Stereotype - ToseekA Search Results

	What is your pet peeve/most disliked stereotype about horse culture? What can we do to get more people involved in horse sports, and educate the public? It saddens me that especially in America people are losing common horse sense. My pet peeve/most hated stereotype is that horses are elitist and only the rich can participate. EDIT: Another pet peeve I have is liability. HOW on earth can we educate and involve more people with the ridiculous liability laws we have? This is what bugs me so much about the loss of horse sense. Horses require common sense, the insurance, contracts, liability laws and litigious culture are NOT helping the industry. We need to make horses MORE accessible to open more doors to ownership, protect green ways not just for horse riders but for EVERYBODY, and protect horse owners so that they CAN feel comfortable having the neighborhood kids come over and learn horsemanship. And Michelle, what crack are you smoking? Come spend a week with my pony on the trails and see how "unhappy" he is. I guess the reason he lets me ride him with no bridle or saddle, or plays tag with me is because I beat the crap out of him. Michelle C. Thanks for telling it like it is. Don't you just hate it when you beat and starve your ponies and they still greet you with whinnies and hay bellies? :P Just to clarify for the humourless out there, my pony is well loved and taken care of. Sarcasm = the gap between humour and those who don't get it.	Related Search: Horses

	Me too. A lot of people in my 4h community are angry about this problem. Simply because they arent allowing camping in tents, and some people cant afford motor homes and such. I also hate that when you go to a show just to watch and someone has a horse and they think there better than you because you arent riding a horse etc	Related Search: Horses

	How bout' this - Horses don't like to be strapped, kept in a stall, whipped, participating in stupid races, or ridden. - And this is not a stereotype. Animal cruelty...	Related Search: Horses

	I went to a breed demo with my mules in a different state, so totally new ppl to meet etc. So I'm an arab fan and wanted to catch their demo. I am also a carriage driving geek and they had one driving. So I watched this poetry in motion and was drooling etc. I was so impressed with their preformance and their nice turnout UNTIL.... They left the gate and went into the warmup area. All these people were reaching through the fence to pet their horses and talk to them etc and they were the rudest, snobbish, most impolite dorks I have ever seen. These people yelled at the kids as they tried to reach to pet a shoulder, ignored the parents etc. The kids were behind fences, it wasn't like it was unsafe. So who wants to buy horses from pukes like that? I always work with the crowds at the demos, they are the future of the breeds. It totally bugs me when people come out to promote their animals and have their noses so high I'm shocked they are sucking in bugs. They wonder why the arabian breed numbers are declining at shows. Its becoming more and more apparent to those of us that show with them. Again, not all of them are like this, they just engorge the ones that are decent. The fresian ppl at a demo I do yearly are the exact same way.	Related Search: Horses

	I must beg to differ with some of the comments. My horses love to be ridden, and CHOOSE to go in their stalls during hot summer days, or cold winter nights. If Zafira even sees me bring a saddle out, she is waiting at the gate, hoping it's for her. I guess it all depends on your relationship and knowledge of horses. My Stallion, Cinnabar loves to show off and flirt with the mares at shows.He loves to travel as well. And will walk straight into a trailor in hopes of a trip. To Answer your question, I'm with you!I seldom have money to call my own, BECAUSE I have horses, and spend it doing what is needed for them. That said, I wouldn' t change much of anything, because I'm doing what I love, and if it isn't a labor of love, than it's just labor. I honestly don' t know how we can change the politics of shows though. I just ignore what I can, and focus on my horses, and try to do the best of what I'm there for. Erm, It's OK, MIKE, I know you meant the OTHER Michele, as did I. Sadly, both of our thoughts have , most likely, fallen on deaf ears anyway.;-) No worries Mike. We posted at the same time. Ignorance,by choice, annoys me as well. I've endured 20 years of rescue and sadly, still know how difficult it is to teach equine welfare, in ernest to those who just don't get it. Some people should stick with puppies, and know that horse owners do more than own lawn mowers. LOL, PH....Yes, My fat Andies are really suffering, when they come running up for attention and riding. I actually think my horses have a better sense of humor than some humans! ;-)	Related Search: Horses

