Is it right to refer to horses as "it" ?

[TeamTotilas]

I often refer to horses as "it". On my Flint Curtis post I referred to the horse as "it" which was met by some considerable disgust by many of the forums visitors. The top eventers that I work for refer to horses as "it" all the time. Is it wrong to?

 

[doonrocket]

Nooooo, I meant a post about the lame stallion! I can see worms springing forth from a large opened can.

 

[amycov]

I always have a go at my dad when he refers to my horses as 'it' as I think it makes them seem an object rather than a living thing with feelings. Personal preference I guess.

 

[Persephone]

If you know what sex it is why call it "it"?

 

[DunRoamin]

No not by any cicumstances is it ok, it comes across as arogant and unknowledgeable, you would neve call a person 'it' so why should anyother living breathing animal be any different?? makes no difference who you work for or who they 'are'

 

[TeamTotilas]

I refer to my own horses at hes and shes but when I am discussing top horses, which I often am, I refer to them at "it", mainly to distinguish between rider and horse, as it is easy to get confused. I also work in an environment where the horses are not pets, they are machines if you will .... much loved, well-fed, and extremely well-cared for "machines", they receive the best care I have seen at any yard. I sometimes think that referred to horses as "it" helps you view them more objectively, without your heart getting in the way, which is essential when your a top athlete and having to make important decisions. When I'm selling a horse I refer to it as "it" also, perhaps to make it easier, since I do tend to grow very fond of my horses!!

 

[Aru]

Depends on the horse..and whats been discussed ...if it was a racehorse or a case id never met then id be happy to call the animal it but if its someones pet or a horse you have a personal relationship then id be using he or she most of the time and only 'it' when it bucked me off then legged it round the arena when i tried to catch it!

id often meet owners and trainers who call all their horses it ...but they tend to view them more as working livestock then pets...unlike most of the posters on this forum..
i dont have any problem with it....as long as the 'it' in question is well cared for they can call them all delilah for all i care its a personal preference...
Using 'it' can come across as cold when its written rather than said tho...

 

[mrsew]

Please don't hide behind the "top eventers that I work for" If that is the case you should already be able to find out what is wrong with Flint...sorry "it". As for your original post saying welcome to the English language for using the term it, that caused more offence than the post in the first place. I'm sure you are a lovely person & all of this has been taken out of context before we get to know you

 

[Ravenwood]

I have worked at Hunt yards, Polo Yards and always had my own horses - never have I come across anyone referring to their horse as "it"!

Nor would I ever call my own horses "it" although I do refer to them as "the mares"

lHowever, does it really matter? I am sure the horse in question has aboslutely no idea it is being referred to as "it" on a forum

 

[TeamTotilas]

[ QUOTE ]
No not by any cicumstances is it ok, it comes across as arogant and unknowledgeable, you would neve call a person 'it' so why should anyother living breathing animal be any different?? makes no difference who you work for or who they 'are'

[/ QUOTE ]

I completely understand your point, I was in no way suggesting that just because I work for top athletes that their way of talking about horses is any more or less legitimate that yours or anyone elses, I am merely interested in the strong feelings surrounding this issue. I think as long as you treat your animal with respect and feed and care for it in the appropriate way then it doesn't matter what you call it.

 

[TeamTotilas]

[ QUOTE ]
Please don't hide behind the "top eventers that I work for" If that is the case you should already be able to find out what is wrong with Flint...sorry "it". As for your original post saying welcome to the English language for using the term it, that caused more offence than the post in the first place. I'm sure you are a lovely person & all of this has been taken out of context before we get to know you

[/ QUOTE ]

I am not hiding behind anything, my boss has made her point very clear and I have heard all sorts from the eventers, I was merely wondering about the rest of the horsey publics view!! I am sorry to cause offence to you but your unpleasant response to my reasonable post, saying that I was an uncaring horse person (I am not) and that I'm not a fan of Olivers (I worship the ground he walks on) was what prompted what I agree was a rather sharp comment on my part. I was just surprised to see that on what I thought was a friendly forum!! I'm sure you too are nice and appreciate your input.

 

[DunRoamin]

just so you I also have worked with horses, up until january was Yard Manager at a very sucsessful riding school/livery yard for 8 years so am not a cuddley tree hugger as it where

 

[doonrocket]

As I enjoy sticking my hand in the hornets nest . In legal terms the Horse is an it , whether it is damaged as property or hit in a road accident. I'm sure the Law lords are confident in their use of the english language.


( I know the law lords are in a process of being replaced.)

 

[TeamTotilas]

I have not questioned anyones horse knowledge or experience, the reason I came on this forum in the first place was to talk to a range of people, because I work in an environment that is extremely elitist and focused, for good reason, but you often only hear one opinion in that sort of place. It's fantastic and the horses are incredible, but just as a person I like to broaden my horizons and talk to people outside the eventing world.

