Snobbery in the horse world and happy hackers.

dressagelove said:
haha! Yes i have changed my name, not cos of this thread, I aint scared of u *puts up fists* lol, I just felt my name displayed too much of my personal info, but since u all remember it anyway... lols. I am thoroughly regretting getting involved in this discussion anyway. I am a very sensitive person (not looking for any sympathy) and its all got me a bit down. Once this thread dies down, I will be a lurker :)
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No, don't go, you've livened up a dull day. :) It is only a discussion after all, in cyber land at that.

ps. Did you mean to have your web site up there, because that's giving away a lot more personal info than your previous name did ;)
 
rhino said:
*Ahem* If you are worried about personal info then I would not put your personal website in your sig... with even more personal info on it!

and quotes such as:
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I never ever said throughout any of my posts that I did not go hacking, I do go hacking, I find a bit more boring recently as am getting into my dressage loads. I took my other horse to the beach the other day and loved it. The original point of this thread was about snobbery in the horse world and that competitive people look down on happy hackers. The point raised that originially picked up on was that the OP put, does this mean that ahppy hackers are not good riders.
I have already explored that YES some of them are. BUT there will be some people who are not! That is all I was talking about, not very eloquently, but that was my only point.
 
Enfys said:
I will freely admit that I know little and care less about higher standards of riding and schooling.
I don't want to if I am to be honest, I am not interested, it bores me rigid, always has, always will, I leave that to the people who actually enjoy it. :)

I am always in awe of people who work towards, and achieve, their own personal goals :D
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Could not have put it better myself :D


lhotse said:
Hacking does not mean just being a passenger, it means being able to stay in tune with your horse over a meriad of different terrain, at all paces, and often for a long time. Give them a gate, and they didn't know what to do!!! I could do any gate in less time than it took them to get off!!

So, my point being, that just because someone prefers the open country over mindless circles in a school (and my mare was never ridden in a school, she hated it) does not imply that they are of a lesser ability. Infact, I would argue that riding over different terrain at different paces actually proves more ability than just being fixed into position in the confines of a school. I know of people who compete in dressage who are scared of going for a gallop.
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Here, here lhotse. I have ridden all kinds of terrain and areas on many different horses over the years, mostly my late girl in more recent years. I was a pro at gates with my old girl, we did them in a flash, no problems, special horse friendly gates and any other type of gate, 5bars going which ever way round, me and my girl always did it :D

DragonSlayer said:
My husband has just given an answer to the ''bombproof' cobs and tootle about' comment...

'Bollox'

:D
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Good answer, I am with him on that answer :D
There were times where my girl was a calm tootling angel out hacking, but there were also times where I had to use all my skill to stay on and get her back in control :D
 
Enfys said:
No, don't go, you've livened up a dull day. :) It is only a discussion after all, in cyber land at that.

ps. Did you mean to have your web site up there, because that's giving away a lot more personal info than your previous name did ;)
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Agree, I may not agree with this post, but you may have some gems i'll be interested in debating at another date :)
 
I think it should be HAPPY HORSE not Happy Hacker....horses enjoy it as well.

I dont think its as snobby as it use to be ie horses use to be stabled and taken out for exercise and put straight back in..now everyone knows its healthier to let the horse have some outside time etc......hacking is an excellent form of exercise and I think a lot of people wont do it as they are not such good riders out of the bubble of the menage.

Pony clubbers are usually jacks of all trades and I love seeing the children out doing a bit of everything. If they hack too they are really well grounded horse people with a happy horse.

One of the reasons I swear I have found it hard to find a hacking horse is so many people built menages during boom time and sent horses dizzy and going round in circles all day! People just dont work or hack horses like they use to do. When I went hacking I would meet shoots out, training hounds on horn etc, off roaders(push bikes/quad/motor etc) loose dogs/People suddenly appearing out of hedges/herds of deer running or had a stand off with a stag & its herd one morning. Flapping pheasants/fallen trees/helicoptors/hot air balloons/combines refilling blocking bridleways that dont see you. People crouched down metal detecting/other horses galloping along that havent seen you/cows/pigs/goats/flooding.............the list is endless. Most of these unexpected and a challenge sometimes but I dont think I am a brilliant rider by any means but unforseen and things I expect my horse & me to deal with. Doesnt bat an eyelid on main road as he is comfortable with all the above. We got so use to the crow scarer next to the bridleway that again didnt bat an eyelid. Completely de sensitised.

I still think there is no better way to see the countryside from the back of a horse and those that dont hack are missing out. Go to Newmarket and you see them out and about crossing main roads training etc not just on the gallops............Hacking is more interesting than going round in blooming circles.
 
indie999 said:
I think it should be HAPPY HORSE not Happy Hacker....horses enjoy it as well.

