Equestrian chit chat

Was at Kilmac show over the weekend - definately ran smoother as they split the busier classes over two rings.. Format of one of the kids classes were a bit confusing though - in first ridden kids didn't even trot as a group.. As usual though really enjoyed it but numbers of competitors/spectators well down on previous years, possibly to do with Tatts on the same weekend.

Ah_Yeah wrote: »

How is everyone enjoying the Horse Show so far (for those of you that went)? I managed to get a great haul at TRI and Holmestead!

Still don't have enough things though Can anyone recommend a good coat whitening shampoo? Need one for my filthy grey!

Ah there were so many bargains at it this year, even for a Saturday... Really wanted those hats that everyone was wearing. They were about 40euro but I know someone who has had one for years and they're brilliant. There was a pair of boots in Holmestead I wanted too for 60euro but I just bought a pair of boots a few weeks ago that I haven't worn yet

Erm, in terms of stains, not really. Quic Silver I found great though, just for bringing out their whiteness. We had a little Welsh pony that was going to a show and the owner wanted us to get it ready. We washed her with fairy liquid, then that stuff and then went crazy with baby powder and chalk for the stains She was sparkling white, we didn't want to put her back into her stable in case the sawdust left a mark!

theemigrant wrote: »

I've had someone interested in my pony…. thing is they are looking to take her on a 6 week loan to see will the daughter stay interested. what would your views on this be???

I have always been in the camp of loan in current yard or no loan at all. Too risky.

theemigrant wrote: »

I've had someone interested in my pony…. thing is they are looking to take her on a 6 week loan to see will the daughter stay interested. what would your views on this be???

I've seen (and experienced) too many horror stories to allow a horse or pony go out on loan. Anyone interested can come and ride them in my yard as often as they like, or try them out at a competition with me there, but nothing else. Ah-Yeah's idea re. a trial in the current yard is probably a good idea.

Ah_Yeah wrote: »

Regardless of facilities, you don't know what the 'caregiver' will be like. My horse could be loaned to a 5 star eventing yard, and the rider could pull him in the mouth, give him girth galls or leave him with stone bruises from not picking out his feet. They could also not muck out his stable enough, or provide him with adequate care.

I'd be really wary of loans of that length and away from home.

Apparently the mother rides too. They are speaking of giving a deposit on her. I have had horses on loan before but that was with people who knew me well. The thing is this is only the second interested person in the pony and i havent the room for her over next winter as we have lost some of our grazing

theemigrant wrote: »

There happy to let us view the facilities etc. they want a 5 week loan tho... Worried it coincides with kids back to school

Yep me too there's load's of people who could ruin a horse
But isn't this the pony who you are not looking for much money for?
if it were me and small money I'd take the chance
I know you would like the best for the pony but no I would not do it anyway.
They might be genuine or they might want a pony for a few weeks and hand back

I would be very dubious on giving a trial for such a length of time.... We are pony hunting at the moment & going to see one tomorrow. Trial period is out of the question but seller has said that he will take the pony to a SJ venue, XC Venue etc so we can see the pony in lots of different environments.

theemigrant wrote: »

Its just beginning to look too weird… she's now looking to loan the pony for two months "to see if it works out".

Sounds like someone who wants a pony to tide them over and hand back after 2 months

Put a price to the loan and see them run off.

I'd never loan a horse out. too much can go wrong. i'd happily box a person anywhere to try it at venues, or let them ride it at my yard. but i'd never trust lending it out on trial. Girl at our yard had a 5 month trial and then handed horse back at the end due to an injury it got. madness!

charlieIRL wrote: »

My daughter jumped her first 1m course in a lesson on the new pony last night, to say I'm relieved is an understatement!!!!

Hedges next

I love teaching kids with zero common sense...
"Don't run behind the horse"
"Okay" *runs behind horse anyway*
"Stop, seriously, he will kick you"
*Yeah, you said" *starts jumping behind horse and then runs up behind him again*
"I said stop running!"
"I'm not running, I'm jogging. You're so vague about stuff"

Ugggghhhhh! :mad:

charlieIRL wrote: »

I don't ride anymore so am not letting an 8 &.11 year old off with them unless I'm going!!!

I love to see kids out hunting, and it's great seeing the smiles on their faces at the end of the day, but it really surprises me the number of parents who leave their young kids out on their own and then disappear off, expecting those out hunting to look after them, and then come back at the end of the day to collect them (specific children's meets aside, obviously). I think you're being completely responsible with that outlook, but maybe when they get a little older they could go out with your nieces and nephew, if you think they'd be ok with keeping an eye on their little cousins!

My youngest had an awful close one Sunday night when he pony slipped and fell on top of her. We initially thought her leg was broke in a few places but after a night in A&E all's not as bad as first feared but she won't be riding for a while. Very simple thing happen and nobody's fault but could have been a lot worse.

That's such a nasty shock when something like that happens. Thankfully it's not broken, but even the bruising that can happen from something small can be quite painful. I got a fall about 20 months ago where the horse stood on my leg (just on the shinbone where the stirrup leather crosses). Thankfully it wasn't too bad, but the leg swelled up to at least 2-3 times its normal size, and even still there's a bruise/mark on the leg where the impact happened. Unfortunately I didn't have the luxury of not being able to ride, but thankfully your little one isn't in that position, so she'll be able to let it heal well before she has to ride again.

On a plus side (from her point of view) at least this happened at the end of the summer so she didn't miss any riding time during the holidays!

convert wrote: »

I love to see kids out hunting, and it's great seeing the smiles on their faces at the end of the day, but it really surprises me the number of parents who leave their young kids out on their own and then disappear off, expecting those out hunting to look after them, and then come back at the end of the day to collect them (specific children's meets aside, obviously). I think you're being completely responsible with that outlook, but maybe when they get a little older they could go out with your nieces and nephew, if you think they'd be ok with keeping an eye on their little cousins!

I was brought when i was 11 and dad followed by car. I hunted (drag) with the North Kildare Farmers as a kid. Some excellent helpful adults stay at the back to help smaller children or unruly ponies along. There was always the mentality that nobody was left behind. Then as we got older we would jump on a bold pony to get it across a drain for the smaller kids etc.