Things not to do with a horse.

This page is an attempt to emphasise the lighter side of life after a rather unpleasant dialogue on a BHS (British Horse Society) discussion forum in which a small number of people who rather overzealously criticised this site and some of the people on it. To those with an open mind and a sense of humour ... enjoy.

4 May 2002

While there are many ways to ride a horse ... it pays to know the front end from the back end! And remember even the most experienced rider can make an innocent mistake.

You should always wear a hat ... it helps protect the hard ground from your soft, fragile and valuable head (some people have less to worry about than others!).

Smoking isn't cool. But if you do find yourself having to smoke ... keep it out of the stable and away from things like hay and straw that burn ... and try to stick to low tar ... smoking kills, your horse will miss you when you'r gone.

The view is much better from on top...

Remember to always check your girth when you get on a horse ... even if you have been told it has been done up ... you're the one who will end up on the floor if it isn't!

Don't walk all over your horse. They deserves better than that ... anyway thats what men are for! (apparently)

Its a long way down ... so if you part company ... for whatever reason ... remember to roll with it!

Sympathy comes from all sorts ... but rarely if you don't wear a hat!

After a long hard days riding, nothing is more welcome for the "quilt-essential" rider than a nap. But remember to put the welfare of your horse first ... they might be tired too!

When leading, don't drag your horse ... lead it from the side.

When riding on the roads be considerate of other road users. Try to ride single file when not with young or inexperienced horses, or of course when excercising by "Ride & Lead"!

But if you do do something that other people don't aren't used to ... don't be surprised if they give you strange looks!

It doesn't mean they know better ... and they may come round to see things from your point of view.

But whatever you do, remember have fun with your horse ... its not all work ... you are allowed to play too!