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concered for the horse and rider!

7K views 40 replies 26 participants last post by  anrz 
#1 ·
Ok at my barn, we do this mentor program for the younger riders. I mentor this 8 year old who my mother knows ( my mom is a guidance counceler at an elementary school) well every winter there is an after school camp for the mentors to show the little kids the ropes of the barn. each person gets there own horse to care for for the week. since I now lease the horse I ride (yayyyyy!!! finally ceaser!!) I automatically get him. well the girl I mentor got the sweetest oldest horse in the barn. LATELY though, after every ride, instead of cooling her down, she puts her in the roundpen and making her canter around in there!!! The oldest horse there!!! The sweetest horse. It isnt safe for an unexpirienced 8yearold rider to go into the roundpen with a cantering. It just isnt safe!! She also doesnt groom or hoofpic. Even though I have shown her the step by step way to groom. She never tacks up right. and she puts the bribale on so that its uncomfortable for her. I know that she is inexprienced but every day I have shown her. and she has injured the horse twice. I have told the owner and she said she would deal with it and she has talked to her about it but the next day she goes back to doing it. Now she has started to do the same things to ceaser the horse I ride. I really dont want her to do this. I know that this probbly has nothing to do with riding horses but how can I get this girl to be safe at the barn, for her and the horses!!
 
#3 ·
I'd tell her she wouldn't be allowed to ride if she didn't do what you told her. I would tell her she's got one more chance to prove she can do it right, and if she can't, say byebye to riding privileges.

I teach horse camps over the summer, I know how this goes... I hate it when kids do that.
 
#4 ·
no no no = prep gear so it is clean and comfortable for the horse-prep horse so he is ready for a rider- iiiieee grooming,= prep to ride=ride-groom again=de-prep gear=clean it again anyone who is in charge and lets this behavior go on is irresponsible and not looking out for the horses and or the riders.
HORSEMEN AND HORSEWOMEN= learn to take care of their mounts first- RIDERS learn to take care of themselves. an 8 year old is hardly of an age to know better-where are the adults??? no child should be left to manage an animal on their own-let alone an older animal= when you are done riding even the most novice of riders knows he/she should cool the animal-if cooling isnt needed then bonding is. barn manager is needed
 
#5 ·
It's rather simple actually. She can't take care of a horse = she can't ride a horse. Since the horse she is dealing with is old, you MUST make her understand that this horse is getting fragile and must not be worked as much as younger horses. I would make sure that before she rides that she correctly grooms and tacks the horse every time. And, I wouldn't let her get on that horse until she has done so.
 
#6 ·
mentoring riders

Hello If you are her mentor then you need to put your foot well i guess down to be nice about it if she cannot learn to prepare her ride and to tack her horse up the right way then she needs to be dropped from the program or be instructed in a different manner then what she now is being, Also she should never be alone to do this as she is way to young to be handling even the best horse in your barn with out adult supervision and guidence, My 6yr old daughter Hannah is learning to do it all from the ground up on her horse but i never leave her to do it , but she can as long as i keep the mounting block close by so she can get the saddle up on bears back , But she knows if its not right she starts all over till it is the correct way and the horse is groomed before the ride and after the ride :lol::-p
 
#7 ·
I agree with the others. You need to tell her that if she doesn't groom her horse, pick out their hooves, tack her up the correct way, then after she rides, cool her down properly, groom her again, and also pick out her hooves again then she doesnt need to be riding the horse. She needs to learn that a horse is a huge responsibility and until she can learn to properly take care of the horse she needs to not be riding the horse. Has anyone talked to her mother about it? Maybe she needs to have a talk with her.

Dave: you are definately teaching your daughter the right way! Thats how I had to learn!
 
#8 ·
Yeah, I think the barn manager should get involved as well. She is pretty young, & sounds very inexperienced. What she's doing is wrong, & it could cause more harm than good if it continues. I think it should be stopped until she's ready. I think maybe building up, starting from grooming & such 'til she learns how to care for the horse more would help. :) Like, gradually increasing her knowledge.
 
#10 ·
If I were her mentor, I would supervise her while she is grooming and tacking up the horse. If she doesn't pick his hooves out for example, just say nicely "Don't you remember that we have to pick his feet out before and after we ride? We don't want him to get sore feet do we?". If she is stubborn, then just say "No, we are not allowed to ride our horses unless we look after them properly. It's part of the responsibilty of being a horseperson and it is very important."

She's only eight. I know that she's old enogh to do things for herself, but she probably doesn't understand the consequences of her laziness.

