I'm needing some opoions on what I should do. To let everyone know I have been riding just about 9 yrs now, and I started teaching my friend how to ride. Mostly to get her over a very tramatic horse accident that she had when she was younger. The barn owner has given me just about anything and everything for me to ride to get experience. There's a lady at the barn that has a 19 yr old appy gelding. He is very nice except for a few issues, but what horse doesn't have a few issues. When the owner rides him he is a saint. She rides in a curled fedal (sp?) type position with a kimberwick that is backwards, and maybe even upside down. She consentantly pulls on the bit because of balance problems. The owner of the horse talked to the barn owner about wanting to get someone to ride him. My name got put out. After the barn owner talked to me about riding this horse they kept on trying to call her, and she wouldn't return any phone calls. One day seeing her at the barn I asked if she was still looking for someone. She asked me a couple of questions like how old are you, what do you ride, and a few others. She also mentioned that she was wanting help. Here's my problem that I need peoples .02. I have asked her multiple times what she wants me to do with her horse. (Like a certain thing she wants me to work on or what) She won't answer me question. I have found a list of things wrong with the horse (won't listen, unbalanced, opens mouth up to ignore bit, won't go forward because he needs a nicer bit, constently gets in your personal space) All the things is correctable, and not a problem, but she won't answer me as to what all she wants me to do with these problems. Next, I have offered her my help since I have rode him several times. SHe took it very openly since I was also working with her horse, so I kind of knew what he was doing. I had to text her to make an appointment with her when she wanted to take a lesson. SHe ten cancled on me 45 minutes before the lesson. We rescheudaled for a couple days later, and she was 30 minutes late. I was suppose to have a lesson with my friend but family problems came up so it wasn't a big deal. We finally got started an hour late, and my plans that I made to ride also cancled. During the lesson (and thank god we only did ground work) she only half listened to what I said. She wanted me help, but wouldn't take it. I don't know if it's because I"m 19 or because she might be one of these people who think they know it all. My question: I work 2 jobs, and go to school full time. Should I contiune on teaching her, with the seems to be consently cancling or running late, or should I not go through the problems of not bothering to help her at all? Then, should I keep riding her horse (I am doing it for free), or should I stop that too?
I would QUIT teaching her anything, and def. stop riding her horse! If someone were helping me for free with anything I would def. accomidate to their schedules much more than the reverse. I can't believe this. JMO opinion though.
Sounds like a good time to part company, my guess is she doesnt know how to get out of the arrangement & is hoping you'll break up with her first.
Don't contact her. If she wants your help, she knows how to get ahold of you. Don't ride the horse unless you are looking for a free horse to ride. But you are training it by riding it correctly. Jen may be right or maybe she is just overwhelmed. Maybe it's outside of her comfort zone...as long as she isn't abusing the animal (though the bit upside down and backwards sounds a bit scary), I'd let well enough alone. Maybe fix the bit on her bridle when she's not around. ;D She might not be answering your inquiries because she doesn't understand that these are problems. If this is the only horse she's ever known, it's "normal" to her. Change is hard...
The worse thing is when I mention something she goes on and on about how she knows, but she's not willing to correct the behavior (ex. if he wants a treat he will push himself into her, and she will reach over grab a treat and give it to him.) I was def. thinking of not contacting her again. Mainly because it pissed me off when she showed up let, and would only half do what I asked her to do. I wasn't sure what I should do about riding her horse. Thanks for opinions so far.
She may not have the experience to know what needs to be done with the horse in order for her to answer, the horse just isn't what she expected. Or she's at the point where she wants to try but is just tired of trying. Who knows? But what's the point of you riding the horse correctly (unless you just want a horse to ride), if she's not willing to learn from you and basically work with you to improve the horse??? The treat thing .. I'd ask her what the horse did to deserve the it? If my horse did that, he'd get my elbow.
OK here is my questions... Did you read into this she wanted him trained? Or did she come out and say she wanted a trainer? Did you read into this she wanted you to give her lessons? It just seams over all you took this much more seriously than the owner did, not that you are at fault...but I just question her intentions compared to yours. If he rides like a saint for her is she having a problem or are you having a problem with the way she rides?
It happened a while ago, but I do believe she said that she wanted help with him. Mainly because she wasn't able to get out enough, and was having problems with him. When talking with her she told me that she was still fairly "green" and wanted someone to help her but didn't know who to ask. I offered mainly because she was having me work her horse, and thought it would be easier to help her with the thought of knowing what her horse is also doing. Though I could of read too much into it because all the other horses that people have had me work they wanted me to correct problems. I don't know at this point I think I may just be done with both of them mainly because school has started up, and we're getting ready to pick corn. Again, thanks for the thoughts.
If you're right about the bit being backwards and maybe upside down - fix the damn thing for her for the sake of the horse and move on.
