Good Manners on Horseback
Dec 8th, 2009 by Carolyn Resnick Method
Hi. I’m back now from my vacation, which was very enjoyable and relaxing and I’m ready to really get into the Uberstreichen Exercise lessons with you which continue on Thursday.
Before then, I’d like to show you some rules for riding, which I think come from the Renaissance period. I’d like you to tell me what these rules bring up for you in the way we go about riding horses today, riding with each other and the consideration we bring to our own daily life? I would like my students to become aware of and understand the importance of consideration of conduct in the moment. To me, consideration is more valuable than the goals and opinions that often get in the way of the journey. So as you read the rules below, think how they might apply to your life and the people and animals you share your journey with.
By the way, you can hear my interview with Mark from last Sunday on the subject of Rollkur and the Uberstreichen Exercises by going to Dressage Disgrace.
So, until Thursday, let me leave you with the rules for ‘Good Manners on Horseback’.
Carolyn
What distinguishes a well ridden horse is lightness. What distinguishes one that rides is courtesy. Being a rider is to be a gentleman – GONDRAND
One will never mount his horse before the lady to be accompanied. One should help to mount when asked.
The lady leads the hack and rules the gaits as well as their speeds.
The rider that accompanies a lady should never commit her to speed up the pace.
One should walk on her right side, staying back a length of horse’s head. In this way, leading his horse with the right hand, the rider will be able to help the lady with his left hand without brushing her legs when she rides side saddle.
One must constantly be ready to bring assistance in the event of danger and ensure at all times that no part of the tack is disturbed, and, if necessary, remedy it immediately.
In some cases, the rider should not hesitate to change side, if by this, one must avoid to the accompanied Lady, the dust raised by his horse’s feet. He may also remain behind to get this result.
When on muddy grounds, one will have to keep his distance not to splash the lady.
When the Lady’s horse is afraid of an object, the rider must position himself between her and this item. He should even be in front, if the lady’s horse refuses to do so.
If the Lady is not feeling sufficiently safe, it is good, in this case, to lead her horse with a dark coloured line fastened to the bit and over the horse’s head.
In a word, it is not enough that the rider is gentleman, pleasant and wise; he should know how to preserve the lady from all accident, to save her from a dangerous position and be able to help her if requested for advice.
When one is companying a more senior or older rider, one must leave the lead to them. One may also, without derogate, help them to mount, if no staff is there to do this.
Regardless of the rank or the age of the rider, if he has a difficult horse, it is beautiful, suitable, worthy of a good heart to help him to get on its mount by holding with one hand the cheek pieces and with the other the stirrup.
When hacking, the prime place is always on the right hand side; if there are many people, it is at the centre of the group.
One gives the place of honour to his superior or at equal rank to the oldest person to whom it belongs only to decide of the speed.
In the company of a man of high distinction, one must remain behind at a horse length.
A military accompanying its General can come to its sides on the invitation and in this position, leaves two horse head lengths advance, unless a contrary order.
In these respects should not be those of a subordinate, but only of a lower rank, simply leave a single length of head advance.
If when hacking, the paths become too narrow to walk by pair, one should slow down or stop in order to place one self behind the accompanied person. If his horse refuses to go forward, one can pass first, but only when it is prompted.
When several people are hacking together, it is suitable to adjust the pace on the rider who has the least trained horse or which paces are slower.
If one mounts a horse which is producing lots of foam, he must be put under the wind to avoid splashing everybody.
One must avoid touching the boot or knee of the rider or the horse that walk to one side.
Especially when one has a sweaty horse, one should avoid moving closer to its neighbours, as well as taking care not to splash them when passing through mud or water.
One should never, unless it is asked, give to the riders with which one hacks, advice as it is often taken badly.
One should never stimulate his horse by clicking or wiping in order not to excite the other horses which may need calming instead.
Using the voice, when on foot, to excite a horse, unless ridden by your staff, is an impertinence or rude. Only the trainer has this right to stimulate his student’s horses and only when he is in his riding school.
One is never allowed to punish someone’s horse before been asked to. However when there is danger, hesitation is not forgiven.
