Cheko
14th Aug 2003, 01:59 PM
I went to the stables to see my pony this morning and whilst I was there, one of the other owners had a lesson with a 'trainer'. The owner rode the horse first, (I would say the sand school was very deep and heavy) then dismounted and the 'trainer' got up on him. She did the usual, walk, trot, canter, then proceeded to school the horse in the most awful manner (to my way of thinking anyway). She cantered round on both reins, nothing unusual in that but proceeded to give the most awful display of getting a horse's attention and reining back I have ever seen, and hope to never see again! She pushed the horse on with her heels dug into his sides and her toes turned out. She then halted opposite to where I was sitting and proceeded to rein back. This was executed by sawing (a procedure she had been using since the beginning of the lesson) on the horse's mouth, bringing her legs back so far that her heels were nearly digging into the 'hind' part of the belly, raised her hands & pulled the beast backwards, whilst leaning back herself. This was executed several times. I was totally unimpressed and would not let a trainer like her within 'spitting'distance of my pony. In fact had I done that to my pony, he would have, and justifiably so, reared up with me. This is not a humane way to ride. She gave the horse no praise but chased and harrased him for the whole lesson. All this was done in front of the owner who never said a word in the horse's defence. I have been riding for 47 years and have never been taught to do rein back etc in this way. If this is the modern way to ride, then forget it!!!!