	The tree huggers and animal rights people do lot of damage to the horse community, with their mis informed and feel good rhetoric. Like michelle there doesnt have a clue what she is babbling about but spouts it as religon. #1 Horse owners and lovers take better care of their animals than any other pet. Yes there is abuse and thats usually when someone impulse buys a horse with out considering the needs and responsability. #2 Whips, spurs and Straps are not abuse, I use a longing whip daily, I use a riding crop or leather strap daily, and yes I wear spurs when I am working with a lazy horse. Did you know more often than not the whip never touches the horse and when it does its about the same as light tap with a pencil on your arm? Riding crops help you communicate with your horse I doubt you will find anyone here that uses them to beat their horse into a gallop. #3 horses dont like stalls???????????? dont know much about horses do ye michelle, Stalls are where the attention, petting, grooming and the yummy good grain is at.... Hmmm that might be why alot of horses high tail it back to barn, O its also where the soft bedding is and the treats...... To the real question Target kids, volunteer to do little shows for grade schools, if you run a stable offer free kid days and do little work shops//tack care. grooming, basic riding on passive horses in the round pens. and Never miss a opportunity to Educate the young about horses or to re educate people like Michelle that think horse ownership equates to abuse. Ignorance is the horse communities greatest enemy!!! Sorry Michelle #2 didnt see yours there when I put this, Uneducated people speaking of what they have have no knowledge of annoys me	Related Search: Horses

	lol I hate the fact that a blonde english rider is immediately written off as a way too-rich snob! I think that western riders are placed in the redneck category, while the english riders are, as you say, shoved into the elitist and wealthy category. It really shouldn't be that way. The only reason it is really like that is because of hollywood, i think. I mean, all the movies about horses tend to be a stereotype deal. the new Flicka movie is even a little bit like that.	Related Search: Horses

	i dont know how we can get people more involved if they dont want to even spend time with horses. most people say that horseback riding is not a sport, and their for they do not feel that they need to waist their time with horses. they think that horseback riding is so easy and you just "sit their" while your horse does all the work. if we could change their mind about that (maybe by putting them on our horses and say "OK, you just sit their and we'll see what happens") then we could change their minds.	Related Search: Horses

	my pet peeve is when people think owning a horse is like owning a small, house pet. i get questions like "well, why do you have to be out there so often? i mean all u have to do is ride them like once a week , right?" ummmm no. my horse will go crazy if i leave him in his stall for 2 days with not even a little trip out. people don't understand that i have a committment to my horse that isn't negotiable. i can't just not exercise them. it doesn't work that way (lol, thanks for letting me rant)	Related Search: Horses

	I hate these: Horses weren't meant to be ridden (Ok, but then why do they let us? It's not like a 2,000 pound animal without reason couldn't let someone know they DIDN'T like to be ridden.) Everyone who owns a horse is rich (HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!) Whips/spurs are MEAN! (OH, boo hoo, they are not.) Riding isn't a sport! (Excuse me, but it IS in the Olympics... Which makes it.. what exactly? Last time I checked, hobbies weren't a part of the Olympics, but maybe they will include knitting this year!) Riding is EASY! (Haha. OK, get on my OTTB, and take him over a 3'6" course. I'll see if you last two strides.) Horse people smell. (Yeah, we do. So do sweaty baseball players, and sweaty basketball players...) Riding is abuse. (Which is why we make sure OUR saddles fit THEM, we put leg wraps on them, shoe them, make sure their bits aren't to harsh, and stop when they are tired. ) Riding is a girl's sport. (Ok, but where did the term "COWBOY" come from? Because MEN rope cattle and wrestle goats. What about Rodrigo Pessoa? David O'Connor? ) A horse's color matters. (NOT.) I'll put more as I think of them.	Related Search: Horses

