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As riders, we are not only different when sitting in the saddle. In the stable, we can also come across many different personalities, each with their unique way of doing things. Here, we give you ten types of riders which we believe are to be found in every stable all over the world.
All equipment is wiped off after use, and the four-legged bestie is always well-groomed before saddling. The perfectionist has one overriding motto: "Live every day as if you were going to a dressage event". That is why she or he also likes to spend a lot of money on tack and shiny things. The stall always has an everlasting scent of newly fallen wood and the horse smells like soap or the newest products on the market. The benefit of having a perfectionist in your stable is that you can always borrow shampoo or a little shine spray if you run out.
"I will fix it!" are the words most commonly heard from the stable’s handywoman or handyman. Is a snap hook broken or a letter dropped from the barrier, this person is the first one to do something about it. For both a handyman and a handywoman, functionality is more important than everything else, and the horse does not exactly have matching equipment. Instead, the horse is wearing equipment named “best in test” from ear to tail. The handyperson does not hesitate to gather information from other horse owners on their experiences with feed, bedding, and equipment. If you need some good advice, they are easy to get, when the handy one is in the stable.
Always on the move, she forgot to hang the bridle and her brand-new saddle back in place. If it was because of her daily selfie time or because she got that text reminding her to buy butter and milk on her way home, you do not know. The easily distracted rider is the one who tries to pick up the phone while holding the horse in one hand and the saddle in the other. From time to time, she has to be reminded of which side to pass her fellow riders in the arena or to sweep the stable floors before leaving. But she is also the one who makes everyone smile. With her slips and impulses, she plays an invaluable role in the social environment of the stable - most often without even knowing it.
She is not stingy with compliments and often praises you and your horse. At the same time, she is not afraid to ask about the parts of your life not concerning horses. Quite frankly, she is interested in whether you have had a good ride or not and can immediately tell something is wrong. The caring and well-being of others are fundamental for the maternal rider, often more important than riding even!
Grooming is reserved exclusively for the areas on the horse where the equipment should be placed. "To muck out" is synonymous with removing only the most necessary. And you do not remember when you last saw her wipe her layer-by-layer-muddy leather boots off. Although she or he can be a mess, the best thing about the stable's shabby rider is the fact that they never reprimand you if you have forgotten to sweep or clean up after yourself.
Most people in the stable are sweet enough to help you once in a while, but the helping hand person is a true hero. She or he passes the stable several times a day and immediately steps in if you should fall short of something. It may give you a little bit of a bad conscience that she never needs help herself, but do not worry she does not mind. According to her, reciprocity is not about one service being worth the other it's about the joy of having double-helped again.
Sometimes you may be unsure whether the saddle is correctly placed, or if your horse seems slightly swollen on one leg. But it is nothing compared to the doubtful one. From that person, you almost every day hear questions such as "Do you think the wound can get infected if I let him out on the pasture tomorrow? Or "Which bridle should I put on? The one with the snaffle, right? Or perhaps the Kimblewick? Or is the hackamore better? What do you think?". Despite the eternal questions, it is nice to know they are always attentive because they always keep a close eye on your horse as well. You are absolutely sure that if there is even the slightest thing wrong with your horse, they have probably spotted it hours before anyone else.
The shopaholic person of the stable is the ultimate victim of the equestrian industry. She or he has everything in every color and more than a thousand excuses for buying new equipment. The argument is often something like "Well, I do not have a saddle pad for my horse in that medium-dusted pastel-green color with a rose gold border". You did not even know that color existed, did you? If it is not the color, it is the whole new and revolutionary technology, the special design, or a completely unique material that makes her want to buy it. Even though you cannot quite keep up, you enjoy the enthusiasm that the shopaholic horse person always brings when they proudly showcase their latest purchase.
When the stable's stickler comes by, you are sure that everything will proceed after the book. You walk your horse for exactly twenty minutes before trotting, you mount it from the left side, and hell will fall upon you if you forget to remove your horse's remains. On the one hand, the stickler’s presence makes the stable time a bit strenuous, but on the other hand, they make sure that all of you move properly and safely - which you also value highly!
Know someone who always gets into trouble? You have definitely heard the word "oops" more than just a few times when the troublemaker is around. She or he is the one who always ends up getting wetter than the horse when washing or dirtier than her brushes while grooming. It is always her wellies that gets stuck in the mud and her horse that overturns her on their way to the stall. Whatever good intentions she has, it always ends up going wrong - and sometimes you feel both love and a little sorry for her. On the other hand, you are almost sure to get a laugh along the way and a glorious day with the troublemaker by your side.
