So I'm not sure how many of you read my 'Need Advice' post but here is fast go over..
I had a family of green riders at my ranch where I offer boarding. After giving the 11yr old son two lessons I had to give them the news that their horses did not match their kid safe beginners needs. I told them it was unsafe for their son to ride him and refused to give him lessons on their horse but offered one of my lesson horses instead. They were very upset with me, called me a liar and just refused to take my advice on giving the horse back and search for a safer mount.
Well they decieded to take lessons with the girl who sold them the horse at our local riding arena as I told them it would be a 50$ to book mine for the hour. My rates are potsed for arena rental, I wasn't been mean that's just what it is.
They left at fivepm wed night and when they didn't return the following day at fivepm I left them a message as I was concerned, they said they would only be a couple of hours and be back later that night.
I got the phone call from them at about 9pm from the father. Turns out the boy was thrown the during his lesson.... Broken wrist, bone chip in the back of his head, mild concusion and a hoof print in his face. The childrens hospital where he was transfered to the previos night was keeping till friday for observation.
The parents feel ofcoarse terrible, the horse has gone back and not that I needed it they have apologized to me. The young boy wll be o.k and believe it or not still wants to ride!!! They will continue to take lessons here at my ranch and have asked to me to find a safe mount for their son!
I'm soo happy it wasn't any worse and soo sorry that they even had to go through that. I believe that as horse owners we are responsable when selling espeicaly to first time horse buyers that the horse is a fit. I could go on and about how important this is but I think this story speaks for itself...
I had a family of green riders at my ranch where I offer boarding. After giving the 11yr old son two lessons I had to give them the news that their horses did not match their kid safe beginners needs. I told them it was unsafe for their son to ride him and refused to give him lessons on their horse but offered one of my lesson horses instead. They were very upset with me, called me a liar and just refused to take my advice on giving the horse back and search for a safer mount.
Well they decieded to take lessons with the girl who sold them the horse at our local riding arena as I told them it would be a 50$ to book mine for the hour. My rates are potsed for arena rental, I wasn't been mean that's just what it is.
They left at fivepm wed night and when they didn't return the following day at fivepm I left them a message as I was concerned, they said they would only be a couple of hours and be back later that night.
I got the phone call from them at about 9pm from the father. Turns out the boy was thrown the during his lesson.... Broken wrist, bone chip in the back of his head, mild concusion and a hoof print in his face. The childrens hospital where he was transfered to the previos night was keeping till friday for observation.
The parents feel ofcoarse terrible, the horse has gone back and not that I needed it they have apologized to me. The young boy wll be o.k and believe it or not still wants to ride!!! They will continue to take lessons here at my ranch and have asked to me to find a safe mount for their son!
I'm soo happy it wasn't any worse and soo sorry that they even had to go through that. I believe that as horse owners we are responsable when selling espeicaly to first time horse buyers that the horse is a fit. I could go on and about how important this is but I think this story speaks for itself...