	She hates stereotypes. If you have been around enough some one ask about the 6 month old colt. For a riding horse. I goes like this. Are they not born to be riden. I go no that is not what a horse is for. I have never said a horse should not be riden. Just that is not way they are here. How many horse I have seen riden to young because they were born to be riden. Or the older horse that is riden so hard that when the past my place the horse is lame. So I will keep saying horse were not made to be riden. You can ride a cow, sheep and goats. None of them was made to be riden. Or riding would not do damage if done wrong. Plus what is rich. Some people rich is someone that has a $1,000 horse. Or is it $10,000. So what is rich to you. It is different for everyone. Plus the best way to make money now. Is the law suits. Had a friend who brother hit a dog got bit. And got money. Anougher brother felled of someones steps to get hurt. And got money. Told her if she did it to me no one would find her again. Knew a horse dealer someone came in ask if they got the horse to kick them what he would do. His wife said kill you and bury you in the back. Now ask why people are getting afriad of people. Plus at shows there is a lot of noise. The horse gets tire and hot. Can get a little moody. So it is nice if people would ask to touch before they do. People think they have more rights to want you own then you do. Plus I know a lot of horse that do not like to be riden. And some that do. They are all different. Just like people. And I like your question because it made me have to think. People that do not think will not like your question.	Related Search: Horses

	I've been hearing the "Horses should be wild and free and not our slaves" for the last 40 years. Yeah, I should be also. Then there's the "They're only a dumb animal. In fact, they are the dumbest of the dumb. Alpo is the best use of a horse." "If you don't beat the crap out of a horse, it will kill you. Horses don't care if you beat them, they have no feelings." People who think horses are merely a means to an end, which is status....They really wreck it for the rest of us. And snobby people at horse shows do more to turn off newbies than anything else. It just takes one snub to convince someone this isn't for them. The Olympics ground my ashes one year when they said that nobody would want to watch anything but the 3 day eventing crashes. The rest is just plain boring. So they only televised the wrecks. I was sore for a week just watching. And WHO would want to get into horses knowing this was what was in store for them??!	Related Search: Horses

	I share your pet peeve, I hate that they think it's only a rich person's sport.But to a point it is, it's incredibly expensive. Also, the idea that anyone who uses a crop/spurs abuses horses. That riding is easy. Yeah right, we're training hard to learn to make it look easy while actually working our butts off. Riding isn't a sport. Then why the heck is it in the olympics?	Related Search: Horses

	The Largest reason by far is the condesending attitude of the wealthy horse owner at Horse Shows, the cruelty of the hooting "Stable girls" for their instructor or class mates and their disdain and nasty comments cruel glances at new comers and their horses. Here--typical, a childs horses name is Snow Cloud the announcer says it and the brats from the elite stable say "oh was that Snow Plow looks like that's what it's good for" and so on. So the newcomers shrink away in embarrasment and hurt feelings. I went from 4-h to tripple A shows and this attitude permiates the air! One child had to braid all the manes of the others mounts to help pay her way and she did it, more power to her, however the snide glances and put downs were deplorable. I hope all show stables that promote such bourgeois bujwah BS are reading this and change their hurtfull disgusting ways! I by far would rather buy from a family with a horse for sale and take that horse out on trail rides and neighborhood rides with Bar b ques at the end of the day and have a loving friend in my horse and neighbors! Share tips and ideas for the betterment of all and mostly happy comradry that at days end its laughs and smiles and a good rub down for my wonderful horse.	Related Search: Horses

	My pet peeve is those that think they know and don't have a clue and then announce to the world that the rest of us are barbaric and inhumane. They never even bother to research their facts or look at different variables, they just spout tosh - Michelle who answered this question would be a perfect example.	Related Search: Horses

	Everyone knows it all and everyone else doesn't.	Related Search: Horses

	ok, this is kind of off-topic, but what really bugs me is how people think horseback riding requires no strength. my friends would all laugh at me when i came back from riding and was all tired and sweaty. but then i showed them my six pack and they were in awe :) so if anyone thinks that horseback riding requires no skill or strength: TRY IT. god its so hard but sooo fun =]	Related Search: Horses

	mine is people who get horses just so they can say they have them	Related Search: Horses

