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

[Flame_]

[ QUOTE ]
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?

[/ QUOTE ]
No, it gives people something totally inconsequential to moan about.

 

[JanetGeorge]

[ QUOTE ]


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!


[/ QUOTE ]

Grey gelding wouldn't work on my yard - far too many of the damn things!

But I DO have one who is constantly referred to as 'chestnut' - and he's the best loved horse on the yard. And he DOES have a proper name - 'Marmalade Sky' - Sky for short.

We also refer to one stable block as 'the stallions' - although it houses one stallion and two geldings. We DO tend to call a horse 'it' if it's misbehaving or we don't like it. And we have one in at the moment we tend to refer to as 'unbreakable' - because that was what he was described as by a former person who failed to back him! And another as 'pony' - because he's the ONLY pony!

We also shorten names for groups of horses - there is 'triple' (as in Trio and Ripple) - and we USED to have 'Charlie's Angels' (a group of youngsters that consisted of Charlie and 3 fillies.) Doesn't mean we care for or value them any differently.

And - of course - all geldings are really 'it' - not he!

 

[xspiralx]

QR -

Generally speaking I don't refer to horses as "it" because in some contexts it does diminish them to object status - any horse of mine or that I know would always be he or she to me.

However, if I'm talking about a horse I don't know well, I would quite often say something like "its a lovely horse" or "its got a great jump." To me I think the difference is if I am talking about a horse individually, or just making an observation.

 

[lhotse]

Mmmmm, the 'top' eventer that I know refers to his horses as 'it', as in hit 'it' harder.......

Just about sums up what how much he values his horses, they are just machines to make money on.

 

[BBH]

Yes

 

[Nailed]

What difference does it make if its a bloody racehorse! Its still not a bloody IT. Nothing to do with 'lifestock' horse blatently are livestock... and Im not being funny, duck but racehorses deserve some resepect. They are not just IT...

God its people like you who think its ok to shoot a perfectly sound horse at the end of its racing career! After all its only a bloody IT.

 

[kerilli]

i think "it" is fine if you don't know the horse's sex, but if you do, it sounds a lot more caring to say "he" or "she".
just depends how you want to come across, really.

 

[skewby]

[ QUOTE ]
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!!

[/ QUOTE ]
I have no issue with people referring to a horse as "it". Exactly as you say, I find it with people who have worked extensively with horses in any field, as opposed to hobbyists like me. I did sort of put it down to this reason - it's not insulting, but if you are to work with horses (and don't forget that it's people who put in the work with them that gives them a sound future!) that the "it" thing is a result of maintaining your distance. Which of course you just must have to do.

 

[xspiralx]

[ QUOTE ]
What difference does it make if its a bloody racehorse! Its still not a bloody IT. Nothing to do with 'lifestock' horse blatently are livestock... and Im not being funny, duck but racehorses deserve some resepect. They are not just IT...

God its people like you who think its ok to shoot a perfectly sound horse at the end of its racing career! After all its only a bloody IT.

[/ QUOTE ]

I suggest you re-read your post and observe how many times you referred to horses as "it" in it - I guess that makes you as "heartless" as Aru

 

[kirstie]

I don't really think that there is anything wrong with calling a horse it. Most of the time I would refer to a horse by their name or gender. But I must say, if my mare has been particularly naughty or chucked my off or something, she immediately becomes 'it'. It's just a jokey way to show my annoyance at her behaviour or actions.
I've worked with horses for years, and only the ones that I really didn't like were referred to as 'it'.

 

[BFG]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
What difference does it make if its a bloody racehorse! Its still not a bloody IT. Nothing to do with 'lifestock' horse blatently are livestock... and Im not being funny, duck but racehorses deserve some resepect. They are not just IT...

God its people like you who think its ok to shoot a perfectly sound horse at the end of its racing career! After all its only a bloody IT.

