Spin off - young riders?

[sidepasser]

I am curious (again), have any of you ever taken a young rider under your wing that couldn't afford board, training, lessons but had a burning desire to succeed with horses?

Just curious because out of all the things I have done in life, taking in a young rider who LOVED horses and the horsey lifestyle was one of the best things I ever did for a young, broke, kid.

What about you? Have you ever made riding possible for a young kid that couldn't afford to own a horse or could afford the horse but not the board?

[theoldgreymare]

I did have one girl who I attempted to sponsor this year but she lost interest due to a death of someone close to her (she is still trying to come to grips with it and riding is not her priority right now).

My parents, however, did have several kids with no money that they let do anything around the barn in exchange for lessons. One went on to become the beginner students instructor at my parents barn and now, years later, has kids regularly competing at the major EQ Finals. Another is a successful trainer and judge. Another went to EQ Finals and showed at some of the biggest East Coast shows thanks to my parents and Jeb Wofford (Jimmy's brother) who found horses for her to ride. None of these kids would have made it if it weren't for pure determination, a good worth ethic, talent, and a little help along the way. I think the kids get the credit for perservering!

[Donkey]

I was once the young rider. I had a saint of a coach. After my first few lessons I never paid for another one and I never paid for board. She let me work all of it off (and her and her young family were barely surviving at the time). Through her I met generous local pro who sold to me (for a pittance) a wonderful schoolmaster who taught me an amazing amount.

My family wasn't well off. There was no way my parents could afford lessons let alone a horse. I am forever grateful for the opportunities I got. While I never pursued a professional career in horses it made a huge difference in my life. I don't know where I would be today without those positive role models. Now I have a great career and a horse that I can afford :) I hope I get a chance to pay it forward one day.

[Woodland]

Yes, I do it all the time. It is very rewarding! Sometimes I wish I got more gratitude from the parents - but usually they are so self absorbed they do not even know where their kids are most of the time :( I can provide for them something really special that will help them be more than they think they can be! I LOVE to watch them grow as equestrians and as people - AMAZING!!!

[Petstorejunkie]

My PA when i was teaching was a 14 year old girl with no $ but oodles of talent. i'd pick her up from her house in the morning and she was my horse handler while i taught. i didnt have to touch a single bridle or girth, and we managed to crank out 10 lessons a day. Her payment was a lesson on one of the rank school horses and i bought her lunch.
it was the best deal, she got a role model that kept her from drugs and such and i got an awesome helper who was fun to be around.

[sidepasser]

Your stories are awesome, I wondered if times had changed and now it was all about the money or fear of being sued.

I have done the same for a child that was horse crazy and though it never netted me one thin dime, it paid huge dividends in his awesome determination on a his little grade half arab mare, and to me, even today, 20 years later, I look at the pictures of him and his little mare and I know I did the right thing.

I had lots of children at my barn (I was boarding, teaching beginners, had two advanced pro's on staff) and most of them could afford "whatever" was needed, but every once in a while a child came along that just spoke to me and I tried very hard to make sure that child could at least begin to learn about horses. Some stayed, others didn't, but the ones that did were the dedicated souls that horsemanship needed. The ones that walked a colicking horse, the one that stayed late to do a bit "extra" to make sure their horse was groomed to the nines for the show the next day, the one that took a young foal "as their own" and would spend time socializing with the baby. Those are the kids that I remember most, they were in it for the long haul and made an impact no matter what.

It's nice to hear your stories both as BO and students!

[shakeytails]

I've never had the opportunity (or the money) to "sponsor" a child. I've let a few kids show a couple of my horses, though. And even though I don't particularly like children, I always have time to introduce any interested kid to a horse.

A couple of summers ago, an old man traveling through to visit relatives saw DH out and stopped and asked if he could see the horses. Of course DH obliged. He stopped in once or twice after that, even brought us a bottle of ShowSheen that he still had kicking around. I never did get to meet him, but DH said he was just a sweet old man. It turned out that he used to have horses and his children made him sell out due to his age. When he stopped by other farms to ask to see the critters, people treated him as if he were crazy for even asking. I can't imagine why anyone wouldn't take a few minutes and let someone (especially a polite older gentleman) enjoy a few minutes of horse time.

[ChocoMare]

Your ...every once in a while a child came along that just spoke to me and I tried very hard to make sure that child could at least begin to learn about horses.

That's exactly how it was for me and my first "kid." I don't normally do kids...just don't have the patience for 'em! :lol: But..... there was something very different about Ashley.

