When Can I come ride your horse?

[Sandy_M]

When I was still regularly riding my present retiree, I OFFERED to let some of my co-workers ride him. There was another horse I could borrow to ride out with them, and my guy was absolutely beginner safe. A couple of women with whom I work, one of whom had evented as a pony clubber, and another who was not a rider, but very athletic (wind-surfer) both came out and very much enjoyed their trial rides on him.

But to be TOLD someone was going to come out and ride - nope, not even on Old Reliable. The insurance excuse is always the best, I think.

However, no one has asked, and I have not offered, any rides on my 4.5 year old. I think the day I limped in, after he had exploded three strides after I got on him to ride the night before, discouraged THAT. He’s much better now, but he’s still a work in progress and definitely not suitable for anything less than an intermediate-to-advanced rider at this stage. I don’t think any one would DARE ask, let alone TELL me they were going to ride him.

I find most non-riders are timid about horses, not over-confident that they can handle it just because they once went on a trail ride. I can’t count the number of times I’ve been told the, “Once I rode a horse and it ran off/tried to scrape me off on a tree/rolled with me and I never want to ride again and am afraid of them” tale.

[KnKShowmom]

[QUOTE=pony4me;3790644]
A guy at work asked me if he could bring his wife out to ride one of my horses. I replied that she had a better chance of sleeping with my husband than riding my horse. He hasn’t asked since. QUOTE]

:eek: - Now there’s a can of worms waiting to be opened…

The 1st time someone asks, I smile and change the subject
The 2nd time, I say No
The 3rd time, I will say Yes, when they up their life insurance policy and list me as their primary beneficiary.

I figure at that point, they will either stop asking or die happy, and I will be much richer!

[KnKShowmom]

[QUOTE=GettingBack;3791347]
I suppose it’s because I don’t like people who invite themselves along for anything - maybe I’m old school. It drives me batty - it’s a pet peeve of mine. I was taught to always take the smaller piece of cake, and NEVER EVER EVER invite yourself along to something you haven’t been invited to - not even a hint.

So for someone to say “When am I going to ride your horse” is like - are you kidding me?

It’s a manner thing.[/QUOTE]

Exactly, although the only thing that has plucked my nerves more was when I was (VERY) pregnant and every woman I met wanted to touch my stomach! :no:

[Holly_Jeanne]

one time

I have three horses. The 16 yo is miss super sensitive that many experienced people have trouble with and the other two are young greenies that I’M having trouble riding right now. There is a neighbor kid that shows up every once in a while. I was riding one of the greenies when she came one time. After watching a few minutes she asked if she was old enough to ride her now. I replied that the horse wasn’t old enough for her to ride her. Although if any of you really experienced horse people want to come help me with my greenies that would be a different story.

[GettingBack]

Exactly, although the only thing that has plucked my nerves more was when I was (VERY) pregnant and every woman I met wanted to touch my stomach!

Every woman? I had men doing it to me too! I HATED it and thought it incredibly rude.

[MistyBlue]

I had people rubbing my pregnant belly everywhere I went when I was pregnant. I just started telling them, “No matter how much you rub, no genie is going to pop out and offer you 3 wishes.”

I’ve had many a person assume that since I own horses and a small horse farm…it must be a Free To The Public Amusement Park also. It’s pretty normal thing to hear actually and I stopped being shocked years ago when people asked/told me they wanted to ride or bring their kids for a pony ride.
Now I just politely smile and tell them that most horses aren’t trained to be a “trail/dude” horse or a pony ride type horse and that for casual riding the best idea is to either go take a lesson or I can give them the names and numbers of any local trail riding place…or they’re welcome to come over and meet and learn more about my horses but that my insurance doesn’t allow for anyone but my family to ride my horses on my property.
I don’t want to discourage interest in horses in general, but I also don’t want to get into a long drawn out reasoning of why they can’t just go ride anyone’s horses.
I have learned that it can be fun to “creep out” the really pushy obnoxiously demanding ones though…I just point to whatever new fresh bruise I have or the gimp in my walk on cold days and say, “See this? I got this riding my horses. And I’ve been riding for over 30 years and ride every single day. Sure you want to try?” :winkgrin:

[Kaeleer]

According to my husband, I have a flashing, neon sign above my head which shouts, quite loudly “give this person LARGE AMOUNTS of personal space”. As a result, I’m seldom asked things like this.

He also says that, at about one minute to midnight on New Year’s Eve, I develop a “f^&k off” face, which is visible to anyone within a five mile radius, and precludes total strangers from wanting to kiss me, simply because it is suddenly 1 January.

You’d think it would be a lonely existence, but I can assure you that it’s quite a happy one. No uninvited guests. No personal questions. No intrusions.

Ah, peace, perfect peace.

You might want to develop this look. Apparently, it involves a single raised eyebrow, and a cold glare from over the rim of my spectacles.

