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| Just venting.
I have had two occasions in the past couple of days that really had me wishing people would educate themselves about horses before jumping in...
1- A neighbor of mine (not horse people) reached out to me to ask me how to teach a pony manners. She let me know that she had just purchased one for her 5 year old that has never ridden. I asked a few questions and come to find out this pony was 2 years old, a stud, and was supposedly ridden but I seriously doubt it. I explained to her she may be better off buying a pony better suited to her childs needs, and that she probably had a LONG road ahead of her with this one. I gave her some information/advice and told her where she could go on the internet to get instructions on how to do things.
2- A friend I attended school with bought her 6 year old a miniature horse..to ride. This poor little guy is much too small for the child and they ride it double with siblings sometimes. I have been silent in this case because my opinion was not asked and I realize that it is not my business.
There is not much I can do, unless I am asked for help. I certainly have no desire to go barging into others affairs. I just wish people would do their research before getting into horses. I learn something new everyday and I have been enjoying horeses going on 30 years. I hate to see kids and horses put into difficult situations due to a simple lack of knowledge. :(
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9992
 
Location: Kansas | I agree, and disagree to an extent. We all started somewhere correct?
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Expert
Posts: 2128
| hoofs_in_motion - 2016-04-13 1:25 PM I agree, and disagree to an extent. We all started somewhere correct?
I agree we did all start somewhere. My complaint though is that I dont feel like these parents (one for sure) did any research at all. She is putting her child in a situation to get hurt possibly. When you dont know, ask. I would have gladly given them some guidence.
Edited by scwebster 2016-04-13 1:30 PM
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 Warrior Mom
Posts: 4400
| I've been told to mind my own business before when I voiced my concerns and opinion, but at least, hopefully anyway, it made them look into it or think about it. |
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Expert
Posts: 2128
| want2chase3 - 2016-04-13 1:35 PM I've been told to mind my own business before when I voiced my concerns and opinion, but at least, hopefully anyway, it made them look into it or think about it.
Its a very slippery slope. Its risky to offer help most of the time because of how it can be percieved. |
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Warrior Mom
Posts: 4400
| scwebster - 2016-04-13 1:39 PM
want2chase3 - 2016-04-13 1:35 PM I've been told to mind my own business before when I voiced my concerns and opinion, but at least, hopefully anyway, it made them look into it or think about it.
Its a very slippery slope. Its risky to offer help most of the time because of how it can be percieved.
It sure is! But like the op , when someone new to horses purchases a cute little young stud so her daughter and it can grow up and learn together, something had to be said, and I did say something, it was taken the wrong way, at first, until about 5 other friends told her the same thing. I made my own sister in law upset at me because I told her, her daughters horse was getting too thin. They aren't horse people, really, bought first horse for her kid. But when the horses ribs and spine were obviously visible I couldn't take it anymore and she rode the hair off him daily.. she finally agreed and asked me for help fattening him up, AFTER I demanded for her to come up and look at the horse up close and feel his spine. |
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | My neighbors let their foundering mare lay on the ground for 3 weeks before calling the vet and then were "devastated" when they had to put her down because it was too late to help her.
I was tickled to death when an acquaintance approached me at lunch today to ask for help finding his daughter a horse. She's been taking lessons for a while, and at 12, he feels she is ready to get her own. We chatted for a while, and I think we are on the same page. These are the kind of people who are actually smart and careful about things, and open to being mentored, so I have high hopes that it will go well. Why can't everyone be like that instead of jumping in with both feet and no clue? |
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 Midget Lover
Location: Kentucky | I honestly think people have good intentions but they literally have no idea how much work horses can be. I have multiple friends who think mine just graze in the pasture all day and I don't have to do anything except jump on them in the field and run around. Everyone "wants a horse" but it takes a lot of knowledge and experience to actually own one. Heck, I learn something new every day too! |
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Posts: 129
Location: South | Unfortunately this topic can be applied to everything from dogs, cats, horses, cows, & the list could go on and on. So many people think that getting an animal is just SOOO easy. However people never understand the true hard work it takes to care for them including horses. I always tell people the CHEAPEST part is actually buying the animal- and many just look at me all confused? I will contest that my horses take up more of my time, than my dogs, and our cow/calf operation. But I truly believe you reap what you sow with anything. IF you put in the hard work, dedication, sweat, you will reap the benefits. However it you don't and are looking for a easy way there then you better get ready. I know everyone has to start out somewhere and I will help anyone who asks for help. But you can only help those who are willing to help themselves. |
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 Hugs to You
Posts: 7551
Location: In The Land of Cotton | hoofs_in_motion - 2016-04-13 2:25 PM I agree, and disagree to an extent. We all started somewhere correct?
I agree with this. If not for my mother jumping in and buying my sister and I a horse when she only knew they pooped, I would not have had the pleasure and thrill of owning one then and now.
However, education was the key for us and she found us a good 4-H leader.
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | I agree with you wish non horsey people would educate themselves befor buying are at least talk and visit feed stores, visit with a vet and other horse people befor taking that leap of buying a horse or any animal that they dont know much about. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 312
Location: KS | Yep it can sometimes be hard to watch and listen too when you see or hear people who have a lot of learning to do, no matter what the animal. What really kills be is when people who have been around animals most of their lives, but have never figured it out. I had an inlaw of mine put the bit in my husbands horses' mouth backwards (bridle and all) and then blamed the horse for not stopping or complained he was acting up?!?! Wish I could have seen it. And I realize some have a better idea and understanding when it comes to animals than others. To me you treat your animals like you kids, they are Gods creatures and we should care and love them. Goes for all types of animals.
