Things Non-horsey People Have Said to Me

I don’t claim to know anything about football (American Football to my British readers) and have been known to ask questions when watching a game. It doesn’t happen often as I would rather watch paint dry but that’s another story altogether. One thing I would never do is comment or give my opinion or try to look like an expert on the subject but I’m sure I’ve asked a dumb question every now and then.

Here are some things non-horsey people have said to me over the years. I know this will resonate with my horsey friends.

1. What do you do for exercise? – Because the horse does all the work you know and mucking stalls takes no effort at all.
2. There’s a dead horse in your field. – Yup, they lie down sometimes.
3. Doesn’t it hurt when he nails the shoe to his foot?
4. You still take lessons? I thought you knew how to ride.
5. I used to ride as a child so I won’t need many lessons.
6. Ewww he just pooped!
7. Doesn’t it hurt them when you kick them with your legs?
8. What am I supposed to hold onto? – When I take away the reins for a lunge lesson.
9. Why is there white stuff coming out of his mouth?
10. Wow, that’s expensive. – When I tell a non-horsey person how much I charge for board but don’t explain all the other expenses like insurance, feed, hay, shavings, electricity, repairs, labor, and so on and so on…
11. Have you ever fallen off?
12. You have to feed them Christmas Day also?
13. I don’t mind getting up early, I’m usually awake by 9 a.m.
14. Do you rent out your horses?
15. I used to have a dog when I was a kid so I know how to look after a horse. – Yes, I did actually have someone say that to me.
16. What are you feeding him, I thought they just ate apples and sugar cubes?
17. How does the horse get out of the stall to use the bathroom?
18. What’s that mark on his leg is he injured? – The chestnut. I can’t count how many time I’ve been asked this.
19. Have you ever eaten horse meat?
20. Why do you need a saddle?
21. I once rode a cowboy horse. – I think they meant western horse.
22. How long does it take a pony to grow into a horse?
23. Aww, that’s a cute foal. – Referring to a mini.
24. Just pull on the reins. – Advice from a parent to a child who was learning to ride a 20-meter circle.
25. Why are those horses wearing blindfolds in the field?
26. You can’t include horse riding as exercise. – This wasn’t said to me but to the parent of one of my riders by the P.E. coach at her daughter’s school. I told her to tell him to come and take a lesson so he could see how wrong he was. A P.E. coach of all people???

This blog isn’t intended to offend non-horsey people. It’s just light-hearted observations shared with other horsey friends. Feel free to add any comments and questions you have encountered over the years.

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