Tia
Well-Known Member
I think it is wonderful too - at the very least, incredibly refreshing.
If Your Horse Was.....
- Thread starter Tia
- Start date
Sooty
Well-Known Member
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Or would you tell lies about him and make up silly stories just to keep in with the people who don't find their horses as perfect as you find yours?
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Why would anyone do that?
Or would you tell lies about him and make up silly stories just to keep in with the people who don't find their horses as perfect as you find yours?
[/ QUOTE ]
Why would anyone do that?
Tia
Well-Known Member
It makes no sense to me either, but it does seem to be a British "thing" to dumbdown what you have for fear of ....... I don't know what?
An odd scenario happened in my presence a number of years ago. I was in our quaint lovely old thatched pub back in Hampshire and there were a lot of us, all friends. Someone started a "truth" game - went on for ages; anyway one of the questions was that we all had to describe the house we grew up in. We were all from every walk of life so it was a very balanced discussion. Everyone said their bit and then it came time for my most lovely pompous friend (he really is pompous but I think he is great!) to tell us about his childhood home. He told us he grew up in a mansion, actually told us which mansion, we all knew it. We all asked about what it was like to have grown up in this place, he told us. I found it totally intriguing......however after he had left, a few of the "friends" starting being incredibly catty about him. They said he was a show-off and was bragging about it ........ I was dumbfounded at their behaviour! Weren't we the ones who had asked? Weren't we the ones who proclaimed to be interested in each others young lives? That was my first true introduction to something which I noticed many many times in the future about the way the British culture was going. It's okay to feel the same and have the same as everyone else.....but you must never feel better or have more than them? Not necessarily financial wealth, but just how you feel about yourself and the world.
When we moved here, yes all of our friends wished us well - I believe they really mean't it. However some bystanders possibly hoped we would fail.
That's really my point to everyone - if your horse makes you feel good, if you know you have done well with getting him to where he is, don't feel guilty about it just because others haven't spent the time you have, or haven't the commitment to their animals. Be proud and hold your head up! YOU achieved it.
An odd scenario happened in my presence a number of years ago. I was in our quaint lovely old thatched pub back in Hampshire and there were a lot of us, all friends. Someone started a "truth" game - went on for ages; anyway one of the questions was that we all had to describe the house we grew up in. We were all from every walk of life so it was a very balanced discussion. Everyone said their bit and then it came time for my most lovely pompous friend (he really is pompous but I think he is great!) to tell us about his childhood home. He told us he grew up in a mansion, actually told us which mansion, we all knew it. We all asked about what it was like to have grown up in this place, he told us. I found it totally intriguing......however after he had left, a few of the "friends" starting being incredibly catty about him. They said he was a show-off and was bragging about it ........ I was dumbfounded at their behaviour! Weren't we the ones who had asked? Weren't we the ones who proclaimed to be interested in each others young lives? That was my first true introduction to something which I noticed many many times in the future about the way the British culture was going. It's okay to feel the same and have the same as everyone else.....but you must never feel better or have more than them? Not necessarily financial wealth, but just how you feel about yourself and the world.
When we moved here, yes all of our friends wished us well - I believe they really mean't it. However some bystanders possibly hoped we would fail.
That's really my point to everyone - if your horse makes you feel good, if you know you have done well with getting him to where he is, don't feel guilty about it just because others haven't spent the time you have, or haven't the commitment to their animals. Be proud and hold your head up! YOU achieved it.
Theresa_F
Well-Known Member
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That's really my point to everyone - if your horse makes you feel good, if you know you have done well with getting him to where he is, don't feel guilty about it just because others haven't spent the time you have, or haven't the commitment to their animals. Be proud and hold your head up! YOU achieved it.
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You have just summed how exactly how I feel about Chancer - he is great - for a 2 year old he is fantastic - yes we have the occasional bad day but on the whole every day is great and he gets better all the time.
Having had one very difficult mare I know which I prefer - my little cob that does everything to please me rather than a stunning warmblood who was a chore rather than pleasure.
As you can tell I am very proud of him and a horse like you describe to me is worth a million times more than a beastie that is a fight all the day rather than a relaxing pleasant time.
