Horse Shows, etc.....

[Del Boy]

Hi All

Your advice please,

I drove my two friends & their horses to a sponsored ride on Sunday, in a trailer.

Anyway, is there a set time before you should unload/load your horse, ie, when you first get there & after you've finished?

I ask this, as I was told off for getting the horses loaded within about 10 minutes of them finishing their ride, as we missed a picnic, which I didn't know about?

I wasn't bothered about the picnic, as I just wanted to get going home.

Ok, many thanks,

Derek

[specialsparkle3]

I totally agree with you Derek. Your first thought was to get the horses home after they had done their work, and unless your friends had hired stabling for their horses to relax in , that is how it should have been in my view. The people who stayed for the picnic were thinking of themselves rather than their horses, but that was their perogative.

[seahorse]

totally agree SS3, you get there, you unload, do your working in, show and go home, we never leave then on the wagon/trailer for longer than needed, they are tired and want to go home, you did the right thing.

[Del Boy]

Thanks for that, as I thought it was the right thing to do.

Ok, now then, another question;


I'm doing likewise at Windsor on Sat 3rd May, but have been given prior warning from the owners, that they want to stay for the picnic afterwards, so again, your thoughts please.

Thanks again

[cubic]

If you're taking them, and are doing them a favour, it's up to you when you come home and they'll have to fit in with you. If they're paying you (ie you're being employed) it's up to them. If you are tagging along with them, then you'll also have to go with their views (or not go - although ofcourse you can let them know your thoughts.

[Fussymare]

We did a 10 mile ride last Sunday, and we did hang around for a while afterwards. Mainly to eat our sandwiches, but we ate these whilst holding the horses and letting them graze. The grass in the trailer park was knee high, and as they had cooled down fully when we got back there it was nice to let them have a munch. I always let mine relax a bit before loading up and travelling home - and if there is no grass, then I let them have a haynet. We have to eat too before the drive home!

I probably wouldn't load them and then go off and have a picnic though. I've not heard of any rides that have an organised picnic afterwards.

[verne]

Tend to agree with Sara always let my boy cool down (after sponging off) relaxing/unwind a bit before going home after all travelling can be tiring too (plus Gally loves the "social" side of grass munching after a class LOL)
I certainley wouldn't expect him to wait will i had a picnic unless he was in a stable eating too!

[seahorse]

Personally if it was me I would charge them for my time, as follows.......

Pick up at the yard in wagon/trailer £35.00
Every mile travelled £1.50
Wages for you £5.65 per hour (mim wage) timed from pick up to drop off
Grazing horse while they picnic £15.00
and include in this any expence ie meals, coffee.

they may think twice about taking you and the horse for granted.

PS the travel expencises are what our local transproter charges so not over the top.

[arabheaven]

if you are doing them a favour then no they shouldnt be making you feel bad!

I always wait a bit with zac if he has done an endurance ride as obviously he needs to relax a bit (he munches grass in hand) but if we have done dressage or a lesson or SJ, once we are done then thats it, he gets to load up and go home xxx