Just to throw my two cents into an already full jar...
I was on the second day of a 50 mile CTR last summer. The first day I rode
with a friend on Quark. She only did the first 25 so on Sunday, Star and I
were on our own. Star is a doll about horses behind him. He has never
ever offered to kick. I have used him for ponying and all sorts of stuff
over the years. Anyway, some woman and a kid came screaming up behind me.
I know both the horse and rider but she just bought the horse from someone
else I knew and this was her second ride on this particular mare. So, Star
and I are minding our own business when these two come up on our butt. She
couldn't slow down and asked if she could ride with me for a while. I said
sure because I knew this mare and she had always behaved very well. For
some reason, this mare was just in the halter part of her bridle and had
easyboots on both front feet. This lady could not control the mare! She
pulled and pulled and was actually trotting on Stars heels! Needless to
say, I was furious. I asked her to back off several times and asked if she
wanted around. She tried to back off but couldn't hold her horse and
didn't want to go around because she had been galloping out of control when
she caught up with me. Star was trotting down the trail sideways, trying
to keep his heels out from under her front feet. I never canter on CTRs
but I finally sent Star racing up the trail to get away from these two
before she crippled my horse. Fortunately, we lost her and I joined up
with Bob Vance. When she caught up we just got off the trail until she was
forced to pass us.
When I asked her why she wasn't using a bit, she replied that she got a new
bit and it rubbed the mare's mouth on the first day so she didn't use it
the second. I couldn't believe it! Using a bit she never tried and then
being so discourteous as to have an uncontrollable horse on trail. Any
less patient a beast than Star would have blasted her for sure - she
deserved it! This kind of discourteousness really annoys me. She finished
in last place of course, with PR out the roof. I had seen this mare on 50s
being ridden by 10 year olds in a hackamore, so I know the rider was at
fault in this instance. A little common sense would have made her ride,
and mine, a heck of a lot more enjoyable.
Whew, I feel better now. Just had to get out the soapbox when I saw this
kicking thread. Putting it away now. By the way, this is a rare
happenstance, most riders around here are the best. We all know each other
so well, its like a reunion at every ride and these folks are so nice! I
can't wait til summer's here!
Shannon Loomis and Quail Meadow Star (and Quark, the back-up emergency Arab
- who is for sale!)