	Yes, everyone who has a horse is rich. I drive a 20 year old car because I like it and the holes in my jeans are a fashion statement. I shop for reduced items and visit charity shops as a hobby while my horse eats premium food ( poor deprived creature that he is) LOL I will never have money because I have a horse but without him what would I spend it on anyway.? I hate how people just don't educate their kids - it's okay to say pretty horsey but they will let 5 year olds run up to pet 18hand horses without even asking if it's ok - what if they get bit ? My mind boggles at it, I don't mind people petting the horse but I want some warning that it's going to happen and not just some random child running at me waving arms and squealing. I have kids too and I would never let them do such a thing. ( the same kind off thing happens with dogs - it's frightening that so many kids are being raised without the slightest idea of how to interact safely with animals in general) Riding schools etc do have their cliques but so do golf clubs, chess clubs or any social or sports club for that matter so it's nothing unusual and kids can be snotty wherever they are and I don't think that's about to change whatever happens. Personally I think riding should be a sports option at school - not that schools should all offer riding lessons but more like an after school club that takes the kids to the riding school for class lessons once a week or something. There are so many people who want to be involved but can't get a start. Also if we have community football grounds and skateparks why can't we have community arenas ?	Related Search: Horses

	Well, I don't get your liability comment...in our state and the surrounding states, there's a sign posting requirement and exemptions...I've attached the code at the source, in case people don't want to skim through it. My pet peeve about the horse culture is the artificial displays we've put on in the name of "competition." Pads on TWH (my breed). Gingering the butts of ASB's for the showring. Soring gaited horses to produce action that should be bred into the horse...not artificially created. Repetitive, strenuous training for "performance" activities like barrels, reining, rodeo, racing...on BABIES. Horses with open joint capsules are BABIES. They're pushed and pushed and when they finally break down, the horse culture either hollars about slaughter or creates a "rescue" and wants everyone else to pay for the stupidity of these practices to "save the horses" these abusive practices have created. And I won't even go into the old halter type who looked like a beef cow on tiny little hooves. We bred this for what? Please don't misunderstand...I hate slaughter and I'm not anti-rescue. I just don't get the whole idea of treating "symptoms" rather than the problem itself. And while I don't do this stuff, I am guilty of not doing enough to try to stop it. And I have lots of company. You don't have to be "rich" to participate, but unfortuanately you have to be either rich or well connected to compete on any significant level. I don't want to promote the idea that horse ownership is for everyone. It isn't. If you're going to do it right, it's costly, it's subject to dramatic swings in upkeep costs based on the markets...last year I paid $3.00 per 75 lb bale of nice alfalfa...this year it's twice that for grass. First cut. It's the horses that suffer when people who cannot afford it get into the "hobby" without a clear understanding of expense variables and proper care. I'm certainly neither elite nor rich, but I do make sacrifices to own horses. We drive used vehicles and bought a smaller home with better barns and acreage.	Related Search: Horses

