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[RC] Pissed off, PMSing, middle-aged cranky woman's connon-sense rules of group riding - Sullivan

Especially geared for riding in groups:
 
1.  Your goal is for you and your horse to be self-reliant so that you do not  require the group to babysit you.
   
2.  You do not get to control what other people do, or the speed of the ride. So you need to be able to control
your own horse.
 
3.  The person who gets to go in front is the person with the fastest horse. Do not get in front and slow down.
It's nice to be able to take turns...but don't expect to always be the one in front.  People get tired of eating dust.
 
4.  Do not blame other people for you and your horse's failings. 
 
5.  If you have a green...young....new....insane horse, elect one good friend to stay with you and babysit and have it
set up in advance.  Do not expect the whole group to cater to you, or have to adjust their ride.  You get 6 months
to a year to get your horse adjusted.....you don't get to have a 18 yr. old green horse you have been riding for 12 years....someone else is going to buy the new horse, and THEY get concessions made.
 
6.  Do not allow your horse to threaten, or bite, or kick others.  Discipline it firmly. 
 
7.  If someone has to make concessions to you, becuase you have  new horse, make darn sure you return the
favor when THEY are on the new horse! 
 
8.  Have your act together in terms of tack and stuff that does not require constant stopping and adjusting.  Do not drop
things and expect the whole group to come to a screeching halt.  Your horse -should- be well behaved enough that you
can get off to pick up your water bottle, or pee, or adjust a stirrup and calmly allow you to mount and catch up. After all, you can canter to catch up and that is fun.
 
9.  If there is a 10:00 time to be ready to ride-be there on time and saddled.  Don't pull in 10 minutes late and spend 30 minutes grooming your horse and brushing out it's tail while everyone waits.  You only need to scrape off the mud where the saddle goes.
 
10. Be able to leave the group and go for help.   
 
11.  Be able to pony a horse out.
 
12.  Being CPR certified or a nurse or doctor is a bonus.
 
13.  Don';t EVER expect anyone to slow down their horse's fast walk because YOUR horse is jigging!
 
14.  If you bring an annoying dog along, and it gets right under a horse's feet, don't get mad when it gets stepped on or kicked. 
       If you bring an annoying dog along constantly, people might not want to ride with you. It's nice to ask first.
 
15. If your horse is too nutty or uncontrollable, don't bring it on the group ride in the first place!  Ride with one friend until you
       learn to control it! 
 
16.  It's nice to inform the group before you take off at a wild gallop....but if someone does this to you, you should be able to      deal   with it.
 
17.  If you are my child....learn to bring your own snacks and water.....you don't get mine after the first time you forget.
 
18. Don't use another horse's butt to stop your own horse. An unexpected vet bill might arise. 
 
19. If you insist on going first on a narrow trail on a cliff, your horse BETTER not balk or spook.
 
20.  If you are too nervous with the whole thing, do the group a favor and have a wine cooler or beer BEFOE the ride!
 
Anyone else want to add to this?
Happy trails!