shoot me....im a NOVICE!!

luckyoldme said:
It makes you wonder what these people are like in real life... .
like the horse experts who would have your newly bought bucking broncho sorted in five minutes. When you give them the head collar and tell them to feel free all you see is dust. Sound familiar to anyone else :-)?
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Met a few of those types in the course of owning the Bellzilla, so full of theory but a little short on practice when the reins are handed over.
 
Pinkpony (sorry can't quote on phone!!)- it certainly makes me think twice before I post or comment on anything!! But tbh I've found this forum to be a massive place of learning & I'm pretty good at chucking stuff back to people who feel the need to be nasty!! It's only the odd few out of a generally fab bunch :)
 
In terms of this forum I think they have been troubled by trolls in the past, it makes them suspicious but can't really blame them
 
It isn't that people dislike novices, it is about willingness to learn and to admit your limitations.

It astoundes me how little some people who own horses or are training for a career with horses know. You would think if you wanted to take on a horse, or to make your career with horses you would do all you can to learn about them. There is no excuse not to as there is a wealth of information out there. It terrifies me to see NVQ students or horse owners demonstrate ignorance of basic things which would be on the pony club d test or in my old usbourne guide to horses and ponies. I read loads of horse books as a child and I still have them as an adult there are now websites too. There are courses like the horse owners certificate and progressive tests too. I don't see what excuse someone can have for not knowing basics like the difference between a French link and single joint snaffle or the correct way to put a bridle on, or the basic points of a horse.

Oh and I'm not some old fogey who was raised on horseback, I bought my first horse this year having spent years ensuring I know enough to care for her properly only to find people who have had horses years on the yard ask me how I know all this stuff..... umm by reading a few library books!
 
"It isn't that people dislike novices, it is about willingness to learn and to admit your limitations. " This. I definately don't know it all, so I would never expect anyone else too.. but common sense and a will to improve/understand goes a long way.
 
I will help whenever I can :o (20 years under my belt) I would rather try and advise someone than let it become a welfare issue or for someone to have to suffer in silence. at least online you can ignore people and because its pretty anonymous you can ask the questions that you are frightened to ask someone to their face.

You think this is bad - try the dog showing world only been showing my dogs for 5 years and apparently I am still doing my apprenticeship so am not taken seriously!!! EK! ;o)
 
The way novices are treated on here is the reason this forum is no where near as busy as it used to be, people join only to never return because people are so damn rude.

Personally i think those know it all rude types are probably lacking in real world horse skills, they are also the bullying type, those that get their kicks berating people, but they'd not be like that to ur face, as they are nearly always the cowardly type in real life. They need to get a *****ing life.

I also say b*llocks to those that use past trolls as an excuse for being rude, i think sorry is the word they should be looking for :(
 
missyme10 well said!

so often one is alone with a problem, i've often longed to discuss things, but also share, because at lot has been learned the hard way or by passing through an experience, its heartbreaking to see people struggle or fail, it costs nothing to be well mannered, and to help someone is one of the joys of living, to see the relief of reassurance or a smile when complimented on progress, if you can't say something helpful, shut up.
 
Everyone is a novice at something, just because you know about one thing doesn't make you an expert in everything.

Those who are condescending or try to bring others down even using the pretence of 'doing it for their own good' etc are the ones who need help I think. The worst are the ones masquerading as friends which I have seen on forums as well, they only doit as it suits them at the time then if you go agains them suddenly your the bad guy who knows nothing.

I come on forums to share and to learn, I am getting my buzz back for BE not through doing it as not attempted one yet but b looking at everyone's updates and vies and you learn alot I think from that :D
 
Ive been around horses for 40 odd years, and still learn something new every day, am i an expert NO, am i well read on horses and their care, I know a bit :)
Im not a professional but am a qualified groom and have my level 2 sports coach,not because i needed it through work, i dont, my main job is in nursing, but i have a real thirst for knowledge, a genuine love for horses and enjoy working with them,even the challenging ones, I love to learn and hope to go on learning for a long time to come, everyone is a novice at some point, nobody is born an expert, when you think you know it all, thats when you should think of giving up
 
well i think that everybody is a novice around horses because unless you can know exactly what theyre are feeling, thinking and want then you are not a experienced horse owner so basically nobody is a experienced person. but you do get the odd people that are very good with horses but i dont belive anyone is perfect even if they think they are. but alot of people are just born big heads so ignore them if they jump down your throat :) xxx
 
To add to my previos reply, many mention its not the novices thats the problem, its when they dont take the advice, or in your opinions they dont have enough basic experience to have their first horse.

Novices know their limitations, hence come on here for help, how is it constructive or helpful for half the reply's to go on and on about in my day, i volunteered at local stables for 28 years before i got a horse blah blah, just offrer advice to the feckin problem!
What novice wants to be told they shouldn't have their horse, who the hell r these people to dictate how much experience someone ought to have.
Another thing, helping out, lessons etc. Does not compare to the responsibility of your own, its only when u get ur own that u really start to develop some skill with equines.

These rude know it alls need to get over themselves, novices would learn a lot faster with a friendly helpful approach, but its the massive long lectures people cant suffer and my god horse owners are the best at it, finger wagging the lot :D
 
Oh tristar, u mention not wanting to see people fail, couldn't agree more.

BUT i truely believe that some of the arrogant rude know it alls thrive on others struggling or failing, makes them feel superior and masks their own failings - this applies to the know it alls in yards and on here ;)
 
What's with the fat cob comment OP?

We all learn things each and every day whether its with horses or other areas of our lives. I do agree that there are too many people willing to jump down everyone's throats hence why I dislike starting threads now.
 