I dont think its as snobby as it use to be ie horses use to be stabled and taken out for exercise and put straight back in..now everyone knows its healthier to let the horse have some outside time etc......hacking is an excellent form of exercise and I think a lot of people wont do it as they are not such good riders out of the bubble of the menage.

Pony clubbers are usually jacks of all trades and I love seeing the children out doing a bit of everything. If they hack too they are really well grounded horse people with a happy horse.

One of the reasons I swear I have found it hard to find a hacking horse is so many people built menages during boom time and sent horses dizzy and going round in circles all day! People just dont work or hack horses like they use to do. When I went hacking I would meet shoots out, training hounds on horn etc, off roaders(push bikes/quad/motor etc) loose dogs/People suddenly appearing out of hedges/herds of deer running or had a stand off with a stag & its herd one morning. Flapping pheasants/fallen trees/helicoptors/hot air balloons/combines refilling blocking bridleways that dont see you. People crouched down metal detecting/other horses galloping along that havent seen you/cows/pigs/goats/flooding.............the list is endless. Most of these unexpected and a challenge sometimes but I dont think I am a brilliant rider by any means but unforseen and things I expect my horse & me to deal with. Doesnt bat an eyelid on main road as he is comfortable with all the above. We got so use to the crow scarer next to the bridleway that again didnt bat an eyelid. Completely de sensitised.

I still think there is no better way to see the countryside from the back of a horse and those that dont hack are missing out. Go to Newmarket and you see them out and about crossing main roads training etc not just on the gallops............Hacking is more interesting than going round in blooming circles.
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what she said!!!
 
Indie999 if you are good at going round in circles and you have a horse who enjoys it it the least boring thing you will ever do. It's endlessly fascinating how horses balance change Learn and some horses love it they love to learn I have one at the moment who is a dressage horse in his soul he loves it but he will also hack and do whatever I need ( except hunting my guts tell me he would not like hunting ) I have another who hates the school and I put it down to bend bored to death by bad boring unconstructive schooling at some point so we keep him out of the school as much as possible just some grid work to help his jumping and a bit of lunging for his tummy muscles luckily he loves hunting. It's each to his own for horses and people.
 
Getting REALLY bored with the repetitive snidey comments about people with expensive competition horses being too scared to hack, never going out of walk etc etc. It's complete rubbish...

You cannot get a horse fit enough to compete properly in any discipline without hacking/canter work. I've worked for dressage riders, showjumpers and eventers - and all of them have hacked out - we used to be out for hours with WFP's horses.

People who are too scared to go out of walk out hacking are highly unlikely to venture out to parties - which are FAR more exciting to the average horse than cantering down a bridlepath...
 
dressagelove said:
I am thoroughly regretting getting involved in this discussion anyway. I am a very sensitive person (not looking for any sympathy) and its all got me a bit down. Once this thread dies down, I will be a lurker :)
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I don't believe any of it's personal, it's just the way forums work. People feel free to be blunt if someone posts something contentious. Cheer up, it's nothing to get down about!

None of it matters, everyone just goes on to the next topic and this one will be forgotten. Don't be a lurker, join in! But maybe consider how your posts appear in future if you don't want a strong reaction. ;)

And be very careful on the subject of cobs... :D:D
 
dressagelove said:
The original point of this thread was about snobbery in the horse world and that competitive people look down on happy hackers. The point raised that originially picked up on was that the OP put, does this mean that ahppy hackers are not good riders.
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And I think everyone else's point was that not all competition riders are good riders are either.

What makes you good at riding has nothing to do with what you decide you would like to do with your horses!

:)
 
rhino said:
And I think everyone else's point was that not all competition riders are good riders are either.

What makes you good at riding has nothing to do with what you decide you would like to do with your horses!

:)
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indeed, of course correct. If my sweeps had missed that out, then I apologise :) Of course, there are many hopeless competitive riders :D
 
lhotse said:
http://fernsfarm.com/photos/titch/?photo=4

Hmmm, for someone who professes to be so perfect, and others inferior, where would you like me to start with the CC????
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Did I profess to be perfect?! I think not. You are incredibly rude, how dare you look at my website to try and find something to use against me, get a life you sad person. That has really quite upset me
 
There is snobbery everywhere though - and one person's 'not their cup of tea' is another person's dream horse :)

I really don't care - I'm an absolute hobby rider, it has to be fun for me as I work hard enough Mon-Friday. I love hacking, I have regular lessons with my native. He may not look as flashy as my friend's dressage warmblood or an Olympic 2012 event horse, but I wouldn't want one - I doubt I'd be able to ride one side of it!

As a twenty something adult owning 13.3hh native pony, I have experienced snobbery - but, I'm the one paying for him and I'm the one who comes back from every riding smiling and feeling lucky to have such a fab equine partner - if other people feel he is beneath them, then they probably aren't my type of person anyway.