It started at VBS at my church two years ago. Another church member used his ancient gelding to give pony rides and all Ashley could so was stare at that horse with The Look. We all know that Look cuz we had it as little girls!

I approached her mom privately and told her what I observed, asking if she thought Ashley would like to learn how to ride and take care of a horse. Hesitantly and haltingly she asked "Ummmmm, how much would you charge?" "How about five dollars?" I said. ;)

It's not about the money and never will be. It's about giving a kid a chance I never had. The following Saturday, decked out in her fuschia pink Troxel, Ashley had her first lesson.

Three months later, she took her "Beginner Test (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2236281880015305252TQPtoG)" - She's now gone from that death-gripping beginner to a confident advanced-beginner off the lunge line (http://good-times.webshots.com/video/3079046350015305252hsxWCF)

She can't lesson every week due to weather, etc. but whenever she's there, she tries her ever-lovin' heart out.

And best of all, her mom, Kathy, is now riding too! We were standing together after Ashley's Saturday lesson about 6 months ago and, lo and behold, Kathy had that "Look" as she proudly watched her daughter lead Penny out. Soooo, I said "Kathy, would you like to learn?" "Oh," she said. "I've always loved horses and dreamed of it, but never thought I could." I said, "Well, life's too short. Let's get you on a horse." Kathy works off her lessons and is an absolute natural rider. Amazing hands for a beginner.

I know they enjoy it but, I'll tell ya, I'm the one on Cloud Nine after every lesson. :yes: I get such a thrill at seeing them improve and grow in confidence. :sadsmile: This thread sums it up: Little Things Mean A Lot (http://www.chronicleforums.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=192444)

[feed lady65]

I'd like to thank all of you who have given a kid a chance. I was once a kid like that, however I did not have the good fortune to run into any one as kind and willing to help a kid get started. Instead, I seemed to find the BO who was looking for slave labor. Its nice to know there are still some decent people who will give someone a break, instead of taking advantage.

[mvp]

I was one of those. By demographics (I'm born and bred po' folks) and family values (Thou Shalt Gain Admission to the Same Fancy University we all did), I never should have learned to ride, much less show or finally breed and make up my own horse. Ever.

But thanks to many kind people who gave me opportunities when I was hungry for them, I got to become a horsewoman as well as the required graduate. I keep my eyes peeled for the next kid like me. Frankly, there aren't that many kids that want to work as hard as I did.

But I'll always share my nice horse with kids or adults who want to meet or even ride a nice one. I think the point of making a nice horse is to produce a teacher for the next generation of riders. It's therefore my job and privilege to share my horse a bit. Watching newbies enjoy my gelding reminds me of how much those early opportunities and horses (*not* many schoolmasters among them!) meant to me.

[pintopiaffe]

I *was* one, thirty years ago. Worked my heart out, and did reasonably with 'rejects & rescues' and always placed, but never won. I don't regret it--I'm a better person and horseperson for the WORK and the 'challenging' rides... but...

I'd KILL to have one now. I have two very, very talented young horses that are lovely movers and would be FEI YR material. I have not the time nor the physical capabilities to do enough with them. I would ADORE to have someone who couldn't afford the kind of talent I can offer in a horse...

Perhaps I'm too rural. There just does not seem to be any YR's around who are interested. Dressage is a foreign word up here anyway. I'm not even asking for chores in return! I'd also free lease one of them to the right situation. No, they're not trained up the levels yet. But they have tremendous potential (and rideability) and there is opportunity to ride my guy who IS, or to take lessons with MY teacher with my horses.

Just haven't found anyone interested. :(

Been toying with posting on 'giveways', but they're not quite that. I dunno. I work with children of families in the homeless shelter system, and special adults, but I'd LOVE to give a special but poor rider the kind of ride I always wished for. ;)

[Across Sicily]

I had this done for me. It was an incredible experience and I am grateful every day. I had relatively decent horses to show, lesson on, and ride, and I worked my BUTT off for the experience, but it would never have happened if not for some very, very kind people. And through them I helped make their horses more marketable (still snotty-mannered Jr rider and Eq rides versus loony Open rides - but hey, if a kid's on it, it's "sane", right?) and got opportunities that abounded off being able to handle the clearly difficult horses in the ring (which in turn got me some very nice rides on horses that won nationally, and which eventually led to training and teaching lessons, and so on and so forth).

I paid it forward a couple of years ago to a junior rider who could barely afford the gas to get to my place to ride, much less a horse and all the costs along with it. She was welcome any time she wanted to be there and helped with my horses. In exchange, I let her ride whatever she could sit on and let her show my broke and nationally-titled show mare that she was reasonably successful on. She's in the midst of apprenticing for a well known Arabian trainer now and I am just so proud. Sniff!