I like how someone mentioned above that buying was the easy part, so true. Because then there is the responsibly of caring for it everyday, twice a day, people cant understand why my husband and I never leave or go on vacation, truth is I like being home, but also the fact that you have to worry about the cows, horses, dogs, cats, chickens, and ducks and who you trust to take care of them for more than a day. :)
But your right everyone must start somewhere, but they also need to realize they need to start from the bottom and work up. And yes this means do your research. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 425
Location: California | Agree 100% on this rant. Lol. I know people have to start somewhere obviously. I so wish it was required to take lessons before owning a horse. My mom didn't and still doesn't know squat about horses. Fortunaly my dad knew about horses and I rode before I could walk (he owned one). But more to the point, I just sat and that horse took care of me. When I wanted to really ride, I was put into lessons. Not just thrown on a 2 yr old stud colt & to hope for the best. That's just insane to me. I didn't get my first horse until I was 12. The only help I had for taking care of her was the boarding stable & my mom paid expenses. EVERYTHING else was done by me.
It can definitely be hard to keep quiet and mind your own around these type of people. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 634
| Heck, I wish some so called horse people would educate themselves. Sometimes the ones that have been riding their whole lives have some of the worst horsemanship and habits than anyone.
I have seen someone come out after a not so great run and whip whip whip their horse on the neck in circles after a run and then get off and yank on them all the way to the trailer. That same person wonders why their horse hates going into the alleyway!
Edited by babbsywabbsy 2016-04-13 4:59 PM
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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | Southtxponygirl - 2016-04-13 12:11 PM
I agree with you wish non horsey people would educate themselves befor buying are at least talk and visit feed stores, visit with a vet and other horse people befor taking that leap of buying a horse or any animal that they dont know much about.
YES THIS.
Couple months ago this girl started boarding at the barn I board at. She was completely new to horses. She had taken 1-2 lessons and the place racked up the horse for her beforehand. She bought a 4 year old OTTB with 30 days non-track riding on it from halfway across the country, paid way too much, and spend way too much shipping it to her. I showed her multiple times how to put a halter on and she just couldn't figure it out. I couldn't understand why you'd want to go into this new lifestyle without absolutely NO guidance. |
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 Expert
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Location: Missouri | babbsywabbsy - 2016-04-13 4:58 PM
Heck, I wish some so called horse people would educate themselves. Sometimes the ones that have been riding their whole lives have some of the worst horsemanship and habits than anyone.
I have seen someone come out after a not so great run and whip whip whip their horse on the neck in circles after a run and then get off and yank on them all the way to the trailer. That same person wonders why their horse hates going into the alleyway!
Um, yes. This exactly! |
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Expert
Posts: 2685
| So I have recently started getting my feet wet in the racing world. I always thought from the outside looking in that those people and trainers and horses ect were way over my head... Well, the man that I am shadowing has been pretty successful and is 70 this month. He keeps his only horse of race age at a boarding barn right now while he finishes up his facility at home. Holy. Crap. Those people are crazy. There are about 6 other race trainers in the barn. 1 I like because he seems halfway horse knowledgeable and courteous. The others, I wont stand in the aisle as they walk or ride their horses by because I have no clue whats going to happen. It is very eye opening to see what gets along in this world as "trainer." |
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 Expert
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Location: Somewhere around here | I'm going through a similar situation right now. We have family friends at church who randomly wanted to be in the "rodeo lifestyle", so they went out and bought a few cheap horses, bought the cheap tack, and bought the nice clothes  Their first horses were a mess and crazy, my husband and I could see why they bought them for cheap, and we tried telling them that they just need some older horses that has "been there and done that" but they didn't listen. They did "borrow" a few of our books on horses but now they act like they know everything and won't listen to us if we mention something (like why a connector strap is important!!) The youngest kid is actually 15ish and wants to learn how to barrel race, so I've offered her to come with me to some to learn and hang out. She definitely got on the wrong foot with me by saying training a horse to do barrels is easy and I had to bite my tongue before I said anything I regretted  I'm hoping next week she will be a little more open minded to learning instead of just doing whatever she thinks is right... |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 788
| Alot of people make comments to me about wanting to buy their childeren horses. The best advice I can give them is usually buy them a 4wheeler instead. I used to give lessons so I would tell them pay $20 for a hour of me leading them around and save thousands! |
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Miracle in the Making
Posts: 4013
| RoaniePonie11 - 2016-04-14 8:34 AM So I have recently started getting my feet wet in the racing world. I always thought from the outside looking in that those people and trainers and horses ect were way over my head... Well, the man that I am shadowing has been pretty successful and is 70 this month. He keeps his only horse of race age at a boarding barn right now while he finishes up his facility at home. Holy. Crap. Those people are crazy. There are about 6 other race trainers in the barn. 1 I like because he seems halfway horse knowledgeable and courteous. The others, I wont stand in the aisle as they walk or ride their horses by because I have no clue whats going to happen. It is very eye opening to see what gets along in this world as "trainer."
no offense but you must be around the brush track
as that don or didn/t at track like los al or bay medows all the track people i knew 3am grooms feeding a groom had max 5 horses he took care of grooms were their butts off trainers show up at 5am or 530 am long day especially if nightt racing |
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