tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post4663163805142321997..comments2024-03-26T05:15:39.663-07:00Comments on Equestrian Ink: Nowt as Queer as Horsey Folk?Jami Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05259390150273030284noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-26083083643293790702011-04-01T07:19:40.964-07:002011-04-01T07:19:40.964-07:00Francesca--I have to admit--it was the years I spe...Francesca--I have to admit--it was the years I spent riding with and for (as an assistant trainer) these grouchy horse people that gave me the skills to train my own horses. I did learn a lot from them. And I rode for a couple of guys who were not jerks. I don't train horses any more. I don't want to work that hard! These days I use what skill I have to select horses that will be easy to get along with (see my post on Henry), and just enjoy relaxed rides--whether in the arena or on the trail. Works for me.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-56775261827597571362011-04-01T03:35:55.591-07:002011-04-01T03:35:55.591-07:00Alison: I have no idea why horses attract such bru...Alison: I have no idea why horses attract such brutes. I've often wondered whether the grumpiest yard owners aren't frustrated horsemen who had high hopes to make it on the national or international circuit, but never actually did. <br /><br />And I'm no saint, that's for sure. I'm just not very good at sticking up for myself, although I'm getting better with age. It's an on-going struggle!Francesca Prescotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18201599087106798500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-54072235982936024542011-04-01T03:32:18.534-07:002011-04-01T03:32:18.534-07:00White Horse Pilgrim: it's true that the grumpi...White Horse Pilgrim: it's true that the grumpiest people in the business tend to be the barn/yard owners! I wonder what makes them that way? Private yards are a little better, although I know a place where you're not allowed to speak to the owner unless she speaks to you first!!! Seriously!! That is really weird, don't you think?!Francesca Prescotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18201599087106798500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-89478699724855226772011-03-31T23:53:24.969-07:002011-03-31T23:53:24.969-07:00Laura: I think your son looks great on Henry, he l...Laura: I think your son looks great on Henry, he looks like a natural rider, which is all that's needed unless he wants to get into something more formal later, such as dressage! <br /><br />I didn't think I'd be the only one to have had bad experiences with trainers, I've heard so many stories, and witnessed such abusive or arrogant behaviour around here that I doubted it was limited to Switzerland and France. I've riddden in England, too, and remember teachers not being the most smiley people on the planet, but at least they weren't rude to you!<br /><br />I'm a little envious of you feeling strong enough to tackle any horse issues on your own; I guess it's a confidence thing, and that comes with character. Good for you, Laura!Francesca Prescotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18201599087106798500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-32830857786848380332011-03-31T14:37:29.286-07:002011-03-31T14:37:29.286-07:00Such an interesting array of icky horse people! My...Such an interesting array of icky horse people! My question is why do horses attract such brutes? Is it because they feel they can 'push' horses and kids around?<br /><br />I have been lucky enough to avoid them and my tolerance for brutish people is zero, which is one reason why. Francesca, you must be a saint to have endured as long as you did and I am glad you found your 'angel' instructor.Alisonhttp://www.alisonhartbooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-17625590543047505592011-03-31T13:35:33.150-07:002011-03-31T13:35:33.150-07:00There are some odd and egocentric people about. I&...There are some odd and egocentric people about. I've been taught by some very loud and pushy instructors including one lady so large that surely she could not ride! There are a few good quiet instructors too. We have one locally, a retired jockey in fact. he is brilliant at instilling confidence and good technique. <br /><br />The weirdest and least pleasant people seem to be the barn owners and managers though. The less competent they are, the worst behaved and least tolerant of anyone successful or knowledgeable. In such barns the worst is brought out of riders. <br /><br />I've been fortunate to find a barn that is run in a friendly and tolerably competent way, where the boarders are civilised. I know how lucky I am in this.White Horse Pilgrimhttp://transylvanianhorseman.typepad.com/whitehorsepilgrim/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-55966895170400004262011-03-31T07:52:42.712-07:002011-03-31T07:52:42.712-07:00Yes, yes, yes! I, too, have had the long history w...Yes, yes, yes! I, too, have had the long history with abusive mentors and teachers. Being screamed at until I was in tears was standard stuff for me, from my childhood riding instructor on through the trainers I rode with and for in my twenties. Let alone my uncle, who somewhat "raised" me in the horse biz. I do not get how all that angry yelling was supposed to achieve anything.<br /><br />By the time I was in my thirties I had developed enough skill to break and train horses on my own, and from then on, I never "rode" with any professional. I'm sure I missed out on some good experiences and learning, but I had just had enough of the dark side. The man who taught me how to rope remains my horse partner, and though we argue and discuss endlessly, neither of us considers ourselves superior to the other. We just provide that invaluable knowledgable feedback for each other. And this works for me.<br /><br />It is somewhat because of the bad experiences I have had (with people) that I have never gotten my son involved with any sort of formal training/horseshow activities. I've taught him to ride by giving him many hours in the saddle on good horses and just the occasional pointer from me or a friend. Very different from the way I was taught to ride. My son does not have either the anxiety I always had or perhaps the "correct" form I was taught (see the photos in my last post). But he is a confident, happy rider with a good seat. And that's enough for me.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-1533953191692220982011-03-31T05:03:26.370-07:002011-03-31T05:03:26.370-07:00Tansy: It's nice to hear you've had mostly...Tansy: It's nice to hear you've had mostly good experiences with instructors. Like you, I also share a passion for perfection in dressage, which is why I so enjoy my current trainer's consistent, intelligent and extremely pleasant lessons. Teaching is an art, and although I consider myself a pretty good rider, I think I'd be totally incapable of teaching anyone else, maybe partly because I don't like telling people what to do. It makes me uncomfortable. Also, often when people ask you for advice, they're not always open to hear what you have to say, so it can get really tricky. <br /><br />And I do agree that there's nothing better than leaving a lesson with that elated feeling of achievement.Francesca Prescotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18201599087106798500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-42137913390713251372011-03-31T04:13:31.414-07:002011-03-31T04:13:31.414-07:00Weird and quirky horse people... Yes, there are a ...Weird and quirky horse people... Yes, there are a lot of them. <br />My own experience tends towards a rare few excellent instructors (mostly in dressage. Maybe it's just the passion for perfection? Or maybe the focus on how the horse is working, and how to improve that? Or maybe it's just what interests me.) and considerably more lovely and or talented horse people who simply can't teach effectively. You know, the ones that have you go round and round and round in circles while you and your horse get more and more confused/irritated/frustrated to the point of tears? <br />And yes, I have had one or two occasions with instructors who have simply pushed too damn hard- Keep putting the jumps up until you fall off without providing any sort of feedback. I will never understand how that is supposed to work. <br />The good news is, I am now in a position to stick with those trainers that have given me more confidence, helped my horse understand what he is being asked, and left us both with a feeling of achievement.Tansyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13591073671602947254noreply@blogger.com