Then there is Cairo - another perfect pleasure to own.
That's really my point to everyone - if your horse makes you feel good, if you know you have done well with getting him to where he is, don't feel guilty about it just because others haven't spent the time you have, or haven't the commitment to their animals. Be proud and hold your head up! YOU achieved it.
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You have just summed how exactly how I feel about Chancer - he is great - for a 2 year old he is fantastic - yes we have the occasional bad day but on the whole every day is great and he gets better all the time.
Having had one very difficult mare I know which I prefer - my little cob that does everything to please me rather than a stunning warmblood who was a chore rather than pleasure.
As you can tell I am very proud of him and a horse like you describe to me is worth a million times more than a beastie that is a fight all the day rather than a relaxing pleasant time.
Then there is Cairo - another perfect pleasure to own.
Bounty
Well-Known Member
I had that horse, you describe her exactly.
My biggest mistake was selling her upon retirement, she was gone for 2 weeks and then we were called to pick her up as she had turned loopy, something we couldn't begin to get our heads around.
Months later she is still unpredictable, to the point of being unsafe.
I want her back so much.
My biggest mistake was selling her upon retirement, she was gone for 2 weeks and then we were called to pick her up as she had turned loopy, something we couldn't begin to get our heads around.
Months later she is still unpredictable, to the point of being unsafe.
I want her back so much.
Baggybreeches
Well-Known Member
You just reminded of a recent conversation with a friend. I took my ex racehorse to some unaffiliated dressage comps. At the first one he was a bit 'wild' but next time was better and the following time won his class. The same crowd go to these comps all the time, after the first one my friend rang up and said 'so-so said he was a little B**ger' so we chatted, next time friend rings up says 'so-so said he did this and that(fault picking), third time guess what no phone call! The reason for this I think must be the delight others get when those who hve the guts to try things fail, this makes the nobodys feel like they havent missed out !
the watcher
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
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Or would you tell lies about him and make up silly stories just to keep in with the people who don't find their horses as perfect as you find yours?
[/ QUOTE ]
Why would anyone do that?
[/ QUOTE ]
I think it is quite simple, a good many people will overstate how 'difficult' their horse can be because then they can convince themselves that they are really quite a good rider when they manage to stay on board..there is no danger that they will ever let anybody competent ride it as that would show up that is it more or less a push button ride.
On the other hand, there are so many appallingly bad riders in this country (you know the type, have half a dozen lessons and buy a horse) who really think their horses are being naughty when really they are doing nothing out of the ordinary.
I'm not bitching, I put myself firmly in the second catagory, bought my first horse after a year of lessons (although I had ridden before that for years), it was far too much for me and dumped me every time I rode it..fortunately persistence and a good instructor paid off in my case and I finally redeemed myself. However in those early days I would have described her as a bolting, rearing monster..in truth she was just reacting to my lack of balance and confidence.
[ QUOTE ]
Or would you tell lies about him and make up silly stories just to keep in with the people who don't find their horses as perfect as you find yours?
[/ QUOTE ]
Why would anyone do that?
[/ QUOTE ]
I think it is quite simple, a good many people will overstate how 'difficult' their horse can be because then they can convince themselves that they are really quite a good rider when they manage to stay on board..there is no danger that they will ever let anybody competent ride it as that would show up that is it more or less a push button ride.
On the other hand, there are so many appallingly bad riders in this country (you know the type, have half a dozen lessons and buy a horse) who really think their horses are being naughty when really they are doing nothing out of the ordinary.
I'm not bitching, I put myself firmly in the second catagory, bought my first horse after a year of lessons (although I had ridden before that for years), it was far too much for me and dumped me every time I rode it..fortunately persistence and a good instructor paid off in my case and I finally redeemed myself. However in those early days I would have described her as a bolting, rearing monster..in truth she was just reacting to my lack of balance and confidence.
piebaldsparkle
Well-Known Member
Well my mare is almost perfect (if you exclude the fact that she is a frightful tart!!!).
