Wagtail
Horse servant
Sorry to hear about the pneumonia. I too have had it so know what you are going through! Why is your boy on box rest for this long? Is he on the mend?
All this talk of fluffies...
- Thread starter Wagtail
- Start date
Sorry to hear about the pneumonia. I too have had it so know what you are going through! Why is your boy on box rest for this long? Is he on the mend?
AdorableAlice
Well-Known Member
That's brilliant AdorableAlice
Wish I felt brilliant !, bit of a cold last Tuesday, rough by Thursday hitting the beachems etc, Friday in hospital gasping for air. I could not believe how quickly I went down hill. I am only 50, got help them if an elderly person gets the same virus.
To be fair the NHS looked after me well. Got to stay away from dust and irritants for a while and then use a mask. Could be tricky - 6 moulting horses, barn full of hay. Thankfully we are so dry and have grass everybody except the box rester was turned out.
I don't often do exactly as I am told but this time I will.
Merrymoles
Well-Known Member
People who call themselves their pony's "mum" make me feel slightly nauseous, but calling your pony "mummy's ickle fluffy teddie-poo", while slightly vomit-inducing, is not a crime, nor does it make you dangerously fluffy, in my book. I might describe that sort of behaviour as "fluffy", but not in an insulting way
Oops! Can I just point out that I don't have a horse called Moleskins! More seriously, I adore my animals but in a pragmatic way. Horses should be allowed to be horses (whether that's rolling in the nearest bog or having chance to socialise and relax) but still understand their role in life. Even if you only want to groom them, they should stand still and move over on request and understand that what you say goes. The same goes for dogs - we have a wonderful relationship but they do as they are told. I've been with many horses when they are PTS (as well as my 16 year old dog last week) and sometimes feel that it is the fear of a) taking the decision and b) what actually happens that makes fluffies scared to do the right thing. I hope I will always take the right decision, even though it is one of the hardest things you can do.
Wagtail
Horse servant
That is a really good point. Many of the people who use the term fluffy in a derogatory way also will turn round and say that they are having their horse PTS because he won't like not working.
AdorableAlice
Well-Known Member
Hind inferior check ligament tear. Did it in the field last August being a pratt.
I joined the forum when he did it and asked if anyone else had dealt with one, but no one answered. (it is rare injury). I had hope for a miracle cure but needless to say the only healer is time. Scanned him Christmas week and vets were pleased with progress. Fibres were plentiful but not organised enough to allow a start to be made. We have to get it right because he is rising 19 so time is not really on our side.
Planned a scan for this week but that's on hold until I am better. Steriods and antibiotics end on Saturday so hopefully will be a good deal better by then.
You get well too !! I don't think this mild winter has killed off the nasties, lets hope our horses don't start being affected by it.
Wagtail
Horse servant
I was laid up for 6 weeks but that was three years ago now. I haven't had so much as a cold since. So lets hope it's the same for you! It took four courses of different antibiotics to finally clear the infection.
I do hope your boy recovers. My 18 year old mare did her shoulder (bicceps tendon) two years ago and was also months on box rest. She finally recovered enough to be paddock sound and so has been retired ever since.
Maesfen
Extremely Old Nag!
Now that I can believe! Do hope you're feeling better soon and back with us properly and bouncing about.
Great way to learn their natural routines you might be surprised; I could watch mine in the field all day and how they react to each other; nice friend you have!
MSM, You sound just like many of us; you face up to reality when you need to; doesn't make it easy but it's the right thing to do so you get on with it. Fluffies have earnt their 'name' by doing the exact opposite usually with excuses why they shouldn't do the right thing thus also earning themselves the name of selfish (among a lot of others) and possibly losing any respect others had for them.
fburton
Well-Known Member
So are there really any true fluffy bunnies on this board at all??
It should be possible to devise a definitive question or two to sort out the wheat from the chaff.
