HHO, "popularity" through all talk and no trousers/those that shout the loudest?!

I enjoy reading reports but don't really often write advise etc just because I don't think of myself as experienced in that field. I do enjoy having replies to my posts from people more experienced as it has often been very good common sense advise that I wish I'd thought of!

Have made some fab friends off here and those people have helped me no end, and are definetly more experienced than me! I like having someone I can ask questions too and get an honest answer back from, which I just don't think you get from friends that have known you and the horse for years and years.
 
siennamum said:
II also find the puritanical approah adopted by many people is at odds with what is practical and proven. My local super successful competition riders will stick a pair of draw reins on a horse without a thought. Compared to attitudes on here that that is akin to horse abuse makes you realise how far from reality the forum can drift on ocassion.
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Read through all the posts - and your views are the closest to mine. I object when I see people "shouted" down for talking about using an unfashionable tool (draw reins being an excellent example" - particularly when peope shoot off their proverbial mouth without bothering to read all the answers/original question.

As for asking advice about training my horse, I don't tend to as I have my instructors for that and they are in a better position to advise. Things like fittening and also vet advice though have been invaluable - thought possibly these require a factual and not an emotional response!
 
Well.... I would only take advice from someone who knows me and more importantly.. my horses. And thats irrespective of the status of the virtual-person who is advising me on here.

No disrespect to the names mentioned above as being "worthy" but they couldnt possibly give me advice when they dont know whether what I am asking is actually what I need to be asking !

Wouldnt stop me asking though ;0)
 
I think HHO can be a great place for bouncing around ideas and picking up the odd tip. I've also met some really nice people through it, several of whom I would now consider to be good friends. :)

It can also be blimmin' awful for some complete rubbish being spouted and I often spend much of my browsing time sitting on my hands to prevent me from typing a response that TheFatController would not be at all happy with. :mad:

I also find the forum a constant source of amusement in that some users have been elevated to almost Demi-God status, often just by the sheer number of posts that they make and the perception of their apparent knowledge and experience - some are not all they would have you believe :rolleyes:.

I generally stick to accepting advice and criticism from a small and trusted group of people who know me, my horses and my preferred methods - and who don't tell me to get my horses back, teeth and tack checked everytime a schooling session doesn't go quite the way I'd hoped it would :p.
 
I think that HHO is a good place for picking tips up, for example you can search "help with rushing jumps" and get some good excercises to try out at home etc. Being an "unpopular" poster I mainly lurk and post on some of the "fun" posts and do the odd report and update for those interested in Lords' progress.

I think those who take ALL the advice and try EVERYTHING suggested on here could do with investing their time in finding a good instructor to build a rappor with.
 
I love HHO, like others have said, for bouncing ideas off other people and opening my mind up to trying alternatives. I have tried different feeds and training methods (I was one that tried the lunging method with my new youngster and its the only thing that makes him stretch down and would never have thought of it on my own).

However, I am not a popular poster and am not one to post updates every week as I dont think anyone would be that interested!! And I would never ever post videos of myself on here (and pictures are a rareity) purely as my personal riding confidence can be so low I dont need someone to tell me how rubbish I am/how much better my horse would be if someone else rode etc etc! If my instructor doesnt have an issue then I dont know why userilovemypony does..
 
meardsall_millie said:
I also find the forum a constant source of amusement in that some users have been elevated to almost Demi-God status, often just by the sheer number of posts that they make and the perception of their apparent knowledge and experience - some are not all they would have you believe :rolleyes:.
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Oooh, who? who? I can only think of one.
btw, maybe we should have a "this is what I've done, & I can prove it" thread... ;) ;)
here's some of mine, okay, it was back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, but she really was 'all my own work', she'd only sj'd when I bought her. ;) ;) This is the superdooper grey in my siggy pic.
http://www.britisheventing.com/asp-net/Events/Results.aspx?HorseId=32969

I agree about some of the advice being v suspect though, here and elsewhere. Recently (not on here) I read a recommendation to treat a horse "just like a dog, they're just the same really". This made me crack up, then boggle. I mean, a pack animal, a predator, being paralleled with a flight, herd animal?!?! I sat on my hands over that one, just didn't go there...
 
I tend to lurk far more than post as I recognise that a lot of people are more experienced than me. I do like collecting ideas as most are valuable and could work for a particular situation or horse. If I ask for advice it's with that in mind and hope someone has an idea that I hadn't thought of but makes sense for me, my experience/ambitions and my horse. I do agree that this is similar to yards with lots of people offering advice. It's knowing what to store in the memory bank for future use!
 
As a, predominantly, lurker I think there is a good balance in CR. There are people who have "been there, done that" who are able to write from genuine experience, grass roots starting out and everything inbetween.

There are specific users who's posts I look out for as I find their posts educational and find that they often give me a new perspective on different subjects. Some other users post in humourous ways and/or post nice pictures and make enjoyable threads. If I've read posts by a user and I haven't liked what I've read or seen for whatever reason then I simply don't go into their threads again.

Users can be "popular" simply because they make a high volume or posts. I don't think being "popular" means that the user is any more, or less, knowledgable than any other.