Besides, I'm busy having fun - I haven't got time to worry what people think, I'm happy hacking around, yes I want to improve but for me and my ponio, not anyone else's idea of what is good or more acceptable :)
 
I've never encountered snobbery regarding those who primarily hack. I hack my 19 year old, he is spooky but safe ie shies but doesn't leave the county flat out!, but he doesn't enjoy being in the school, and neither do I, so 'do what you like, and like what you do' - simple.
 
Its all about happy riding whatever you do. We all have a common interest, the love of horses. Who cares what breed or what we do with them, as long as we and more importantly our horses are happy.
 
dressagelove said:
indeed, of course correct. If my sweeps had missed that out, then I apologise :) Of course, there are many hopeless competitive riders :D
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Redressing the balance - I thank you :)

So, to sum up the whole thread: we are all avid riders or horse owners or want-to-be-owners on here.

We all like the same hobby, tho many diversify their activities within the hobby.

Some are better than others at their selected activity.

Some are not so good at their selected activity.

Some will not try others activities.

Hurrah! :D

Diversity makes the world go round, so tonights theme is EQUALITY (we all have equines close to our hearts) and DIVERSITY as we all do different things :cool:

Sermon over, got a coffee to make :D
 
FionaM12 said:
Sorry Dressagelove, it seems a few people DO get personal.:rolleyes:

I think this is an unnecessary and rather unkind post, Ihotse.
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OMG how bad do I feel now as I also looked at Dressagelove's website and watched a video and immediately went :eek: at the riding. I wouldn't have said anything on here though ... oops now I have :o:D

As others have said, for almost every type of competition in all disciplines I do not believe it is possible to get a horse truly fit enough without hacking. Some hackers can ride and some can't; I think that's the long and short of it.
 
I probably fall into 'happy hacker' catorgry. I can think of anything better than hacking in the sunshine with nothing but countryside around.

However,i do school my horse regularly and take lessons. At the end of the day people should do whatever makes them happy and their horses too!!

Who cares if ur a hacker, top eventer or dressage rider?!! Doesnt necessarily mean ur more or less knowledgable or ur horse is cared for any less!
 
Spring Feather said:
OMG how bad do I feel now as I also looked at Dressagelove's website and watched a video and immediately went :eek: at the riding. I wouldn't have said anything on here though ... oops now I have :o:D

As others have said, for almost every type of competition in all disciplines I do not believe it is possible to get a horse truly fit enough without hacking. Some hackers can ride and some can't; I think that's the long and short of it.
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I cannot believe how rude people can be. You my dear, need to get a life. I never got personal, which is more than I can say for others on here.
 
dressagelove said:
Did I profess to be perfect?! I think not. You are incredibly rude, how dare you look at my website to try and find something to use against me, get a life you sad person. That has really quite upset me
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Wingey, winey, ghastley poster! If you cant take it dont give it. Now go away and grow some balls. I have read enough of your rubbish
 
Am I the only one who feels people are being rather TOO harsh on this young woman? She made some opinionated and rather rash comments which many of us strongly disagreed with and said so.

It's clear she's made herself look a bit silly, but she HAS backed down and reconsidered quite a bit. Is there really any need to carry on having a go? And going on her website in order to humiliate her about her riding is uncalled for surely?

This thread makes me feel rather uncomfortable now. It's beginning to look a lot like bullying.
 
FionaM12 said:
Am I the only one who feels people are being rather TOO harsh on this young woman? She made some opinionated and rather rash comments which many of us strongly disagreed with and said so.
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I agree completely. Ironic as that may be, as I was the first to draw attention to her website, but only because she was 'worried' about the personal information in her username, and I found the 'love of hacking' quote amusing considering the thread.

I do feel sorry for her, she is obviously young and did eventually realise how the words she had originally written were interpreted by posters. I think enough is enough though :(
 
dressagelove said:
I cannot believe how rude people can be. You my dear, need to get a life. I never got personal, which is more than I can say for others on here.
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I have a life which is why I don't come on here very often :) I never got rude or personal either, I just went :eek: in a jocular fashion, which apparently judging by the outraged PM you just sent me, the joke flew right on by you. BTW Websites are for advertising, so if you don't want people to look at yours then take it off your signature.
 
I think you need to all calm down and I don't think DressageLove deserves those comments at all!!

I think there's a difference between the rather patronising "happy hacker" and a hacker.

I see happy hackers as riders who just wander down the road, not really worrying if they get anything more than a canter, just happy being with the horse. Not that this is a bad thing! It's what you want to do, so do it :D
Whereas a hacker may jump, gallop, swim, climb etc etc...

I guess you could class me as inbetween! If something exciting comes along, I'll do it! If not, oh well, I got to ride :D

I do envy comp. riders sometimes, I'd love to jump that high and get that wonderful canter, but I don't have the time, nor the horse (Or the jumping skills!).

It takes bravery to jump a course of jumps, just as it does to get a spooky horse past a lorry.

I do some local shows and I've managed to get 2nd, but I don't take it too seriously :)
 
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