Abusive riding instructor

[Kylie Chamberlain]

I've written about the horse I have on lease from the owner of a stables close to where I live, a few times.
Now I think I need to talk about the OWNER OF THE STABLES.

Over the week end, I bought a copy of Join up by Monty Roberts and I'm about half way through. Reading it has changed me, although I never have been particularly abusive, I have to admit to giving a misbehaving horse a tap on the rump.
Any way, while reading it, I thought of Molly (my on-loan horse).

Today Molly was being difficult to bridle, so her REAL owner, strides over and takes over.
I watched her thrash, bash, pull, jerk and hurt my already skittish and scared Molly, to get the bridle on.
There was nothing I could do to help her!!
I felt so bad, and I was nearly in tears!
Later on, I tried to pat Molly, but she was scared of ME!
How can I ever get Molly's trust back in ME, the one who should have helped her out when she was in trouble.

:(

[larri]

Jeez - some people shouldn't be allowed near horses never mind own them:mad:

From your point of view Kylie you will need to be as patient , kind and consistant as you can possibly be around her - don't beat yourself up over not stepping in - it can incredibly difficult and the owner sounds like they were in no mood to be approached. Carry on with your join up work and show Molly that you are to be trusted, although if she is still being abused it will be dificult.

How can anyone be so stupid as to treat a scared horse like that - it makes my blood boil, I know I shouldn't say it but I'd love to give them a taste of their own medicine and see how bolshy they are then:mad:

[HoRsE ChIcK]

i once had an abusive riding coach aswell well im not sure if she was quite absuive but like whenever she would even walk down teh aisle my horse would just stand there and shiver!!Also once my riding coach lost her temper when we were training my horse to jump and Flicka was just being introduced to barrles to jump over and she refused and the next time my coach brought her over the jumps she imediatly started hitting her.im not sure if it was abusing but i felt very bad and no offense to my coach or anything but i don't think hitting a horse is a way to get them to do something because even if you can have a relationship with force y hurt a livi9ng animal when you can have just as good or better relationships with them?a way ypou might be able 2 get your horse to trust you again is to slowly start patting her until she is sure you are not gonna hit her and just give her lots of love and attention.it may be hard to do but you might want 2 talk 2 your riding coach and tell her what you feel and maybe that day she was just in a grumpy mood?!?!?u never know but if she does it again then you might want to speak 2 her or ask your parents to speak to her.

[HoRsE ChIcK]

me again:) i agree with larri.Dont beet yourself up aobut it .Its hard to step in and stand up to an adult in a bad mood!!!!the join up work will help and good luck.And shame on your coach 4 freaking your horse out:(no one has the rite to do that do any animal

~Holly~

[Elfin]

Arghhh, thats awful, I don't know how people can do that to living creatures. It's disgusting and espesially when it makes you upset Kylie and you felt that it was your fault.
Try and talk to Molly's owner about how you feel even though it's not easy. And carry own with join-up, I am sure you'll get Molly's trust in the end.

[Kylie Chamberlain]

Thanks for replying.
My riding instructor has a real temper, and I cant stand her!
But I'm 14, and theres nothing I can do to stop her hurting the most precious animals in the world:(
She is just an aggresive person, and when I watch her lessons, even with little kids, she's constantly yelling, "Belt him!"
"Use your whip properly!"
"Kick him harder"
"Use your whip, make him go over that jump!"
"Show him who's boss!"
When she drenches other people's horses agisted at her property she even hurts them!
One thing is for certain: when I eventually move on from Molly, my new horse will never have the DISpleasure of meeting HER!

[Elfin]

She sounds like an awful woman, all those poor horses and people who have to take lessons from her.

[Elfin]

She sounds like an awful woman, all those poor horses and people who have to take lessons from her.

[Stable_Mate]

I've heard of people who are nasty to horses but not like this...

Shouldn't you ring someone??I mean like a charity that can save Molly and all the other horses from the teacher??

The poor creatures!! I hate hearing about abuse to all animals! I makes me so MAD!!!

Its not like Molly could just stand up and say "I've had enough!" and storm out like we can. I support charities like the RSPCA to help prevent treatment like this.

Just remember that it wasn't your fault what happened to Molly. One day she may trust again.

By the way don't tell me the name of your riding school or I may be locked up for murder!! If you get my drift!!

[RingLass]

I've seen some bad things done to horses, but this sounds horrible ... your instructor should NOT be handling the animals this way ! Whips and legs are valuable TRAINING TOOLS, not TORTURE DEVICES ! Also, the little kids are learning the absolute WRONG way to ride a horse. Next time he/she/it does this, you should call the authorities. I know here in the US there are strict animal protection laws, and the ASPCA and HSUS are extremely appreciative of "tips"; I think there are organizations like this in England as well.

[RingLass]

I've seen some bad things done to horses, but this sounds horrible ... your instructor should NOT be handling the animals this way ! Whips and legs are valuable TRAINING TOOLS, not TORTURE DEVICES ! Also, the little kids are learning the absolute WRONG way to ride a horse. Next time he/she/it does this, you should call the authorities. I know here in the US there are strict animal protection laws, and the ASPCA and HSUS are extremely appreciative of "tips"; I think there are organizations like this in England as well.