Facts; Deal with them

PapaFrita said:
1. If my horse is naughty he/she gets a smack. That way boundaries are set and the naughty behaviour stops before it becomes a problem. I do NOT beat my horses. If you don't know the difference, then LEARN.
2. I love a horse with a bit of personality, but invading my personal space is absolutely NOT on. If you barge into me, I will LET YOU KNOW this is unacceptable.
3. Sometimes my horse (LC) is a little *****. He does NOT need his teeth/back or tack seen to (not least because he's not being ridden) He's just a little *****. I'm sure he'll grow out of it, not least because I don't shove a carrot in his mouth when he does it...
4. Yes, I'm sure it's lovely to ride SOME horses bareback. PF, on the other hand, is built like a whippet. A skinny whippet crossed with an eel that has been covered in lard. It's not fun, it's not bonding, and it certainly does not improve my balance or seat. I won't do it and that's that.
5.Not all horses can be hacked out. PF likes to examine every inch of our route and make personal friends with every animate or inanimate object we encounter. I haven't got all day and I just can't be @rsed. As long as she doesn't do it at a show (she doesn't) I can't be bothered.
6. My horses eat oats. Actually PF eats oats. She is NO sharper than she has ever been. I will never ever feed cubes or mixes again. Are you sure you know exactly what's in your feed?? Inform yourself. Feed companies will try to sell you their products. Do your own research.
7. If I'm not happy with what my farrier/ vet is doing I will ask questions and I will make suggestions. I am not an idiot, they cannot make me feel like an idiot because I will always DO MY OWN RESEARCH
8. I can see that your horse doesn't track up/is behind the vertical/looks more miserable that Totilas ridden my MAR... don't assume everyone is as gullible as you would like them to be.
9. For my family; yes, I do love my horses more than most of you, why do you ask? They are better looking, smell better and make more reasonable demands of my time.
10 Add your own... :)
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just found this thread, rock on!!!!!
 
HeatherAnn said:
@enfys. I don't believe that horses are capable of harassment. Nor do I believe that a horse can feel victimised by thuggish behaviour. In my opinion it is people projecting human characteristics onto animals.
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I used to think this too - until my horse was harassed.

A large WB would single him out and batter him repeatedly over the course of a few months - all of a sudden. They'd been in the same field for over a year before it started.

The worst occasion, he had my old Arab on the floor twice. A livery who is very fond of my Arab went into the field to rescue him. Obi actually ran and hid behind the man - and the WB was trying to get to Obi THROUGH the man!

It was bizarre - the WB seemed to go for 'flashy' horses.

I was sooooo glad when he left the yard. Sadly, Obi has never been as happy in the field since:(
 
I give him....................sugar lumps when he's been good. He will now halt to a standstill easily from a canter with the magic words "good boy". :o

I like lunging properly and consider it to be a useful way to vary work.

Sometimes I can't be bothered to ride or work takes priority.

I use a whip for good reason, I often carry one when walking him in hand.

I'm the only person at my yard who wears a hat. What others want to do is none of my business.

I'm not a very good rider but that isn't going to stop me getting out there and competing. I am more than happy to laugh at myself.

I have no problem if other people want to give me advice whether they're more experienced or not. If I don't agree that doesn't stop me thanking them and being polite.

I have no problem with professionals.

Loads of my clothes and horse's rugs are from Decathlon, I like Fouganza :D
 
HeatherAnn said:
@enfys. I don't believe that horses are capable of harassment. Nor do I believe that a horse can feel victimised by thuggish behaviour. In my opinion it is people projecting human characteristics onto animals.
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Example 1: There's a horse at our yard who is a pussycat with people, is (weirdly) fine with grey horses but is beyond dominant with pretty much any other horse. He was cut late . . . but isn't a rig (he's been tested) . . . and is just very, very dominant with other horses.

I've seen dominant horses . . . but witnessing this horse breaking through a fence and pinning another gelding to the floor(!!!!) was a whole 'nother level of "dominance." He's like this with pretty much ALL horses.

Example 2: In our field we have three horses . . . my boy is very much at the bottom of the pecking order. I get to the yard later than the other two liveries, so the two other boys go out first. The eat their fill of hay (we are putting hay out at the min b/c of the parlous state of the field) and then mooch off . . . when Kal goes out one of them quite literally harrasses him . . . won't let him eat the hay . . . sends him away over and over and keeps him moving on HIS (the other horse's) terms.

