How truthful should I be

[appaloosahoney]

I have ridden for years but for the last 4 have had a poorly horse. She passed away last week and I have been offered a loan horse. Its much smaller than my horse (14.2hh) and is much finer. It is quite nervous but has no vices. I would not consider myself nervous in anyway having had some quite challenging horses but I'm a bit worried that I have become accustomed to only one horse. My girl was larger and very feisty, ridden barefoot and in a hackamore, she was brilliant for me but a challenge to anyone else, but for the last year, due to illness, barely broke out of a trot. My worry is that I am not sure how honest to be. If someone came to me saying that they had not actively ridden for a year, I would be far more worried and after previous experience would be looking for faults. The people who own this horse seem extremely sound, and keep their horses very much in the same way that I kept mine. Do I tell them at the beginning of the ride, or shall I just stay schtum until I have reached the end (hopefullly without falling off as if I remember ponies turn on a sixpence). I dont want to be dishonest in anyway but in the same fashion dont want to blight my chances of what appears to be an excellent forward going pony - is this like a bicycle, the muscles might ache but it still comes back?

[jenren!!]

I would be perfectly honest before you get on :).

[Rarah]

First of all - sorry to hear about the loss of your horse :o

With regard to the new loan I would be 100% honest and upfront about my riding ability (or whatever you want to call it).

If I was loaning my horse out, I'd be more concerned that a potential loaner was reliable and capable of taking care of my horse. If you've been nursing a sick horse then I would imagine you are very experienced in that area.

Please don't try to cover up that you've not really ridden recently - it might come out in conversation accidently at some time (as most things do when you get to know someone) and you wouldn't want them thinking they can't trust you.

Good luck to you and I hope your ride goes well!

x

[Ptaty70]

Hi

to reiterate, I am so sorry about your girl.. what happened...? It sounds like you gave her the best care ever in her last years!

.. and to follow on, that also gives you a MASSIVE advantage when looking for a loan horse. Please don't underestimate your knowledge! it's easy to do when you just get on with it.. to be honest, if you came to loan my horse I would hug you and welcome you with open arms!!!!

You should mention it, but it really won't be a problem.. you are horsey, you've had horses for years and it will all come back.. it's more YOU who have the problem.. just relax, it's just another horse... different, but another horse. Difficult after what's happened to your horse, but you seem like you have decided to take the plunge so just go with it. make sure you relax and spend time with the horse from the ground, just like she was your other lady...

You will be FINE! don't worry about them not liking the fact you haven't really 'ridden' in a year... you are a dream of a loaner.... enjoy and tell us all about it!!!;)

[Skib]

I sometimes think experienced riders have problems where we relative newcomers have none.
If you have had an interruption to your riding, why not go and have a riding lesson? Frm a good teacher? You'd have a refresher on a different horse and be able to reassure yourself that you have all the competence you need.

The question of whether or not to tell the truth so often arises on NR where someone senses there might possibly be a gap in what they know? They are going to meet a potential sharer and they feel they may not be up to scratch?

Whereas those of us who have been riding for a only few years automaticly set ut to find a teacher and fix the problem like that.

NR is brilliant for giving advice on how to do things, but when it comes to the riding side, the helpful theory is not enough on its own. You need to actually get out and do it on a horse.

[appaloosahoney]

Well guys, took your advice. I wasnt totally upfront in the sense that I didnt tell the owner as soon as I arrived, I made sure she saw that I was confortable and confident around the horses first. She didnt bat an eyelid and inf act admitted that she hadnt ridden for 2 years whilst looking for her current horse - so all that worry for nothing. The ride was excellent, little arab went like a rocket, and her 18. We saw lotsa v scary tractors, and she only had a bit of a moment when we went to pass an enormous tractor with huge haylege on each spiky bit in the air. I'm going to go back and try her on her own as I think there's a bit more to her than meets the eye, and I want to be sure its just exuberance. Thanks for all your advice. I think I knew that the truth was really the only way forward but had just got myself in a bit of a tizz. Will keep you updated. Thanks again Kimxx

[Trewsers]

I would be honest, you've nothing to hide, and I'm sure they'd be glad to hear about your experiences. (sorry to hear about your other horse btw - must be difficult). Fingers crossed for you!

[Trewsers]

Whoops! Only just read the other replies - glad it went well.

[paradigmshift]

glad it went well..had to change my reply as I didn't read all of the ones before me..

[casa3311]

Sorry, not paying attention. Glad it went well, but here are my comments anyway:
----------
After 23 years of rarely riding, I found that the muscles were much weaker, but the seat was still there. As a teenager, I had a pony who was very feisty, quick, and wonderful for me. She taught me a lot about how to stay on and how to feel a spin or spook coming.

It sounds to me like you will be fine with this loan, but as always, honesty is the best policy. After about 3 minutes of riding, though, I found that the length of time out of the saddle was not as relevant as the strength of my leg and arm muscles. That meaning, staying on was not problem. Endurance to last an hour long trail ride/lesson was.