At my barn currently, my trainer has a kid that can't afford to do it and can ride, but is also the brattiest cow you've ever seen - to anyone besides the trainer. Yet she gets handed made rides and wins, wins, wins! Drives me nuts.

[Coreene]

There is nothing more delightful than when young visitors are allowed by their parents to come into the stall and groom a "big horsie" for the first time. Willem would patiently hold up a hoof for as long as it took for those little hands to master the hoofpick, and Oliver is determined to lick them all to death when they are done brushing him. Oliver is a great partner when it comes to paying it forward, and when he took his young friend Jessica for a ride - she was seven at the time - it was a blast for all of us. Yesterday she got to ride Mypaintwattie's beautiful mare, and I don't know which of us was most thrilled by it, but Jessica will never forget. .

[arabhorse2]

Casper loves children, especially the wee ones, and they adore him back. He's the "white pony" every horse crazy little girl wants. :D

When I'm riding out of my trainer's barn, I'll sometimes let the little ones braid his mane and tail, and then let them ride him in the indoor.

With me he can be a spookmeister, but with them, he's as calm and gentle as any 22 y/o schoolmaster.

I haven't given a hand out to any young rider, for the simple reason I don't have that kind of setup at home, nor do I have the finances. It's just me, Mack, and Casper. Casper is my riding horse, and Mack is his companion.

I won't board because I don't want the hassles, so I'm not a good example to have a "working student" relationship with a young person.

Letting the youngsters groom, braid, and ride Casper when we're at my trainer's is the closest I get to being philanthropic with children.

[ChocoMare]

There is nothing more delightful than when young visitors are allowed by their parents to come into the stall and groom a "big horsie" for the first time. Willem would patiently hold up a hoof for as long as it took for those little hands to master the hoofpick, and Oliver is determined to lick them all to death when they are done brushing him. Oliver is a great partner when it comes to paying it forward, and when he took his young friend Jessica for a ride - she was seven at the time - it was a blast for all of us. Yesterday she got to ride Mypaintwattie's beautiful mare, and I don't know which of us was most thrilled by it, but Jessica will never forget. .

Awwwwwwwwwww :sadsmile: :sadsmile: :sadsmile:

[CoopsZippo]

I too was on the receiving end of the gift.... My folks are anti horse. I always used to tag along with my mom to take the dogs to the vet. The vet's practice was at his farm and his wife was horsey. I would watch from the parking lot her work in the barn. She noticed and offered to take me under her wing. I rode my bike 3 miles each way from town to the vet's house and learned what it meant to love and own horses.

I was lucky to marry a man who understood my dream and bought me my first horse as a first anniversary present and does everything within his power to make sure I can keep my horse no matter what.

Unfortunately I board and can not give the gift of sharing with someone else's child. My horse Skip LOVES the little people and always has. When out on the multi use trails and see a child with the look I allow them to touch and feed my horse a treat. Nothing like the sound of a child giggle when Skip ruffles their hair with his breath.

My riding time is limited these days due to life and being mom. If my boys want to ride they get to ride over me. Skip walks like he is carrying the most precious burden when the boys are in the saddle.

My boys have the horse love. Nothing like my 2 yo yelling "Wee wee" his name for our horse and hear the horse call back. He reaches over his stall door to hug Skips face and Skip just sighs.

Many would call me a horrible mother but I have had my boys in the round pen with me and my horse when Skip is just grazing. He watches the boys like a hawk while they explore looking for bugs. Making ugly faces at the horses curious in the next pasture if they got to close to the fence.

[Angela Freda]

Tried it twice by 'free-leasing' my horse to a teen girl who could ride but had no horse or access to a horse/indoor.
Bit in the arse both times.
Never again.

[DieBlaueReiterin]

i have a girl that i've had with me for over 3 years now, from a poor family, alcoholic parents, etc...she is wonderful. she started with me when she was 11-met her bc she lived next door to my uncle's property. originally i gave her lessons in exchange for feeding my cats and doing other little things here and there but mostly i just saw myself in her and how off the track i got at that age bc of bad parenting etc...

now she comes to the barn with me 3-4x a week, i can put her on greenish horses, she's jumping, hacks my jumpers for it when i can't make it out, helps me around the barn...etc and is so appreciative and polite and dedicated. no money ever exchanges hands. i'm a teacher so i love kids anyway, but this one is special. :D

i had a horsey mentor as well when i got to be a little older than her. he truly saved my life, literally and figuratively and i still love and admire him so much.