Example 3: Until this weekend, the field outside Kal's stable contained two horses . . . S and B . . . S was most definitely "the boss" and would launch himself at B for no (apparent) reason. B is very playful, but realized quite quickly that he couldn't trust/play with S. Saturday he moved fields and was introduced to his new fieldmate over a fence . . . he played and played and played . . . it was clear he was very happy to finally have someone to play with.

You may be right that we humanize horse's emotions and behaviour too much - but how would you have interpreted these three examples? Example 1 - horse is a thug - and always will be. Example 2 - Kal is being harrassed - I don't know how whether he feels victimized, but he certainly is being picked on . . . my attitude is that they should/will be left to work it out - there are no feet involved. Example 3 - B was very definitely harrassed (and possibly bullied) by S . . . and his change in behaviour when moved was plain to see.

P
 
QueenOfCadence said:
1.) I don't always agree with you, It doesn't mean I'm wrong:p. I have an opinion, based on actual experience (not Black Beauty/National Velvet films:mad:). I'm a teenager in Accelerated - not a 12 year old in Middle school, I've grown up with horses - I'm not an idiot and thus feel I deserve to have an opinion
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This is clearly a dig at me for my comments made to you yesterday. Considering your age you you are presenting yourself as a professional trainer and rider, you must understand people will question your knowlegde. I am sorry but learn to be wrong with grace, you rub people up the wrong way then winge like a teenager on here (oh wait, you ar a teenager) :P

2.) I don't follow the mob here on HHO (you know posts always tilt to one side of the argument with everyone just agreeing, and then you always get that one person challenging the public opinion, and of course they consequently get executed for it. I'm usually that one person)
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Maybe they are agree because, shock horro, you might be wrong? You are forever learning, you do not know everything.

5.) I ride in a double at shows - occasionally in a Top Hat (In SA you're allowed to from Elementary onwards), shoot me. I choose to ride in a Top Hat knowing the consequences, if I fall of and crack my head open that's my problem
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I am sorry but i am going to draw on your age again here, i have seen pictures of you riding and at your young age I am uncomfrotable with the fact you do not wear a hard hat. I can understand it is an honour to wear a top hat, but you havent the best balance in the world and mentioned yourself that you were getting bucked about in your last show...i think it is a self point of view that its your head and your life. If you fall off an become a vegetable, think of all those people lifes you affect, your OH, your parents, your friends? They will have to look after you 24/7, all because you wanted to wear a top hat like edward gal et al..... sorry but you are very young and far too cocky for my liking. You need to learn humility before you alienate yet more people who are wiser, older and have a much knowledge then yourself.... life experience teaches you, not necessarily text books.

My rant over, i hate cocky, know-it-all teenagers,
 
black_horse said:
This is clearly a dig at me for my comments made to you yesterday. Considering your age you you are presenting yourself as a professional trainer and rider, you must understand people will question your knowlegde. I am sorry but learn to be wrong with grace, you rub people up the wrong way then winge like a teenager on here (oh wait, you ar a teenager) :P
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cool-teenage-quotes-5.jpg

:D
 
QueenOfCadence said:
I hate cocky, know-it-all adults. So we're fair:)
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Ah but you see, my child, i am a good deal older then you and have worked on a few 'pro; yards.

Getting lent a ready made horse does not make you a professional dressage trainer. The SRS riders are not allowed to be called pro riders until they have hadhe ground the full charge of one stallion, from foal to training to do all the advanced air's above the ground movements. ;)

I am not cocky, i know my limitations, but what you mis-read as cocky is infact confidence. Because i am right and i am just offering you the olive branch to not be wrong for once. :P
 
I love this thread :p

Yes, my pony is only 13hh. Yes, I would look better on a bigger horse. No, I'm not going to sell him - he means the world to me and I love him to pieces :)

No, I have NOT ruined Tont. Before I owned him, he was scared of people, and could not be caught or rode. Now he is can be caught, rode, and isn't scared of strangers. However, I don't know what the hell gives you the right to say that I have ruined him :mad:

No, I don't ride Tont often, and I don't compete him. This does not mean that I know nothing about horses, and that he is wasted.

I do feed Tont treats - from the hand, and have even given him carrots from my mouth :D :p He is well mannered and lovely to be around.

I have smacked Tont, and even the other horses who share his field. I don't beat them, but they now respect me. I am not getting injured because their owner is too scared to set boundries.

I love my pony, and we have a wonderful bond - so I don't see why people think they have the right to look down their noses at me.
 