[Bluey]

[QUOTE=Kaeleer;3792026]
According to my husband, I have a flashing, neon sign above my head which shouts, quite loudly “give this person LARGE AMOUNTS of personal space”. As a result, I’m seldom asked things like this.

He also says that, at about one minute to midnight on New Year’s Eve, I develop a “f^&k off” face, which is visible to anyone within a five mile radius, and precludes total strangers from wanting to kiss me, simply because it is suddenly 1 January.

You’d think it would be a lonely existence, but I can assure you that it’s quite a happy one. No uninvited guests. No personal questions. No intrusions.

Ah, peace, perfect peace.

You might want to develop this look. Apparently, it involves a single raised eyebrow, and a cold glare from over the rim of my spectacles.[/QUOTE]

I hear you.

Seriously, those that think horse people that have trouble not bristling to other imposing on their horse lives when not invited just have not had the pleasure of others making horse plans with your horses and place without consulting you first.
THAT is what is annoying and bad manners, not when they politely ask about your horses and if you do permit people to come ride them.

[Daldove]

Why not???

Why not let them ride??? Or at least just sit on the horse??

When I was younger, I had horse fever badly but was unable to get my first horse till I was 15. Didn’t stop me from going to shows to watch people and their horses as well as going on pony rides / trail rides whenever I could. I also didn’t have friends who had horses or know anyone who had them. When I went to the shows and went up to the owners, I asked if I could just pet the horse (Mind you I was between 6-9 years old at the time) and the VAST majority of the time I got a real cold response or just totally ignored. All I wanted to do was to touch the horse and they actted like I was gonna get finger prints on it!

Now that I have my own horses, when I’m at shows and people want to pet them, I say go ahead. When I’m at home and folks want to drop in and see them, I say go ahead. They want to sit on or ride them, I have them sign a waiver and say go ahead. Why not? What’s the Problem with doing so? Maybe they have the fever but have never been able to have a horse of their own? Why be rude or mean or nasty? How is that encouraging people who don’t own horses to love them? Heck! I let my trainer use My Friesian Stallion, Darktanion, as a lesson horse! Why not? Imagine what those folks (young and old) are thinking while on him! What an experience for them! Why deny them that?

While I’m not one for people just saying “I’m going to come ride your horses weather you like it or not”, if someone asks if they can see them or pet them or ride them, I’m not against it. If they’re a decent rider, I’m not against taking them out on a trail ride. Why not??

[dalpal]

[QUOTE=Mtn trails;3790325]
Yes, I got asked that today at work by a guy I’ve known a total of 3 days. What is it with people that think everyone who owns horses is just dying to have someone come out for a trail ride and you get to play outfitter? I told him I don’t have any horses suitable for him and he and his girlfriend would have a good time at a rent-a-horse barn. Then he asks if I have any ponies for kids to ride? WTF? What do I look like? A fugging day care? Oh, and get this, he even says “well, it wouldn’t be now, but maybe in the couple of months, we can do this.” That’s nice, he’s telling me when he will come out and ride my horses!

If he brings it up again, I’m going to ask him when I can drive his car. I think that should settle the matter. Too bad I have to work with this jerk. And I was just starting to like him.

Have you ever had someone be this clueless? What gives?[/QUOTE]

Try this.

I would need a copy of your health insurance policy because the one time I said okay, my darling Peaches took offense, bucked the poor sould off and then proceeded to stomp on him, they had to air lift him to the nearest trauma hospital…to this day he is still eating out of a straw.

It probably wouldn’t be a good idea, but if you insist, you must sign my 10 page legal document, health insurance policy required, and four recommendations from people saying that you are a good rider.

[merrygoround]

[QUOTE=DLee;3790667]
The next time someone asks me, I swear I’m going to say “Can I drive your Porsche? I used to drive when I was a kid.” :winkgrin:[/QUOTE]

I think the Porsche would be safer from you, than my horse would be from the Porsche’s owner. :lol:

[MSP]

I haven’t really had this problem. Maybe once or twice from a close relative or friend but I just explain that my mare is crazy and too green for just anyone to ride.

But, as a horse crazy child I did go across the street to a neighbors farm while visiting relatives in PEI Canada and asked if I could ride their horse. I was probably 10 or 11 and had a horse at home but heaven forbid I should have to go a week without riding!

The lady of the house threw a piece of twine at me and said if you can catch him you can ride him and pointed to the field. “Him” was a Belgian gelding used for farm work, not sure if any one had ever ridden him before that day. I climbed on with the help of a stone wall and had a very lovely ride.

I guess I was as bold as the non-horsey folks some of you have encountered!

[Carrera]

If I have something here I have no issue letting people come ride. But its rare that I have something thats broke!