One should never overtake a horse too closely to avoid being kicked. If overtaking a horse led in hand, one must do so on the side of the man who leads.
If one is forced to overtake a lady, one shall do it on the side of the rider that accompanies her, taking care to slow the pace so that she or her mount will not frightened.
One will walk to overtake a senior or older rider.
When you want to address a rider who is ahead, one will slow the pace down coming to a few steps away from him; one should avoid coming to close of the horse, because the surprised animal could then kick out. It is beautiful to give a bend to one’s horse in the direction of the rider being addressed.
When one moves away from someone, one must do so slowly, controlling his horse hind legs so that the animal does not kick out or touches the other rider’s boot. If there is mud, it should be avoided to splash the person left behind.
When approaching a pedestrian, one should walk and leave enough space in between.
One should never impose on a person one meets out hacking and that one knows very little; ten times one interferes with at least eight.
When one meets horses or cars, one must comply with the traditions of the communities; because sometimes the practice is that one leaves the right of the path to the right, and elsewhere is the left where it is necessary to give way.
On horse back, one salutes in the same way as on foot. The rider saluting with the whip is an unhindered little forgiven; he becomes even impudent if his salute is intended for a lady. It is only the privilege of the ladies to salute in this manner.
No related posts.
Dear Carolyn,
I’ve been thinking a great deal about this post and happened upon an archived post which mentioned that horses prefer to be treated as a woman prefers to be treated (if I remember correctly).
This morning, I was watching my mare go out into the snow, dressed in her snow suit, just having a warm mash and some sips of warm water. She is so much happier and gentler when I have treated her needs with respect and attentiveness. She can act very tough but it has only been the way she has survived in this world. Really, she is a very gentle, vulnerable soul – and this side of her can surface when I treat her like the lady that she is. But believe me, she can be as touch as nails if she believes that she needs to be.
I’m not sure I’ve done justice to what I’m trying to express here – but good manners are not surface gestures – they reply a respect for life and a respect for the gentler, more vulnerable souls in our midst.
Emma Duvefelt
Kerrie, actually thank IcieMeg, I read her post and thought “hmm” so did a search on youtube for Uberstreichen Exercises and it was the first thing to come up:)
Thanks Debbie! Where in the world did you find it? Perhaps it was among the comments? I wonder how many others might not have seen it?
Kerrie, here is the link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5Lm6KgA0Gw
Debbie, hi (or anyone):
Can someone give me the link for the video you mention?
On the first post about Uberstrechen, I only find the video of Farah and Mercury… is there actually a demonstration video of the first collection exercise? Thanks if anyone can give me this link.
Hi Carolyn, I already had checked in for this post but I did just watch the youtube video you made on the introduction of the Uberstreichen Exercises. It was fantastic to see someone actually performing this first exercise and now I feel I can go out more confidently and help my horse achieve this. Guess I am also a very visual person.
Thanks again.
PS It is -4F this morning so doubt I will get to see my horses today:(
I saw a video on the Uberstreichen Exercises this morning and am interested in learning and trying them with my 2 Icelandic geldings. I found the start of the exercises in mid-November and did a comment as you requested to participate. I will be reading through the blog entries. I have known of your methods some by watching Stinahumana’s Youtube videos.
I think my 2 guys are qualified to do the exercises given your list of abilities we should have with our horses. I already work with them in a regular halter or at liberty. I’m really impressed with the rapport with the horses I see developed using your methods.
I think I’ll be ordering some of your information to get more serious about trying your methods.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
IcieMeg
Welcome back Carolyn
I am glad you had a restfull vacation
As far as the ‘rules for riding’ I must agree with everyone else that good manners go a long way, everywhere.
I did, however, like the rules about staying back if you have a horse with a ‘foaming mouth’ and one who is sweating profusely. It makes sense, who wants to be pelted with someone else’s horse’s spit? !!
I think a lot of people today are in a big hurry all the time and that’s why we’ve come to the point of not many folks having good manners. Surely no one’s mother raised them that way!
Like everyone, I also am anxiously awaiting Thursday’s post.
