Horsey people = righteous opinions

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moneypit1

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So, there are horsey people, doggie people, god knows what people and parents. It is an almost unwritten rule that you do not tell other parents how it is done. So why is it that with horses/dogs/whatever... it is ok? I cannot believe how opinionated people are when it comes to horses. My own view is that as long as the horse is not stressed or abused and you achieve what you set out to within that criteria, it is ok, what works, works. This forum is a brilliant case study of human nature! Your views welcomed. (I wonder how long it will be before it descends into the usual)!
 
I do agree, there are so many people that think their opinion is the 'right' way to do it. yes there are standards (BHS etc) that we should all be striving to achieve but I think there are far too many people that believe they are right and can get nasty about it. :( Although I have to say, for the most part, when people have asked for advice on these forums everyone has tried to help and been very friendly and helpful. :D which is always nice!
 
I was always told that there is always more than one way to skin a cat...to be honest i wouldn't know where to start :p;):p

Everyone has their own way of doing things but the trouble is there are allot of people who think it's their way or no way.

Like the OP said, if it's working for you then that's great. Feel free to share your success and help people who ask for it. However just because it worked for you doesn't mean it will work for everyone .

People get so wound up...sometimes i fear there is someone somewhere is having palpitations behind their computers because they feel they are being ignored :rolleyes:

Help where you can, advise if possible but don't bother if you are just doing it to be rude and boost your post count up...Just because you have Veteran next to your name doesn't mean what you have posted in the past is worth reading!!!
 
I'm so glad someone else has said this...I don't understand why people have the need to tell other people how to look after their horses. I think its really lovely when people give hteir advice but many people just seem to take it too far and end up insulting people. At the end of the day don't we all love the same things? Soooo shouldn't it be easier to be fair to one another!!!! lol (I'm not referring to this forum btw, just my experience with some people in the equine world :D)
Rant oveeeeeerrrrr :)
 
That's a bit harsh. If you feel that way then it's fairly simple, don't come on a forum and make such judgements. I think you'll find it's a minority of people who are righteous and how can you be certain you're interpreting comments in the right contexts?

You should try Land Rover forum - then you'll know righteous!!! LOL!!

Of course this will descend into the "usual", that's exactly what you want after all...

Then again, it is January and it is boring.... so - will go find my chair...

*pulls up chair, opens bag of snack-a-jacks (on diet you know)*
 
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The problem is ignorance to the detriment of the horse... and there is a lot of it. Reading this forum proves that.

Also, the nature of the forum is that people ASK for advice/opinions. Unfortunately many don't like what they hear, and really just wanted everyone to agree with them... which will just never happen!
 
a lady said to once age ago,' being with horses seems to bring out the worst in people' and somone else said recently, 'there's nothing worse than horse people'
please note i"m only quoting other folk!
 
i love gettign advice on what ever problems i come across - yes people have been rude but the good advice i have got here far outweighs the negatives.
I think its very generous of people, often with a lifetimes expereince to be prepared to willingly share their expereinces and expertise, both in real life and real life -
 
I agree, and was talking to my YO about this the other day. Some people are really nice etc, but discussing ponies etc and she comes across as very righteous.

One of the big problems with a forum is that it can be read the wrong way.
 
Some of the horsey folks I've met across the years have been the most hard faced, opinionated, blunt, rude know-it-alls who wouldn't last 2 seconds in a 'real' job - they'd have grievances raised against them left right and centre! For balance, I also have met some really nice people and have a couple of long-standing horsey friends too.
 
MunchMincePies said:
The problem is ignorance to the detriment of the horse... and there is a lot of it. Reading this forum proves that.

Also, the nature of the forum is that people ASK for advice/opinions. Unfortunately many don't like what they hear, and really just wanted everyone to agree with them... which will just never happen!
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exactly this.
also, i've done things in the past, things i was taught by people who i thought knew what they were doing (such as pulling the horse's tongue out to the side to administer wormer) which can be very detrimental, which i would NEVER dream of doing now that i know better, but i wince at the damage i may have done in my ignorance.
i hope i don't come across as horribly judgemental but i can't just stand and watch, smug in the knowledge that 'i know better about that now, so my horses are fine' while other horses (and, possibly, people, if the horses react badly) might be hurt by something, albeit done in ignorance.
i think there are lots of 'right ways' of doing things with horses. anyone who says their way is 'the right way' is an idiot. at best it will be 'a right way'.
..most horses can't stand up for themselves, or, when they do, it's a spiral into a worse life in a lot of cases, so i feel that it's the responsible thing to do, to try to speak up on their behalf, where possible.
apologies if that makes me sound self-righteous though. :( :(
 
PoppyAnderson said:
Some of the horsey folks I've met across the years have been the most hard faced, opinionated, blunt, rude know-it-alls who wouldn't last 2 seconds in a 'real' job - they'd have grievances raised against them left right and centre! For balance, I also have met some really nice people and have a couple of long-standing horsey friends too.
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Now that I can go with. I don't find horsey people particularly obnoxious on the whole but to work for they are the absolute pits (my experience only of course)

I was amazed at how a few YOs spoke to me, or rather shouted at me, when I worked with horses. If they'd done that in the 'real' world they'd have been hauled over the coals by HR and probably ended up in court. I understand they are unlikely to have ever had any management training and that when they were young that is probably how they were spoken to but some of what was said was really really bad. Inexcusably so in my opinion.

I really am glad to be in a job where I can express an opinion, take my tea breaks and my holiday, and don't get called all the names under the sun!
 
I think in general, horsey people live in a sort of parallel reality. They beef up their experience, knowledge and ability just because they have a screen and username to hide behind. (Although, to be fair, they often do it face to face - 'We had a great day eventing at novice level, just rolled a pole sj' usually translates to 'We did the 2ft class at the local HT, had four run outs XC and 16 faults with time in SJ)
I've just been killing myself laughing at a thread on here. I know her in real life although I'm not sure she's cottoned on. 'Own land', 'vastly experienced', 'mega facilities' etc etc when in reality she doesn't feed/water her horses and is too terrified to ride. Go figure ;)
 
mishaspey said:
I agree, and was talking to my YO about this the other day. Some people are really nice etc, but discussing ponies etc and she comes across as very righteous.

One of the big problems with a forum is that it can be read the wrong way.
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Complety agreee with you, responses can be read and received in so many contexts, and I think most people on here have been subject to this at some point on here.

I just have to sit back and remember that to me as much as I love the opinions and advice on here I dont really know anyone personally on here, and all it is, is words on a screen. Maybe thats naive of me because there is someone typing those words but hey ho :D
 
I'd also add that I don't profess to know it all. I do, however, know who to ask when I need some help...
I'll also admit that when I was placed in a recent dressage competition, it was down to the fact that there were only two of us in the class ;)
 
moneypit1 said:
So, there are horsey people, doggie people, god knows what people and parents. It is an almost unwritten rule that you do not tell other parents how it is done. So why is it that with horses/dogs/whatever... it is ok? I cannot believe how opinionated people are when it comes to horses. My own view is that as long as the horse is not stressed or abused and you achieve what you set out to within that criteria, it is ok, what works, works.
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Amen to that:D
 
There are some responses though which are just downright unpleasant. If someone is asking a question then you can still reply without being rude. The odd poster who ignores all advice and keeps asking the same question - well, treat them like a troll but at least give the OP an opportunity to demonstrate they understand the advice and are trying to act on it and not the "OMG, cruel/stupid/whatever.". There are some posters who manage to be quite clear and sometimes blunt but not rude (thinking JanetGeorge as an example). And sometimes you have to agree to disagree!
 
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