Due to extenuating circumstances, I am moving the blog here.
Posts will resume there when I return after classes are over (about 2 more weeks.) I apologize for the inconvenience. I will do a quick post in order to explain a few concerns I am sure you may have.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Even Zombies Known the Importance of Brains
I'll expand on this later. For now I thought I'd put this up to simplify the whole strangles talk (and if Fugs does watch this blog, she can learn something.) The video is very simple, slow, and boring because of such, but I feel it presents it well enough to understand the basics.
Apologies for the video being cut off. I can't fix it because I do not have privileges to do so. Just click on it and it should send you to the whole thing.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Presenting Facts is Hard to Do
"Raceyrocket@yahoo.com says:Ummmmmmmmmm. Excuse me? I don’t own or work at Featherlite and don’t have anything to do with the horse in question or any of my father’s horses. How in the world does that make me scum? I was not at the World show and did not even watch it online, except for a few classes, and I did NOT watch the Men’s western pleasure.
There are many facts that most of you don’t know.
As far as I know, Cleve was not the trainer of this horse. He was asked by the horses current FEMALE trainer to ride the horse in the Men’s Western Pleasure as she cannot as she is a woman. He was not asked to ride by my dad. As far as I know, and I don’t know much, Cleve did this as a favor to his friend. There was no “blood money” as you all seem to think. He was never the trainer of this horse. He simply stepped on before the class and showed it. The horse is a nice horse and his trainer is a great trainer and these were big wins for her. It’s too bad her talent and excitment are being sullied by this.
You are all entitled to your opinions, and I have mine. You might be suprised to know what mine are, but I won’t go into that here.
Oh, and the orange tan? My dad has had skin cancer. That is not tan. He is dark skinned.
Stacie Raak"
First, as far as I know, there was no money exchanged. No money was put in any pocket. Of course, since you know everything, you must know there was?
Are you responsible for the actions of your parents, your aunt, your uncles? How am I involved. By genetics? You are crazy if you think that.
No, I don’t care who my dad had ride any of his horses. Not my business. Of course, if horse in question had been abused in any way, I would be highly dissapointed, but that is not the case at all. The guy rode the horse in one class. He is not this horses trainer.
All I am asking is to be left out of it. Genetics do not make you guilty.
But you are shallow to pick on someones appearance. Where is your picture? You must be a supermodel. People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones."
"fhotd says:I never said YOU put money in Cleve’s pocket. Regardless of whether money was exchanged – and come on, I did not fall off the turnip truck yesterday, Cleve doesn’t ride for free – the fact is that Gary Raak put a KNOWN, FAMOUS ANIMAL ABUSER on his horse, apparently in violation of ApHC’s own rules.
That is a fact.
Now, YOU may have nothing to do with it. I never said that you DID. People are welcome to comment quite freely here, as you may have noticed by the fact that YOUR posts are being published, unedited. The guilt here is with the horse’s registered owner. There may also be some guilt with the horse’s regular trainer. I don’t know. All I know is a KNOWN, FAMOUS ANIMAL ABUSER just won at the WORLD SHOW and that makes me FUCKING NAUSEOUS.
Clear enough?"
OK, so how is Cleve a famous animal abuser? Oh, right! Because you blogged about it. Honestly, unless people were in the AQHA show world or the 'needs to stalk any horse person' category they probably would have no clue who he was outside the realm. I also highly doubt the AQHA calls up the other registries and tells them about their day and who they've added to their naughty lists. Why? Because he was big in AQHA, and if you weren't competing at a high level you probably never had a concern as to who he was. I bet the big name farms knew who he was, but ask the guy a couple notches down before the fiasco and I bet he wouldn't know or care.
But I also forgot how wonderful a person you are! How could we hate a person who doesn't edit the posts of some people?! Is that your way of showing you are dead wrong and bat shit crazy? Heaven forbid you edit the post and make a new entry on the wrong you presented. Oh right, you don't go for facts, you go for the PETA version of facts. Most normal people call those lies. You're very good at them. That's not a compliment, though it is the truth. It must be very hard to face this truth on a daily basis by the sane people across the globe. Must be hard to have the truth call out your lies. Is that irony? Probably.