Love the rules, but how stifleing to a woman to be ‘taken care of’ so much. I am not sure I would have been very good at being a woman in those days. I loved Jessica in The Man from Snowy River.
I teach horses and their humans to be confident and capable trail partners and most of these rules apply today, but to both sexes. Back to courtesy and respect for all creatures around us including our own kind. I find so many people who are suprised at the trail etiquette and safety I teach them. “Don’t you just get on and go?” Once I start to explain the reasons why you can see the lightbulbs come on.
I do on occaision give advice though when warranted. I do approach it in the most sensitive way possible and have stopped a few wrecks from happening or made suggestions in the politest way possible when I see someone having trouble with their horse. Usually start with a “can I help you?” I have only had one person growl at me, but it was evident this person was the kind to growl at life. Mostly I get a “thank you very much”. I would hope someone would do the same for me.
I did have a little incident with a rider on a group ride which my pony corrected for me. This person was a ‘trainer’ who would constantly run up my butt every time we would canter or gallop. He had very little control of his horses speed so my little 13 hand princess nailed that horse with both hind hooves dead center on it’s chest in mid stride. All it felt like to me was a good hop and she continued on as if nothing happened. That horse did not get within 10 feet of us after that.
Dear Carolyn!
To be honest, I feel a little old when I heard it the first time but really it is only a gesture of respect!!!
Welcome back, I´m glad that you had a nice vacation, I´m sure you needed it.
The rules in your blog gives one something to think about. But it all about the small word “respect”, and may be we all need to give and thake this.
My first thourght was though that the rules were more for the rider than the horse (it is importaant to keep the surface and not get dirty!!!), but later i came to the konclusion that it all was a matter of respect. And it make me tell at little story. I am now 50 years and in my youth ‘I wore hat, now I have bourght at hat again and two times younger people have said “You” to me in stead of “you” in shops, it is a bit funny what clothes can do!!!!
Your sincerely
Helle
How far we have come. Not so sure it’s always in a good way though. I enjoyed reading the Good Manners. The respect given to women especially. Chivalry seems to be a thing of the past these days. I have ridden in many very large trail rides with upwards of 200 riders. In most cases, unless a very unexperienced rider, horse folk are one of the most respectlful and polite groups of people I can think of. I am looking very much forward to Thursday. I am also in awe of how expressive many of you write.
Thank you for this opportunity.
Regina
Dear Carolyn,
Thank you for your post. As my mare is unbacked we walk out alot and I think that my vulnerable position on the ground with a very nervy and spooky (though getting less so!) horse around narrow lanes with numerous obstacles, has heightened my awareness of safety and consideration for myself, my horse and others. I oftentimes have requested the patience and support of drivers, cyclists, farmers with tractors, dog walkers: once I asked a driver for an escort home as my horse and I had got caught up in a neighbouring farm whilst the foxhunt was out and we needed to get home. This might be breaking one of the rules:
“One should never impose on a person one meets out hacking and that one knows very little; ten times one interferes with at least eight.”
I am always over the top thankful to the people I meet and explain about the young horse and how grateful I am for their patience. When out walking I see that everyone is contributing to the safety of my mare and I, and helping us work through the fear. As regards to other riders, I choose to walk out alone with my mare 99% of the time as I do not feel that there is always the conduct in place to support our slow pace, our stopping to make sure that that bird up in the tree is safe to walk under. One friend advised against me letting Sun stop when she was alarmed by a noise as I would train her to stop all the time!!! On the contrary, respecting her fear and soothing her means she stops far less now.
Disregarding the unequal class and gender roles promoted in the text (I imagine that the ladies referred to might have been riding sidesaddle: a far more perilous style) I think that the emphasis on working as one team of horses and riders is a welcome reminder.
What an interesting topic!
Joanna
Dear Tara,
You can find them on my blog. They will be posted every Thursday. There has been three blogs to introduce the method so far. The first exercise will be posted this Thursday. Be sure to read the introduction first.We don’t send them to your email address you just come to the sight as you just did to inquire about them. Scroll down and you will find the program started on November 19 th.
I hope this clears up your concern. If it does not let me know further how I can assist you.
