On the Road Etiquette for the Horse Owner

When you take your horse to an event or to another barn for a clinic/trail ride or board it at livery etc. it would seem obvious that if your horse damages property belonging to another person that you, the horse owner, would offer to pay for the repair.

It seems increasingly apparent that many riders/owners don't seem to regard this as necessary at all. Some claiming such nonsense as, " Horses do damage, you should expect that."

Well it is true horses do damage fences/buildings/stall walls/gates/buckets etc. in the course of their misbehavior and exuberant moments. But if you place your horse in a stall, or use cross ties or equipment at the event or location and your horse breaks something you should not expect to walk away without making restitution.

Not only is paying up the right thing to do, but you will find news travels fast in the horse world and your reputation will be badly blighted. Perhaps even to the point of you being denied access to some future event or barn altogether.

It is no fair to the barn owners or event management to do anything less. Think about how you would feel if it was your barn. It is hard enough to make a living working with horses without the additional burden of poor horsemanship which walking away without making restitution most certainly is.

As the barn owner or event manager I would not hesitate to send an invoice for damages if they go unpaid on the day. Or even better, don't redeem the deposit. Though a deposit does not always cover the costs of the repairs.