I Took HHO To The Stables ....

Hmm, if there are people on here who post, get an answer (from whoever) and then go and do as they are here told without consulting it with their instructor/vet/someone in real life I would thought it was rather scary
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The saddest for me is the whole 'gadgets on-line manual' although giving it an after thought must say it's better than nothing.
I do have a 'list' of HHO members that I seem to give more credit than to others and I think I base it on their consistency and quality of replies.
I must admit I do reply with advice mostly on training as this is a field I feel strong and have a back up in the form of hands on experience, but I also happened to reply with things I am not so sure about (simply to share something or the other). In the latter cases I would maybe pass something I know of from someone who I think knows more than me or was told about it by a vet, farrier etc. I always hope though that the person who reads it does not treat such a reply as an absolute truth...
 
How very deep for a Sunday afternoon
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I consider HHO a useful resource.. but it's not the first place I'd turn if my horse came in pumping blood out of himself
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Thankfully, Im fortunate in that our YO is fabulous and Ive learned sooo much from her in the past few years.

In terms of veterinary knowledge... Im not the best in this area and I'll hold my hands up and say Im probably one of the first to at least call my vet and speak to him should anything worry me. Ive seen a lot of injuries over my years with horses, but veterinary medicine moves so fast that I cant keep up with new treatments etc.

I think lots of people have areas in which they're more knowledgable and then there are those people on here who've obviously been around horses for a long, long time and theres a huge amount of wisdom that comes with that (which isn't something I have. Im too young, in relative terms, to claim a life time of knowledge with horses)

I have strong opinions on some things which come into direct conflict with some users on here but I try to respect that. Im unfortunatly guilty of ranting on some issues though
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As for putting people in boxes... try not to but I think its human nature!

ETS:- One reason ive posted asking for advice on a couple of issues before is to get thoughts from people who may have completly different methods to me. Sometimes they can throw up ideas that would never have crossed my mind.
 
Well I tend to post only to things like "well done for finding a horse you like" or "hope your horse gets better soon" in this section of the forum (and posts like this one) because as most people are aware I am very novicey about horses, have only been back riding again for about a year full time and the things I 'knew' years ago about horse care were probably a load of rubbish or might not be relevent now. I would definitely fall under incompetent atm and wouldn't offer my advice on any matter regarding horse ownership/health as I have no experience. I'm trying to learn more things by coming on here and taking the advice of other people onboard and from doing courses in stable management as well as reading up on things. I think I probably have made decisions on who I think is experienced but there are lots of people who come under that heading for different reasons- being experienced in different thing. It's just nice that they don't mind me picking their brains or get annoyed by my daft questions!
 
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There is a degree of technicality and a personality that comes out in some posts and I generally trust that persons opinions based on this

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I think you have actually, unwittingly, hit the nail on the head for me. HOW do we actually know that the information is right though? Some people might be super-knowledgeable on certain things....so do we then listen to everything they say as gospel? I'm sure we all get things wrong, even vets in real life do, so us on here must get it wrong sometimes. How do people know that what they are reading is correct and do they question it and look elsewhere to get positive ID's on things?

I just hope that no-one believes that everything said by certain people is always right......or always wrong.

I'm pleased it's been interesting to everyone. The post is not here to aggravate or anything insidious like that.....I was merely "thinking".
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I do put people in boxes, but they often don't stay in the same box for long. There are some people who post on here whose advice I would take over and above the advice of others if advice was conflicting. I know they have real genuine experience of horses, and know what they are talking about. There are very few black and white issues regarding horse care - apart from obvious veterinary emergencies - so owners have to make their own minds up about how they want things done. I have been around horses all my life, yet know only a fraction as much as some members and am always happy to ask for advice, which I usually follow. However, some members do give advice which I am sometimes a bit wary of, so I would probably get a second opinion. What galls me is when someone has a horse that is obviously having a real physical problem, and they ask for advice, everyone screams 'get the vet!', and they don't. I suppose in an ideal world all horse owners, dog owners, parents, drivers etc etc would be lovely, considerate people. I tend to think everyone is like that, and get the odd slap with a wet fish from time to time when reality strikes... I do think most forum members do mean well and do their best for their horses. Also, I think advice from younger members is often as good as advice from more mature members.
 
Older doesn't necessarily mean wiser though. And louder shouting doesn't necessarily mean it's right information.
 
Whatever advice I may read on here, from whoever, is just a step for me. If it interests me or seems relevent I will research it further. I wouldn't take anything I read on here as gospel because I have no idea who is giving the advice....
 
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Sometimes they can throw up ideas that would never have crossed my mind.


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Yes!!! Same here. We are really so lucky having soooo many people who all think on a different plane....this is one of the best things about here I think.
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Whatever advice I may read on here, from whoever, is just a step for me. If it interests me or seems relevent I will research it further. I wouldn't take anything I read on here as gospel because I have no idea who is giving the advice....

