Since many riders have never experienced “last horse
syndrome” it is a good thing to discuss not only here, but on
conditioning rides as well as sanctioned rides. If the water stops only allow
one or two horses in at a time, even though those horses may wait for the last horse,
that last horse knows he’s in danger of getting left behind and may not
drink well. If this goes on all day, the horse might end up dehydrated. A
better way to handle it is for one of the front horses to move behind the last
horse and wait there (if it’s safe). Sometimes we want to keep the same “trail”
position due to a horse being too shy up front, or too slow, or too fast, etc. but
yes, it can be a problem to always have the same horse last at the water.
Now if there’s a big trough that they can share, and
you know your horse is even going to lay their ears back at another horse, then
give yourself plenty of room and don’t squish in before the others are
thru drinking. OTOH, if the horses are standing there not drinking ask if they’re
done would they please move the horse away so your horse can drink. Another
big one, if you’re there first, even if you are alone, ask (sometimes
this has to be done loudly and firmly before they get there, because after the
fact may be too late for your horse to take an good drink) approaching riders
to approach slowly or just wait until your horse is done before they come up. Horses
are like kids and you are their protector, right (:>)
Kathy
I think that many people just do not know the
etiquette rules for an endurance or distance ride. For instance, I was
once chastised because I didn't trade off who went first into the water with
the person riding with me. I had no clue that it made any
difference who went first into the water and since she never asked to go
first, I just went on my merry way. If she had ever just asked or told
me nicely there was a problem, I would have been happy to trade off.
Sometimes people just need to be told nicely (before you get so mad you end
up yelling at them). I have really appreciated the times that people
have just said, "hey, it works better for all of the horses involved if
you just do X, or don't do Y."
Rhonda
that's correct - and in addition, when
faced with such a situation, would it also not be better for all if one thought
about the more conservatively courteous thing to do? For example, if I come to
a water trough and no one is actively drinking, I might just query "is
anyone going to drink or may I water MY horse?" In that case, I have done
my part as to both civility and common courtesy. If no answer, I water my
horse. If someone come sup and barges in while my horse is drinking, and it
causes an issue, I Will politely ask them if they could wait just a moment.
Usually more than one horse can share a trough but not always.
Again, grown up people exhibiting common sense AND courtesy works.
