Shilasdair
Patting her thylacine
Who do you go to for advice on how to manage your horses?
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Horse management advice
- Thread starter Shilasdair
- Start date
Grumbledor
Well-Known Member
Hmm, to elaborate on my answers -
I think talking problems over with almost anyone horsey is a good thing, however for advice on anything I am not sure of - Vet of course, then my YO, instructor/trainer are all the same thing and I have followed her advice successfully for many person - though she still talks over problems with her horses with me - as I said before bouncing ideas off anyone can be good. I do also draw on experinces and knowledge I gained during my equine degree a couple of years ago, and would still contact lecturers for advice there if I needed.
Experts - I ticked the top three only, I know BHS instructors who really don't know much beyond the books, a top class competitor (the likes of WFP, Carl Hester etc) I would call an expert and would love the opportunity to get advice from them, however any old competitor, certainly not experts! Some people I know who hold the titles lower down the second list I would consider experts but some who hold the same titles I know are not, depends on the person!
Did any of that make the slightest bit of sense??
I think talking problems over with almost anyone horsey is a good thing, however for advice on anything I am not sure of - Vet of course, then my YO, instructor/trainer are all the same thing and I have followed her advice successfully for many person - though she still talks over problems with her horses with me - as I said before bouncing ideas off anyone can be good. I do also draw on experinces and knowledge I gained during my equine degree a couple of years ago, and would still contact lecturers for advice there if I needed.
Experts - I ticked the top three only, I know BHS instructors who really don't know much beyond the books, a top class competitor (the likes of WFP, Carl Hester etc) I would call an expert and would love the opportunity to get advice from them, however any old competitor, certainly not experts! Some people I know who hold the titles lower down the second list I would consider experts but some who hold the same titles I know are not, depends on the person!
Did any of that make the slightest bit of sense??
Irishcobs
Well-Known Member
I think the vet/farrier/dentist are experts in their own field and a BHS intructor to have a general knowledge.
The problem with forums is you don't know the people giving you advice so I do thing some common sense is needed. Afterall they could be reading it from a book or making it up.
I tend to go for common sense when managing my horses and I do have a generally good knowledge of horses, but I will discuss things with my boss/intructor and my mum.
The problem with forums is you don't know the people giving you advice so I do thing some common sense is needed. Afterall they could be reading it from a book or making it up.
I tend to go for common sense when managing my horses and I do have a generally good knowledge of horses, but I will discuss things with my boss/intructor and my mum.
Shilasdair
Patting her thylacine
That all made sense - apart from the dentists one. Pretty much anyone can go and do a dentistry course in a few weeks...then come back and 'practice', I believe. It would be better to actually check whether they are BEVA qualified or not.
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Magicmillbrook
Well-Known Member
I would ask my vet, farrier and then my Grandad - he knows everything. I certainly wouldnt ask a well know local showjumper for stable management advice. I bought her yard off her - minging!
Shilasdair
Patting her thylacine
Should forum members post their credentials in their signatures then?
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Nic
Well-Known Member
I mostly go to my Mum my best friend (an animal physio) and my instructor, for serious veterinary things I ask my vet & for feet things I ask my farrier!
YorksG
Over the hill and far awa
I make most decisions jointly with my sister, we have a fair bit of experience between us (at least in terms of years) We also are fortunate in having knowledgeable and experienced friends, who hunt, compete, teach etc. The current vet is great (when you can get hold of him, but that's another story) and an excellent farrier, who is more than willing to offer advice on more than feet. We are also fortunate in belonging to a riding club which caters for all abilities and has a core group of knowledgeable riders between the ages of 35 and 60
Oh and our tack shop (which also acts as a swap shop!) is run by pretty knowladgable people and there are usually a few hanging about in there as well.
Shilasdair
Patting her thylacine
Vets are an interesting one - I have a different relationship with my vets down here, than I did at home up north.
I have three horses - and use a large equine practice, which has more than 10 different vets (I don't know them all), so if I phone for a vet, I will nearly always get a complete stranger come out. They don't have any knowledge of whichever horse's history, or even their name and age; I am the only one who knows the wider picture. So when my TB's legs all fill dramatically, I know this is due to an urticaria type allergy to something like shampoo.....not heart failure. I therefore ignore some of my vet's diagnoses, as I know them to be incorrect.
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I have three horses - and use a large equine practice, which has more than 10 different vets (I don't know them all), so if I phone for a vet, I will nearly always get a complete stranger come out. They don't have any knowledge of whichever horse's history, or even their name and age; I am the only one who knows the wider picture. So when my TB's legs all fill dramatically, I know this is due to an urticaria type allergy to something like shampoo.....not heart failure. I therefore ignore some of my vet's diagnoses, as I know them to be incorrect.
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Grumbledor
Well-Known Member
Aah tis true, my EDT originally taught me to ride when I was little and I know him to be a good horseman, who trained as a dentist - but yes you are right, if I was going to get a new dentist that is certainly a consideration.
So what about you Shils, who do you ask for advice? Apart from Satan and various other deamons
So what about you Shils, who do you ask for advice? Apart from Satan and various other deamons
Shilasdair
Patting her thylacine
[ QUOTE ]
Aah tis true, my EDT originally taught me to ride when I was little and I know him to be a good horseman, who trained as a dentist - but yes you are right, if I was going to get a new dentist that is certainly a consideration.
So what about you Shils, who do you ask for advice? Apart from Satan and various other deamons
[/ QUOTE ]
I think I probably have access to the best advice in the country....
as I know one or two horsey people.