Another thing you seem to be good at is dragging innocent people down with your lies. They're associated by blood, though not a part of her father's horse showing world. She may know what happens and what goes down because after all, they are a parent-child and they probably do discuss what is going on in their lives. Yes their business involves horses in a back-handed way, but they aren't the ones who you should be pointing fingers at. If you want to play that game, weren't you the one who always said the barn you rode at as a child to get lessons had horses who weren't cared for properly? Well, doesn't that make you an animal abuser, Cathy? By your logic it does. Worse yet, you have it explained to you as point blank as possible. They were not involved, and Cleve knew the trainer (you can know people before you train in a specific discipline and focus on a breed, you know) who needed a rider for the men's class. Well a friend needed a favor, and so he ended up being the rider. From there, you decided to make things up along the way. At this point, anyone who can read can see where you did it.
Top that off with your claims to horse care that have appeared lately, I'm not sure you are the one who should be dishing out advice on such things, either. Considering you are the one who doesn't live anywhere near your horses and has other people taking care of them, you don't have room to talk on how animals should be cared for. Your favorite horse chores? Screwing the help and screwing the people doing the actual labor out of money is what your favorite chores are, honey. Top that off with a little, "If you don't have any room, don't get another horse" mantra that you so blatantly decided you didn't have to follow, and you must be the best owner in the world, right? Yes, by some stroke of luck I posted in the last blog a comment from you stating you do not have room to take in another horse, yet there you were in the next post saying you got one of those horses from the college. Isn't that the screaming definition of hoarder? What is it, Cathy? Is there room so long as they can stand side by side and look around? Or is their room so long as you find different places to take your horses who don't know your name?
While I will not disagree with the ApHC needing to follow its own rules, there is also a failure on somebody's end to check everything to ensure that the rules are being followed and enforced. Let's just make it my fault it didn't happen since the fault seems to lie with everyone but you. It'll make a great story for your blog, and it will be a 100% lie so it shouldn't be too hard on your conscience to post. Go ahead. You can be the next James Frey. Better yet, you can be the next Nixon. After all, he actually attempted to continue hiding the facts because he knew he would be in deep poo, though the commonality you share with Frey is that he blamed it on anyone but himself.
Congrats. You are a lying horse abuser who cannot take care of their own animals even when you have the ability to do so. The next blog you should be writing is about yourself and what you really are following your rules and your own logic. It should be incredibly enlightening.
There are many facts that most of you don’t know.
As far as I know, Cleve was not the trainer of this horse. He was asked by the horses current FEMALE trainer to ride the horse in the Men’s Western Pleasure as she cannot as she is a woman. He was not asked to ride by my dad. As far as I know, and I don’t know much, Cleve did this as a favor to his friend. There was no “blood money” as you all seem to think. He was never the trainer of this horse. He simply stepped on before the class and showed it. The horse is a nice horse and his trainer is a great trainer and these were big wins for her. It’s too bad her talent and excitment are being sullied by this.
You are all entitled to your opinions, and I have mine. You might be suprised to know what mine are, but I won’t go into that here.
It is easy to jump on a band wagon, but it is ignorant to do so without all the facts.
To the person who posted the like to Walkin in the Weeds. Wrong trainer, Dude. That was Stanley Ryan.Oh, and the orange tan? My dad has had skin cancer. That is not tan. He is dark skinned.
Stacie Raak"
First, as far as I know, there was no money exchanged. No money was put in any pocket. Of course, since you know everything, you must know there was?
Are you responsible for the actions of your parents, your aunt, your uncles? How am I involved. By genetics? You are crazy if you think that.
No, I don’t care who my dad had ride any of his horses. Not my business. Of course, if horse in question had been abused in any way, I would be highly dissapointed, but that is not the case at all. The guy rode the horse in one class. He is not this horses trainer.
All I am asking is to be left out of it. Genetics do not make you guilty.
But you are shallow to pick on someones appearance. Where is your picture? You must be a supermodel. People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones."