And after a ride, if she goes to the roundpen again, just say "I think he's had enough work for today. Why don't we just untack him and let him relax" And again, if she's stubborn, you just have to be more stern. As her mentor, I would personally think that it was partly your responsibility to make sure she is treating her horse properly. Isn't that the whole point of you being there?
 
#11 ·
I agree with Connemara, you need to take charge. If she refuses to listen to you she should be dropped from the program. No 8 year old should be grooming and tacking without second by second supervision. (unless they are one of those rare horse kids who started when they were 5 and actually know what they are doing) At our barn I supervise everyone until I am completely convinced they know what they are doing and even then I double check to make sure feet are properly picked up, bridle and saddle properly adjusted, etc. And those are for adults and kids a like of all ages.

Sounds like this program does not provide enough structure or supervision.
 
#12 ·
I'm thinking that an eight year old kid isn't physically capable of doing these things properly without a lot of supervision! Who on earth is letting an eight year old do anything involving a horse without a responsible adult being present and managing each activity?
 
#15 ·
I hate to tell you this but for those of us who come from horse families have been expected to treat our horses with respect and care for them properly from a very young age. When I was eight I knew better than to do any of what this girl is doing. If my parents, mentors or instructors caught me doing any of those things, I would have gotten it handed to me. It's not like I was some exceptional eight year old either. I know of two families that are very big where I'm from and their kids have been rodeoing since they could walk. Yeah, this girl may not come from a horse family but that age is no excuse for disrespecting her mentors and her horses.
 
#14 ·
I agree with everyone: The girl has to listen to you or she can't ride! For one, it is dangerous for the horse (and herself!) and secondly, I think we all know what that will turn into if not corrected... If she doesn't listen to you or the BO you guys will have to talk to her parents and let them know she can't act that way. If that still doesn't do anything (usually kids that don't listen to other adults learn those behaviors at home) you will have to drop her from the program. It's your guys' liability, so you should make sure everything is safe. You don't want to rack up the vet bill if the horse gets hurt and God forbid if she gets hurt... Sue-happiness is very prevalent here, so make sure you stand your ground and teach her respect towards other people and horses!
Good luck! I know it's tough, but hang in there! It's for the greater good.
 
#16 ·
hate to say it, but when i started riding i was exactly like that little girl, i thought i knew everything, when i obvisously didn't. then i put a pony in danger and i finally understood what i was doing wrong when some one got in my face, my trainer. she gotten within 3 inches of my face, she wsa stern and firm, i haave never been rude there a gain, yes i was young and stupid, now i never let a chance to learn something pass me by. so maybe thats what she needs
 
#17 ·
I talked to her mother today, and she said that she has been through a lot, she said "oh she is just a little mean on the outside and sweet on the inside. she will get over it" I really dont think you can get over it, you have to learn. I had to do all of the work today, though thats not such a big deal, I LOVE DOING THE HARD WORK!! but eventually she will need to ;earn or she will not be able the ride. god thing is that today, the barn manager, found out what she was doing and she is not allowed to ride for the next two days!! i know thats not nice but she needs to learn, if not the easy way but the hard way. so I showed her how to cool the horses down the right way and she looked like she was listening,

I dont want to say that she isnt intrested but, some 8 year olds are great with horses and are really responsible. this girl, well just might be going through a stage that she just really loves horses. who knows. I really dont think the mother really understands her. NOW I REALLY DONT MEAN FOR THAT TO SOUND BAD OR ANYTHING i reakky sounds bad. I am trying to be strict and sweet at the same time cause I dont want to turn her off horses for ever if she really likes them. but I have mentored for three years now and I have never had this much trouble!!(sigh) makes me tired just thinking about it.
 
#18 ·
If she's into horses she won't be turned off by someone showing her how to do it. Either way, she is supposed to listen to you if you are her mentor! That is just basic respect. That is what I meant about learning it at home. It will create future problems if she is not taught respect. Plus, you really want to avoid the horse and her getting in danger so act! Better be a little harsh with her than have someone need medical assistance (vet or human).

You can be nice, but if you have to be stern and clear. I think your BO did the right thing. She needs to learn respect and how to do things properly. She will not have someone there to do everything for her horse forever. Don't feel bad about being stern! I know it's hard nowadays, but sometimes sweettalking doesn't do anything. Sometimes you have to say No! and mean it. Otherwise that girl will never learn to listen and respect others. And it is better for her to learn it now, where you just have to remind her and explain, than if she is older and will face a tougher situation. Being stern doensn't equal being mean. Being stern when the need arises is called parenting. Be as sweet as you can, but as stern as you have to.
 