	Ibbud, I couldn't agree with you more !!! I think my biggest pet peeve when it comes to horses and the people who ride them and work with them is the appalling level of outright IGNORANCE and STUPIDITY among the non-horse community. This community includes the animal rights groups like PETA and HSUS ( this latter group was the one that tried to force the sport of Eventing out of the Olympics following NBC's idiotic behavior in 1992 during the Barcelona games in Spain) whose members only RARELY, if EVER, take the time to investigate and learn the facts and truth behind the sport before they spout their trash about how "dangerous" and "abusive" horse sports are. If horse sports are abusive to the animals and dangerous to people, then so are the wars we are fighting now and have fought since this country was founded- wars, which, might I add, we could NOT have won, at least in the beginning, without the aid of horses. The cavalry wasn't even disbanded until 1948, AFTER World War II had already been fought- and AFTER we invented and dropped the world's first 2 atomic bombs!!! What does THAT say about how valuable horses are to us as a society and as a people? As for the stupid things that most non-horse people say, I think I have heard every one of them, from "Spurs and whips are cruel ( NOT !!!) and should never be used on any horse" to "Riding horses is easy and you don't need strength to do it" ( oh, yeah, right- try riding my mare, who is lazy as all get out, on a 90 degree day with 90% humidity, WITHOUT spurs, and see how YOU do- trying to get her to move is like trying to move a Sherman tank around) to"Horses are stupid animals and you need to show them who's boss ( that one REALLY pisses me off when I hear it) to "the only good horse is a dead horse" ( oh yeah? then why the HELL are you messing around with them, since you clearly hate the animals and the sport, and want nothing to do with either one) and on and on and on. I agree with the asker about the myth and tragic misperception that horses and riding are only for the elite rich of the world. I am NOT rich, but I own a horse and love her dearly, and will do everything I can to take care of her to the best of my ability. Horses and riding should be available to EVERYONE, no matter what their economic or social standing in life is. One of the reasons why the English disciplines in the sport are experiencing such problems right now is in large part because of this idea that riding is an elitist sport. Coupled with this belief is the idea that riding is also a sport for women and girls, which in turn has led to the gender balance in the Olympic equestrian sports being WAY out of whack. For every 10 women in the sport, there is usually only 1 man- and in most cases, that man is usually ( although there are noted exceptions to this) gay or bisexual. The number of heterosexual, or straight, men and boys who go into riding is dropping drastically, and the situation is getting worse all the time. It has gotten so bad in some disciplines, such as show jumping and eventing, ( and yes, dressage has also been impacted in a negative way) that the men who are in the sports NOW are decrying the loss. George Morris, who is considered to be a legend in his own time by some, has spoken up about this issue repeatedly, as have several other noted male athletes in the sport. No one seems to be able to offer much in the way of solutions to the problem, however. It has multiple causes, and one of the worst that I can think of is the lack of visibility of ALL the sports. Horse sports, (other than racing, that is)seldom if ever get the kind of positive publicity and media coverage that they should. Publicizing horse sports like eventing in a positive way would go a long way towards encouraging more boys and young men to get involved in the sport. One of my great hopes ( indeed, I really think that this will happen) is that when the World Equestrian Games come to Kentucky ( to Lexington, at the Kentucky Horse Park, in case anyone is unaware of what is happening) in 3 years ( in 2010) then one of the side effects of that will be unprecedented TV and media coverage of all the disciplines, on a scale that we have NEVER seen before in this country. I know that most events are going to be covered LIVE, which is going to mean lots of chances for the young boys in the next generation to see and find new heroes to worship besides football and basketball stars. When the WEG ends, we may see an upsurge in the number of young male riders and athletes- one that is badly needed and long overdue, if you ask me. Lack of positive publicity is only one cause of the gender imbalance, however. There is also the perception that English riding is for sissies and gays, a perception that is NOT helped by the fact that there are quite a few openly gay athletes in some of the disciplines. Many men I have seen will NOT wear breeches- they think it makes them LOOK gay, even when they are not, and this only adds to the problem. Then there is the color barrier problem, which is also tied into and is part of the perception that riding is only for the elite, rich WHITE. A lot of people of color can't afford the sport, because they tend to have lower incomes than caucasians. This is NOT because of lack of effort on their part- it's due in large part to the way our economic system is put together and runs. Right now, we desperately need someone who is talented enough to break the color barrier at the Olympic level in ALL of the equestrian disciplines. Riding is a sport that needs a Tiger Woods- badly. Tiger did for golf what Jackie Robinson did for baseball- he broke the color barrier and has set new standards for everyone to follow. There is now a whole generation of African-American children who see him as their hero and role model, and who will one day grow up to match or even exceed the records he set. We need to take that same idea and apply it to the equestrian world- and when we do, at least SOME of the awful stereotypes will start to come down. Somewhere out there, I know that there is a young, African-American ( or Asian -American) who can do it for us- we just have to find him and nurture his talents and gifts. Horses are also time consuming to many people, and are viewed as playthings and pets for the rich. That's something that I have worked hard in my own enviornment to try to circumvent, at least partially. Wealth is NOT a necessity for horse ownership- but good judgement, some basic skills in riding and horse care, and common sense are. That's just my take on all this....	Related Search: Horses