"fhotd says:I never said YOU put money in Cleve’s pocket. Regardless of whether money was exchanged – and come on, I did not fall off the turnip truck yesterday, Cleve doesn’t ride for free – the fact is that Gary Raak put a KNOWN, FAMOUS ANIMAL ABUSER on his horse, apparently in violation of ApHC’s own rules.
That is a fact.
Now, YOU may have nothing to do with it. I never said that you DID. People are welcome to comment quite freely here, as you may have noticed by the fact that YOUR posts are being published, unedited. The guilt here is with the horse’s registered owner. There may also be some guilt with the horse’s regular trainer. I don’t know. All I know is a KNOWN, FAMOUS ANIMAL ABUSER just won at the WORLD SHOW and that makes me FUCKING NAUSEOUS.
Clear enough?"
OK, so how is Cleve a famous animal abuser? Oh, right! Because you blogged about it. Honestly, unless people were in the AQHA show world or the 'needs to stalk any horse person' category they probably would have no clue who he was outside the realm. I also highly doubt the AQHA calls up the other registries and tells them about their day and who they've added to their naughty lists. Why? Because he was big in AQHA, and if you weren't competing at a high level you probably never had a concern as to who he was. I bet the big name farms knew who he was, but ask the guy a couple notches down before the fiasco and I bet he wouldn't know or care.
But I also forgot how wonderful a person you are! How could we hate a person who doesn't edit the posts of some people?! Is that your way of showing you are dead wrong and bat shit crazy? Heaven forbid you edit the post and make a new entry on the wrong you presented. Oh right, you don't go for facts, you go for the PETA version of facts. Most normal people call those lies. You're very good at them. That's not a compliment, though it is the truth. It must be very hard to face this truth on a daily basis by the sane people across the globe. Must be hard to have the truth call out your lies. Is that irony? Probably.
Another thing you seem to be good at is dragging innocent people down with your lies. They're associated by blood, though not a part of her father's horse showing world. She may know what happens and what goes down because after all, they are a parent-child and they probably do discuss what is going on in their lives. Yes their business involves horses in a back-handed way, but they aren't the ones who you should be pointing fingers at. If you want to play that game, weren't you the one who always said the barn you rode at as a child to get lessons had horses who weren't cared for properly? Well, doesn't that make you an animal abuser, Cathy? By your logic it does. Worse yet, you have it explained to you as point blank as possible. They were not involved, and Cleve knew the trainer (you can know people before you train in a specific discipline and focus on a breed, you know) who needed a rider for the men's class. Well a friend needed a favor, and so he ended up being the rider. From there, you decided to make things up along the way. At this point, anyone who can read can see where you did it.
Top that off with your claims to horse care that have appeared lately, I'm not sure you are the one who should be dishing out advice on such things, either. Considering you are the one who doesn't live anywhere near your horses and has other people taking care of them, you don't have room to talk on how animals should be cared for. Your favorite horse chores? Screwing the help and screwing the people doing the actual labor out of money is what your favorite chores are, honey. Top that off with a little, "If you don't have any room, don't get another horse" mantra that you so blatantly decided you didn't have to follow, and you must be the best owner in the world, right? Yes, by some stroke of luck I posted in the last blog a comment from you stating you do not have room to take in another horse, yet there you were in the next post saying you got one of those horses from the college. Isn't that the screaming definition of hoarder? What is it, Cathy? Is there room so long as they can stand side by side and look around? Or is their room so long as you find different places to take your horses who don't know your name?
While I will not disagree with the ApHC needing to follow its own rules, there is also a failure on somebody's end to check everything to ensure that the rules are being followed and enforced. Let's just make it my fault it didn't happen since the fault seems to lie with everyone but you. It'll make a great story for your blog, and it will be a 100% lie so it shouldn't be too hard on your conscience to post. Go ahead. You can be the next James Frey. Better yet, you can be the next Nixon. After all, he actually attempted to continue hiding the facts because he knew he would be in deep poo, though the commonality you share with Frey is that he blamed it on anyone but himself.
