This place used to be fun and active. It is now dead and monotonous. Please step it up and participate lolol. 

There was a place on facebook where people would chat, and even it is now retired.  Too bad cause even though I didn't post a bunch, I did read a bunch

I'm here. I still seem to be the Queen Thread Killer.

Thank you

Yeah, not sure why it's so dead anymore.  Most of us are still around, so it's kinda sad.  

I hear you :)  On FB, people are not anonymous, I wonder if that has anything to do with it....and also it sends notifications when someone responds, but here, you must check back often, but maybe nobody has responded, yet. Different style, but I still check in, here...I also have a love/hate w/ FB...and I don't do Instagram or Twitter, but probably a lot of people spend their time, there.

I don't ride or even own a horse anymore, but I still come on here from time to time for nostalgic reasons.

CanCan, the same here, that's why I just read posts ??

There used to be really good discussions, lots of info shared. My favorites were the feed discussions and ionosphere discussions. Also when Andy would break the girls' runs down during the NFR. He did it so well and I was able to fine tune my eye. Also all the Friday funnies. 

I am still here. 

Biggest problem is we are all getting older.

I think FB took over. No one get's on a website forum anymore.

I think it's because of the politics. I'm even afraid to say that, lol. I stopped coming regularly because everyone was at everyone's throats. People DO spend a lot of time on Facebook but it's hard to have indepth conversations like we used to have here. I really miss the old Barrel Horse World. I wish the moderators would ban political and religious threads and let's just talk horse. I see a while back a different category was created for this reason but obviously that didn't work. I come on once in a while and hope that maybe someday it will get active again. 

I could not agree with you more.

It used to be fun and so informative.

I see it differently.  It's not because of "politics".  Scroll down the list of threads.  What percent of them are political?  
Most people started using this forum because it was comprised of a group of people with a common passion, very similar values, and similarities in lifestyles.  "Barrel racing" was the topic that brought people here, but almost instantly we found a camaraderie that opened up a wide range of activities and discussions.  Friendships and relationships began here.  Families began here.  Help for people in need began here. You get what I'm saying.  
We talked about horses, barrel racing, rodeo, ranching and farming.  We talked about business and finance.  We talked about marriage and divorce.  We talked about raising a family.  We talked about death and the loss of friends and loved ones.  We shared jokes and recipes. Basically, the topic of "barrel racing" sprouted into talking about our lives.

And yes, often, we talked about politics.  Many of us believed that political topics and political trends had a direct impact on everything we hold dear.  I don't think it's necessary to point out how political trends and politics in general can make our lives better or worse.  In my opinion, nothing has generated more spirited debate and passion than politics, because unless you live in a bubble, or choose to bury your head in the sand, politics is having a big impact on our lives, whether we like it or not.

People who can't accept or handle the truth want to isolate themselves from this reality.  They want to silence, minimize, or control political discussion.  That's why this forum has tried repeatedly over the years to find a "happy medium" by creating isolated political forums, and it has failed miserably over and over again. 

I still ride 2-3 horses a day.  I still drive a big pickup that sucks fuel like a thirsty camel. I have a few cows.  I buy feed, hay, supplements, and medicines.  I still love watching the sunsets and sunrises from my porch. I still like learning training tips.  Politics effects all these things, and we are bearing witness to the fact that our nation is in rapid decline.  All these things we love are in jeopardy.  We are looking into the abyss.  But for heaven's sake, we mustn't talk politics!  We must control the discussion and keep it limited to "the horse".

I still come here regularly during my work breaks. It used to be such a great source of information because you got all different perspectives from fellow horsemen from all walks of life. 

I also feel social media is killing BHW. 

I think people are just dealing with a lot right now.  Politics have had a negative impact on many people. There are a lot of people that are worried about things to come.  I am looking at forced retirement. Many others have it way worse 

well you all know i no longer can ride or own 1   and have sold the farm.

but i do wonder   i see all these new things  some kinda rope thing on horse wonder reatment  all kinds of  things for gut  for kissng spine which i have never heard of  to me its like the vets need $$$ . its seem there are no sound horses  out there they all need this and that. lord help them if they make 3 runs a month.

i know i am getting old  but my memory is  not bad  we never had to inject  any one but kass   my son bad ass pony ahab was in  late teens barefoot never shod 20 poles  in ga al that good in the 70;s and 80.  we ran the hell out of them pole texas  arena barrels   sat and sunday  . they stayed sound in mind and body today .....

so what changed ?

i have tooo    did u see the latest with  harris.....

Bear, I talk plenty of politics. But I don't want to come here to do it. To each his own. I'm just saying why I stopped coming. And many of my friends. Too stressful when I want to talk about how to get my horse to bend properly around a barrel....

I pop in less frequently due to hauling my husband's butt around to all of his Dr. appts. ...... LOL

JMO .... I agree ...... it isn't the "political threads" per se .... but the actual discussion of ANY "issues" usually turns into nasty derogatory comments towards others ......