It

I think I've referred to horses as 'it' before, not in a derogatory way though - only if I can't immediately tell, or don't know, what gender a horse is. I think perhaps 'it' could easily be used (and perceived) in an unpleasant way - depends on the sentiment behind the use.
 
if you think "it" is bad you should here what else I call it :P


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QR
Surely there are actually 3 genders of horses, stallions, mares and geldings. Strictly speaking, to be linguistically accurate geldings should be referred to as 'it'.
In fact reading the different posters it would seem to me (and sorry if I offend any-one here), that the more experienced and knowledgeable, less fluffy and 'my little pony' members are the ones who tend to use 'it' when referring to horses.
 
I couldn't give a monkeys if a horse is referred to as 'it'. There are legally 2 genders and a gelding is male. If you want to refer to a gelding call it a eunach! "use your whip behind your leg and get the eunach to move" - that would go down well at Pony Club.
 
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QR
I was asked by a non-horsey person the other day if I'd find him referring to my share horse as 'it' rather than 'he' odd. Well, yes, I would. And the non-horsey guy was asking because he'd picked up on the fact that I would speak to and about a horse in a similar manner as I would a person.

I'm used to people accidentally saying 'she' rather than 'he' because share horse is such a pretty Arab but I think the linguistic respect of talking about them as if they are living, gendered, organisms is important. Not for its own sake but because of the general attitude it shows.

If you refer to people as 'it' too then at least you're consistent!

And as to indeterminate... <font color="purple">well, at least with a horse you can usually have a quick peak to find out</font>!

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I thought the general question was about using the word it when referring to somebody's horse on the forum and I now have an image of myself trying to look at the backside of my screen to see if I can get a better peak from there...
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If we are talking real life, I'm sorry but if I meet and speaks a little to a rider when I'm out on a walk, unless the gender is really clear, I will probably refer to it as an it.

If we are talking the forum, I can't recall having seen anybody on HHO complaining about another HHO:er referring to their horse as an it but if it does happen, I would think that it would only lead to other users replying less, because some would only dare to reply to posts where they are sure of the gender of the other users horse/horses.


Personally I have always seen it, as a neutral and polite word to use when you're unsure of the gender.

But if it does upset some people, it is a very good reason for giving both people and animals gender clear names. Then if you say that you post a photo of Victor, people knows it is a male and if you say that you post a photo of Victoria, people knows it is a female.

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This is a general response.

Oh good so its not a majority cardinal sin on here to say "it".

Horses come in 3 sexes? Thats a new one on me. Horses are people? Okaaayy. Id say calling them "it" is a bit more realistic than either of the above.
 
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I'm used to people accidentally saying 'she' rather than 'he' becasue share horse is such a pretty Arab but I think the linguistic respect of talking about them as if they are living, gendered, organisms is important. Not for its own sake but because of the general attitude it shows.

If you refrer to people as 'it' too then at least you're consistent!


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Yes, precisely my feelings.
 
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