Congrats. You are a lying horse abuser who cannot take care of their own animals even when you have the ability to do so. The next blog you should be writing is about yourself and what you really are following your rules and your own logic. It should be incredibly enlightening.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Aww, Nuts!
I'm sure everyone has heard about the bird, but VLC is finally being stripped of the only thing he was actually good at. That's right, the nuts are going! Hooray! Apparently top 5 (out of 6) at a color association with injuries from being unable to not act stupid in a stall. Then again, it'll be surprising if she even shows up for the surgery, seeing as how she doesn't live anywhere near her horses. I'm still trying to figure out how she's going to pay for it since she's a notorious moocher. Then again, we also know it's not from her tax return, either. I guess because it's not on auto bill pay like her blog is (even though we all know that she could do the blog for free, funneling more money for her horses cause according to her 'that's what good owners do.')
Speaking of funneling money, despite getting recommendations for stem cell therapy for VLC's injury she has decided that taking the long route to do it was the way to go. She says that mother nature heals tendons the best, but let's be honest. Tendons and mother nature are not a sure thing. Stem cell therapy has shown to do some amazing things. Too bad it costs money. Since she's too busy applauding herself for coming to a decision we came to months ago to realize a good thing in front of her. After all, she's not making money from the VLC at stud or at shows anymore (another badge she thinks she has) so why bother getting him the best care? I thought we were supposed to retire them to the Hilton for horses.
Better yet, she's reaming on Oregon State auctioning off horses they have. She says to make a big deal like Mustang Makeover. Ummm, enrollment may be up for schools, but the drop out rate is just the same. One horse would eat up our tuition paid for my school. Frankly, the $150 is a lot better than the negative number they'll give. Let's not forget how many people don't pay their school fees. While they cannot be declared under bankruptcy, they are not easy things to pay off. Oh, and the alum donating money? I know of only a few alumni actually donating anything of value. Oh, doesn't she also know that often donations have stipulations with it? Our school has a major donor, but most goes to the athletic department. Can Oregon say the same? Running programs costs huge sums of money. Labs cost money because of gas use for burners. They can run up to 2+ hours in an undergrad lab. Multiply that between 20+ people and that adds up for one class.
Also, I've neglected to see where auctioning horses is against the law. So what if a KB grabs them? The school wants to sell the horses off, and when the KB buys them, they are his to do whatever he wants with. So what if they grab $150. That would be a gift considering today's horse economy.
Also, how does she know there are students who would want to train these horses? Yes I took a breaking and training class, but that cost ME money, too. Halters, lead ropes, headstalls, bits, lunge lines, etc. All things that were at my expense. Oh, I forgot brushes, hoof picks, etc. Most students don't have cash on the side to spare, and most don't have the time to even do such a thing unless they are great at managing their time. Maybe you didn't go to a real college, Fugs, but those of us who did actually had tons of work to go through each week before we could think about having fun.
You're not budgeting queen, Miss Moocher. So don't go preaching about how wonderful you and your ideas are when you can't even pay for a blog on time each month.
Did anyone see this lovely comment?
"Yes, and my first comment was, well, they NEEDED to be spayed. Except for the Arab, and there is a palomino QH mare that isn’t bad, either.
But most of them – glad they’re out of the gene pool (but want them to have happy homes!) There is a QH mare with a total hammerhead. She reminds me SO much of Clover, my old rescue. She is supposed to be ranch broke but bitchy. My kinda mare. But the inn is full, here."
If they're out of the gene pool, they won't be missed when they go do more purposeful things passed on. Also, why do the ones you deem nice not need to be spayed? So we can breed those now?
Also, full here? HERE?! You don't need another horse you'll never see.
Speaking of funneling money, despite getting recommendations for stem cell therapy for VLC's injury she has decided that taking the long route to do it was the way to go. She says that mother nature heals tendons the best, but let's be honest. Tendons and mother nature are not a sure thing. Stem cell therapy has shown to do some amazing things. Too bad it costs money. Since she's too busy applauding herself for coming to a decision we came to months ago to realize a good thing in front of her. After all, she's not making money from the VLC at stud or at shows anymore (another badge she thinks she has) so why bother getting him the best care? I thought we were supposed to retire them to the Hilton for horses.