I have had horses for over forty years and we all have to start some where and you never ever stop learning that is what I love about them.Keep asking its all a learning curve.I would say most people on her are not like that, so please do not stop asking :)
 
I agree with you, I bought my first horse after I had been riding about a year, and although it was a huge learning curve I think I looked after my horse better than a lot of people that had owned them for years. x
 
I would call myself a novice even though I've been riding 20 years and have worked in a polo yard, equine veterinary surgery, dealers yard and riding school.

I don't think people on this forum are anti-novice.

However, I do know of people who have gone out and brought their first horse without having mastered the basics of riding and horse care. (By this I mean haven't even mastered rising trot).

I do not think that these people should be out there buying horses, they should invest in lessons first until the basics are in place.

I don't really see an issue with a novice buying a horse (with the help of their instructor etc) and keeping it on livery somewhere where help and support is always on hand.

It's the irresponsible buyers that sell to complete beginners who are clearly incapable of caring/riding a horse that annoy me. :mad:
 
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I havent read whole thread so not sure whats been said.

I havent been on here for a while as all i used to get was people jumping down my neck for anything i said.
Id ask for advise and my post would be totally ignored but the posts where they thought the OP was a troll would have 10 pages!

Its ment to be helpfull but i find often its far from it.

I wouldnt say i was a novice but i always listen to other people when they have something to say and always willing to try something new if its going to improve me or my horse whether there experienced or a novice themselves. And im always willing to help others when they need me.

People like to hide behind computors. most wouldnt say a word if they met you face to face!!
 
Whilst I agree that everyone has to start somewhere, unfortunately with novice owners there is huge scope for the horse to have its welfare compromised because of it. Everyone makes mistakes, even knowledgeable owners but with novice owners the mistakes are likely to have a bigger impact on the horse. Whilst there has to be some learning curve, i think in many situations its too steep and rather than take longer to learn and have a more thorough grounding before stepping into ownership, people buy/loan far too soon on the whole.
 
I have been around horses for 40 odd years but nearly every day I am around horsey people I learn something new. :)
 
As has been said several times, I don't think this forum has a problem with Novices per se. If someone acknowledges their inexperience and limitations, and shows a willingness to learn and improve, they will be given a host of generally good, and generous advice. I have been living and working with horses for well over 40 years, and am still learning, and still ask advice from those who I know, and respect, for having more knowledge than me. Of course everyone has to learn, and start somewhere, but this shouldn't be at the expense of the animal. Taking on the responsibility of any animal, not just a horse is a huge undertaking, and unfortunately too many people do it without enough knowledge,preparation or thought and then wonder why things go wrong. There is a huge amount of information available and anyone really serious about taking on a horse or pony should prepare thoroughly and have more than a basic knowledge about care and animal husbandary, plus an enormous dollop of common sense. Genuine requests for advice from horse owners like this will very rarely be dealt with with anything other than courtesy. Frustration comes when it is apparent that someone has not taken advice, or has very large gaps in what should be basic knowledge and horsemanship before ever getting a horse. There is a huge difference between Novice and Idiot. Unfortunately with the latter, the horses can suffer considerably more. If a novice owner is unsure, they will recognise it, and get help straightaway from someone far more experienced, and follow that advice and learn from it. An Idiot probably won't even recognise there is a problem until it is too late, then ask the wrong people, ignore the advice and carry on regardless, certainly not learn from it. This forum, and many others will have a full complement of experienced horsemen, experienced novices and experienced idiots.
 
i havent read all replies but ok I have been around horses - working owning etc - for 42 years and im still learning. We have all been novices at some point and really understand where you are coming form OP BUT there are some novices on my yard that after 12months of ownng a pony( never had any knowledge or experience previous ) now think they know it all and ignore advice - good advice from others regarding thier pony( lami advice /weight etc and also ignored advice to call vet)) BUT we all aso have a novice famliy that ask question after question ( intelligent questions like a different greeness in new delivery of hay- can they feed it) and so despaerate to do right and learn and are doing a wonderful job bring thier young pony and a real pleasure to help and point in right direction on so there is good and bad novices in this world to lol - I personally will support anyone who will ask & listen ( ok make thier own mind up) but just listen :)
 
Ah so glad to see so many people agree :)

The fat cob comment was nothing against cobs at all, i love the beasties, i just meant that someone who has left a horse in a field (ie. a cob as they are generally better doers than skinnies) cant come along and advise someone with a racehorse the best way to look after it etc. I just meant that everyones experience is so different you cant say you are an expert until you have experienced every single scenario with every single type of horse. And lets be honest...does such a perosn exist? I doubt it.

I think people on here get muddled up with a novice and an idiot. Theres a big difference...i was once told on this forum i must be really inexperienced and shouldnt be owning horses as i didnt know the best way to improve my horses balance. I knew uneven ground and schooling, but not what type of schooling specifically. Well, id never had to increase balance before. But at the same time i could give you a lecture about the neurology of the equine. What to look for/how to diagnose/rehab etc etc. Its just what ive experienced :)

Im so glad theres so many of us out there :) *plate of biscuits to all that replied *
 
I was also going to ad.....talking about the novice vs idiot thing, theres a girl on my yard with a little sect d thats so fat you cant buy girths to fit and at 14hh weighs more than my 16.2 IDxtb (this is no joke) and his owner has taken him from his paddock to one of really lush fresh grown grass, full of clover :) Just screams "LAMI" to me, poor boy. But most novices would know not to put their fat horse on lush grass, idiots however, do not seem to notice???

Needless to say i have had a word with my YO and he will be moved ASAP. That is whats disgusting in the horse world. Blind ignorance.
 
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