In the interests of balance...what do you love about this forum?

I keep my 3 at home & now that I'm not doing lessons or competing, have virtually zero contact with other riders, so people on here are my horsey lifeline.

I love the fact that I can post any sort of problem on here, & there is always someone who's come across the same thing. There is usually a tidal wave of helpful suggestions from all different angles, including some that I'd never have thought of by myself. I can then sort through them, make myself a little list & work out an action plan.

I have learned so much from people on here, & I'm grateful.

T x
 
TarrSteps said:
And even The Far Distant Oxus. I am up to speed on ginger beer, plimsoles etc. But I also read Grey Owl and Dennis Lee so it's somewhat diluted.

Oh wait, is this what has been referred to recently as irritatingly off topic. . . ?;)
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O.M.G. nobody's ever read the Oxus series :eek: I loved them :o :D
 
Century eggs are essentially old, mouldy eggs?

Seriously. They could come and buy my eggs off me if they liked? Just found a pack from pre-Christmas in the back of the old fridge... Pretty sure they'd be fairly similar :D Could throw in some mouldy milk too...
 
TarrSteps said:
Have you ever had a 'century egg'?http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Century_egg

Bad. Bad. Bad. (No offence to any forum members who disagree. :))

Canadians are all lovely, we don't really need to differentiate. ;);)

I did indeed read Enid Blyton. And even The Far Distant Oxus. I am up to speed on ginger beer, plimsoles etc. But I also read Grey Owl and Dennis Lee so it's somewhat diluted.

Oh wait, is this what has been referred to recently as irritatingly off topic. . . ?;)
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Jesus that looks utterly revolting! :eek: you ate one of those?!
 
I like the reports, seeing everyones opinions on things and discovering things I wasn't even aware of.

One of these days I may even be brave enough to post a report of me and my misfit youngster of my pony squishing ways... Maybe one day! :p
 
I love how fast this forum moves. Other forums, I'll look at to see what I've missed and there are about three new posts since yesterday, I struggle to keep up on here and its not like I'm busy or have a life, its just a really busy forum, with a huge spectrum of personalities.
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I love the forum, having made many real life friends and even found a horse through the forum. Great for picking up tips,learning bits and pieces and understanding that others share the same struggles and problems.
 
I love the way complete strangers can pick you up from the depths of despair with advice and kind words in a way that even some of your closest friends in real life can't.

I also love the vast amount of knowledge you can pick up from the aptly named 'good eggs' as well as those who wouldn't describe themself as knowledgeable or highly competitive but they still can give off some piece of info you wouldn't have known. And ditto everyone who has said about those who are obviously competing/riding way above some of our levels, still have respect for those struggling at the bottom and have time to offer advice or say a well done/bad luck better luck next time kind of sentiment to other individuals.

I also love all the reports/pictures/vids/updates.

And i adore vickyjays spotty Dottie! And (in tack room) I loved the way everyone rallied round Tessybear when she thought her mare was having a suprise foal (she did) and there was nothing but support, and some posters even sent lovely free things to them.
 
and for all my ungracious moaning earlier - through this forum I have met some great friends.
At Longleat one year, I was riding a horse through someone I met on the forum, in a lorry borrowed from a forum member, driven by a forum member. Pretty cool as I would not have met these 3 people otherwise and I am very grateful.
Do I mention a job at Badminton through a forum member one year which paid decent money? or the loan of a Hippus bit which has revolutionised my horse? or the much needed escape from relatives when in the Midlands with a forum member? the loan of weighted tendon boots for a year from a forum member? and going off to Ireland horse shopping with 2 others?
 
LEC said:
and for all my ungracious moaning earlier - through this forum I have met some great friends.
At Longleat one year, I was riding a horse through someone I met on the forum, in a lorry borrowed from a forum member, driven by a forum member. Pretty cool as I would not have met these 3 people otherwise and I am very grateful.
Do I mention a job at Badminton through a forum member one year which paid decent money? or the loan of a Hippus bit which has revolutionised my horse? or the much needed escape from relatives when in the Midlands with a forum member? the loan of weighted tendon boots for a year from a forum member? and going off to Ireland horse shopping with 2 others?
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You have to be in the right clique to get a ride on HH... ;):p:rolleyes: (joke!)

There is so much I love about this forum:

- the friends I've made (mad old bags and others);)
- the support I've had through tricky times
- the amazing generosity of people on here, materially and spiritually
- the camaraderie
- the sharing of information on so many different subjects

I know I'm an old-timer but things have definitely changed on here - it's the nature of the beast I guess. I don't have as much time to spend on here as I used to - i'm a selfish HHO user now, through a change in circumstances :( - but if I post a report I don't give a damn who replies, or how many replies I get. I don't live on here, I live in my real life and any positives I get from here are in addition to, not instead of, those in my real life.

That any sound like a dig but it's not meant to be, more my way of explaining how I keep my balance and perspective on my HHO usage. :)

Ps. I've met LEC and not found her at all grumpy - I did think this thread was a wind-up at first :eek: - so I'll forgive her for rattling anyone's cages and applaud the fact that she has provoked a healthy debate. :)
 
Despite not finding Mally thought this forum, I suspect I would neither own Mally nor be eventing were it not for this forum.

There are more than a few people on here (and hopefully most of them know who they are) who inspired me to get into eventing, who made me really think about what I wanted to do, what kind of horse I wanted and that perhaps I was capable of a bit more than I thought.
There are more people still, who have helped me along the way, given me advise and encouraged me to push myself.
I have used this forum to vent my extreme smugness when those around me are sick to death of me harping on about my wonderful moot and I have been lucky enough to have only received support and good wishes from all of you!