Better yet, she's reaming on Oregon State auctioning off horses they have. She says to make a big deal like Mustang Makeover. Ummm, enrollment may be up for schools, but the drop out rate is just the same. One horse would eat up our tuition paid for my school. Frankly, the $150 is a lot better than the negative number they'll give. Let's not forget how many people don't pay their school fees. While they cannot be declared under bankruptcy, they are not easy things to pay off. Oh, and the alum donating money? I know of only a few alumni actually donating anything of value. Oh, doesn't she also know that often donations have stipulations with it? Our school has a major donor, but most goes to the athletic department. Can Oregon say the same? Running programs costs huge sums of money. Labs cost money because of gas use for burners. They can run up to 2+ hours in an undergrad lab. Multiply that between 20+ people and that adds up for one class.
Also, I've neglected to see where auctioning horses is against the law. So what if a KB grabs them? The school wants to sell the horses off, and when the KB buys them, they are his to do whatever he wants with. So what if they grab $150. That would be a gift considering today's horse economy.
Also, how does she know there are students who would want to train these horses? Yes I took a breaking and training class, but that cost ME money, too. Halters, lead ropes, headstalls, bits, lunge lines, etc. All things that were at my expense. Oh, I forgot brushes, hoof picks, etc. Most students don't have cash on the side to spare, and most don't have the time to even do such a thing unless they are great at managing their time. Maybe you didn't go to a real college, Fugs, but those of us who did actually had tons of work to go through each week before we could think about having fun.
You're not budgeting queen, Miss Moocher. So don't go preaching about how wonderful you and your ideas are when you can't even pay for a blog on time each month.
Did anyone see this lovely comment?
"Yes, and my first comment was, well, they NEEDED to be spayed. Except for the Arab, and there is a palomino QH mare that isn’t bad, either.
But most of them – glad they’re out of the gene pool (but want them to have happy homes!) There is a QH mare with a total hammerhead. She reminds me SO much of Clover, my old rescue. She is supposed to be ranch broke but bitchy. My kinda mare. But the inn is full, here."
If they're out of the gene pool, they won't be missed when they go do more purposeful things passed on. Also, why do the ones you deem nice not need to be spayed? So we can breed those now?
Also, full here? HERE?! You don't need another horse you'll never see.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Fall Time Review
So my color post really was becoming much to hard to set up, but I do have a nice site you guys can go to and look over yourself. Horse colors probably aren't as complicated when presented in other ways, but I've never seen somebody do that. So until that happens, you're stuck with this.
In other news, it's fall. The air is cool and crisp, and one nasty little ditty may be lurking about for some horses. It's influenza season, and horse owners should be on the lookout for the common signs and symptoms. "Clinical signs seen with influenza include fever, anorexia, depression, coughing, and some horses appear to have muscle soreness. In the severe cases, horses can develop a generalized vasculitis which appears as swelling of the limbs, inflammation of the heart resulting in a high heart rate and inflammation of the eye with tearing and squinting."
For those of you who vaccinate for this, ensure you assess the potential health risks and susceptibility before doing so. Also consider the varying strains common to your area before you do so as well.
Any of you taking on a rescue case this Fall? Better yet, how many of us potentially will end up with a horse we didn't intend to? Remember the phrase "Killing with kindness?" One study showed that 9 of 45 horses died after being placed with a responsible owner after going through a period of severe malnutrition.
If the horse isn't in the best of conditions, it is highly advised you go talk to a trusted vet to get you on track to begin rehabbing the horse and feeding it properly as it increases in weight and condition. 3-5 months is normal for a horse to return to full and proper condition, so don't be freaking out if it doesn't happen the first month (though it can with some.) I've included 3 different files in source and reference to this post. The one I liked the most for the public is the one from the University of Tennessee. It contain a great list of questions that you should know the answer to when taking a rescue horse to the vet for the first time, as well as when you should be considering euthanasia as an option. It also has great guidelines to follow if you are unable to get the horse checked by the vet in due time. Definitely something I'd print out and have around JIC.
