An actual conversation (long and boring, I'm venting )

[Judith]

The background:

Very well known trainer A comes out to visit. Take a boo at the colts and shoot the breeze.

Judith "Well thanks for stopping by I need to head on outside and water the horses."

A "Can I help you? I'd like to take a look at that stud of yours again"

Judith "OK"

I hand the hose to trainer A and say put it in the bucket

A "You mean with HIM!!!!"

Judith"umm yes that is the direction I am pointing"

A " He could bite me"

Judith (messing with trainer A's head) " yes, if he wanted to he could. although it is unlikely that he is going to attack you for sticking a hose through the fence"

A " couldnt he get me through the fence he is awful big?"

Judith "You ride them 17 hand warmbloods and your worried about him?"

A " He is a stallion you know and women should never be around stallions"

Judith "if you are uncomfortable with him just say so and I'll do it"

A " you don't have someone to do it for you"

Judith " yes I do, that would be you "

A " I dont want to get hurt, i've heard about thoroughbred stallions, they are crazy and they KILL people" Don't you worry about that? I mean only men should handle stallions.

Judith ( completely annoyed by the retarded conversation , but not wanting to offend someone who has about 20 years more horse experience) " So you figure a man is going to have more luck controlling him if he were to go bonkers eh?

A " of course men are much stronger and well they just know things."

Judith "Can I have the friggin hose, he needs some water"

A " I can't watch"

Judith " you can't watch me put a hose in a bucket?"

A " He will kill you, you know that right?"

Judith " could happen, but to be honest I worry more about the black mare you are currently watering"

A " I know horses, and she is sweet"

Judith "OK"
(Judith turns her back for a second, and WHAM trainer A is lying on the ground about a foot from where I last saw her)

The Black B***ch double barreled her but good!

Trainer A " Why would you have an animal like that, she could have killed me"

Judith " I thought you said you knew horses and she was sweet.?"

A " maybe you should put her down?

Judith " why? cuz she kicked you? She doesnt mess with me, we have an understanding."

A "horses don't just kick people for no reason she's dangerous"

Judith " So do you want to bring in the stud or the mare? Your choice

A" Umm, nice choices but I'll take the stud

Judith" I thought you just finished telling me that women should not handle studs........

[DJL]

Did you say Trainer A? Too funny! I shouldn't laugh, as she could have got hurt, but surely she can't be that clueless and an experienced trainer too?

[Judith]

I called her Trainer A because a few people on the board know who she is. So I didnt want to cause to much kerfuff. As you can tell she rides only gelding and mares. I have to be honest while I realize there are nasty stallions out there. I am of the opinion that if they are nasty they should not be bred. Period. If I can't handle a stud quietly and without too much danger he would not be in my breeding program. I will never understand the big farms that use muzzles and three men with poles to bred a stud. Why bother? One farm even had a guy stomped to death and they STILL breed the stallion! Doesnt make sense to me. Just a side note the Black mare is evil there is no question. But humans made her that way, she has a grudge there is no question. Handle her quietly without a fuss and keep your eye on her she is fine. Turn your back though and well.........

[ropesanddogs]

Man,thats wild.For a minute there i figured the trainer was a guy,and i just couldnt understand why a grown man wouldnt go in a pen with a horse.Of course there are some i have been around that made me hug the fence,but they sure showed real agression without provocation...
I would naturally be a little weary around the mare,but maybe because ive been around a few hundred of them....

[DJL]

Still too funny! I've handled a few studs over the years, and of course you make sure they have respect for you, and you have their attention rather than every mare on the place, but the people I worked for wouldn't have put up with a bad stud. This woman's behavior is over the top! I'm still chuckling.

[Judith]

DJL,

To be perfectly honest I wanted to belt her one. She was having the same reaction that some folk have when they see a mouse! You know that eeeeeeek jump on a chair thing. Mr.T was just looking at her like she was mentally challanged, he just wanted his bucket filled and we were standing there ooo sooo close with that hose.

I always try to be respectful of someone who I can learn from. You all would drop dead if you knew who it was. I was also beyond shocked. To me a horse is a horse is a horse. Regardless of gender they will get it if they are acting like loonies. I honestly don't handle a horse differently if it is a stallion, perhaps that is why my studs have no idea that they even should act up

I'm working a stunning Morgan pally stud at the moment.(he is an amazing animal) His owner warned me about all this bad behavior and he hasnt pulled a stunt yet. But I am sure he can tell from my body language that he doesnt even want to try being bad. She kind of pokes at him like she is waiting for him to strike, so I'm quite certain that he does.

I'm not as perterbed this morning though, but it is always disheartening when you find out your mentor is not a superhero I have lost a great deal of respect:(

[DJL]

I'm thinking this Trainer A has someone to do her grooming, mucking, etc, so she just rides? It would be pretty hard to be that ignorant of horse behavior otherwise.
It is disappointing when you find out that someone you held in high esteem doesn't quite measure up.

[Judith]

Yes trainer A is handed her horse a ringside and off she goes But then when you are a rider of Olympic caliber I do believe you deserve that rite She has earned it.

[DJL]

I know of many good technical riders who don't have much clue as to horse behavior, as when they intend to buck, lie down, kick another horse. They have ridden, but haven't grown up on a horse, getting taught by the horse.

[Heel Fly]

You win for holding your tongue. I don't care at what level a person can ride being a "Horseman or Savvy or even a Trainer" means that you can also handle a horse and are able to read and understand horses. I think that is where horses and good trainers get such a bad rap, from people like your friend. From the sounds of it , even at Olympic level, she has no right to be around horses. Just cause you can kick one and jerk on their face doesn't mean you know what you are doing.

[Judith]

I have learned a ton from this trainer and really value her input. I will always hold her opinions of riding rather highly. But we have different ways of doing things. I am a hands on kid of gall. I'll never have people cleaning my stalls or riding my colts. (well untill I can't move anymore anyway) I need to have that connection with them. Some people dont. Frankly I know alot of people that don't really like horses and they are fantastic trainers. I was very disappointed though I have to admit. Kind of like finding out there is no Easter Bunny . ( We know that Santa exists so don't even try to argue that one with me...) I think she kind of got the point when I shoved Testimonials lead into her hand. Didnt say too much after that. I'm also fairly certain that her ego was bruised from being kicked so she didnt need me to say any more.