It should be possible to devise a definitive question or two to sort out the wheat from the chaff.
wattamus
Well-Known Member
I consider my horse a pet (albeit expensive) and my friend. She is now unrideable and I absoloubtley spoil her to bits and talk to her like shes a person.
However having said that I do lay down rules and she respects me and does what I ask her to.
I'm probably a fluffy but I love what I have with my horse so I don't care
However having said that I do lay down rules and she respects me and does what I ask her to.
I'm probably a fluffy but I love what I have with my horse so I don't care
amandap
Well-Known Member
Good questions fburton.
Again I suspect the term has various meanings and that the context in which it's used is important.ponypilotmum
Well-Known Member
I view my horses as having a job to do. In the past - any that didn't do their jobs went. Simple.
In my old age I've gone soft as I now have two useless ones who get to amble around the field eating expensive hay and just pooing it out the other end.
They both have pink headcollars.
In my old age I've gone soft as I now have two useless ones who get to amble around the field eating expensive hay and just pooing it out the other end.
They both have pink headcollars.
FairyLights
Well-Known Member
I'm NOT a fluffy, I have my horses PTS if there is something serously wrong and its going to cost a fortune or if the horse is suffering. I dont keep old horses into advanced old age either. I think thats wrong. But I do love them very much and all the above is my attempt to do the right thing.my horses are allowed to be horses.
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amandap
Well-Known Member
How about categories of fluffies:-
1) Squashed fluffy. Someone who loves their horse so much they never have rules cos they don't want to hurt his feelings.
2) Bruised fluffy. Someone who loves their horse and has rules some of the time but lets them slide at others and reprimands the horse severely for taking liberties.
3) Schizophrenic fluffy. Someone who loves their horse gives it everything they think it needs but bashes it to make it go and yanks it to make it stop cos the horse has no feelings. Then they worry themselves to death the horse feels cold or catches a chill.
4) Definitely not a fluffy. Someone who loves their horse and knows it loves to run and jump. Gives it a good whack when it refuses to go saying it can't feel it.
5) Average fluffy. Someone who loves their horse and tries to understand what it is to be a horse. They have rules which they teach their horse and they stick to them. They get to a point where they can bend the rules a bit without becoming a bruised fluffy.
6) Brave fluffy. Someone who loves their horse and even manages to ride him.
Lol Just some suggestions...
1) Squashed fluffy. Someone who loves their horse so much they never have rules cos they don't want to hurt his feelings.
2) Bruised fluffy. Someone who loves their horse and has rules some of the time but lets them slide at others and reprimands the horse severely for taking liberties.
3) Schizophrenic fluffy. Someone who loves their horse gives it everything they think it needs but bashes it to make it go and yanks it to make it stop cos the horse has no feelings. Then they worry themselves to death the horse feels cold or catches a chill.
4) Definitely not a fluffy. Someone who loves their horse and knows it loves to run and jump. Gives it a good whack when it refuses to go saying it can't feel it.
5) Average fluffy. Someone who loves their horse and tries to understand what it is to be a horse. They have rules which they teach their horse and they stick to them. They get to a point where they can bend the rules a bit without becoming a bruised fluffy.
6) Brave fluffy. Someone who loves their horse and even manages to ride him.
Lol Just some suggestions...
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wattamus
Well-Known Member
How about categories of fluffies:-
1) Squashed fluffy. Someone who loves their horse so much they never have rules cos they don't want to hurt his feelings.
2) Bruised fluffy. Someone who loves their horse and has rules some of the time but lets them slide at others and reprimands the horse severely for taking liberties.
3) Schizophrenic fluffy. Someone who loves their horse gives it everything they think it needs but bashes it to make it go and yanks it to make it stop cos the horse has no feelings. Then they worry themselves to death the horse feels cold or catches a chill.
4) Definitely not a fluffy. Someone who loves their horse and knows it loves to run and jump. Gives it a good whack when it refuses to go saying it can't feel it.
