mom. I have a feeling that you will be a huge asset in your daughter’s growth as a horse person. Feel free to come back here and ask for advice as needed!

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I hope that you won’t let yourself be biased against saddle seat by the negative posts here at COTH. This forum is not the place to find saddle seat riders and very few people who post here have much first-hand experience with saddle seat riding. Any horror stories people tell you about saddle seat stables can be matched with horror stories from dressage, hunter/jumper, and western stables. There are bad apples in every discipline. There are also fantastic horsemen and wonderful stables in every discipline.

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Well said.

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Just to add to your confusion, you might use a needle to pull liquid out of a vial, leave the needle and cap on while carrying to keep it from dripping, and then take the needle off and administer orally. For example, banamine can be given that way and works great, just a little slower to kick in. But if you are giving it to an arthritic horse before they work, a half hour difference is no big deal.

I’ve used the same method for eye drops, too, use the needle to pull it and then remove the needle and squirt into the eye.

Btw, most horse injections are going to use a 1mL, 5mL,or maybe 10mL syringe. 1mL is a little thinner than a pencil. 5mL is about as big around as a dry erase marker (in between a nickel and a quarter) but shorter. 10mL is bigger. If the needle is under an inch, it’s probably a subcutaneous injection (like allergy shots). A longer needle like a sewing needle (inch and a half or longer) is probably intramuscular or intravenous. All of the needles look huge, even though my old guy gets allergy shots and Adequan and I buy syringes by the box full!

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