Hope you enjoyed your vacation.
The rules are very interesting and I am looking forward to thursday.
Best,
Linda
Hi Carolyn,
For some reason, even though I signed on I am not receiving the exercises, much to my great disappointment.
Please tell me how to remedy this?
Tara
Carolyn,
I was pleased to see the writing on Good Manners on Horseback. Living by equestrian safety rules, common sense, and yes, courtesy for others, will always be the standard of a good horse person. I have seen so many horse accidents occur to riders and horses, all from a lack of good horsemanship and concern for others. I wish that any person desiring to ride be required to take an equestrian safety class before being allowed to actually do any handling of such a large, strong, noble animal. Looking forward to Thursday’s session.
Barbara
Dear Crissea,
I am sorry to have upset you. I do not understand what you meant in your writing. I thought you did not like that you could not get your horse to arch his neck and I thought that you were dissappointed.
Please except my appolegies.
Carolyn
Dear Carolyn
I am dismayed Carolyn that you have so misunderstood me.
I have no doubts about this being the right journey but you admonish me for being curious. I am not looking for an immediate result because as a student with a limited understanding of the beauty and complexity of dressage I do not know what to expect. I was not trying to force a change in my horse and I commented that the Uberstreichen exercise resulted in deep relaxation of my horses.
I have no trouble with trust I have a deep respect and admiration of your method but it seems you mistrust my simply asking questions. I am very excited by your teachings or I would not have traveled to California to attend a three-day-clinic and continued with the Waterhole Rituals Insider Circle Program. If you were able to teach me to lunge my horse I would be delighted but I am too far away. I have spent ten years in the healing work of racehorses; I had never owned horses and I wanted to understand how to lunge. At the present time I am learning how to lunge Andre without tack that is to walk him quietly and then move to trotting and on the halt to wait then how to turn him. I am learning how to use bodywork and two whips to give delicate and clear signals. Meredyth who owns the agistment gives me casual lessons. I continue with the WHR and spend considerable time in sharing territory. True I was looking for a dedicated teacher so I might better understand and watch stallions being schooled but I certainly had no intention of involving Andre at the present time and certainly not while you are sharing the Uberstreichen exercises. Maybe it will never be relevant but I will have watched and learnt. I follow my heart just as I followed my heart to you.
Crissea
Weird…. times have certainly changed, and if you know of a place where the woman, and the older woman is ‘taken care of in this manner’ let me know? Me thinks this is a modern day ‘fairy tale”.
It is quite funny, that where my bulldog has had a lot of training, manners is important. So when I say to my dog… “manners please”… everyone laughs, and I don’t exactly know what I mean, but I want him to have respect and ‘hold back’ his enthusiasm, and it works! ” Manners manners”, I say.
I WISH others would have a clue that manners are important everywhere!!!
Thanks…Anne.
This article reminds me of something that I found difficult to understand and adapt to when I started riding. As I started late in life, I had already developed a very strong streak of independance so I was not used to modifying my behaviour to conform to others in a group. It was a surprise for me and something I had to remind myself about frequently. I was most comfortabel going off and ‘doing my own thing’.
I recognizeded the need for certain behaviours to promote safety but it was not something that came naturally in the beginning. It was later when I also began to understand how horses are with each other that I started to comprehend that I needed to accommodate horse ‘manners’ as well as human ‘manners’.
I now find that as I become more aware internally I more naturally respond in a way that is in keeping with the code of behaviours described above. As my awareness deepens I have more sensitivity to the energies around me, regardless of whether they come from horse or human.
I see this code is focused mostly on the rider with very little attention to the connection between the rider and the horse. How encouraging it would be to read something like “move your horse slightly to the left or right on the trail every so many feet so that the horse stays aware of your presence and stays connected to you.”
Welcome back.
Manners never go out of style! Looking forward to Thursday, Deb
I find that extending courtesy to Xena slows my pace and allows me to let her know and accept my actions. Before I pick her feet, I request her hooves with a please and put them down with a thank-you. Sometimes I wonder if this is counter the efforts I have made to require her respect in her interactions with me.
haha some of these rules make me giggle…but i do like the one that says to not give advice to another unless asked…boy this is so true. when i was endurance racing -before kids – it seemed like every other person was giving someone advice – it was bothersome.
