> >* - When riding in a group, do not change
speed or gait without first >warning the others in the group of your
intention. >-- >Glenda R. Snodgrass > >
I
think a better idea than "warning" would be asking for
permission.
*Amber, are you
serious? I agree with Glenda, I am a big proponent of
communication.....and think it is a total courtesy to inform folks you are
going to trot or canter.....BUT, you should not have to ask for "permission"
to RIDE your horse! What if the whole group consists of people who can
ride AND control their own horses, except for one clueless person who is a bad
rider/unprepared/brought green or unfit horse, etc? Does the whole group
need to sacrifice or ruin their ride for one bozo?
That goes back to my list of group riding rules,
that say that if someone in incapable on controlling their horse in ANY
situation, then they should have designated ONE friend who is willing to
babysit them, so that not EVERYONE has to cater to them!
Here is another way to look at it. I spend
TONS of money and time to support, ride and condition my horse, not to mention
I maintain a huge rig to haul them around (and am usually hauling OTHER
people';s horses too, that cannot afford a trailer or do not want to).
When I go out to ride, I either want to ride with my friends socially, or
train one of my own horses, OR do a CONDITIONING ride! I spend a lot of
money to do this....too much money to allow one person to ruin my
ride.
Only thing I can say that would fit into your
"asking for permission", is if I have been invited to an official group
ride, that has stated rules (becuase of insurance), in other words, if I am a
guest of some sort of club, etc. Then I will comply with the rules to the
letter!!!!
If people cannot ride at their own pace (or
change gaits), without asking permission, how the heck do you figure horses
deal with an ENDURANCE ride, wtih horses passing all the time at all
gaits?