 

[pookie]

For what it's worth, I think the strong sentiments towards this topic arise from the implied lack of worth of the animal when the word "it" is used in such a way. When something/someone possesses a defined biological sex that is known, the word "it" becomes derogatory to a greater or lesser degree, dependent on what's being discussed. Whether intentional or not, once an animal (human or otherwise) is reduced to "it" status, it inevitably implies disrespect for that animal and, subsequently, the possibility that that animal is not given respect or appropriate care in other ways. It may well be miles away from reality - those you work for would be foolish in the extreme to not care for or respect those animals that essentially earn them their living - but that's how it comes across. Ultimately, the horses don't give a monkey's what you call them but without knowing anything about you in real life people on here can only react to the words you type.

 

[doonrocket]

You are going to be so tired tomorrow!

I hear the belgium horse and hound forum has posted "Is it right to refer to horses as lunch?"

 

[mrsew]

OK...lets start again TT...welcome (again) to the forum. As I said in my reply on this post things can get taken out of context (& be misconstrude) so if I have cuased offence I apologise, right or wrong though, especially when dealing with a celeb, I personally don't like referring to animals as "it". There are many words in the English language....I'm not sure we would like them to be used to describe us as individuals though. Before you shoot me down in flames I know the horses, animal, we are describing doesn't know any different....or do they?? Food for thought...anyway no hard feelings. Sx

 

[TeamTotilas]

Hah hah, I know, I'm up bloody early tomorrow as well, and competing all weekend booooo!!


[ QUOTE ]
Ultimately, the horses don't give a monkey's what you call them but without knowing anything about you in real life people on here can only react to the words you type.

[/ QUOTE ]

Good point well made!

 

[TeamTotilas]

mrsew -- I appreciate your personal preference, which seems to be mainly agreed with.

I love the discussions that this forum provokes!! I'm hooked!!

 

[doonrocket]

Are you up with a bottle of wine as well? Could be messy.

Is it right to refer to Jordan as "it"?

 

[TeamTotilas]

No unfortunately not, although it's a thought now you mention it!!
Since most of Jordan is inanimate material then yes, I think it's fair to refer to her as it. Although that may get confusing when talking about it when it's riding it's horse. Going by peoples reactions to the it situation I think the best idea is to refer to Jordan as it and the horse as he/she.

 

[mrsew]

Ed, you are a little devil. Don't start on the Pricey...ha ha. Sxx

 

[FRESHMAN]

Welcome to the forum. This one has made me smile, I mean does it really matter? I am a big fan of Ceasar Milan (Dog Whisperer) & he always claims the biggest problem is when people refer to an animal by it's name. First & foremost it is an animal (or in this case a dog) why does everyone want to get up close & personal. The animal doesnt give a toss! It's like all the post's asking for help with a new name for new horse! It doesnt matter, call it Trigger or Dobbin, it or should I say the horse really will not care less. "It" is fine by me & I really do not take offence. Life is far too short

 

[TMM]

I am guilty

, i did refer to my horse as it in one of my posts.
Sorryyy

 

[TeamTotilas]

I love What Katie Did Next I find it highly amusing!! The pricey is very entertaining......

Freshman-- I agree. I think it is less about the horses and more about the people's sentimentality surrounding their pets. Of course the horse doesn't care. Unless it speaks English which is incredible and surely no such horse should EVER be referred to as it.

 

[Enfys]

I do. Absolutely nothing to do with emotional attachment or sentimentality.

It depends in what context I am referring to a horse in, it may not be my horse, I may not know the gender or name, how else should it be referred to? It is natural to refer to any animal by name or gender if you know it, so I don't say 'it' about a horse/cat/dog/animal I do know or have an obvious clue as to whether it is a he or a she.

I can't see anything wrong with saying "When she let it go it just stood there" I wouldn't say "When she let the bay horse go the bay horse just stood there" so I am not going to type it either.

 

[0ldmare]

Agree with Enfys here, it does depend on the context.

But what would you call my old 'mare' if not an It? I often call her a her, but in reality she is an 'it'. Why? Because she is a hermaphrodite. She was born visually a mare with all the mare bits under the covers. But she also had all the stallion bits under the covers too! After being gelded and having a full hysterectomy she is now a true IT. Bless her, I think of her a mare really

My other one is more often called a Git than an It, but that's another subject altogether!

 

[BayJosie]

Don't think it really matters. do what works for you.

I know someone who refers to all the horses in her yard as 'grey gelding' or 'the bay one' doesn't mean she loves them any less, she doesn't call them by their names. It's quite charming really!

as said, the horse won't care what you bloody call him/her as long as it's loved, cared for and has some hay

 

[spookypony]

I tend to say "it" if I'm talking generically about a horse of unspecified gender, and "he" or "she" if I'm talking about a specific horse of known gender. One of my RIs often teaches fairly large groups, and I've noticed she tends to refer to horses as "it" when she's trying to sort everyone really quickly...

It could equally be argued that referring to people/animals by gender in a context where gender isn't relevant is sexist in some way ( I am not arguing this myself, just playing devil's advocate for fun here!). Thence this business of referring to actresses as "actors" now (although again it could be argued that gender is very relevant in that field).

Personally, sometimes my German (where every noun has a gender) creeps into my English, and I end up referring to children as "it" as well...

 

[stencilface]

I refer to our horses as the boys as we only ever ave geldings.

My OH's family still refer to my horse as a donkey, as in ' are you riding the donkey this weekend'

I mean my horse has large ears, but thats just cruel