So those on you on livery yards what do you do when a fellow livery starts talking in terms of 'this is a battle I must win', 'he was trying it on' do you keep pointing out the flaws in their logic or do you eventually give up?
Hi Alex,
Tee Hee - I have to laugh as I know exactly where you're coming from as I'm on a livery yard myself. When I started doing things a bit differently, I pretty much used to pick times when no -one was around. It's hard to go against the crowd. In the end I had to let people see what I was doing as you can't keep only going to see your horses at 3.00am for ever!!!!! Obviously, people asked and I'd try to explain but people can only come to these ideas when they're ready.
As for advising others, perhaps its because I'm a bit older (how did I get to be 41!!!!!) but I tend to keep my mouth shut these days. Funny thing is, over time, people started saying things like, 'you don't have this problem with your horse do you - you're lucky'. I'd smile and reply 'no i don't have that problem and the more I work with my horse in a certain way, the luckier I seem to be'. What I'm trying to say is that I kind of let my horses do the talking for me. The result on my yard is that three people are now actively into using positive reinforcement to work with their horses and everyone is now barefoot except for one person. We're on quite a small yard so I think that makes things easier but I have noticed that people who feel the need to yell and hit their horses don't seem to last long on our yard these days. Not because anyone's horrid - just because nobody likes to be odd one out I guess.
cheers,
cath
Someone once said to me that "advice should only be given if its asked for or, a life threatening situation".
It seems to have worked well for me. Although I'm not just as quiet as Cath, when people say doesn't your horse, dog, husband (just joking) have good manners, I always reply "its not a fluke you know"!
I'm lucky enough to keep my horses at home now, but I was on livery yards previously and it was the noise from everyone which I disliked the most. Why are people so noisy???
i giggled at your noisy people moan. I have a friend who is on a yard that they "love" their horses so much they keep the radio on all the time, even when there are no humans about, just for the horses i guess.
I am very fortunate that i keep my horse with my close friend and next door neighbour on our own land. the horses are never parted ( except when one goes for a ride without the other)but they do move from her land ( across the busy a 38) to ours. She is a real tree hugger and happy to go along with any of my suggestions, because they make sense and it makes our life easier. i.e barefoot no rugs, just a field shelter etc. But there is a riding school ( lead rein 6-12 year old only) and she has stopped her group. stood with hands on hips and pointed loudly saying and who can see what is wrong with this rider. ( a gaggle of 8 year olds looking dumbly on) all because i do not wear a hat. I am 54 years old if i thought i was going to fall off i would not get on.we amble around the country lanes and all my mates from the pub beep their horns to say hello. My horse is rock seady and it is not breaking any rules, i am allowed to ride without a hat.
I wouod like to think she cares for my well being but suspect she is a bully. I am not sure what inadvertant learning she gave these children, i hope their mothers never find out how she has displayed a rudeness beyong belief. All because she thinks i am setting a bad example.humm
I normally try to keep quiet unless asked but sometimes I just can't help dropping hints.....
Things like "it's great that you've stopped doing such-and-such, he seems so much happier", "don't her feet look better now her shoes have been off for a while". Nicely manipulative +R stuff!
I try not to respond there and then (maybe I'm just too slow-witted) but save it up for an opportune moment. Someone mentioned a technique she'd learnt from a certain trainer (GW for those in the know!) and I accidentally said - "eeek, I wouldn't touch him with a bargepole". Which lead to a long and pointless conversation I really didn't have the time for and knew it would achieve absolutely nothing!