These made me think of all the relationships that are occurring in riding. The relationship between people, the relationship between horses, the relationship between people and their horses, the relationship a person has with herself. And in each one of these relationships, there is part the “gentleman-leader” and part the “fair-lady” … It made me think of how nature has a certain kind of order to it — not the kind of “order” that depends on rules or control — it is a natural, organic, continually evolving/shaping kind of order. The order comes from us acting in concert, with the flow or shape of the situation as it arises.
Bonnie
Carolyn,
Very interesting rules. As a Civil War Re-enactor, I see these type of rules (mostly about the treatment of the “fair sex”) a lot. To summarise their intent, one must always be looking to the care of the other, and put oneself last. Good advice.
I have two young ladies that “play” with my horses in lesson format. The goal is to become a good rider and handler. The way this is done is through ground manners and riding etiquite. (Emphasis on manners and etiquite.)
As of late, I have been using much of what you teach in your blog. Sharing territory, leading from behind, etc. Both of my mannerly horses have been seeing me with new eyes. At first not sure of my intent; now, as a new game. Thank you for all you do, I am constantly learning.
Toni
P.S. Silje; I own a Fjord. He is built Fjord tough, and I like to think of him as a “tank” instead of a tractor.
Anyway, I believe behaviour is in the training and what we allow. He is very different from what you describe.
Karin,
Thanks for your good words. I felt a little scared of even telling my story – doesn’t everyone want to just share trophy moments anyway – and hope that people will listen and learn. My friend and neighbor has 38 horses and comes from a family of horse trainers, and as Jack noted about knives in sheathes, she always has one on her belt (about a four inch blade). All I could think of, as my hand was trapped and my helpless little horse struggled in vain, was Celina’s omnipresent knife sheath – what an idiot I was for not having followed her example.
I now abhor ropes in my hands, and have become a work-at-liberty afficionado to an extreme degree. I apologize to anyone who felt horror at the story, but I do care very much that no horses or people ever go through anything like that. My horse is very clever, and that day his curiosity literally almost killed him (he is an escape artist). We have to be so cautious the second we put anything that can tangle up on them!!!
I think these rules are pretty good. Many of them can be translated into modern day situations, like how the gentleman should assist a lady can be translated into how an adult can assist a child for instance.
Keeping distance, agreeing on the speed, giving one of the riders the lead position (maybe the one with the highest ranked horse in stead of the highest ranked rider?), and passing in a good distance are good, courteous rules.
As many have commented above, people often don’t care about proper distance or speed anymore. That must be why rules are listed that say not to touch the rider on the side’s knee or stirrup. One of the riders could get stuck, or one of the horses could kick.
I think also, in order to obey these rules, the rider must be a good enough equestrian to be able to control the horse in a good way. So if someone can’t keep their horse on a distance from the others, they maybe shouldn’t be riding out yet…
Some horses though, will keep together anyway. I used to go hiking with two girls with fjord horses. Both the fjords were fat and stubborn, and no matter what they would keep glued side by side. The poor girls on their backs had no chance to keep them apart… They would simply stop.
I guess that’s why the fjords are called tractors:) People say donkeys are stubborn, they haven’t met a fjord:)
Common courtesy and politeness is what separates us from being savages. I have an acquaintance to whom I want to say “would you speak to your friends like that” when she is rude and rough to her horse, courtesy works for people and animals and we all respond well to it. Don’t you hate it when you’re driving and you let someone out and they don’t say thank you, no manners! What was that old saying “manners maketh man”. Enough said.
Interesting rules, a bit old fashioned, but what I hear is courtesy and respect toward others. These rules are very specific, even down to bending your horses head in the direction of the person you are addressing. And, how often do we neglect the small things like that and cause accidents.
There is alot of reference to the lady, and now days, I see that we can equally extend these courtesies to either sex. Being helpful, courteous and kind should not go out of fashion.