[/ QUOTE ]

I suggest you re-read your post and observe how many times you referred to horses as "it" in it - I guess that makes you as "heartless" as Aru

[/ QUOTE ]

Slightly harsh "Nailed" is talking about a non specific horse and for the record i agree with everything "Nailed" said. I hate the term "machine" as well.

 

[Rouletterose]

[ QUOTE ]
[ 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.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think calling a horse IT just shows what kind of person you are, it shows that you have a total lack of respect for the horse concerned except as a money making object to further your career.
the horse may very well be well fed, looked after very well in general but then you would wouldn't you? if you wanted that horse to get you to the top of your game? so that you had a 'good' name in your profession.

I am not a professional I would never call any of my horses by anything other than their names, I'm not a fuddy duddy I expect respect from my horses and I get it, but I also give huge respect to them and they are not objects, the word IT refers to an OBJECT.

 

[Puppy]

[ QUOTE ]
and that I'm not a fan of Olivers (I worship the ground he walks on)

[/ QUOTE ]

That does makes your claims that you work in top level eventing seem rather unbelievable!

 

[rara007]

Sorry, but this thread has cracked me up. Does the horse give a damn it is called 'it'

I don't call mine 'it' (I don't think) But when talking about horses you see at shows or out and about I often say 'Did you see who XX was riding, It was really nice' Or did you see the arab hacking, bit close to the edge wasn't It' or did you see XYZ's team being driving, that leader was a right poo wasn't it' etc....... I'm sorry but every single horse I wish to have a natter about I'm not going to ask its name/breeding/sex

Further examples- 'Do you know XX's horse for sale, what is it like?' or 'You saw XX's horse, what d'ya think of it'

 

[VictoriaEDT]

I work with horses all day as well.

I dont think it is about what the horse thinks, you are right the horse wouldnt care either way. However, I think it has more to do what other people think of you and the impression you give to other horse owners (not aimed directly at you TT but all people that call horses "it") for calling a horse "it"

I think it makes this person sound uncarring, arrogant, intolerant/impatient with no emmotional feeling for their animal.

Just imagine if I called all my clients horses "it" - i wouldnt have very many clients if i did! I work for a lot of 4* event riders and have never heard them call their horses "it"!

 

[BFG]

My instructor is a dealer and therefore imports a lot of horses she has no emotional attachment to them in that she knows they all have to be sold and even she doesn’t refer to them as IT.

So why would someone who needs to build up a relationship with the horse refer them as IT????? It just shows lack of respect and shows just how much they really think of the animal that is working their a*se off to take the rider to the top.

 

[xspiralx]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
What difference does it make if its a bloody racehorse! Its still not a bloody IT. Nothing to do with 'lifestock' horse blatently are livestock... and Im not being funny, duck but racehorses deserve some resepect. They are not just IT...

God its people like you who think its ok to shoot a perfectly sound horse at the end of its racing career! After all its only a bloody IT.

[/ QUOTE ]

I suggest you re-read your post and observe how many times you referred to horses as "it" in it - I guess that makes you as "heartless" as Aru

[/ QUOTE ]

Slightly harsh "Nailed" is talking about a non specific horse and for the record i agree with everything "Nailed" said. I hate the term "machine" as well.

[/ QUOTE ]

Aru wasn't talking about specific horses either - and frankly its far more harsh, and totally irrational to state that just because someone refers to a random horse as "it", that means they are in agreement with healthy horses being shot for no reason. Its a totally illogical statement to make.

 

[Onyxia]

I often do and dont have a problem with it.
If I am talking to the horses owner I try to make a point of using it's name or sex,but calling them "it" is a habit I fell into very young and I dont think it would be an easy one to break

I also know the horses dont give a damn either way as long as the food turns up on time and they are looked after

 

[Seahorse]

I don't suppose the horse actually even cares as long as it gets fed!!

I went to see a Jennie Loriston-Clark demo and she refered to all the horses there as 'it' which at the time I found quite amusing.

