Let's all give thanks...

Queenbee

Queenbee

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Ok, so after some recent grumbling that there were no good trolls, we got a blinder (we think) in the form of a poorly abandoned foal. It kind of left a bad taste in your mouth but it also highlighted the good, the kind hearted, the generosity knowledge and experience, not to mention the true selflessness that can be found on this site in times of crisis.

So I thought, it would be a good time to a) give thanks for help and b) reminisce, recall such stories of us hho'ers rallying in times of crisis for equestrians and equines.

So, I will start...

I owned the most amazing mare, I always knew I was blessed to have her in my life but honestly never knew just how much until I was facing losing her. It turned out after weeks of trying to save her and identify what was wrong that she had malabsorption syndrome, she was ill, her body was giving up and it should have destroyed me. This forum kept me strong, positive, came up with so many ideas of solutions and things to keep her stable and comfortable at the very least, someone was here for me at any time of the day, even in the wee small hours when I was unable to sleep. THIS is What HHO is about, it's us at our best. Everyone knows how I will be so thankful until the end of my days.
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?542416-Can-I-cry-pls

The one that didn't involve me but took on the heart of this forum, carrot and spud, the story of an individual with no understanding, experience or knowledge of horses, who was concerned enough and cared enough to create an account just to alert someone to the plight of two beautiful souls, without this man and the help and dedication of members of this forum, they would surely have died in their field. Instead they had many happy years in a sanctuary, partly funded by hovis' diary... Written by a member of (yep, you guessed it if you didn't already know) HHO!

Please do share your stories of HHO help in times of your crisis and of the plights of others that have warmed your heart :)

Of course, I don't disregard my crisis in showing and everyone's support in my journey to a county show with Ben... That is very important to me too :)
 
Carrot and Spud was an amazing story.

Also when the famous Ned made his escape, I think it was great how many people where willing to help.

There have been many others but my mind has gone blank so I shall look forward to seeing what other people post as I'm sure it will jog my memory.

On a personal level it's been great to have somewhere to come for advice and encouragement, I had a really difficult time with my mare last year but was able to come and vent on here, read success stories and get a kick up the back side when needed.
 
Oh yes, The Great Escape spread through FB like a virus lol, and so heartwarming to see he was safe, I have to say... One of my favourite ever stories was the thread when Nah posted her yo had given her a Christmas card.... In it it said she owned ned... That was absolutely fab, one of the all time greats!
 
The support I have had on here regarding dizzy was amazing. HHO helped me get through what was a truly rubbish time in my life.
 
Mine was also a time of crisis, a good few years ago now sisters (then) big mare had a prolapsed rectum, sister was away at a conference and I was on my own here. After the vet had dealt with the immediate problem the mare needed checking on every hour during the night, cue me staying up, dozing a bit and feeling somewhat alone! Throughout that night there were people around to talk to on HHO, offering support, a chat, directing me to videos of the Budweisser horses to pass the time etc. Later that week when we lost the beautiful girl, people were there again, with support and just being there understanding what it felt like to be us, in that place. HHO at its best again :)
 
Well done QB a good idea for a thread.

I love the Ned updates, plus admire what Jess has done for Prince. We all were addicted to the Tess thread when Dolly arrived, people gave advice and support

I also just love it when we get Titchy updates, so good to see.
There are others and must mention Ted and Alice and all those who let us share their journeys back to recovery.
 
The Foal Troll thread which you mentioned at the start was like a breath of fresh air. I don't mean the person who made the whole orry story up (CobRambler), I mean all the kind and helpful people here who offered genuine support. There was no competing to call troll/play CSI, no nastiness and doubting, the story was taken at face value. Only when clear evidence (fake photos) was found by two members was the cover blown, and even then the OP was given a chance to come back and explain.

For myself, this place has been really supportive. When I first came here two years ago I was at my wit's end, and I got so much good advice and encouragement, lots of PM's and offers of help if I was in anyone's area. The lovely Rhino even mailed me a helpful book.