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Aah tis true, my EDT originally taught me to ride when I was little and I know him to be a good horseman, who trained as a dentist - but yes you are right, if I was going to get a new dentist that is certainly a consideration.
So what about you Shils, who do you ask for advice? Apart from Satan and various other deamons
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I think I probably have access to the best advice in the country....
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Maisy
Well-Known Member
I dont think anyone knows *everything*. I think people can give their advice, and then you have to apply that advice in the best way possible.
Even vets can get it wrong sometimes
Even vets can get it wrong sometimes
Madam_max
Well-Known Member
I have a few good people who I have learnt to trust over the years. I have a good farrier, physio, saddler,dentist, vet & instructor (I can always pick up the phone to her). I tend to take advice from these people.
Flame_
Well-Known Member
I ticked all of the boxes in question one, lots of varied opinions for different things. However I wouldn't call anyone in question two an expert, I wouldn't trust any of them without question I'm afraid. I now trust the top vet at Newmarket almost implicitly, everyone else's advice is welcome and often much needed, but will always be looked at guardedly - I've made too many mistakes and learned a lot of lessons.
Tiffany
Well-Known Member
I use a vet's practice although I always ask for a particular vet becuase he knows my horse, I know him and he's an old fashioned no nonsense vet.
I have seen some very good advice from people on H&H forum and would certainly ask for a 2nd opinion on here if I had any doubts. I also talk things through with my trainer and/or close friends who have horses.
I have seen some very good advice from people on H&H forum and would certainly ask for a 2nd opinion on here if I had any doubts. I also talk things through with my trainer and/or close friends who have horses.
itsme123
Well-Known Member
my first port of call would be either YO (one where the pony is kept or the YO at the yard I work at), who between them probably have a good 70 year's experience!! First one I could call upon for any ailments I feel aren't major enough for the vet but that i'd like a second opinion on, and the second for stable/riding issues (she is an AI). If I want a wide variety of opinions I ask friends or come onto a forum.
I think different forum members have different areas of expertise so wouldnt rule anyone out based on (ie) wether they compete or wether they actually own a horse. ie someone who competes at high level wouldnt necessarily be the person who would answer my question about lr ponies, but may well know of a good tip for getting a shine on a coat or recommendation for a rug. Someone who rides at a RS might have a fab answer in relation to lr ponies or a problem getting into the right leg of canter. more than once it's actually been non owners who've given me that bit of advice i've been looking for.
I think different forum members have different areas of expertise so wouldnt rule anyone out based on (ie) wether they compete or wether they actually own a horse. ie someone who competes at high level wouldnt necessarily be the person who would answer my question about lr ponies, but may well know of a good tip for getting a shine on a coat or recommendation for a rug. Someone who rides at a RS might have a fab answer in relation to lr ponies or a problem getting into the right leg of canter. more than once it's actually been non owners who've given me that bit of advice i've been looking for.
Cop-Pop
Well-Known Member
It depends on what I want to know as to who I ask. My vet is lovely, so is YO and RI and I can ask them anything.
IMO an expert is someone who knows their field well - they don't necessarily have to be qualified. If I wanted competition advice I'd ask someone who competed regularly in that field, for vet/teeth advice I ask my vet (he does the teeth too), for feet advice I ask the farrier and for general adivce I ask anyone who will listen
, normally people on here and YO then I go away and either take their advice or look into it more in books/on web and make my decision.
IMO an expert is someone who knows their field well - they don't necessarily have to be qualified. If I wanted competition advice I'd ask someone who competed regularly in that field, for vet/teeth advice I ask my vet (he does the teeth too), for feet advice I ask the farrier and for general adivce I ask anyone who will listen
PapaFrita
Well-Known Member
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Should forum members post their credentials in their signatures then?
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Yes. My credentials would be NAF; Not A F*ckwit
Should forum members post their credentials in their signatures then?
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Yes. My credentials would be NAF; Not A F*ckwit
sloulou
Well-Known Member
I'm a sort of 'research it all then decide' type of person... so I would speak to my YO - other people on the yard (well some of them
) maybe post on here and look online for information.
Our vet does the horses teeth so don't use and EDT - our Vets are good and have been coming to the yard for years -I generally trust them too. Same for farrier...
I listen to instructors that I trust... I teach at the pony club and there are some I would ask for help and others I wouldn't. You know who you trust and it generally seem to be because advice in the past has been spot on.
Our vet does the horses teeth so don't use and EDT - our Vets are good and have been coming to the yard for years -I generally trust them too. Same for farrier...
I listen to instructors that I trust... I teach at the pony club and there are some I would ask for help and others I wouldn't. You know who you trust and it generally seem to be because advice in the past has been spot on.
Darkly_Dreaming_Dex
Well-Known Member
I would only trust a yard owner/instructor/competitor if they had years of experience rather than qualifications.
Vets/ Farriers are specialists in their fields and whilst i might seek a second opinion(if i felt uneasy about their advice), i would follow their recommendations. I would ring the farrier before the vet if it was a foot problem.
I find the forum on HHo invaluable as it lets me "talk" to other people who have experienced the same problems and its very interesting to compare notes especially on vet. problems but i wouldnt blindly follow advice on here.
Vets/ Farriers are specialists in their fields and whilst i might seek a second opinion(if i felt uneasy about their advice), i would follow their recommendations. I would ring the farrier before the vet if it was a foot problem.
I find the forum on HHo invaluable as it lets me "talk" to other people who have experienced the same problems and its very interesting to compare notes especially on vet. problems but i wouldnt blindly follow advice on here.