5) Average fluffy (or possibly trying to be a good horse person). Someone who loves their horse and tries to understand what it is to be a horse. They have rules which they teach their horse and they stick to them. They get to a point where they can bend the rules a bit without becoming a bruised fluffy.
6) Brave fluffy. Someone who loves their horse and even manages to ride him.
Lol Just some suggestions...
well I'm a five but I would ride of i could
amandap
Well-Known Member
Well, they are only (modified) suggestions. tazzle
Well-Known Member
I definately agree amandap that we do need a defintion cos I cant make up my mind if I am a fluffy or not 
It has been implied that I am cos I dont hit my horse to make it do something and would rather either work out why or train it if possible using clicker (which of course is fluffier than using a treat to get the really difficult stuff done but using "common sense" the rest of the time
)
but then again I CANT be a fluffy cos my horse does not have matchy matchy, I dont rug and she is out 14/7 / 365
ah but .... I must be a fluffy cos I care how my horse feels and if she is a bit iffy around the loins ( gets bad seasons sometimes ) when I go to saddle her I will just put the saddle back in tack room and do summat else cos I dont want to cause her pain .......or more likely have a very unpleasant hack for both of us
but than again ... despite being a "vending machine " of treats I do expect manners and am prepared to administer punishment for any horse breaking known rules
oooohhhh eeerrrrrrrrr ...... horses DO have feelings but dont plan to set out to wind us up ..... cant make up my mind if that makes me fluffy or not fluffy
and as for deciding whether I have common sense or not ......... that is a whooooooooole new thread maybe. I mean to me one of the most important bit of common sense is to make sure the human and the horse communicating sensibly before leaving the yard to go on the road........ but to some that is me being just a wimp
off to do housework now... far less complicated ( and much less fun)
It has been implied that I am cos I dont hit my horse to make it do something and would rather either work out why or train it if possible using clicker (which of course is fluffier than using a treat to get the really difficult stuff done but using "common sense" the rest of the time
)but then again I CANT be a fluffy cos my horse does not have matchy matchy, I dont rug and she is out 14/7 / 365
ah but .... I must be a fluffy cos I care how my horse feels and if she is a bit iffy around the loins ( gets bad seasons sometimes ) when I go to saddle her I will just put the saddle back in tack room and do summat else cos I dont want to cause her pain .......or more likely have a very unpleasant hack for both of us
but than again ... despite being a "vending machine " of treats I do expect manners and am prepared to administer punishment for any horse breaking known rules
oooohhhh eeerrrrrrrrr ...... horses DO have feelings but dont plan to set out to wind us up ..... cant make up my mind if that makes me fluffy or not fluffy
and as for deciding whether I have common sense or not ......... that is a whooooooooole new thread maybe. I mean to me one of the most important bit of common sense is to make sure the human and the horse communicating sensibly before leaving the yard to go on the road........ but to some that is me being just a wimp
off to do housework now... far less complicated ( and much less fun
)Ibblebibble
Well-Known Member
How about categories of fluffies:-
1) Squashed fluffy. Someone who loves their horse so much they never have rules cos they don't want to hurt his feelings.
2) Bruised fluffy. Someone who loves their horse and has rules some of the time but lets them slide at others and reprimands the horse severely for taking liberties.
3) Schizophrenic fluffy. Someone who loves their horse gives it everything they think it needs but bashes it to make it go and yanks it to make it stop cos the horse has no feelings. Then they worry themselves to death the horse feels cold or catches a chill.
4) Definitely not a fluffy. Someone who loves their horse and knows it loves to run and jump. Gives it a good whack when it refuses to go saying it can't feel it.
5) Average fluffy. Someone who loves their horse and tries to understand what it is to be a horse. They have rules which they teach their horse and they stick to them. They get to a point where they can bend the rules a bit without becoming a bruised fluffy.
6) Brave fluffy. Someone who loves their horse and even manages to ride him.