 

[Booboos]

Only when I feel like sending it to the sausage factory

 

[arwenplusone]

[ QUOTE ]
I don't really think that there is anything wrong with calling a horse it. Most of the time I would refer to a horse by their name or gender. But I must say, if my mare has been particularly naughty or chucked my off or something, she immediately becomes 'it'. It's just a jokey way to show my annoyance at her behaviour or actions.
I've worked with horses for years, and only the ones that I really didn't like were referred to as 'it'.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ah, but this is contradictory and actually sort of proves a point.
Yourefer to the horses you don't like as 'it' or the ones that have annoyed you.

Ergo, the word 'it' is derogatory.

Not trying to single you out but most of these replies on here, even the ones saying 'it' is ok, also say that they use 'it' when cross, fed up or being impersonal.

So therefore it is an impersonal way to refer to a horse. Or a way to distance yourself. I would say for example 'I went to see a horse but I didn't like the look of it' but if I tried the horse and liked it I might say 'she is lovely'

Hence why, when 'it' is used it gets peoples backs up sometimes.

 

[kerilli]

spot on MayFlower, i couldn't have put that better myself.

 

[trundle]

i have been guilty of calling horses "it"...but not my girl. She is ALWAYS "she". I really don't get worked up about what people call horses, it, he, she, it doesn't make any difference.

I think that possibly Jordan should be referred to as "they"....

 

[Annagain]

How many of you who object to saying "it" refer to unborn babies as "it"? I imagine lots of you do simply because you don't know the gender of an unborn baby. It's not meant to be derogatory it's just there's not the information to help you choose which he/she option to use. (Just to put my grammar OCD hat on for a second and before anyone suggests it, "they" isn't an option as it refers to the plural.)

I don't normally use "it" when I refer to specific horses, I tend to say "he" if I don't know, just because all my horses have been geldings (same for dogs, but cats are always "she" in my head!) but if you are talking generally about a horse you don't know and don't know the gender of I think it's ok. e.g if you saw a horse at a competition and said to somebody not connected with it (ohh I've done it there!) "That's a nice horse, isn't it"

However - knowing that Flint Curtis is a "he" I must admit that the tone of the post, in the context of your comment, did seem a bit uncaring. I accept it wasn't the intention and if spoken tone of voice might have helped it come across better but you lose that with written English and that's how it seemed to me. Would you have said "It's a great horse" had he won?

 

[MontyandZoom]

What a great post!! I think the upset arises from the use of the word 'it' in a purposefully derogatory way.......ie there is a girl at my field who calls Zoom 'it' or 'that one-eyed thing'.

(B*TCH!)

However, where there is no offence intended, I don't see the problem! As other people have said, the horse doesn't care. I quite often address Monty as 'you there' or 'oi'. He doesn't seem too fussed.

I guess when things are written down it is difficult to sense the tone.

 

[Sooty]

I don't know why, but on the rare occasions when I have heard someone refer to a horse as 'it', (as in 'I'm going to ride it tomorrow and see how it goes for me'), it makes me cringe just a little...

 

[YorksG]

Not too bothered about the use of the word 'it' in relation to horses, however I do think that the term 'machine' says an awful lot about the speakers mind set towards the horse. 'It' may be correct, machine is not!

If someone who 'works' for top eventers' sees the animals as machines then the sport is in a bad way IMO

 

[TGM]

I'm in two mind about the word 'machine'. I HATE the term 'rosette machine' which really implies that the animal is just a item bought for winning ribbons, but somehow I don't find the term 'cross country machine' as offensive!

 

[YorksG]

To my mind a cross country machine is a mountain bike, no animal can be equated with a machine, as far as I am concerned. A machine cannot feel pain, can be repaired with the tools, has no healing process and has no ability to think, or feel fear, or indeed pleasure for that matter.

 

[TGM]

I suppose it depends on how it is used - I've normally heard it used in terms of awe and respect about certain horses. At the end of the day, it is common to use imagery in the English language - if we say a horse 'flew' over a fence, it doesn't mean that we think it has wings, so saying a horse is a 'machine' doesn't mean we think it feels no pain!