I'm literally ready to scream. Girl with irritating mother pt 2

Do you have some thing in your T&Cs that says that the final decision on appropriate horses will be made by the stables? For both the rider and the horse’s safety and well-being? This would then remove the conversation about refunds in situations like this.

She is literally taking the Mickey…

As mum is in denial about her daughters weight she probably equates smaller horse with smaller daughter.

Is the mum also large? Sometimes there's a link there (as having an overweight child equals the mum having to accept she herself is also obese).

I'f yo haven't al;erady, I'd tell her straight exactly how heavy her daughter is and why that and height determines horse selection, along with riding ability and horse personality. If she argues her daughter isn't heavy, offer to show her and diplomatically ask child to get on the scales so you can explain to her mum why she needs to be riding Carol (who I'm guessing she's keen on after 4 bucks off Mickey)

Otherwise its "find another riding school, and don't lie about her weight to them either".

Poor kid, all she wants to do is have a nice ride.

Are we really unreasonable to tell this woman bluntly at pickup to either wind her neck in and leave the horse choosing to us or find somewhere else to ride?

No, you’re not, but you were told you’re not by 97% of the people on your last thread, so not sure what a second thread is going to achieve.

I don't know how the mum gets to insist. She doesn't know anything about horses and doesn't even know her own DD's measurements. Use the wording you quoted from the PP and set her straight. Needn't be rude but absolutely be firm - that her DD's height and weight is X and Y so she needs Z horse or she won't be safe. As proven by the issues with the smaller horse today. You are the expert and you have no agenda except the safety and enjoyment of the children and the horses. She has an agenda based on fear and delusion. You can't pander to that. She needs to hear the truth and back the fuck off. As of now.

She is one of these idiots that thinks ponies are safer than horses, isn't she? We had an evil little 12.2 welsh that would have put you through a wall if you rode him badly. Looked sweet and adorable, bucked like a bastard.

Does she really want to put her daughter on a pony where she is guaranteed to hit the deck or does she want to put her on a horse that she rides well and feels safe on?! She is going to destroy her confidence at this rate. It's not about how far you fall when you come off, it's about riding something that you can handle well enough NOT to come off!

Yes you need to tell the mum straight.
I used to ride a smaller horse who sounds like Mickey, constantly bucking. In the end I felt nervous to ride. If she’s more suited to Carol, then that’s who she should have.

p.s. Is the horse actually called Carol? 🤣

What does the girl say? She’s the one riding the horse. I’d bet that she’ll say she wants to ride Carol.

With an activity I run, we've had a couple of problem parents where we've basically had to say "this is the way we run things; if you do not like it, we may not be the organisation for you"

The children were fine, but the parents' expectations were totally unrealistic with attitude on top.

We'd rather free the space up for low maintainence families!

Blimey, I feel really cross on your behalf. Please get the mother told.

It's a Health and safety issue. The mother does not know what is best and you do. I would put the child on Carol (great horse name btw) and if not they will have to leave.

Tell this crazy woman to keep her nose out of something she clearly knows f all about, or go to a different riding school.

Shes delusional if she thinks size has anything to do with safety, tell her by insisting, she’s putting her child at risk, and hindering her progress.

I wouldn't be putting up with this. You know best how to match rider and horse. By the sounds of it mum knows shit all. So either she is paying for your professional tuition and provision of horse and she shuts up, or the daughter has to leave.

Sorry but you need to be more assertive and stop pandering to the mum who clearly does not understand the implications.

You have to tell her.

It will be worse if Mickey bucks her off and trots off like he's accomplished his feat of the day. I feel like I know Mickey.

You just need to pull her aside away from the child and say you keep putting incorrect numbers on her forms. We have allocated her a horse that is the correct size for her height and weight. She made great progress on carol and enjoyed herself, she's come off 4 times today because the horse isn't the right size for her. If she continues to attend she will have the horse we allocate, I am happy to refund you for the rest of the lessons, but it would be a real shame because S had a really good time riding carol

“ I’m sorry but we can’t offer your daughter the level of support/ service you require. The stables up the road however will have no problem……”

Either this mother trusts you, the experts, to know what’s best for the riders and horses, or she doesn’t… If she doesn’t, she can find a different riding school for her child.

Please tell this insufferable woman where to go. Does she have any idea of the problems she caused last time? I get it’s a sensitive issue but I would tell her straight to be honest, out of earshot of the dd of course.

Can you blow smoke up her arse about what a great little rider the girl could be, with a great affinity for ponies, and the ability to ride a mount that suits her height, despite her age.

Blimey. You definitely need to have a blunt conversation. Give your professional opinion and reasons.

OMG she's at it again! YANBU, I think you need to tell her to butt out or find somewhere else to ride. Life is too short, as sweet as the girl is!