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a very sound course of action
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QR -

I have to go out now but will be interested to read the end of this conversation on my return. Loads of great comments by everyone
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Ah ha it took me a while to understand just what you were getting at Tia [hello again btw]
I think that there are one or two on here that over the years I have complete confidence in when it comes to sound advice based on experience and horse sense.
I am also amazed at the lack of experience of many owners but nearly everyone on here has something to offer and its gleaning knowledge by reading about case histories and the scenarios of going down one road or another have and how they have affected people and horses that I find interesting .
But you are definatly in a box Tia sorry ! Its ok its favourable !
 
I agree with alot that has been said apart from one person saying when it comes to giving advice alot wait for somebody else to give it then nod along.
That is not strictly true a number of people could be about to offer the same level of advice just luck of the draw who is the fastest to give it.

I myself for the ammount of years i have been around horses i do not know half as much as i should,but if an emergency arrises at yard such as a gashed leg,horse choking ect i know what to do alot of people on the yard will approach me instead of other people.Mainly for the fact i used to be engaged to a vet of a large animal practice so i picked alot up.
I am really stuck if i have to get a vet out for most minor things i have always coped well without vet assisitance.

Experience wise i give alot of the young girls on the yard advice help with there ponies as i had and rode naughty ponies as a teen i can relate to them.

Even though my loan is over and im not stabling at the yard anymore the girls have made me promise to go back and teach them.

But if somebody asks me a question i dont know i will say a girl came to me with a weight tape measure a few days ago as she needed to worm her foal and was unsure how to do it well i did not have a clue so i just said sorry ask YO im sure she will know.

So my answer is basically i lack in alot of knowledge i can not name every bone or muscle in a horses body but there are things i can do to help people and if i know the answer i will give it.
But people should always ask a range of people not just stick to one answer even though i can do certain things well there is always somebody better than me out there who improve it even more,but if people are happy with the information i have provided then fair enough.
 
I think that there are a number of people on here who I know are very experienced horse people and who instinctively know how to handle any circumstances. There are other people with less experience who will put up a post saying their horse is on three legs what should they do? Without wanting to sound like a preacher if you need to come on a forum to ask this then I would question whether you are ready for horse ownership - your horse is on three legs you are either like Tia and you deal with it or you call a vet - my first port of call would not be to a forum.

Having worked in an equine vets I suppose I err on the side of caution, I would far prefer to advise someone to get the vet out and find nothing wrong than to say don't worry about it and find the horse has a serious problem. What really bugs me is when in the first post the horse is on three legs and after 20 minutes having been told to call the vet it turns out to be 2/10 lame in trot!

THere is nobody on here I would consider incompetent - there are those I know are super competent and everyone else - I have no idea how competent they are or not and I would answer them all the same.
 
very interesting post BTW,

im afraid i am guilty of putting certain people in boxes, think it is impossible not too in this sort of enviroment, but they often get moved around when i get suprised by a comment or post they have made, usually in a good way,

there are definatly people on here that i listen to more than others, mostly because of their helpful advice,

im afraid some advice does come across as just being said for the sake of it, and those posters i tend to not trust as much if that makes sense,

there are also the ones that i really dont trust thier advice, but im sure people think the same about me!
 
Hmmm, very interesting *BB rubs chin*

I try and make a conscious decision not to put people in to boxes as far to often in life they blow your theory right out of the window. LOL. Although as humans, I think we just do have to put a person in to a box until they prove otherwise.

Having been on here for some time I know who is experienced in what but if I have a question to ask I tend to ask everyone as I am interested in different opinions. Sometimes I am surprised by a really good bit of advice from someone who I may have considered "Dizzy" beforehand.
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My opinions change constantly too, Horses seem to have a habit of doing that. LOL. I think I believe one thing and then I see something or read something that changes my mind. I think back to some advice I would have given 5 years a go that would now make me cringe as I have learnt more and have moved on.
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I never think when I reply to a post that, that person may well be taking our advice as gospel. I thought for serious problems this was more of a "sounding out" board.

I haven't got a clue what kind of person I come across as?
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I have never thought about it before, I just merrily type away
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I don't think anyone on here surprises me any more than the people in RL. I often think of here as one gi-huge stable yard.
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I bet the snake skin made you jump for a second didn't it? I dislike snakes with a passion so I would have been running around squeeling pathetically
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Good heavens Tia, this has got my old grey matter pondering...
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This forum has such a wide selection of contributors that while some can be counted on in all aspects; some might tick a couple of boxes, but might not impress on a different matter.

I believe that there are a number of people on here, who, having been intensively involved in horse care for many years, have an excellent grasp of all things horsey, and can be counted on for good solid advice in general.

There are also people who have far less generalised horsey knowledge, but through having a particular 'problem' with a particular horse, have vast experience in that specific aspect of horse management, for example; lameness, tying up, the list goes on...

Then there are those who copy and paste info, and portray as their own view. Annoying, but harmless imho.