Sorry about the short, very linked, post. It's been chaos here. Hopefully this will give you guys a plethora to talk about in the meantime! I just think this time of year is important to a horse, as winter is coming and it becomes extra important they get the extra groceries they need to maintain weight through the winter. Remember, winter coats are deceiving! Personal preference is a horse to go in a little (LITTLE) overweight than a little underweight if weight is the problem child. If fat is the issue, vegetable oil can work wonders. Just remember to add a little bit at a time, otherwise your horse will get the runs and in a time where they drink less water that is not a good thing! I'd recommend starting out with a 1/4 cup maximum and work your way up to a cup or so. That's my little ditty for the day. Enjoy!
1. Influenza source
2. Rescue Feeding source
3. Tennessee - Feeding the starved horse
4. Extra nutrition info
In other news, it's fall. The air is cool and crisp, and one nasty little ditty may be lurking about for some horses. It's influenza season, and horse owners should be on the lookout for the common signs and symptoms. "Clinical signs seen with influenza include fever, anorexia, depression, coughing, and some horses appear to have muscle soreness. In the severe cases, horses can develop a generalized vasculitis which appears as swelling of the limbs, inflammation of the heart resulting in a high heart rate and inflammation of the eye with tearing and squinting."
For those of you who vaccinate for this, ensure you assess the potential health risks and susceptibility before doing so. Also consider the varying strains common to your area before you do so as well.
Any of you taking on a rescue case this Fall? Better yet, how many of us potentially will end up with a horse we didn't intend to? Remember the phrase "Killing with kindness?" One study showed that 9 of 45 horses died after being placed with a responsible owner after going through a period of severe malnutrition.
If the horse isn't in the best of conditions, it is highly advised you go talk to a trusted vet to get you on track to begin rehabbing the horse and feeding it properly as it increases in weight and condition. 3-5 months is normal for a horse to return to full and proper condition, so don't be freaking out if it doesn't happen the first month (though it can with some.) I've included 3 different files in source and reference to this post. The one I liked the most for the public is the one from the University of Tennessee. It contain a great list of questions that you should know the answer to when taking a rescue horse to the vet for the first time, as well as when you should be considering euthanasia as an option. It also has great guidelines to follow if you are unable to get the horse checked by the vet in due time. Definitely something I'd print out and have around JIC.
Sorry about the short, very linked, post. It's been chaos here. Hopefully this will give you guys a plethora to talk about in the meantime! I just think this time of year is important to a horse, as winter is coming and it becomes extra important they get the extra groceries they need to maintain weight through the winter. Remember, winter coats are deceiving! Personal preference is a horse to go in a little (LITTLE) overweight than a little underweight if weight is the problem child. If fat is the issue, vegetable oil can work wonders. Just remember to add a little bit at a time, otherwise your horse will get the runs and in a time where they drink less water that is not a good thing! I'd recommend starting out with a 1/4 cup maximum and work your way up to a cup or so. That's my little ditty for the day. Enjoy!
1. Influenza source
2. Rescue Feeding source
3. Tennessee - Feeding the starved horse
4. Extra nutrition info
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Conformation Station
Today's is going to be a little tricky, I'll admit. No picture in this set is perfect, but hopefully you guys can figure something out from it and give informed opinions on the matter. I will say because of this, I'm going to give out more information than I did last time. Hopefully this will help when you look at her a bit more.
Spare pictures can be found at these links:
The horse in this case is a Morgan, and I encourage you to take a gander at all the pictures JIC they will help you. Next time I have some color stuff lined up for you guys, since somebody brought it up and reminded me I had been wanting to do it.
If you want to have your horse used for the next Conformation Station blog, please link pictures and info here: Sign Ups!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Time To...
Put up a news story since I'm gonna be really busy for a bit. Conformation Station should be the next issue out for the blog. So bear with me while I deal with life in the meantime. I'm going to link to the full story in the blog, but quote specific pieces that I think is worth discussing. Please read the article, it's a happy one. Plus it relates to horses, so there you go.