Fact 1: I know my horse better than you, so please refrain from telling me how I should feed/shoe/rug/ride/school/stable/manage him - unless I ask for specific advice . . . I don't offer unsolicited advice to you, please extend me the same courtesy

Fact 2: If I don't feel like riding, I don't ride . . . it doesn't mean my horse is "wasted"

Fact 3: If you choose not to insure your horse and my horse kicks yours don't come crying to me for the vet bill . . . end of

Fact 4: No, he doesn't "need" matchy, matchy numnahs and bandages, but I like them, so he has them

Fact 5: No, he doesn't "need" to be clean either . . . but it drives me potty when he's dirty (he's grey) so if I choose to spend ridiculous amounts of time titivating then that's really up to me

Fact 6: Manners cost nothing . . .

P
 
Puzzles said:
Well I do believe I once argued that black was white (honestly) because I just couldn't back down :o ... I wouldn't want to be a teenager again! :D
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Oh yep, been there... God I wasted so much time trying to be right and have the last word. I cringe at myself!!

HOWEVER, I think it IS possible to argue that black is white as colour doesn't actually exist; it's all about light ;)
 
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I have some more..

I matchy matchy and decorate Ned (Hell, I'd go totally Native American/Arabian garb if I could be bothered!) so long as it's not bothering him/interfering with his work, I don't see the problem.

Manners cost nothing. For horses OR humans.

I can only see Ned once a week, so our progress is very very slow. Please think about that when making comments.

I've never owned a horse before, that also doesn't make me an idiot.
 
I prefer horse's over humans, they have more sense most of the time :P

My horse is special and i can call her fat/thick/twit/ponie if i like. If you dont like it, i have a few names for you too. :)

Don't misjudge my confidence for being cock, i do not know everything nor do i act like i do, but i do know a bit :)

I know my horse a lot better then you, she is not overworked, she is very very happy.

I do not hunt but i support it.

Everyone has the right to decide what is best for their horse.

Dont think i am quite because i am a walk over, i can be a right B!tch :D
 
PapaFrita said:
Oh yep, been there... God I wasted so much time trying to be right and have the last word. I cringe at myself!!

HOWEVER, I think it IS possible to argue that black is white as colour doesn't actually exist; it's all about light ;)
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:D Yup, sounds familiar!

I'm not going to speak on behalf of all teenagers, but one of the best things about being part of a forum community is how much one (as in everyone) can learn. The world would be an increedibly boring place without debate and differing opinions and all that, but how can we ever solve problems and develop if we never consider other points of view?
People can be ignorant, naive, wise, open-minded regardless of age.
Even concepts that I feel extremely strongly about (of which there are many) I can just about consider that there might just, just about be another way ... i.e. smacking horses. I really, really don't like it, for personal reasons as well as out of principle. However in as non-self-righteous a way as possible :o I'm definitely going to state what I think but I have absolutely no intention of shoving any of my oninions down another person's throat. I might think (or even say, if it's been a particularly difficult day) that I think someone is wrong about something. However that doesn't mean I don't think they have the right to go ahead and do what they believe is right. I think it's also as much how an opinion is stated that is as important as what is stated.
Completely going O/T now ... but basically I for one am up for embracing everyone's differences! ;) :D
 
rhino said:
cool-teenage-quotes-5.jpg

:D
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As a teenager myself I actually find this very funny (the picture that is)
But then I'm perhaps not a typical teen :p I've no problem with pointing out that I'm still only learning and will gladly get help/guidance from someone more experienced than me (that's how I've managed so far anyway). I'm keen to learn and if someone is worth learning from and has the time to teach me and will squeeze everything I can from them.

But at the same time I can appreciate how lucky I am to have a family that support my horse/and possible insanity and I've every intention of doing all I can to make the most of my time at home (scary thought, I could be gone from home by next year!)

Also, even me 2 years ago would make me cringe now - talk about a right hopeless madame! I would like to think I'm now less dense (or at least can mask it better :p)
 
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HeatherAnn said:
- I cringe whenever I read posts about horses being "bullies". Its just wrong. How exactly can a horse be a bully.
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A human bully picks on one person repeatedly to make themselves feel better by making that person feel miserable. So no, in that specific meaning, horses can't be bullies because they simply wouldn't understand that concept.

However, human husbandry practices have created a horse specific type of 'bully' - a member of the herd who has been socialised incompletely/badly and never learnt how to be with other horses properly. I have one of those. She grew up with other foals exclusively, and was the biggest. There was always food, but it was a free for all. She only knows how to communicate by biting/kicking, and will leave a mark. She also doesn't know when to back down - she simply won't. My biggest mare civilized her to a point over several years of hard work (she took on the role of mother/teacher, somewhat late but better than never!), but the tendencies are still there and it's safest just to have the two of them out together.
 
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