are they taking the mick?

[dukes auntie]

am going to do a stable management course at local equine college so thought i would go up to riding stablews and help out for the weekend!

how did it end up with me doing grooming , mucking out and running around while helpers stand/run round causing havack!!!

seems like it is now expected that i will help when i go up for my or childrens lesson

also not sure about new riding school groom treatment of horses do i speak out to school owner.

[pooh]

You need to make sure that the rs staff know when you are there to help and when you are there as a client. However I need more detail about wharf happening in order to be more helpful.

[dukes auntie]

she just seems to be a little agressive to me been at this school a while and only know one horse that needs "firm handling" she has in my view yamked on a bridle wacked with the lead rope i not sure if this is normal behaviour or not|?

[dukes auntie]

have seem this behaviour on yards before but , old groom didnt use these methords yo doesnt either and new girl only been here 2 weeks and want to give her time to settle and not really my place as not my horses just wondering what etiqute is for approaching this ?

[Chukka]

I hate seeing horses being hit and smacked there is no need for it.

Regarding you helping they probably are letting you do the jobs they should be doing but at the end of the day its up to you as to how much you decide to do. The more you do the more they will let you.

[Skib]

I did a stable management course and then moved schools so for two years I had no chance to work with the horses.
If you are now "allowed" to help at a yard as a volunteer, that is, as you say, very valuable. The theory is no use unless one can practise it.
I had a wonderful time as a volunteer. All that is needed is to organise the basis on which you help.
Rather than just lend a hand to anyone, you need to settle who is in charge of you? With me it was the yard manager who would ask you do something and when it was done, you reported back to them for the next job.
Since you are a volunteer, it is for you to say what you will and wont do and what hours you will work. If you dont want to muck out, say so. I dont muck out or do heavy labour because of the weight. But I do just about anything else including polishing the brass and tack. I never refused to do anything.

The longer I stayed the less I had to do of the menial things, because other "newer" people arrived. And my capabilities had grown and become known on the yard.

I did make a distinction between my role as helper and my role as client having a lesson for myself or my grand daughter. There were completely separate time slots. And I dressed differently. I never refused to lend a hand if it was needed.

My rule was not to criticise any member of staff. It wasnt my business what went on. I have intervened (at two yards) when I saw young girls leading shod horses out of the yard over a live electric cable - going to electric drill or a lap top. I complained on the spot to the member of staff. I did not report them to the yard manager.

[AengusOg]

Physical abuse of horses is not acceptable and I would certainly bring it to the yard owner' attention.

You are acting in their interests after all, and if they don't agree with you at least you have spoken for the horse.

If it is allowed to go on you must decide whether you wish to remain involved there or not.

When I was at college there were several incidents which I and the girls/women found intolerable and when we spoke to the tutor involved her attitude was that these things occur in the industry and we'd better get used to it.

We brought it to the attention of the correct people and the person responsible was removed from her position.

If people let it go on, and fail to bring it out, it will continue to happen.

Only by encouraging a culture of zero tolerance will change come about.

I think about the next generation in cases like this.......if they see it happen and no-one speaks out then it remains acceptable for another twenty years.

It's not as if there are no alternatives.

[dukes auntie]

thankyou all so much , after reading your opionons and sleeping on it , i have decided to speak with my instructor who i get on quite well with and ask her advice before approaching the yo