#19 ·
Kiara- You are right she would be very interested in how to do everything the right way if she is really into horses. I know I was when I first started!

She might just not be ready to be taking care of a horse. I dont want that to sound mean in any way, but some kids just arent mature enough to take proper care of a horse.
This doesnt mean that she shouldnt be able to be around the horses because if she is really going through a hard time like her mom said then she does need to be around the horses because horses are very good therapy. I know whenever I am down my horses always cheer me up.

I agree with everybody else who said that she just needs to maybe start from just grooming the horse and maybe since you are the mentor maybe pick a few days out of the week to be with her and help her tack up the horse and then watch her ride and make sure she is doing everything correctly. I don really know what your job is by being her mentor but I think this would help a little.
 
#20 ·
well that helps, I dont want to be mean but I think that its a good idea for her to sit out for a while. and yes horses are great tharapy, but this girl when she is in a bad mood, SHE IS FURIOUSE. I have seen her many times try to injure the horse (though you really cant like punch a horse and it severly injure them!!) and I have been concered for a while about that. I and really just worried about her. If she keeps acting like this then she will get hurt.
 
#22 ·
but this girl when she is in a bad mood, SHE IS FURIOUSE. I have seen her many times try to injure the horse (though you really cant like punch a horse and it severly injure them!!) and I have been concered for a while about that. I and really just worried about her. If she keeps acting like this then she will get hurt.
Ok, no matter what she went through she has NO RIGHT to hit a horse for any reason like that!!! That is asking for trouble. She should not be beating horses! You have to put an immediate stop to that and really talk to her parents. She cannot use violence against animals. That only escalates. If she has those issues they should get her some help. I know I sound harsh, but really I just don't want to see this turn into something really bad.
 
#21 ·
my question is were are the parents in this situation. Im assuming this girl came from a family that doesnt know a whole lot about horses. The whole time that i was in 4H and my mother was the leader and my mom also was giving most of the kids lessons on the side..but she always made the parents stick around and watch. No "babysitting" was ever done by the horse or my mom. Most kids that age have that "i know all" attitude. I grew up in a horse family and hell...i had that attitude as well. This girl should NOT be left alone with any horse...specially if she has a background were she is in need of some one like your mom. I recomend you just keep an extra eye on her. Spend more time with her and if she has that "knwo it all" attitude get a hold of her parents. Its not worth wasting your or the horses time if she isnt into it!
 
#23 ·
I agree with you Kiara. She needs to get some help and I didnt know she was hitting the horses. Even if it doesnt hurt when she hits the horse what if she decides to use something else that can injure a horse. Until she learns the responsibility she needs to sit out for a while and maybe when she sits out for a while if she is supervised the whole time she can ride for a little bit. Its just not fair to the horse to have to be treated like that.

Is this her horse or someone elses???
 
#24 · (Edited)
I would think that if the girl is there because she wants to be and because she loves horses that she would want to do those things. I know when I was that age I would groom a horse for hours before and after just so I could stay around them longer lol! Is this something that someone else thinks she should do and she just isn't into it? If so, that's still no excuse for her abusing any of the horses, but the adults need to step in right away and find a differnt activity for her.
 
#25 ·
well today I saw her using the hoofpic to I dont know what she was trying to do but she was limke digging it into the horse!!!!!!!!! so at that point I needed to just get her out of there as fast as she had come. I warned her that if she did this again, she wouldnt get to ride or maybe, depending on what the barn manager says never come back again. So at this point I guess my threat angered her, SHE CAME AT ME!!!! with the hoof pick. I was a little worried and so was my friend. I asked my friend to get the manager and she came to help. SHE said that if she EVER!!! tried to injure a horse or a person then she will be banned from the barn (as she put it) AND thank goodness she doesnt own a horse. not to be mean or anything. the manager did talk to the mother and the father with me and she was kind of well shocked!!! I dont see why! I will see how she is tommorrow. she is still coming but she got a double warning!!!
 
#27 ·
Nicole, I do agree, to a point.

I also think that this girl has many issues that are probably always dealt with this way. She does something wrong, and is just booted out. Her aggression is a symptom, not the problem.

If she was a horse she wouldn't be thrown out for bad behavior, at least not so easily.
 
#28 ·
Not to sound rude here, but digging a hoof pick into a horse and than coming after a someone with it is a little bit more than "bad behavior". Confronting her and giving her another chance was a very nice thing to do, in my opinion it would have been justified booting her out then and there.
 
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