WeeBrown
Well-Known Member
I would like one that looked bored....it would match me
I love that horse....if only you could ship it over here, he is just what I want! In fact I think I'm in love
Tia
Well-Known Member
Theresa, I have watched your progress with Chancer from afar and, I for one, have been very impressed with the way you have carefully and steadily brought him on. He is a lucky horse to have you as an owner.
Tia
Well-Known Member
Aww that is so sad. Fingers crossed you get your old girl back just the way she was.
Tia
Well-Known Member
It is weird isn't it. And a bit sad really. People seem to have lost the art of rooting for people.
Tia
Well-Known Member
Good point! I hadn't thought of people trying to make their horse sound like a loon to make themselves feel like more competent riders.....but you could be onto something there.
Tia
Well-Known Member
WeeBrown - thank you for your lovely compliments about this horse. He is my 2nd horse-of-a-lifetime, and one of the horses on my farm that I will not sell even though I have been offered significant money. I may have a change of heart and sell him in 4 or 5 years time when he is 8 or 9, but I doubt it. He is VERY special to me.....and he's actually a very inquisitive horse and comes to call and visibly enjoys all I do with him, so he's not really boring....not to me anyway
PiebaldSparkle - tarts are fine by me - I have a few of those here, LOL!!
PiebaldSparkle - tarts are fine by me - I have a few of those here, LOL!!
X
xspiralx
Guest
I definitely know what you mean and its silly - however I have seen this in people from the states too. I own a forum which is largely American older teenagers, and its very common for riders who are pretty mediocre to go out, buy a straight OTTB and start "training" it, and then call it a problem horse because they can't do sh*t with it.
Anyways, I think I've always been fairly honest about my horses. They've all had good and bad points, and none have been the perfect horse you describe, but I think when I talk about them I've gushed about both good and bad aspects. They've all been super to own, really great animals, and by no means all very difficult or anything, though all have had their quirks - Taz more than most!
Anyways, I think I've always been fairly honest about my horses. They've all had good and bad points, and none have been the perfect horse you describe, but I think when I talk about them I've gushed about both good and bad aspects. They've all been super to own, really great animals, and by no means all very difficult or anything, though all have had their quirks - Taz more than most!
vivhewe
Well-Known Member
I think (and think means opinion!) that a lot of equichavs and kids always seem to make their neddies out to be bad, and tell of their conquests and how much they told their horse off to make themselves seem big. They tell you animatedly how their little ponio had 'bucked going out of the yard' so they gave it a smack with a whip when in reality all it had done was cowkick the flies off. I've found a lot of older people do it too, the ones who are rough as hell when riding or don't know a great deal about horses and so have to come across as the domineering horse owner when really it scares the crap out of them.
I have to admit that Danny is a little sh:t (I sound like what I've just described now LOL!) but I look at him and see his good points and think 'I've got a good pony there' (Big head I am lol!) He is great once you let him know he has to work - he isn't perfect but I've ended up with the right horse even if we have had teething troubles
I have to admit that Danny is a little sh:t (I sound like what I've just described now LOL!) but I look at him and see his good points and think 'I've got a good pony there' (Big head I am lol!) He is great once you let him know he has to work - he isn't perfect but I've ended up with the right horse even if we have had teething troubles
PapaFrita
Well-Known Member
Digressing slightly from the topic, but have you noticed how when people expect their horse to be naughty or play up, then they very often do?
BOF's grandson's horse for instance will not stand to be mounted, and he's always impressed that PF and Antifaz do. Now, BOF's away and he asked me to exercise said horse, so yesterday I tacked him up, led him over to the mount block and just got on. Horse stood perfectly until I'd picked up reins and asked him to move on, and I'd just forgotten (as one does when one is used to horses that don't p:ss around) that this one didn't.
What's all that about, eh?
BOF's grandson's horse for instance will not stand to be mounted, and he's always impressed that PF and Antifaz do. Now, BOF's away and he asked me to exercise said horse, so yesterday I tacked him up, led him over to the mount block and just got on. Horse stood perfectly until I'd picked up reins and asked him to move on, and I'd just forgotten (as one does when one is used to horses that don't p:ss around) that this one didn't.
What's all that about, eh?
Clodagh
Playing chess with pigeons
I always say that they live down to your expectations!