Special shout out to Chatter1, as without her I'd probably still be trying to feed the wrong end... ;)

So Fanks!! :D
 
kirstyhen said:
Special shout out to Chatter1, as without her I'd probably still be trying to feed the wrong end... ;)

So Fanks!! :D
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Right! i'm going to sue! I just spat out my wine - and you know how that goes - am trying to lick it off the floor now, so will sue for damages AND personal injury as tongue has splinters :rolleyes:
 
I like the support aspect, responses from people who 'get' you, who identify with what it's taken yo get where you are when you're gushing over the exploits of a hairy ID x who realistically is only going to break world records in eating!

One of the saddest times of my life is when HHO has been at its best. Losing a horse is devastating and non-horsey friends just don't get it, but you guys do and it helped being able to share grief.
 
I've met a lot of fantastic people through this forum and it still tickles me when I meet someone new and either they say 'Hi are you santa Claus' or I say 'Hi are you XYZ? I'm Santa Claus!' :D

Adding to the fantastic people it has also presented several opportunities I otherwise wouldn't have had which include my current rather lovely project pony who is owned by a HHOer :D

Oh yes and have also found some absolute gold nuggets of advice as well which revolutionised at times my riding!
 
Friends...I have met some amazing girls that I know will be friends forever, and I admit that there is one that I have not even ever met in person.

I don't fit in with this forum anymore, I suppose I have grown out of it and a new generation have taken over, which is cool with me, I have different projects on the go now, but I do miss the parties and general good feeling and the real sense of neighbourhood that is apparently lacking these days, or so I read about when I come on here!

Oh, and I ADORE it when people write crap about pro riders and they come on and have their say...to be a fly on the wall in the room of the squirming person, I do love that!
 
I come on to check there are still some sensible and knowledgeable types keeping the rest of HHO on the straight and narrow, saving horses and troll slaying.

There are fewer now, and theings look different, but that's how it goes.

Carry on everyone.
 
I like the supportive atmosphere. Hell knows we all have tough times with our horses so its nice to get some support when you're feeling low and a pat on the back when you've done well. As an information resource too - it's many things to many people! Mainly I like to follow people's stories especially youngsters that I can remember being born etc. I feel like an honorary HHO auntie!
 
The real life people and friends that I've met and made. That wouldn't have happened without HHO and I wouldn't have done or gone to many of the things and places that I have.

It's an incredible resource for learning. Through replies here my already extensive equine library has been expanded and I've many more tools in the bag, so to speak.

Well written reports that are engaging and entertaining. Obviously not everyone, myself included, has the writing skills of Shakespeare ( or Marion Keyes ;) ) and I'm NOT saying don't post reports unless you do but well thought out and laid out reports are easier to read and follow. Kirstyhen and Lolo are two of many who write such reports.

The helpful nature of most posters. I've pm'd users asking for their opinions or clarification of something they've posted and without exception everyone has replied and been of help.

It gives me and my friend W lots to chat about when our RL horses are off games; so often!

Following the progress of horses and riders in real time.

Warts and all writing/ reports

TD being the voice of reason

Photos

Hardly any pleas for help get posted without the offers to help out or loan equipment rolling in

That when it's good it's very, very good :D
 
Weezy said:
Oh, and I ADORE it when people write crap about pro riders and they come on and have their say...to be a fly on the wall in the room of the squirming person, I do love that!
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One of the best moments EVER on here was a thread about dressage judging. HHOer X commented (with very sage advice) and someone else said sniffily that the X had "obviously never judged to any decent level". Since I happen to know that X has judged at 4* level I was sitting here convulsed with laughter...

Lots of things to love about this place, already mentioned. The cameraderie is great (when it's working!) and I've met some great people through it.
 
laura-c said:
I like the search bar! Can search for pretty much any horse related issue you like and get good answers/experiences from others.

I read what I like and ignore what I don't. :)
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This exactly, I love being able to tap into so much resource, avoiding work is also an added bonus :)
 
kerilli said:
One of the best moments EVER on here was a thread about dressage judging. HHOer X commented (with very sage advice) and someone else said sniffily that the X had "obviously never judged to any decent level". Since I happen to know that X has judged at 4* level I was sitting here convulsed with laughter...
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In jokes are not acceptable :mad: :D :D

(btw, don't know if you saw my TREC report - why would you, it's TREC ;) - but there was a video in the first post we filmed just for you ;) )
 
JFTD said:
In jokes are not acceptable :mad: :D :D

(btw, don't know if you saw my TREC report - why would you, it's TREC ;) - but there was a video in the first post we filmed just for you ;) )
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haha sorry, it was a very private joke.
i'll have a look... sorry, i did skim past the TREC report, because i have an awful feeling it has something to do with being able to turn a compass around in the direction you're pointing, which i can't do (orienteering is my worst nightmare), so I feel totally inadequate at the sight of the word TREC! ;: ;) ;)
umm... seen it now, don't get it?! Or is this about the Fall Report Farm I saw?
 
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Ha it's my re enactment of the 'canter up to fence, pony puts head down to eat, fall over head' we were talking about on Friday... It did have commentary but I think it was muffled by my poor stunt riding skills ;)

Crawls back into hole :p
 
Thread not started as a wind up or dig in anyway, just as an alternative view.

Lovely to see so many positive comments. I for one am amazed what "doors" this forum opens.
 
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