To think a happy horse wouldn’t bite a child?

[NippyPete]

We are not a horsey family but DD is horse-mad. Yesterday the instructor asked DD to ride a pony she’d never ridden before. She told DD to hold her tightly because this pony is ‘sometimes funny’ about the saddle. As the instructor tightened the girth the pony swung its head round and bit DD on the leg hard enough to cause a fairly big bruise.

Is this not a sign that this pony is in pain? We’ve not had anything like this happen before and I’m a bit unsure what to say to a very upset DD.

I have a biter. She isnt in pain she just hates having the girth tightened. She blows herself up as well so I have to check it 3 times before I can actually mount. She also kisses me when I am grooming her and calls me when she hears the sound of my car approaching. Shes perfectly happy, just a mardy arse and I love her for it. She also flatly refuses to to return to any place where we ever encountered midges because they make her sneeze. Thats fine too even though it has limited our rides to midge free zones.

Tell me you care more about humans leisure activities than the fact some horses wouldn’t chose that life!

The pony was biting because of the girth - horses can be a bit 'girthy' and even if its not physical pain, it can be learned behaviour from pain in the past. If I was the instructor, I wouldn't have had the child anywhere near the pony whilst doing up the girth.

I agree that you should find another hobby. Being a horse mum isnt for you. Horses bite, children fall off them. Theres mud and poo and sometimes its cold. Bones get crushed under hoof. Heads get butted by long bony noses. Hair gets pulled in ugly yellow horse teeth. Rakes get left lying around in stables and stepped on. I think you might be happier with a swimmer or gymnast where you can at least stand close by and worry. Horses are horses, not modern slaves. They like being in a routine and generally dont care if they have to work for their food. They dont worry about anything except themselves and if you are very, very special, you as their owner.

Keep telling yourself that 🙄

Well you sarky comment saying “Good one” suggests otherwise!

Most riding school ponies will be like that. They need ponies to be non reactive so that they are safe.
If a novice 8 year old even touched my pony in the wrong place with their leg or gave a non clear instruction she would almost certainly have her off. Shes a fun & forward pony but would be dangerous with a novice rider.

Just because a very novice & very small child can't school the pony correctly it does not mean there is something wrong with the pony - I used to work for a riding school & would ride & school the ponies myself from time to time - they would virtually all respond to the correct aids when ridden properly.

They do become dead to the leg from hours of novice riders but safety is going to be the most important thing for the riding school (their licence & insurance depend on that too)

You can check that a riding school is licensed by the council (this will involve stringent tests including vet visits) and if it's a BHS or ABRS approved

Girthiness on tacking up can be due to pain from ulcers or ill fitting tack or it can be because someone has yanked the girth when tightening or over girthing.

One of mine had ulcers which she's now been treated for & scoped clear. She can still be girthy& nip if she's not distracted with a hay net - I think this is memory of pain or habit.

@UncannyFanny , it's in the OP.
She told DD to hold her tightly ... the pony swung its head round and bit DD ...

Most do enjoy it though, unless they've had bad experiences or are in pain and you'll be able to see this

The downsides of riding school ponies. Some are just a pain in the ass (no pun there!).

I find it slightly bizarre that me showing concern for the pony and trying to understand better means that my DD should find a new hobby. We are both trying to learn. I had had animals my whole life and know lots about other animals. I am at the very beginning of learning about horses. Surely asking questions and being concerned for the welfare of the horses isn’t a bad thing?

She only rides with an instructor 2x a week. I am certainly not the one telling her to kick harder. It’s complete pot luck which instructor she seems to get. Some seem much gentler than others. I prefer the ones that take their time really explaining what they want DD to do with her body. Some are very much of the ‘just kick harder’ variety or the ‘he’s testing you’ variety. Posting on a horsey forum seemed like a sensible place to ask. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Some horsey people are incredibly inhospitable to newcomers. There seems to be this attitude that if you weren't practically born in a stall then you're not a horse woman.
It's gatekeeping and I'm quite tired of it.

However, your post did come across as being quite accusatory towards to riding school. Some horse people have had it before from people with no knowledge of horses, riding, care, and behaviour that they're cruel or don't care and after a while it gets a bit tiresome.

your post did come across as being quite accusatory towards to riding school. Some horse people have had it before from people with no knowledge of horses, riding, care, and behaviour that they're cruel or don't care and after a while it gets a bit tiresome.
This.

I’ve seen a great video compilation of his best bites. You just can’t help cheering him on- ‘Go, Ormonde! He’s asking for it! Give him a good biting!’ 🤣

Yes, it's a fair assumption. Lots of horsey people find it convenient to ignore that fact as finding what is making the horse unhappy isn't always convenient/doesn't always mean that they can carry on using it as they wish.

I dont think my mum ever stood and watched me having lessons or came to the stables with me from the age of about 6. Its a bit cringe isnt it?

Welcome to the horse world where 50% of people are insane and believe any horse that isn’t owned by them is abused and they are the authority on riding and care 🤣🤣.

Your daughter got upset by the pony biting and you have sought information on the behaviour and welfare of the pony by trying to engage with people who may have ideas why. There’s nothing wrong with that. I’m sorry about the utter stupidity you have to pick through on this thread. I hope your daughter continues to enjoy her hobby 🐴

Don’t be ridiculous most people stay and watch the lessons , I know when my youngest went to riding school I did and that was 20 yrs ago .

Don't be so ridiculous - of course they can. But I think the ponies' owners and the riding school instructors are a teeny bit more qualified/able to spot indicators of discomfort or pain than a non-horsey mum who rocks up for an hour a week to watch her kid trot round in circles!