Lol Just some suggestions...
hehe love it, i'm not sure what degree of fluffy i would be , probably a 5 and a 6 , i do ride one in a fluffy numnah does that make any difference?
amandap
Well-Known Member
Oh, I forgot, My little pony Fluffy.hehe love it, i'm not sure what degree of fluffy i would be , probably a 5 and a 6 , i do ride one in a fluffy numnah does that make any difference?
...and for Tazzle. Confused Fluffy.
Puzzles
Well-Known Member
I agree about attributing feelings inappropriately: however I mean attributions such as 'he's just being naughty/difficult', 'he's trying to win the fight', 'he's trying to be the boss/get the better of you', 'he's taking the p**s' ... now these are definitely projections being loaded onto the horse but actually say far more about the rider's own personal attitudes and insecurities than the horse itself.
However there should be no doubt that horses do feel emotions, and strongly: believe me, I make the most of being a psychology student to do my research on that one!
I have never seen, heard or met anyone who is so fluffy that they do naff-all with their horses, and poncy around spoiling and ruining their horses. I am sure they exist, in the Land of Fluff. On the contrary, perhaps it's just my own experience but I have grown up in a world of riders who behave and think as though they are made from wrought iron and barbed wire...
It's about balance. There are times when a certain degree of fluffiness is required, and times when the fluff needs to be carefull tucked away. But that's just life and applies to all things not just horses.
I am a ball of fluff and not ashamed of it!
(Ps why is this thread starting to feel like Alcoholics Anonymous...
)
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tazzle
Well-Known Member
I agree about attributing feelings inappropriately: however I mean attributions such as 'he's just being naughty/difficult', 'he's trying to win the fight', 'he's trying to be the boss/get the better of you', 'he's taking the p**s' ... now these are definitely projections being loaded onto the horse but actually say far more about the rider's own personal attitudes and insecurities than the horse itself.
However there should be no doubt that horses do feel emotions, and strongly: believe me, I make the most of being a psychology student to do my research on that one!
I am a ball of fluff and not ashamed of it!
(Ps why is this thread starting to feel like Alcoholics Anonymous...
yup
and
Amaranta
Well-Known Member
Absolutely agree, I don't consider myself a fluffy, but I love my horses to distraction whilst realising that there are far worse things than a clean humane death.
amandap
Well-Known Member
Agree.
Lol!I am a ball of fluff and not ashamed of it!
(Ps why is this thread starting to feel like Alcoholics Anonymous...
Although I thought I would have to confess to having a horse pts to be considered non derogatory fluffy at one point.
Shantara
Well-Known Member
I like to follow this, which was said in a Disney movie..
"Ohana means family, family means nobody gets left behind. Or forgotten."
My pets/animals are my family, we should treat them with firm, but fair rules and when they leave us, for what ever reason, we shouldn't ever forget them. I know I'm soppy, but I honestly don't care.
My two little sisters (Annie the dog and Holly the cat) are extremely well behaved and Ned is getting there, slowly with help. The cat is the only one who really gets seriously pampered, but she's 17 years old, she deserves it. She's frail, but she's still got plenty of life left in her and I think she'll tell us when she's not able to keep going.
"Ohana means family, family means nobody gets left behind. Or forgotten."
My pets/animals are my family, we should treat them with firm, but fair rules and when they leave us, for what ever reason, we shouldn't ever forget them. I know I'm soppy, but I honestly don't care.
My two little sisters (Annie the dog and Holly the cat) are extremely well behaved and Ned is getting there, slowly with help. The cat is the only one who really gets seriously pampered, but she's 17 years old, she deserves it. She's frail, but she's still got plenty of life left in her and I think she'll tell us when she's not able to keep going.
Wagtail
Horse servant
spotty_pony
...
I guess I could be classed as 'fluffy' as I do spoil my horses and am quite soft with them - but I do ride them regularly and insist on good manners! I like to think I have a good bond with them, so yes it is possible to work your horses properly and still have a good partnership with them!