To extend this idea, it would be interesting to write up a set of rules like this that are directed at courtesy and respect for the horse. Some of these bring about that end, but are not specifically addressed that way.
Also, we can extend the same rules to people in cars, walking, etc. Would go a long way to preventing road rage.
I had an experience like this a few weeks ago. I was driving down a country road and saw a truck parked on the side and a four wheeler parked next to the driver’s side, blocking the lane. The two were in a conversation and were obviously not going to move. At first I got angry, remembering trucks and four wheelers who would pass me on my horse and not slow down or move over.
My first reaction was “wouldn’t it serve them right if I drove by them fast and didn’t move over.” I caught myself and remembered that is not Walking the Beauty Way. I changed my energy and instead slowed way down and moved into the other lane with respect. I waved kindly as I passed.
I know that my shift in energy that day will ripple out into the universe and maybe the next time someone passes me on my horse, they will Walk the Beauty Way as well and give me the same respect.
As always Carolyn, you have given us food for thought. The only way we are going to change the world, and provide a better place for our horses, is by starting within ourselves first. Thank you,
Evergreen
Most of the time it’s just me and my wife when we ride. I’m very conscious to ensure that we stay within Betty’s comfort zone as she has had a serious accident on a horse in the past. She has been very courageous in continuing to ride and I want to do all I can to help her continue to build her confidence. Courtesy is most often just common sense.
Kerrie,
That is one of the worst stories I’ve ever heard. It amazes me the horrible predicaments horses are capable of getting themselves into. You are so right about carrying a knife. After reading a story about a woman who was able to free her horse because she had a knife with her, I purchased one. But I keep it in my vehicle. Won’t do me much good there if something occurs on a trail ride! From now on, I will carry it on my person.
Thank you.
I have met very nice people at Roscoe’s barn that I enjoy talking to when I am not riding. But for me, people are way too chatty when riding out and therefore I ride by myself. So I don’t have to deal with inconsiderate people on horseback. I like being able to focus on Roscoe and me and my surroundings. And, anyway, I like to talk to Roscoe when we’re together.
Karin
I am actually on vacation too right now but have my laptop and Blackberry so am able to stay in touch a bit. I wanted to let you know Carolyn, That I have been Sharing Territory with ocean life and observing WHR with Geckos, Sea turtles, Crabs, and Tropical fish. It is interesting to notice that all animal life seems to share in similar rituals as horses do. I Particularly noticed that the marine life really liked it if I stayed really still in one place and they would go about there business (ocean Sharing space). They would also get curious and come in close to me to check me out. Schools of fish behave very similarly to herds of horses. They nap together, take territory, and definitely companion move together. It is fun to notice that animals recognize when I am Sharing territory with them and seem to come right to me.
I have also found out that there is a population of wild horses and donkeys on the island where I am. I am going to hike the valley where they are and maybe I will find signs of them even a glimpse??? Alas, I am finding that their plight is the same here as on the mainland. The farmers don’t like them and want them rounded up. I am looking into it further. Aloha!
Interesting rules of courtesy but I agree with the one who wrote that most of them seem to apply to humans with humans.
In the past, I found I did not follow basic human rules of courtesy with my animals. One example is that I would unthinkingly pet and touch them without permission. When I changed this, I found a completely new relationship with one of my dogs and with my horses. Now this is so much a part of our interactions that it feels normal and natural and when someone else doesn’t do it with them, I feel just as insulted as my animals do.
I’ve also noticed that people tend to treat children in this same way. How many people do you know who treat a child with respect and courtesy when touching them? It is as if the adult rules of personal space don’t apply to them and they have to tolerate all kinds of hugging and kissing and caressing from people who are not close family. Some children like this, but I know others that do not.
Interesting blog post that got me thinking again.
Hello!
Thank you Carolyn for all that you do. This post is very different and very interesting. I love to learn about horse history. I am not offended by the references to “the lady” in this post; it is just the way things were back then. In fact, I find it refreshing to think of someone putting so much energy into not only keeping the lady safe, but most likely keeping her happy as well. Now, if “the lady” was an accomplished horsewoman and wanted her independence, I guess that would have been a bit ugly for all! Mostly, I think this is simply a treatise on good trail manners. The one thing missing, and this is true of so many treatises on horses, past and present, is consideration of the horse. I look forward to your posts – thanks so much! Time to go play in the snow with my horse, Shadow!!