Since then I've come back whenever I've needed equine advice, and sometimes with personal stuff too in Club House. I have almost without exception been treated with great kindness.

Thank you, all of you. :)
 
The support I recieved in the dark time when Lucy was so ill was amazing. People were always checking in to see how she was and always had kind words when she took a downward turn and were genuinly happy when she seemed to get better.
When I did loose her HHO shone at it's best. I was a total wreck (Hell I had a breakdown) I realy felt I couldn't cope. The response to the thread I posted about loosing her was increadable and I got tons and tons of PMs from people. When I felt I was struggling I could post on here and talk to people who realy understood what I was going through. I started a memorial group on FB that at one point had 150 members mainly from HHO people who had never met Lucy but had all been touched by her story (only 13 people had ever met her and even many members of my family didn't bother to join the group). Members on here voted in mass when I entered a comp to win a portrait of her, sadly I didn't win but afew lovely members on here clubbed together and commishioned a picture, done by a very talented member of HHO, of my amazing mare.
I've also had amazing support the last (almost 4 years) of dealing with the "horrid one". At times I felt I couldn't help him, esp so soon after loosing Lucy but people on here realy spured me on and helped me keep going. I often get messages from people asking how i'm doing and it means alot to me to know people care.
This forum realy can be amazing sometimes :)
 
Wthe night after I lost my last horse very suddenly to a heart attack I didn't sleep a wink. I stayed on here all night and all night I recieved messages of support. I don't know how I would have gotten through the night without them. Thank you x
 
Despite the inevitable rows and fights, when help is really needed this is the place to go.

Ned's escape (and capture) really showed this forum at its best. The Dolly Bogoff thread was also great although I thought at one point it was in danger of being derailed. Queenbee's long story about the life and sad death of her mare. Mustn't forget Titchy, I love that pony. And Jess, her Prince thread always make me cry.

And then there are all the highly amusing posts and the ones celebrating success in lots of forms, from catching a formerly nervous pony to winning a big prize. It's all here.

It would be a huge shame to lose this forum, you can always find a friend here or someone to talk to in the lonely depths of night.

Thank you all for being here.
 
When my Clydesdale boy was ill last Xmas and consequently PTS the messages and support on here were overwhelming. I cannot thank people enough for their support...esp as we then had to have my elderly Shetland PTS the same day.
The people here made an awful time that bit more bearable xxx
 
What a lovely thread! The times when I lost my two boys and all the messages of support and sympathy meant such a lot to help me through those dark days that followed. That people cared enough to take the time to write such lovely words,made me cry, and I can't thank them enough for their support at a time when I was very low. HHO can be a bit full on sometimes, but when it matters they are all there for you, with words of support and encouragement. :)
 
I have received the kindest pm's from people after mentioning my brother's death and my mother's illness. Alec and Mrs B took time out of their day to send messages that transended the gap between the often superficiality of the internet and RL.

This forum can be immensely kind, practical and supportive.

Which is why troll posts should not be tolerated. Truth does matter, otherwise we'll end up viewing posts as a form of entertainment rather than real experiences of genuine people.

I get cross when people castigate posters for suggesting a post is obviously fake. I didn't post on the dumped foal thread so the troll wasn't fed but wasn't prepared to point it out because of the people who jump on posters who alert everyone else.
 
When I was home alone and had to get my horse PTS some lovely HHO members (but through fb) supported me through it and made it so much easier, particularly amymay, ladyinred and ibblebibble - and others! Thanks again :)

Oh and let's not forget my epic 5 day labour in soapbox....:D
 
horserider said:
Which is why troll posts should not be tolerated. Truth does matter, otherwise we'll end up viewing posts as a form of entertainment rather than real experiences of genuine people.

I get cross when people castigate posters for suggesting a post is obviously fake. I didn't post on the dumped foal thread so the troll wasn't fed but wasn't prepared to point it out because of the people who jump on posters who alert everyone else.
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Agree with this
 
I had great support and sympathy when I joined the forum after our mare was pts and it went badly. It really helped us to put things into perspective. We also had great support when a family horse needed to be traced urgently and was subsequently recovered.

