I learned a lesson today from what I saw. And I'm very grateful that it didn't happen to me for the lesson to be taught.
I do feel terrible for her. I'm sure she had visions of a romantic ride with her husband and it ended up a whole lot different.
Foyt running off with me last time was scary, but I wasn't hurt by it. Other than a bruised behind, that is. :-D
I don't think this ranch takes all of the precautions they should about horses, but maybe the limitations placed by riders' experience or lack thereof forces them to put certain horses together in the group that maybe they shouldn't be in. *shrugs*
The crash course lesson they give before the ride is very thorough and they cover horse behavior and the importance of keeping control of your horse before something like that happens.
I've only ridden there 3 times, but I have learned that letting your horse do whatever what it wants will not be pleasant for the rider or other riders around you.
It seems one of the hardest things to get across to people, is that the very second you put a halter/saddle/bridle on a horse it is THIER work time, and your enjoyment time. Sounds like you've already caught on to that:). There is nothing wrong with making a horse behave. I'm not saying that you shouldn't make the ride as enjoyable/comfortable, etc. for the horse, but their enjoyment and comfort does not come before the riders, or at the expense of the rider or riders around.If there is something they don't want to do, but the rider does, then it's tuff patooties for the horse, or if they have to ride next to a horse they don't like, tuff. But:),,,I'm rather fanatical on that issue, but it's because when I first started riding I made every mistake you can make, and wanted my horses to "like" everything:).
Becky