From the looks of those rules it seems that love and compassion are the answer and after all that’s what attracted us all to this site in the first place.
One addendum to carrying a knife is that one should consider a knife with a pocket clip or sheath as opposed to one that is buried in ones pocket where it might become inaccesible. But a knife is always a must
Of course it’s only -9 degrees F here this am, so I’m probably not going to be riding very soon.
I have to say that there are many people out there who are inconsiderate of other riders/horses. So many pass at speed and far too close without asking if it is safe to do so, more so when passing from behind. People who belittle other riders if they do not want to go fast or over a jump or even down a steep slope. Why do they do this? What do they get from it? Then there are quite a few riders who go on the roads, they ride side by side and obstruct traffic, understandable if on is young or frightened but this is so often not the case and then don’t thank drivers who pass with care or even stop. OK we can’t always let go of our reins to wave, but we can nod and smile our thanks.
I have a 4 year old Haflinger whom I bought as a weanling, I led her out on my old horse who is now retired, I played games with her, chase and football, built obstacle course to walk her over before she was old enough to back. Before I got her she knocked people over, she had no respect for their space, she would jump on them as a dog would, one person as knocked to the ground and sat on, the more she tried to get up the firmer little Gem sat. Luckily the person had a moblie phone that she used to get help, poor girl had a gang turn up to see this site. This was a result of lots of children over handling her and spoling her big time. She wouldn’t let anyone touch her feet and kicked them if they tried. She was put on the floor to have her feet trimmed and people sit on her while she was on the ground, her front feet were done but they couldn’t hold her down long enough to do her backs. She did not do anythiing she did not want to do.
I shut her in to wean her and worm her. I backed her up to a stone wall and used my hand on a stick on her, I had her pinned to the wall and kept that hand there until she stopped kickiing. All she was doing was hurting her self on the wall. She was led round and backed up in that shed and her attempts to jump on me blocked and made to back off until she showed me respect, then I started to bend her head while I was lifting feet. She learnt very quickly.
She was easy to back and steer and does some lateral moves as she learnt them on the ground. Last year we did a natural horsemanship clinic with Dave Stuart. I already unwittingly used many of these methods and learnt a few more. some suit some don’t. I am now on a yard with several other horses and owners. It is strange but each of the riders had lost their nerve bar one who simply was very novice. Her pony was just taking the micky out of her, trying to go her own way at her own speed. I tried to show her how to make it behave from on Gem. She tried but was really sitting saying pretty please would you mind walking that way now in stead of we are going that way, it is quite safe. I put her on Gem to show her how to move in each direction and that I knew her horse knew how to do it, she was just ignoring her. She had a play for a while and then got of saying wow, now I know fwhere I am ging wrong. Another rider was frightened her horse would run a way with her and asked me to ride it, I replied I would if she rode mine. It took some doing, but I got her on Gem and withing a few minits she was riding with a huge grin on her face, then her toddler fell in the yard, I scooped her up and stuck her on Gem with her Mum. The pair of them had a great little ride. None of them will go for a hack unless Gem goes with them. I am trying to show them how to get repect and good manners without having to resort to getting in a vilent bully to sort them out, that it can be done on the ground and transfered to on their back and once horse and rider are happy then they always have to consider the weakest rider or most nervous horse in the group. Good manners from horse and rider are essential for others safety. I would advise other riders to simply spend lots of time getting their horses respect and trust, playing games is a great way to train.
One last thing, where do I find these gents who ride?
It’s obvious by the rules offered here that sufficient accidents or incidents had occured for someone to take time to write them down. I wonder if the person writing them truly understood the perfectly natural nature of the horse or only the reaction that occurs through human actions.
All of these “rules” are written from the perspective of politeness towards and for humans. Nothing wrong with that, but I have to wonder if they understood who was offended first, the horse or human. Applying appropriate etiquitte in the company of horses would probably eliminate the necessity for most of the “normal” rules ever written for or about horses.