At my old farm you could see the horses from the road. There was one family that would repetitively come to “visit” the horses and give them rotten corn. This caused colic in my pony. I was p*ssed to say the least. I had to trespassing signs, told them not to come onto the property, nothing worked. The guy was getting confrontational about him being on my property. The last day that I say them (after about 5 confrontations, police were too far away to call) I got out my handy shot-gun. There is nothing more frightening then that wonderful “click, click” of a double barrel.

Never saw them again.

[Carrera]

[QUOTE=Kaeleer;3792026]
According to my husband, I have a flashing, neon sign above my head which shouts, quite loudly “give this person LARGE AMOUNTS of personal space”. As a result, I’m seldom asked things like this.

He also says that, at about one minute to midnight on New Year’s Eve, I develop a “f^&k off” face, which is visible to anyone within a five mile radius, and precludes total strangers from wanting to kiss me, simply because it is suddenly 1 January.

You’d think it would be a lonely existence, but I can assure you that it’s quite a happy one. No uninvited guests. No personal questions. No intrusions.

Ah, peace, perfect peace.

You might want to develop this look. Apparently, it involves a single raised eyebrow, and a cold glare from over the rim of my spectacles.[/QUOTE]

Are you my long lost sibling?!?!? I am the same and happy about it!

[saje]

@Daldove;3792187

Why not let them ride??? Or at least just sit on the horse??

While I’m not one for people just saying “I’m going to come ride your horses weather you like it or not”, if someone asks if they can see them or pet them or ride them, I’m not against it. If they’re a decent rider, I’m not against taking them out on a trail ride. Why not??

Because I like my private time, and my home and horses are a very personal space to me. I don’t like to entertain, in any way shape or form.

Because I’ve DONE the lesson thing, and gotten paid for it, also the trail ride thing. BTDT and have burnt out on it.

Because unless the one asking is a close friend, I’m really put off by that self-invitation, and I’d feel the same if they hinted that they wanted to swim in my pool or ride my ATV or drive my fancy little car (none of which I have of course…I have horses!)

I guess I don’t share well…

[Pat]

@trubandloki;3790674

To us horse people it does sound horribly rude that people invite themselves over to ride our horses. But I think to a non-horse person whose only horse knowledge is seeing them on TV it probably does not seem like a big deal.

I usually go with ‘sorry, no, I do not give pony rides’ or such.

NO, it is RUDE. it has nothing to do with “what’s on TV.” If the same people were asked they were willing to loan out thier car/boat/other expensive toy, they’d think the other person was looney. People who ask that question, THAT way, are just rude.

I was asked once, but it was phrased sorta like “do you have any that I could ride?” The answer was a flat out (but nice) NO. And I wasn’t blowing him off, none of my horses were suitable. But I would have blown off this particular individual any way, but that’s besides the point.

I’m not stingy. I’ve had other people on my horses. We’ve put some of our friends kids on Lucky (our dearly departed precious gem) for lessons. Free even. But why if I haven’t invited you to come out do you think it’s cool to invite yourself??? It is rude.

[Pat]

@Kaeleer;3792026

According to my husband, I have a flashing, neon sign above my head which shouts, quite loudly “give this person LARGE AMOUNTS of personal space”. As a result, I’m seldom asked things like this.

you are my new hero!!!

[spotmenow]

I’ve had this happen time and time again. And, I can’t help thinking that these same people would be SHOCKED if someone invited themself over to use, say their swimming pool.

Another common misconception: “You have horses? You must be RICH!” Yeah, if manure suddenly becomes the new U.S. currency! Have you SEEN what I’m wearing???

[Cindyg]

I always meant to be the kind of horse owner who would be glad to give kids rides – leadline rides or maybe a lungeline ride. But, alas, my horse is not kidsafe, so that’s what I always have to tell people. “I’m really sorry, but he’s not a gentle horse. I can’t give rides on him.” It’s true. I am sorry, and he’s not gentle.

Now the prospect of letting somebody take him out trail riding without me – well, that makes me woosey just imagining it! But I’ve never had anybody ask for that.

Lots of people do come by to pet him and feed him treats. When my son’s friends are over, especially little girls, there is always a trek out to the pasture to see the horse. It scares the heck out of me, and I’m always very relieved when they’re gone.

[MistyBlue]

LOL on the “you must be rich” comments…I’ve gotten those comments at dinner parties but never anywhere else. Mainly because if I’m not at a party/night out then they can see what I’m wearing and would never assume I was wealthy. They might assume I lived in the barn with the horses though. :lol: I tell people at parties, “Rich? No, I’d be rich if I didn’t have the horses.” :winkgrin:
And don’t think people don’t invite themselves over to swim in your pool either…they most certainly do. Our last house had a pool…there was more than one time I came home to find people in it. :eek: But only if I had taken my dog with me…the entire neighborhood was terrified of my dog so nobody came in the yard when the dog and I were home…at least not without calling first. He was a pretty huge dog but not a growler or barker and that confused me for a while as to why everyone thought he was a killer…until one of my neighborhood friends told me he told the PITAs in the area that it was really a wolf, LOL!