Irresponsible HHO Ad!!

[Ladybird]

Sorry if this has been done but look at this...

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/clas...8gOB3I3NAQ_f1_usg=AFQjCNGZmKmK44YGGEJFDr&cc=2

HHO should know better!

 

[AmyMay]

Have you contacted the Advertising section to complain?

 

[sianb]

Is it the whole xmas present thing that's the problem? Surely if the buy knows what they are letting themselves in for a pony would be a great xmas present (I know I'd have loved one when i was a kid!)
But ! do see your point that if you are not horsey a pony might not be the best present in the world, a pony's for life not just for xmas thing.

 

[Ladybird]

I didn't actually know this was possible, I'll have a look.

 

[Auslander]

Is it the whole xmas present thing that's the problem? Surely if the buy knows what they are letting themselves in for a pony would be a great xmas present (I know I'd have loved one when i was a kid!)
But ! do see your point that if you are not horsey a pony might not be the best present in the world, a pony's for life not just for xmas thing.

I suspect OP's eyebrows may also have been raised (as were mine) at reading that it was backed and in work at the age of 2.

 

[Capriole]

its an unfortunate way to title it isnt it

Although, I do think possible clueless buyers looking for a pony as a christmas present might be more likely to head for preloved or some cheapy site, maybe, rather than HH. Might be wrong
(Although those places are where Ive seen people saying wanted: free pony/horse, must be 100% in all ways etc etc, as ive promised my child I will get her one and Ive no money , grrr)

I had a 2 yr old ISH colt for my birthday a few years ago, hes ace

 

[Capriole]

I suspect OP's eyebrows may also have been raised (as were mine) at reading that it was backed and in work at the age of 2.

well yes, there was thatt...

 

[AmyMay]

I didn't actually know this was possible, I'll have a look.

FREEPHONE 0800 731 0616

 

[ihatework]

What a cute pony.

TBH I don't see why HHO are irresponsible, what is wrong with someone buying a pony as a Christmas prezzie. It is up to the seller to find the right home, and there is nothing in that advert to suggest they are going to flog it to the first non-horsey parent to rock up with the cash?

 

[sianb]

Yeah maybe it would have helped if I'd actually read all the advert! sorry!

 

[*Maddy&Occhi*]

My concerns were drawn to the fact he has done all that has said at barely the age of 3

 

[VioletStripe]

What a lovely pony.. I hope someone experienced and kind takes him in xx

 

[AmyMay]

My concerns were drawn to the fact he has done all that has said at barely the age of 3

I actually thought the advert was very good.

The pony looks in top notch condition, and has had the odd child sitting on it's back - oh and been broken to harness. Nothing has been said about 'work' perse. Where exactly is the problem?

It's quite common to back a large horse at 2, so why not a well developed pony?

 

[tasteofchristmaschaos]

I wouldn't back any horse at 2, i don't even back at 3! I leave it until 4/rising 5. I don't think size is the issue here.
I don't think complaining is going to do anything tbh, even if they get the ad cancelled on here, they will only put up for sale on other websites, pony will be sold regardless.

 

[Auslander]

It's quite common to back a large horse at 2, so why not a well developed pony?

It being common doesn't make it right!

People backing horses who still have much growing and developing to do makes my blood boil. There is plenty of documented evidence that horses don't finish growing til 7/8 and that backing them at 2 is stressing immature joints at a key stage in their development. Only reason I can see for it is people being impatient to start riding their baby - but with most horses having 15+ year careers as riding horses, it seems very unfair not to let them have a few years just to be babies.

I do not want this to turn into a row, but this is one of the few things that really gets my back up. Apologies if I appear to have attacked - but it makes me angry that backing horses younger and younger appears to be becoming acceptable, because if everyone else is doing it, it must be right.

 

[AmyMay]

It being common doesn't make it right!

People backing horses who still have much growing and developing to do makes my blood boil.

There's a difference between backing and working........

And what growing exactly do you think this little pony has to do? Looks pretty much 'cooked' to me

 

[ArabianGold]

Shame his not a little bigger other wise I would have had him. SO CUTE!!!

 

[stencilface]

I think being driven steadily is also a lot different to being ridden

 

[Paddy Irish]

I know it's not really the point here and i'll probably be accused of being a bit melodramatic , but doesnt he have sad eyes? he's in lovely condition but in the photo's he looks kind of resigned and sad , i'd love him for xmas...all ours are happy ponies with smilie eyes

 

[Double_choc_lab]

Apart from the stupid "christmas present" thingy the pony is still only 2 - it has been backed and ridden by children, taken to shows and hacked out alone so it is somewhat more than just being backed. FGS it's a baby why wasn't this left until it was 3 at least. I do wonder who did the backing and it's now turned away because of pregnancy complications so I hope it wasn't the adult who was doing some of the riding.