However, I think the most potentially dangerous type of person is the type that either knows everything and their way is always right, and they shout loudly about it, failing to see any alternative, or the type who pretends that they know more than they actually do.

People asking for advice need correct and factual opinions, not something made up, in order to impress. That benefits nobody, and can even be dangerous.

In general, no offence to younger people, but I tend to listen to those with years of experience behind them, who have dealt with all sorts of horses over the years, and/or those who have experience of a specific issue.
 
Hmmm, interesting!

I think I put people in boxes, as others have said though it is human nature I think. Like Sooty, when I 'box' people they often change boxes... my boxes are always changing lol!

In terms of advice on here there are of course some people in particular whose I value in particular... but even then those types can disagree with each other on stuff as there are more ways than one to skin a cat I guess. Actually, my favourite threads are when someone asks for advice and gets a whole load of different advice. I often ask advice on here and sometimes it is really useful to have conflicting advice- you can absorb it all and decide which advice is going to suit you best etc.

I sometimes offer advice but usually I am more likely to offer a personal opinion or preference. I'm not the most experienced but like to offer my views on things sometimes, people are free to take them or leave them
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I would hate it if people stopped responding to posts 'just in case' they weren't 100% on the mark, or did something differently or even wrong- it usually sparks the kind of conversations that can offer the most interesting and informative reading IMO. I'll probably carry on spouting my rubbish, hopefully people will have me in the right box of theirs so will know whether they want to take/leave lol
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HHO is like a big cake, you can just take the slices you want, and leave those you don't want!
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What an interesting post!

I only try to give advice on things I know something about or have experianced - ie. schooling exercises, because my instructor has taught and explained quite a lot to me that really help. I would not however, try and give advice on something, say to do with injuries - I don't know much about them at all. It would just be a guessing game, and giving out false information that could make things worse!!

I wouldn't be afraid to ask a question on here or anything - I've always found people (for the short time I've been here) to be very knowledgable, helpful and kind
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Now, you see, quite a few of my boxed-up as 'old-timers with trusted and sensible advice' have posted above. Sadly I have pretty much decided who talks sense and should be carefuly listened to. I have based my opinion on their approach to other people's problems - and it's those of you with a practical, reasonable and mosty detatched calm. Precisely what you need when you have assessed your trauma, called the vet (either out or for advice) and are looking for a meantime view. The ones to listen to (as long as this isn't their third post to you, and they have now resorted to using block capitals) are the rational and clear (and usually short) posts.

I would avoid posting on very emotive subjects as these people will be the ones to tell me exactly what I don't want to hear! And by thinking what would xxxxx say, I can usually work out my answer. Such is the calibre of advice and degree of sense which can be found on here, if you know who to listen to!!!

There are people you instinctively feel are worth listening to (plenty on here) and I use the same way of filtering them out as I would in RL. Listen to them on several different topics and then make up your mind. Any inconsistencies will reveal themselves, eventually.

* sits back and waits for PM's to roll in *
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Oh, and while we are on the subject of putting people in boxes, has anyone seen GTs?
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I agree with alot that has been said apart from one person saying when it comes to giving advice alot wait for somebody else to give it then nod along

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I think there is an element of nodding along with "mates" but I would like to think that most people state they are in agreement with someone to cement that advice as possibly sound. Does that make sense?
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yes that makes perfect sense that was what i was trying to get at if i agree with something somebody has said and think that is advice i would give i agree.
 
I could give hundreds of examples that would back me up in this; it is usually (and sorry I am being ageist here) younger users that do it
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Nothing wrong with it per se, but if you, as an individual, could not have given the advice unprompted then why try and come across as *all knowledgable*
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But no, it does not actually cause any harm, it was just an observation I had made.

But yes, if people, all who I know give good advice, agreed on something then that does back up the info.
 
I know exactly what you mean Weezy, funnily enough I noticed it just yesterday!

Generally speaking though, when people 'agree' with something I think it helps further confirm' the original advice which can be useful if you are the OP.
 
Ah yes, I know what you mean re younger users. Oh gawd, that is me being ageist too
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It is quite blatant the difference between someone who knows and agrees and someone who doesn't but agrees anyway.

Oh my gawd, I am confuzzling myself again!!
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ETA - I don't mean only youngsters do that by the way.
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I could give hundreds of examples that would back me up in this; it is usually (and sorry I am being ageist here) younger users that do it
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Nothing wrong with it per se, but if you, as an individual, could not have given the advice unprompted then why try and come across as *all knowledgable*
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But no, it does not actually cause any harm, it was just an observation I had made.

But yes, if people, all who I know give good advice, agreed on something then that does back up the info.

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hate to say i agree with out saying it first
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, but i do, and think you have made very good point,

how do people tell the difference between people agreeing for the sake of looking knowlegable and actually backing up the advice?

i know i have someway of telling the difference, but not sure how i do it but some replys just read differently i suppose

hope that made sense
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