It has puzzled me for a fair few years now, not only on this forum, how people can write "I've ridden at to a high level", "I'm experienced at schooling/bringing horses on", "I've mastered X, Y or Z" and the likes, then post videos and photos disproving those statements. There would be lots of "well done" comments and I'd wonder if I was mad and seeing something different! I have noticed on here that the obvious will be pointed out and those with more diplomacy won't say anything. I also don't understand why people post and specifically ask for CC and then argue with anyone who offers it or have "why is my horse doing A, B or C" and when it's pointed out that it's a rider/management fault a whole load of excuses or bad attitude is posted in response.

I do find it comforting that there are still some people willing to call a spade a spade and risk their "popularity". I also think it's really nice of people to take time out of their day to post replies to people looking for help having had experience of whatever the problem is as at the end of the day they don't have to.

ETA - it's taken me so long to type between work (how annoying!) that others have posted what I tried and failed to say. Have to "baa" (think that's the popular thing to do ;) )to m_m & Siennamum's posts.
 
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I generally dont give or ask for advice. The reason is the same for both. Rarely is the person asking for the advice able to give a true account of what is going on so any advice given is done so without the true facts.
My horse is rushing his fences is a classic. I wish I had a pound for every time I've seen a horse rushing when the reason for this is the rider is firing the horse the last few strides. How that needs to be delt with is completly different to the horse that is rushing out of fear vs a horse thats just been taught that way.

Same goes for asking advice. If I cant work out what is causing the problem then I'm obviously missing a vital peice of information. If I cant give that information to the forum how can anyone actually give me appropriate advise.

What I have done in the past is talk about problems I've encountered at how I went about solving them buts thats very different to saying do X and Y will happen.
 
the thing is though, a LOT of us will say, and do say, "get some lessons with a good instructor", it is rarely "do as I say and it'll all be fine." of course, finding a GOOD instructor is not always easy. I know they're out there, but sometimes it's trial and error to find one that suits the individual, the horse, etc etc.
on the advice threads, usually riders can describe what is going on, what the horse is or is not doing, and i tend to try to work out why that would be, more than anything else. more analysis of horse than rider, in a way.
of course it all has to be taken with a big dose of common sense, and "is this applicable to my horse" etc...
 
TPO said:
I also think it's really nice of people to take time out of their day to post replies to people looking for help having had experience of whatever the problem is as at the end of the day they don't have to.
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^^ this... some of the replies that i have had have been really long and really well though out and have been of real help to me! i can't afford lots of lessons (especially flatwork) and so its great to get tips on here- i honestly think that i am a better rider because of things i've picked up on here...
 
I am sure (or hope!) that no-one on here blindly follows any piece of advice they get on here, regardless of who says it.

I have taken some great tips and advice BUT I also go very much by my horses' reactions and my own logic about what will/is working.

I have to say though that I find threads like this a little 'cliquey' by default.

I am sure I am not the only one reading this and thinking maybe I need to add my competition record to my signature so people can decide whether my advice and opinion is 'worthy' or whether they should put me on UI as I am clearly numpty ;)
 
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meardsall_millie said:
I think HHO can be a great place for bouncing around ideas and picking up the odd tip. I've also met some really nice people through it, several of whom I would now consider to be good friends. :)

It can also be blimmin' awful for some complete rubbish being spouted and I often spend much of my browsing time sitting on my hands to prevent me from typing a response that TheFatController would not be at all happy with. :mad:

I also find the forum a constant source of amusement in that some users have been elevated to almost Demi-God status, often just by the sheer number of posts that they make and the perception of their apparent knowledge and experience - some are not all they would have you believe :rolleyes:.

I generally stick to accepting advice and criticism from a small and trusted group of people who know me, my horses and my preferred methods - and who don't tell me to get my horses back, teeth and tack checked everytime a schooling session doesn't go quite the way I'd hoped it would :p.
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Nail on head. As always, what I was trying to put across, done a lot more eloquently and clearly than I can manage ;) :p :D

Although, DEMI gold?! For the amount of crap I spout, I'd like to be solid gold please :p :)
 
The thing with saying a person has a lot of posts so they must have experience is completely stupid :rolleyes: I have nearly 2000 but probably over half of them are well done's or i love your horse etc!
 
millitiger said:
I am sure (or hope!) that no-one on here blindly follows any piece of advice they get on here, regardless of who says it.

I have taken some great tips and advice BUT I also go very much by my horses' reactions and my own logic about what will/is working.

I have to say though that I find threads like this a little 'cliquey' by default.

I am sure I am not the only one reading this and thinking maybe I need to add my competition record to my signature so people can decide whether my advice and opinion is 'worthy' or whether they should put me on UI as I am clearly numpty ;)
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oooh you are another who has given me some great advice milltiger! :D knew i'd forget people :(
i think if people saw my competition record they'd run away quickly :rolleyes: i don't often post advice though- am often the one asking for help :D
 
I don't tend to follow tips so much - I prefer to have lessons. But I will listen to what people say about different venues. A couple of people on here (you know who you are, at least one of you!) have been really helpful in giving me advice on different BE courses, moving up a level, etc. It's pretty apparent that these people know what they are talking about, so I take it on board.
 
