Hungry for Saddle Time? We'll see!

11/9/2013

We're heading up to the cabin for the weekend, so you won't hear from me again until Monday. A day away from my cell phone and the internet is probably just what I need to flush away the residue of stupidity that is still clinging to me.

While the week was busy and filled with moments of complete insanity (oh, I so wish confidentially was not a component of my employment), I still enjoyed productive afternoons on the pony front. I got several good rides in on both boys and am feeling very encouraged.

I am meeting a newish reader tomorrow which I hope turns out well. I scared off the last young hopeful; I never blogged about it, but I was pretty disappointed.

The last gal was a college student who left a flyer with my barn owner asking if anyone needed help riding, grooming, or cleaning stalls. You know the type, hungry for horsey time and willing to do anything. Yeah, right.

I gave her a call hoping she might be qualified enough to ride one of my boys out on the trail with me. We met for a little get acquainted time where I (apparently) completely freaked her out with my very long list of how it must be dones. To say I am picky about how my boys are to be treated is an understatement of the largest degree possible.

I have rules for how they are to be haltered, which brushes are to be used when, how their hooves are to be handled, how they are to be girthed, how the bridle is slipped on, how they are to be ridden, how they are to be led, how they are to be untacked, and on and on. EVERYTHING has a rule.

Sorry.

They are my babies and their comfort and happiness is what I live for. College gal never came back. I guess she wasn't that hungry.

So, Sunday's meeting will probably be a bust, but I am ever hopeful that I will meet a kindred soul who recognizes that my particular equine family needs and deserves the very detailed attention that I lavish upon them. I'll let you know how it goes!

Mia link

11/9/2013 12:55:29 am

I think most people have a lot of rules, or procedures, for care and handling of their horses... except they don't realize it. Try helping anyone else saddle their horse and you'll realize immediately that no matter how you do it, it will be wrong to the person who owns the horse. Haha.

Good luck with the hopeful candidate. You'll find the right person eventually.

Sandra

11/9/2013 04:11:38 am

I feel a kindred soul here! I am the same way! I do not even like when my hubby feeds/waters my horses for me because he doesn't do it "just so!" I am very pattern/schedule oriented (some call it OCD, I call it attentive) and do not like it when things are done out of order... :-) Good luck!!!

Karen link

11/9/2013 07:54:12 am

Why would anyone think a horse owner would just turn over one of their horses without any rules? Seriously? Even if the horse was just a hack, and not an animal you have invested money and hours of your own time in training and riding to the point where you are now, you would still want rules on how they are handled.

Good thing you scared her off.

Sarah link

11/9/2013 08:10:39 am

I missed there part where you were looking for extra help. Or was it this gal's idea?

I had a "half-leaser" with my first horse in college to help me with co-op duties and rides. My horse was completely broke and laid back so I wasn't too worried about most things. But soon enough Bo started to walk off while I was mounting, a habit he learned from his new friend. When I talked with the gal about it, she was mortally offended at the notion that she was teaching him bad manners. Lol. All that to say, it is better to set expectations up front!! Good for you.

Hannah link

11/9/2013 08:42:20 am

People can be really funny. I tried a couple of times during Tucker's eventing career to have somebody else put a regular ride or two per week on him. Everybody always started out really enthusiastic, really enjoyed the horse, and then they just...kinda...stopped riding.

And I am easy, easy, easy to ride for! Be fair to the horse and ride when you say that you will and I am happy! But no-showing without giving me a heads-up makes me crazy. I don't know if people just aren't invested in what they're not paying for, or if they genuinely don't understand what it means to have a horse in a program, or what.

(The good news is, those folks leave a lot of opportunities on the table that can be snapped up by others...I have ridden some really cool horses just because I am semi-competent and show up when I say that I will.)

Good luck with your maybe-rider!

Lauren link

11/9/2013 09:37:25 am

If someone is REALLY hungry for riding time, they will follow your rules... even if they are picky. They're your horses and obviously are doing well with you :)

Bakersfield Dressage link

11/10/2013 02:43:09 am

WOW! Obviously everyone has been through this as well! First off, I wasn't looking for any help and am not sure that I want any. With that said, this particular rider just wants some saddle time and asked for any leads. Before I introduce her to my own trainer, I thought it prudent to see if she can in fact actually ride. Not that she's lying, but it is very hard to define "experienced."

Next to Steffen Petters, I am a complete amateur, but put me up against a backyard trailer meanderer, and I look like an Olympic contender. :0)

You all are so right in your comments - we all have rules, but why is it that a rider would think we'd just hand over our reins? And it's even more puzzling if the owner regularly takes lesson and shows. I think Hannah may be right in that the "guest rider" doesn't have anything invested (like money and years). And Lauren is definitely right, a truly hungry rider will do whatever it takes to deal with an owner's eccentricities - even mine!

martina peterson

11/11/2013 10:54:17 am

and... aren't your babies lucky!!! love mom, I wish I could find a reliable, industrious hard worker to rake my leaves. IT DRIVES ME NUTS BECAUSE MOST WANT THE MONEY BUT WORK AT A SNAILS PACE.

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Not-So-Speedy Dressage