"Courageous Comet, a stakes-placed winner of moderate success in New York, left the racetrack in 2000 to begin a new career as sport horse. After initial training and use in fox hunting, Courageous Comet was sold to Becky Holder, an Olympic rider with a known reputation for turning ex-racehorses into top eventers. Courageous Comet excelled in his new career and helped Holder earn a spot on the U.S. team for the 2008 Beijing Olympics."
Here's the first of them. While great athletes can be found anywhere in the horse world, it takes luck and skill in order to find those who are able to do so. Becky is a well known rider who demonstrated the highest level of riding skill that most people in the world don't ever achieve. On top of that, she had a knack for taking somethng that most people don't know what to do with, and turning it into something that people can enjoy (even if it is just watching.)
That being said, do you think that this horse would have had the same fate if not left in her hands? What if he ended up with the average joe trainer who knows how to retrain race horses, but cannot make them top level competitors? Would he have eventually found his way to anywhere near than he is now?
""While some Thoroughbreds are raised specifically to be sport horses, others are finding greater success in their second careers as sport horses than they did in races. Through this award, we hope to decrease the number of unwanted horses in the U.S. by demonstrating their value in these non-racing disciplines.""
I'm not going to comment much on this one, but do you think this is true? Not just for TB's but for horses in general?
Anyways, hope that gives you something to mull over the weekend and then some with. I always enjoy reading your comments, even if I don't say much.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
A Bookmark of Sorts
Because sometimes others put it a lot better than I do. Take a read through everything and it will pretty well sum up what everyone has been thinking. I would place it all up at once here to read, but there is just too much to sift through. Also, some people may not know of the links or of their existence so I am putting them here. Removal will come if you stoop to their level.
"There are tons of geldings out there with ROMS, Superiors, World champion titles, etc. and they are obviously not breeding. They lack testicles. But how in the hell can anyone think that just because a stallion earned an ROM he's going to be the next best thing since sliced bread?"
"Since QH's, and QH stallions, are a dime a dozen, chances are there is another AQHA stallion who easily outshines yours."
If you don't want to read FHOTD, 140 letters worth of gripin' and moanin' out to do it for you.
I really really wish I had known they were in Tulsa on the 5th. I could have attended quite easily and had so much to give you guys. I'm livid at myself, really.
Fair warning. This is the most unprofessional homepage for a trainer that speaks highly of themselves. Anyone remember geocities? Yeah, it's kinda like that.
The next PtHA show that is on the trainer's website is Sept. 16-19. While the site itself doesn't say where, the even more horrible website that has the information for it (though the names of the shows aren't lining up.) You can look at what other shows are being hosted by the same area here. You have been warned about the bad website. Just know that. I digress, I have no clue if BYC is showing up, but considering all the other shows he's been in, he just may be. If anyone lives in the area and wants to take a stroll on down that would be very fabulous. Better yet, if you know more about it that we do, do tell.
In case any of you missed it in the comments section, there is a 30 second preview video of BYC up. It isn't the best angles or the most perfect video, but it does hammer the nail on the mediocre coffin a little more. I also have a question to you guys...
Why are they so far out from the rail? One part they look as if they are passing, but in the other it just seems like they don't take deep corners. I was always taught to use the corners of the arena, so it's a little foreign for me to see.
If any of you also happened to miss his pedigree, you can see it here. If anyone has more knowledge of the QH lines, please leave your opinions and comments in the blog. I've only heard of Boston Mac on the most recent of family members After that it's the general, "Who hasn't heard of them?" horses who pretty much were a foundation for a lot of horses in the breed today.
His Two Oops Foals
In better news, the girl in the video throwing puppies was located. She is apparently from Bosnia, and between 4-Chan and animal groups they found her rather quickly, thankfully.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Growl at the Moon
"One Blog to rule them all, One Blog to find them,
One Blog to bring them all and in the darkness bind them"
One Blog to bring them all and in the darkness bind them"
OK, so not really, but you guys enjoy some of my really bad rushed humor now and again, right? It's true though, you have to admit that. Incredibly true...why has nobody even come up with that cheesy line? I digress...
Let's get to some points that I've observed on that blog and some pointed out by you guys.