I love getting advice and opinions from HHO. Obviously better for tangible situations rather than for example schooling scenarios, but there is a huge wealth of knowledge on here and I find it very useful.*

*CR only - New Lounge is full of "natural horsemanship" nutters and Veterinary belongs to the preachy barefoot brigade, both of which I prefer to stay clear of... *prepares to get banned*
 
I always like JanetGeorge's posts - don't think she's been mentioned yet.

It is a bit cringeworthy when you see people making posts with titles like 'How do I get my horse into an outine?' and then get responses like 'yeah, wiggle the bit in his mouth' (ok, some responses aren't that bad!!). That is *sort of* true, as in it's not completely untrue, but it's not the whole story as lots of other ingredients need to be present and they cannot really easily be judged from a photo or even a video. You really need a good instructor there on the ground helping, or perhaps even to ride the horse if both horse and rider are novice in that area. How to find a good instructor..? That's a whole other can of worms!

I would agree that there are some users on here who have a (perceived...) high status (or do I just mean 'post count'??') but it is perfectly possible to read their replies with interest and then do your own research before making your mind up. Some of them do believe their own hype though... :D
 
millitiger said:
I am sure I am not the only one reading this and thinking maybe I need to add my competition record to my signature so people can decide whether my advice and opinion is 'worthy' or whether they should put me on UI as I am clearly numpty ;)
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Oh gawd, if that's a reference to what i linked to, i didn't mean it to be taken like that. Prob a sign of my insecurity - "oh crikey, 'some are not as they seem'... do they mean meeeee... no, really, I did do something useful once upon a time, honest injun." ;) ;)
 
I'm less likely to trust the people who have the time to come on here day in day out, for hours and hours a day and spread their wisdom - if they were that clued up they'd be off out practicing what they preach :p

TBH, I have so many people in real life who I ask advice that it's not necessary for me to ask on HHO, but it's always interesting to read what other people do with their horses and why they think it's for the best. I just come on here for some time out when i've got some spare time.
 
Im a relativley new person on here, and a bit of a lurker,

i only advise in problems i can relate to with methods that i have knwon to work, and i explain to the best of my knowldge

im only 20, and still learning - you never STOP learning. but i think even at my age, i have something to give to some people. sometimes even the most advanced riders need to be reminded of the basics. and who better to remind them than someone who is still having those basics drilled into them, and are fresh in their mind?
 
Is this not just like real life though? Even if someone is a qualified instructor for example does not mean their methods agree with us or our horses or even that they are a good instructor!
It is up to us as individuals to form our own opinion of people on here just as we do in real life and then decide whose advice to take on board and whose to take with a large dose of salt :rolleyes:
 
JDChaser said:
I'm less likely to trust the people who have the time to come on here day in day out, for hours and hours a day and spread their wisdom - if they were that clued up they'd be off out practicing what they preach :p

TBH, I have so many people in real life who I ask advice that it's not necessary for me to ask on HHO, but it's always interesting to read what other people do with their horses and why they think it's for the best. I just come on here for some time out when i've got some spare time.
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Haha! I'm here lots cos I have a non horsey office job, and this gives me my horsey fix when I'm at work! You very rarely get me here on days off ;) Just defending MY post count which has built up over 5 years!! :p ;)
 
KatB said:
Haha! I'm here lots cos I have a non horsey office job, and this gives me my horsey fix when I'm at work! You very rarely get me here on days off ;) Just defending MY post count which has built up over 5 years!! :p ;)
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same! i sit on here whilst at my non horsey office job.

have to have some way of getting thorugh my day - and actually doing work doesnt cut it :P
 
crikey, my post count is fairly indefensible! umm, been on here for yonks, lots of time sat on the sofa while on crutches pre- and post- knee op, unusable frozen school for last few weeks, on here at night while OH is working, playing Black Ops or whatever it's called, plus i'm a bit of an addict, i'll admit it. ;) ;)
also, i'm daft/brave enough to post in NL, Soapbox, Breeding and AAD too.
 
Oooh I see - so that's why some people are able to post throughout the day. I always used to wonder 'does anyone on this forum work?!' I forget that not everyone has an outdoor job :D :rolleyes:
 
I have had some great advice on here - in particular how to ride a drop fence at Stockland Lovell earlier this year

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=376246

Without all the really helpful comments & encouragement I would have probably chickened out & gone round it & been eliminated.

I tend to be someone who lurks and asks for advise/ comments on my position as I don't feel I'm experienced enough to offer much advice unless it is to say what has worked for me in the past.

I love reading all the comments esp the CC posts. The other area I appreciate is the comments on what tack / clothing people find good.

I don't often venture into NL but on the whole I think most people who post on CR have something useful to say. I agree that it is difficult to answer the type of posts "why does my horse rush" without seeing lots of video of the horse.

There is no substitute for a good instructor but lots of comments make me think about what I am doing.
 
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