IMHO posts like the dumped foal say an awful lot about the OP but reflect wonderfully on the supportive forum members on here.
 
horserider said:
Truth does matter, otherwise we'll end up viewing posts as a form of entertainment rather than real experiences of genuine people.

I get cross when people castigate posters for suggesting a post is obviously fake. I didn't post on the dumped foal thread so the troll wasn't fed but wasn't prepared to point it out because of the people who jump on posters who alert everyone else.
Click to expand...

I do take your point but we can't be sure anyone on here is real and telling the truth really, can we? As long as they're not causing trouble, being unpleasant or asking for cash, I don't see why we can't give benefit of the doubt. :) As others pointed out, peoples' advice could still be useful to anyone researching a problem.

On the foal thread, it WAS pointed out it was fake once it was known to be so (ie actual evidence, not guesswork, or competing to spot the troll :rolleyes3:). Until then the OP was given benefit of the doubt. Just how it should be IMO. :)
 
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FionaM12 said:
As long as they're not causing trouble, being unpleasant or asking for cash, I don't see why we can't give benefit of the doubt. :)
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But as we've seen, they don't have to ASK for cash for people to offer it, do they?
Would have been VERY easy for the Gamble the Imaginary Foal poster to cash in quickly then scarper there, wouldn't it?
 
I can't begin to tell you all how much I've learnt from HHO....either from asking directly or reading threads others have started.
I honestly don't think I would have made the progress I have with my horse. When I felt out of my depth there was always advice, tips, support and virtual nibbles.

I also received support and lovely PMs when I lost my horse suddenly.

I'm lucky enough to have my horses at home, but it can be lonely sometimes and I miss having fellow liveries to run things past. So I guess you lot are my virtual yard mates :)
 
Problem is though, that compassionate posters care about situations like these. Why should someone be able to manipulate peoples emotions for their own amusement ? When posters are tearful because of the plight of a dumped foal and the mare he was supposedly snatched from, its just not on.
The result is that cynicism increases and genuine people are reluctant to seek support.

If fakes are spotted on page one by members who have a good gut instinct for looking at a post and knowing that it doesn't ring true, letting it run on for a couple of days and allowing people to be sucked into the deceit, isn't a good thing.

Often posts are skimmed through and the details ignored. The anti-troll spotters bear some responsibility for these nasty threads flourishing.

Now give me a fun, inventive troll anyday. They just seek to entertain. The famous Bathtap thread was a classic.
 
I had huge support from this forum when my old lad got ill and I then made the decision to have him pts. It was monumental and gave me so much comfort.

Also in march when Buddy went for his emergency operation the support through his thread and from pm was overwhelming.

I have loved following certain horses and their owners on here and more often than not it is full of support and encouragement :)
 
Adopter said:
Well done QB a good idea for a thread.

I love the Ned updates, plus admire what Jess has done for Prince. We all were addicted to the Tess thread when Dolly arrived, people gave advice and support

I also just love it when we get Titchy updates, so good to see.
There are others and must mention Ted and Alice and all those who let us share their journeys back to recovery.
Click to expand...

LauraWheeler said:
The support I recieved in the dark time when Lucy was so ill was amazing. People were always checking in to see how she was and always had kind words when she took a downward turn and were genuinly happy when she seemed to get better.
When I did loose her HHO shone at it's best. I was a total wreck (Hell I had a breakdown) I realy felt I couldn't cope. The response to the thread I posted about loosing her was increadable and I got tons and tons of PMs from people. When I felt I was struggling I could post on here and talk to people who realy understood what I was going through. I started a memorial group on FB that at one point had 150 members mainly from HHO people who had never met Lucy but had all been touched by her story (only 13 people had ever met her and even many members of my family didn't bother to join the group). Members on here voted in mass when I entered a comp to win a portrait of her, sadly I didn't win but afew lovely members on here clubbed together and commishioned a picture, done by a very talented member of HHO, of my amazing mare.
I've also had amazing support the last (almost 4 years) of dealing with the "horrid one". At times I felt I couldn't help him, esp so soon after loosing Lucy but people on here realy spured me on and helped me keep going. I often get messages from people asking how i'm doing and it means alot to me to know people care.
This forum realy can be amazing sometimes :)
Click to expand...
Your journey and subsequent loss of your beautiful girl, touched my heart and had me sobbing. You were both incredibly lucky to have each other xx