I agree 100% with post 1 above. I choose very carefully who I ride with and it is nearly always like minded people who give consideration to the well being of other riders and their horses.
And maybe I am a little old fashioned but good manners these days are seldom seem but when they are present boy it makes a huge impact on me. I have raised 3 kids and it can be hard work to teach good manners and sometimes I do think it is laziness that stops others from teaching this, but more than a few times I have had others comment on what lovely children I have with respect to their behavior in public.
Once these things have been instilled in us they should continue to be ever present in any situation…at home…at work…and on horseback.
Ah this is delightful! So it went for Jean D’Arc, right?
One thing about riding I learned the hard way, in all seriousness, I want to share with you and everyone. The rule is this: Never, ever put so much as a halter or a cordeo on your horse IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A GOOD SHARP KNIFE ON YOUR PERSON.
It is imperative to be able to cut a rope or a piece of leather on a moment’s notice.
My horse had a terrible accident. I am going to describe it below. He is alive and well now, and we still have an amazing bond, more so than ever, because my finger was injured by a rope in the incident so badly that I could not dare ride for two months. We worked at total liberty over nine weeks and have seen amazing results.
I want everyone in the world to listen and learn from our experience, please, and do not ever work your horse without a knife.
I was about to saddle up Capricho one afternoon when I saw the horses’ water bucket was empty and went to fill it. That’s all it took – a minute of foolishness to nearly kill my horse. For he was tied to a corral whose gate was open without me realizing it, and he entered it, crossed the rope over the top of the gate, got his head stuck between the gate and the post.
I ran to his aid and I got the first joint of my left index finger trapped under the rope. It burst 80% of the way around from the pressure and had a 3rd degree rope burn on the side. I screamed for help, and some nearby masons were building a house, and eventually we were liberated.
Both my horse and I have healed, it was a hideous injury – something so stupid as just not seeing that a bolt was not pushed shut. In fact this horse knows how to open bolts, I have since learned, and will never be sure how it happened. But all I could think of the whole time, was my professional trainer friend who ALWAYS wears a knife on her belt. She has worked with hundreds of horses, literally, and told me after the fact that she never once touches a horse without having her knife, after her own sore experience.
I am sorry to share this horrible story, but reading this is infinitely better than ever having any such accident yourself!!!!!!!!!!!
If one mounts a horse which is producing lots of foam, he must be put under the wind to avoid splashing everybody
Especially when one has a sweaty horse, one should avoid moving closer to its neighbours, as well as taking care not to splash them when passing through mud or water.
One should never, unless it is asked, give to the riders with which one hacks, advice as it is often taken badly.
One should never stimulate his horse by clicking or wiping in order not to excite the other horses which may need calming instead.
When one moves away from someone, one must do so slowly, controlling his horse hind legs so that the animal does not kick out or touches the other rider’s boot. If there is mud, it should be avoided to splash the person left behind.
When several people are hacking together, it is suitable to adjust the pace on the rider who has the least trained horse or which paces are slower.
My favorites—
While the 1st two are amusing, the rest are common courtesy.
And I have had mud splashed on me and been kicked in the leg by horses passing so close.
As for common sense:
Recently a friend moved her horse to a stable in northern CA.
Another new boarder asked if she would ride with him on the trail to get the horses used to the new place.
Once on the trail he grabbed her reins and pulled them over her horse’s head. Her horse spooked and took off without her having any reins.
As the horse headed for some trees she jumped off and sustained multiple injuries. So much for chivalry today.
Well , it is funny that so much consideration is due “the Lady” in these rules, seems so old fashioned, but the point is taken. So often I’ve seen riders that go for rides just to chat up their friends and don’t take into consideration the horse at all, or the lack of confidence of the other riders. I’ve long since stopped riding in groups because of this lack. The friends I ride with are there primarily for the horse and if we need to stop and work at going thru a mud puddle, for instance, a we stay there as long as the person and horse with the problem need. It might be 45 minutes or more, but that’s why we are riding. To come to these challenges and gain more confidence and help our horses with trust issues.
Ritzy