[HappyMouth]

sounds amazing. not only are you getting something from it but o is the girl. being horseless and a bit poor doesn't help. people like me die for this oppertunity and it's great you're helping one of the horseless out.

[Coreene]

Your entire life you rememb the horses you could meet, pet, feed and ride. It is a warm and fuzzy when you can help make those same memories for someone else. I love it. :sadsmile:

[Coreene]

Of course, meant to say "remember," but typing thru phone and can't go back and edit without deleting. ;)

[mvp]

For those of you on either the giving or receiving end, what makes this bit of altruism blow up?

1) What do you givers seem to want (though we really don't think we want anything unreasonable)?

2) What do you "receivers" (read: sometimes, even often slave labor) want so that you'll stick around?

I'm asking because some how I found a match with my BO's family, boarders and trainer, so I don't know much about how other situations go. I'm curious about the cases that don't work. In my case, I think I would have done *anything* to make it work

What I gave was lots of work. Summers and weekends I cleaned their barn (5-6 stalls) every day for horses to ride and lessons. At the end of the day, I cleaned the 8-10 bridles and girths (and a few saddles) that the trainer and BO had used. Otherwise, I was part of the family who fixed pipes, bucked hay, spread bluerock in paddocks when these jobs came up. It never occurred to me that this was slave labor. Does that seem out of line to you modern peeps?

What I wanted was 1) Someone who took an interest in me getting better at something I loved; 2) The opportunity to learn, always. I did get that for a long time, but that meant riding what I was offered. Although I wanted to ride and show nice hunters, jumpers and equitation horses, I rode some of those, but also ex-polo ponies, babies, field hunters, eventers, dedicated dressage horses and old trail horses. Again, it never occurred to me to turn down a ride.

Does my case sound unusual?

[Vandy]

For those of you on either the giving or receiving end, what makes this bit of altruism blow up?

1) What do you givers seem to want (though we really don't think we want anything unreasonable)?
For me, it depends on how much is coming from the other side. I will give just about any kid (or adult) lesson credit for doing work around the barn, mostly cleaning stalls and cleaning tack. Most of the kids who ride with me do this to some extent, whether it's once in a while during school vacations or six days a week all year or something in between. In my program, what the student puts into it dictates what is given to them. For the ones just working a little bit for lessons, I give them $10 worth of lesson credit for every hour they work. My lessons are $40 for a half hour or $60 for an hour. I don't keep track of hours for someone who works a lot and gets a lot - but we chat frequently to make sure we both think the arrangement is fair and working well for both sides.

I am so proud of my current "full-time" working student, the daughter of a single mom with a minimum wage job. She (and her mother during the school year) do stalls for me six days a week (this in addition to the mom's other full-time job) and the kid will ride anything and do even the least desirable barn chores without complaint, in exchange for full board and training and the opportunity to ride/show some nice sale horses. Frankly, if one expects to get the rides on sale horses/show horses, they have to have some amount of talent/ability and a great attitude in addition to working hard, and this kid does. Yes I do a lot for her, but it's amazing how much this 15-year-old has contributed to my farm. Here is a video of her in a borrowed shadbelly, she and her horse's first time showing 3'6" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCly_scjsWk&feature=channel

And to answer the other part of MVP's question, here's what blows the deal for me, and it's very simple: kids who want all the glory (i.e. riding/showing the nice horses) without putting in the work. The kid who complains that stacking a load of hay is "too hard". The kid who always has time to ride the nice ones but suddenly has too much homework when an old schoolie needs a hack. And the #1 answer, the kid whose parents don't allow her to spend enough time at the barn yet expect her to get as much as the kid who does. Having a barn that's a bit of a drive "out in the country" pretty much requires that the parents be committed to making it work too.

[the lady of shalott]

My trainer gave me a huge chance a couple years ago, and I can never thank her enough for helping me out. I've ridden since I was 5, but due to money trouble and lack of english trainers I never had the chance to really learn how to ride, if you know what I mean. My stepdad had bought me an OTTB at auction on a whim. (badddd combo for a girl who had always just ridden Quarter Horses) So she had me move out to her barn for six months to put rides on him, as a working student. It was the most amazing opportunity. She still helps me out,as I am on my own financially and can't afford lessons. I still offer to work for her in exchange for lessons/show help.

I can't wait for the day when I have the chance to hopefully make that difference in a young riders life. She is helping me achieve my dream... and I want to be able to do that for someone else to.

I also wanted to say, for all of you that have done that for young riders. Thank-you so much! You can't even realize how much we appreciate your care and selflessness. =D