Ladyinred said:
Despite the inevitable rows and fights, when help is really needed this is the place to go.

Ned's escape (and capture) really showed this forum at its best. The Dolly Bogoff thread was also great although I thought at one point it was in danger of being derailed. Queenbee's long story about the life and sad death of her mare. Mustn't forget Titchy, I love that pony. And Jess, her Prince thread always make me cry.

And then there are all the highly amusing posts and the ones celebrating success in lots of forms, from catching a formerly nervous pony to winning a big prize. It's all here.

It would be a huge shame to lose this forum, you can always find a friend here or someone to talk to in the lonely depths of night.

Thank you all for being here.
Click to expand...

Yes, the Prince and Magic thread and updates... Again HHO at its best, and this weeks picture of prince... Wow what a transformation, it was really sad to see this week that when clearing out the old owners shed there was so much food and rugs that he should have been fed, but my god he has landed on his feet!

SatansLittleHelper said:
When my Clydesdale boy was ill last Xmas and consequently PTS the messages and support on here were overwhelming. I cannot thank people enough for their support...esp as we then had to have my elderly Shetland PTS the same day.
The people here made an awful time that bit more bearable xxx
Click to expand...

I think the best thing when ebony was ill was that people helped me break things down into bitesized manageable tasks. Considering PTS and method was done with pain but relative ease, I learnt a lot about hedgerow herbs and allowed ebony to graze on what she needed (she loved nettles, cow parsley, gorse tips and willow shoots). Actually it wasn't just HHO, that were a massive help, the support I got from feed companies was huge, they sent me tons of free high calorie goodies to tempt her but I would never have considered calling them if it hadn't been for suggestions to do so on here.

Finally from one persons loss and struggles comes the opportunity to help others, after my loss, I found myself the recipient of pms, everyone offering support and condolences, but also people that had come on HHO, seeking help and because of their issue been told to pm me by other members. I was able to help others, share with them what I had learnt, ring the feed companies for them to take some of the strain and be on hand to support them. It's wonderful to know that these horses are now alive and well,

We talk about community, and this really is a community at its best. Of course there are bun fights and differences of opinion, but there is also so much to learn in those threads. I've learnt so much about bf and diet from people like cptrayes and Amandap, I've discovered rockley farm... Thankfully I don't need it but I've learnt a huge amount from it and would know where to recommend should I come across someone with a horse with serious issues. I've been witness to the incompetence and awful practice of the RSPCA which consequently left a bad taste in my mouth (for example carrot and spud) but then my faith has been restored in human nature and I've seen organisations like the BHS and WHW who are willing to dip their oar in where the RSPCA couldn't care less.

I think that one of the things that stuck out in the troll foal thread, is that this is a poorly foal with a deformity, we are in a terrible state with our horses, we are overrun and many people (including myself) would sadly support a managed cull to burning horse numbers down. However, we have in theory a sick deformed foal, the sane thing in this world would have been to PTS, but no, instead it served as a demonstration of just how willing we are to dig deep, put ourselves out and bust a gut for one tiny little life.

Op, may not be real, foal may not be real, op's friend may not be real but there are people on this very forum who have done this, who would do it in a heartbeat... That is a very warming thought :)
 
One that sticks in my mind was Mrs B or MrsB (can't remember which one specifically) with Boris (I think, not good with names!). Anyway, the one that went on to live at the blood bank. I think she handled that situation amazingly.
 
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