Opinions? Non-riders riding horses on vacation

Gary Stuart · Well Schooled

Opinions? Non-riders riding horses on vacation

Jackie Cochran · Advanced

In an ideal world no one should go off riding without atleast SOME lessons, at least 10?, with a good instructor.
I always feel sorry for the horses who are expected to cart beginners all over creation. With an attentive leader in a small group inadvertent abuse can be minimized, but in difficult situations beginning riders can be in danger no matter how reliable the horse or good and attentive the ride leader.

Barnmouser Ash · Grand Prix

I've got to agree with Jackie. In an ideal world, there would be no such thing as "vacation horseback riding" for people who don't have some kind of qualification. But, if we enforced this kind of standard, there would be a lot of horse owners that would be banned from riding all together. I do think, though, that if there is going to be an industry for riding on vacation and you haven't proven that you're competent on horseback, then you should at the very least have your reins taken away from you. It's easy enough to pony a horse along behind a guide, and prevents things like tourists wandering off on their own and getting lost/stuck/injured/etc. :\ Just another hazard of the equestrian industry, I guess.

Mirya R · Yearling

I met a couple who went on a treck through Mongolia with only about a months worth of lessons or lessons or something, and the ponies they were riding were completely wild, they were ridden for like half the year and then the other half was running in the herd. Plus they were riding in equipment that had never been used before, so not broken in.

They said it was great and would love to do it again. Fotunately none of them was hurt and all went well:)

Barbara F · Grand Prix

Yikes Mirya, what an adventure!
A woman I know went on an executive retreat and they offered a trail ride as one of the activities. Well, off she went with a group of complete non-riders.
For some reason, the guide made them cross some sort of river! Anyway, she ended up dumped from the horse into the river, soaked from head to toe with a torn shirt with all her business collegues watching in horror.
Luckily, only her pride was hurt!

kschmittendorf · Well Schooled

I think it would depend upon the facility that they are going to ride at. There is always a risk for experienced and non-experienced riders. You are dealing with a thinking, breathing prey animal. Any horse, no matter how old or well trained, can and will spook if they feel threatened. I would evaluate the facility and ask questions. Do they check the level of experience by first asking and then possibly watching that person ride in an enclosed area where there is some level of control? What accomodations do they make for non-riders? Do they just give them an older, experienced school horse or actually have them lead lined by a guide? Do they provide helmets? How many guides do they provide per group? If they are doing a trail ride, is the terrain easy (wide open trails, no water/hills/rocky paths) or more challenging? How long is the ride? If the group does not want to trail ride do they offer an alternative? Maybe just a group lesson in an arena? That can be just as fun for non-riders and also provide some basic instruction. While trail rides are "romantic" they are not always the ideal venue for non-riders.

Deborah Hopkins · Yearling

I know of plenty of trail riding facilities right here at home that take non-riders on trail rides on a regular basis. Most people have no idea how much trouble they could get into! The best places insist that everyone wears a helmet and have reliable horses who know their job- follow the leader and stop if your rider gets into trouble.

Ap · Yearling

I used to work for a riding stable. The greenhorns or begginners were given very good, dependable horses. It would be a shame if people who've never ridden were deprived of the experience. The ones I saw wreck, were the ones who were "experienced". I could always tell who could ride and who couldn't. I was lucky enough to have volunteers to help the begginners ride down the trail if they wanted help. Yes, things could happen. But never with our begginner horses. They were steady as Gebralter. Even if a lose horse ran past them. They'd stand steady every time. I helped many people have a great time with their kids, and with each other, enjoying the horses and nature.