 

[Auslander]

There's a difference between backing and working........

And what growing exactly do you think this little pony has. Looks pretty much 'cooked' to me

I do not believe that two year olds should be doing anything apart from being babies - apologies if I wasn't very clear earlier.

It is probably close to full height, but I am not talking about how it looks in a photo (it looks well covered, but is still a little bit weak over the back) At two years old, its joints will not have finished growing, and it shouldn't be having pressure put on them.

Sure - it's a small pony, and it won't kill it to carry a lightweight rider. My beef is with the fact that it is a two year old - a baby, and whether or not it is up to the job, I personally don't feel it should be doing it yet.

 

[Auslander]

I know it's not really the point here and i'll probably be accused of being a bit melodramatic , but doesnt he have sad eyes? he's in lovely condition but in the photo's he looks kind of resigned and sad , i'd love him for xmas...all ours are happy ponies with smilie eyes

Melodramatic perhaps - but I noticed that too, and I'm supposed to be a pro (of sorts!) It's an expression I've seen on the faces of many a baby TB in for backing and riding away!!

 

[Jesstickle]

I do not believe that two year olds should be doing anything apart from being babies - apologies if I wasn't very clear earlier.

And what does that involve? I long reigned my two year old out on 'hacks'. I usually do when they're that age. I think it's good for them to see the world a bit. She wore a roller and sometimes my saddle, if I'd put a tiny tot on her and led them about would it really have been the end of the world?

Plenty of people go to shows with their 2 year olds. That is what inhand showing is for?

Can't see much wrong with the ad myself. Nice pony, clearly well looked after and I frequently got ponies for Christmas/birthdays as a child. Don't see much of a problem frankly. As long as the owner vets the home pony is going to what's the harm. She is advertising with H&H so doubt she'll attract total numpty non horsey types anyway!

 

[Auslander]

And what does that involve? I long reigned my two year old out on 'hacks'. I usually do when they're that age. I think it's good for them to see the world a bit. She wore a roller and sometimes my saddle, if I'd put a tiny tot on her and led them about would it really have been the end of the world?!

Nothing wrong with that. In my world - every baby learns from birth to walk nicely in hand, act as clothes hanger for numnahs/jackets/bandages/small children, stand still to be leaned on whilst having a coffee, pick its feet up, be "pretend" tied up, and come for walks in the big wide world. I'll happily stick a bit in a two year olds mouth just so they think of it as perfectly normal, and I've clipped bits off the necks of nosy ones, put saddles on ones who were in the way, and have jumped logs in the woods with in hand yearlings. All this playing sets them up for life, but I personally don't back and ride until they are three

 

[Jesstickle]

I expect the pony is 'backed' in the sense it has had a child sit on it and go for inhand walks. I would be very surprised if it is backed and ridden away properly. People often write 'backed' meaning has been sat on twice in ads. For some reason this is supposed to sell you the pony as if you aren't going to have to do nearly all the work yourself!

Anyway, I am a natural optimist and that is what I am going to continue to think unless someone supplies proof other wise!

 

[Auslander]

I expect the pony is 'backed' in the sense it has had a child sit on it and go for inhand walks. I would be very surprised if it is backed and ridden away properly. People often write 'backed' meaning has been sat on twice in ads. For some reason this is supposed to sell you the pony as if you aren't going to have to do nearly all the work yourself!

Anyway, I am a natural optimist and that is what I am going to continue to think unless someone supplies proof other wise!

Good for you! I got a bit aerated for a while, but I've had a mince pie, and i feel better now!

 

[jendie]

Maybe it is a typo and he is really 12. She says hopefully. Two years is WAY too young to be ridden and driven and surely too young to make a 'perfect first pony'. Poor little lad, I'd like to take him just to be sure he is OK but sadly I have more than enough field ornaments!!

 

[Super_Kat]

I suspect OP's eyebrows may also have been raised (as were mine) at reading that it was backed and in work at the age of 2.

But alot of horses are. as long as its not in continuous hard wror at that age I don't see your issue

 

[Auslander]

But alot of horses are. as long as its not in continuous hard wror at that age I don't see your issue

Someone else said the exact same thing earlier in the thread, and I explained exactly why I have an issue with it. You must have missed it.

Try this for why I don't believe that anyone should be sitting on a 2yr old (or a 3YO - if I'm honest) http://www.equinestudies.org/ranger_2008/ranger_piece_2008_pdf1.pdf

And my other beef - that they have many many years ahead of them as riding horse, so should be allowed to be babies for a good long time - is just how I feel. They give me the best years of their lives, and work hard for me, so I prepay the favour, by letting them hang out with their homies in the field, playing and growing and being horses, until their fourth year.

 

[AmyMay]

So, OP - how did you get on with the Advertising Section, and your complaint??