1. Growling will make any horse obey person become a horse behavior expert.
Not today will this happen, or tomorrow, or the next day. As somebody put what I should have been able to figure out on my own from what I had written before in the comments, it is what a horse is raised with or used to. Can a horse become accustomed to a new sound or form of punishment? You bet your hay barns they can. You associate it with the right response and most horses should begin to pick it up. We have our exception horses as we all do, but they're a horse of a different kind.
Still, growling at a horse who was taught that a single click (or any other cue) meant get away, and you may have a horse who is about to go people riding instead. Escalation cues can vary as well. A more sensitive horse may not need the same level of cue to back away as another. I think we can all understand that most cues are not universal. A spur-stop is not going to be understood by an eventer, just as an eventer isn't going to understand neck reining on the level a western trained horse would. I know it's not a sound based example, but you get where I'm going.
Still, if you are interested in growls, there's a book there for you.
 | |
| http://todayilearnabout.blogspot.com/2009_10_01_archive.html About |
2. Top 5 doesn't mean a lot is still super awesome when there are 6 competitors.
 |
| http://timelessandtreasured.blogspot.com/2009/08/hore-show-2009.html |
Come on, we all do this. Nobody knows your dirty little secret about your 3rd place schooling ribbon that you got in a class of 4. E'erybody down in Lincoln Park knows the truth about your 5th place win. It's all well and great when it's you and for fun, it's another when you are trying to promote a stallion who you have potential plans to breed one day. Everyone starts somewhere, but don't be a rooster with an empty hen house. 2 people got disqualified, and who knows where they would have placed if they hadn't. Nothing bad on ABRA, but don't go bragging about it either when your competition may not have been that hard to compete with to begin with. In fact, if we know that don't even say he got 5th.
3. Don't practice what you preach.
 |
| http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/practice-what-you-preach/ |
We all know she said she'd geld him if he didn't get his ROM, but let's get something straight. He still has no ROM and he still has bullocks. We all know she goes after color breeders and anything else that even resembles what she is doing now, but we've still yet to even see her follow through on her own words to her readers. My prediction? He'll age to 6, 7, 8, and we'll still be working on that ROM. Meanwhile...
4. I didn't do it, my followers did.
 |
| http://basketbawful.blogspot.com/2008/04/word-of-day-duncan-face.html |
This is the most basic and essential rule that must be followed. You posted a blog with information (biased and unfounded are a must most of the time) and you gave your little rant. Great. But don't play dumb when your followers go on Cujo's warpath and feign innocence. We all know what's going to happen, and you have more control over them than you act like you have. Thought: Try posting something that doesn't have or link to personal info of any kind. We're not looking for serial killers here. These people aren't MIA. They're often already in trouble if not 2 steps away from it. The other side of the U.S. does not need your opinions on how to handle the situation.
Bonus points if the person being harassed is under 10, though it only works on her blog.
5. I write for the #1 horse magazine subscribed by people who don't know better.
 |
| http://www.discountmags.com/product/5978/horse-illustrated |
I used to have HI once. It was free and they messed up the trial and put me in for a full year with no charge. Might want to invest in a little brain trust. I ended up looking at the breed profiles for the most part myself, but in no way did I really take any of it to heart. I was also *gasp* 16/17 and had gotten my first horse around that time. Oh, the care paranoia...
Still, #1 doesn't mean the best. People like easy reading. I like it now and again, I'll admit. Still, how much more distributed is HI compared to other magazines? I personally see HI and H&R and that's about it. When people think it's the only thing out there, you sort of have some heavy bias. Wal-Mart is the #1 supermarket because they are everywhere. Doesn't mean Food Pyramid isn't just as good or better in some cases.
I also have that issue...and you can get the magazine for $1 a month. I can't even get that good a deal on Discover magazine.
OK, so I got a little ranty in the middle. School has started and you guys needed a new post so badly. Enjoy whatever on earth I was trying to get to up there.
Side Notes:
WARNING!
The link to this video is highly highly highly graphic in the sense of severe animal cruelty going on. Watch at YOUR OWN RISK. If any of you have information on who this girl is, please contact the appropriate authorities to handle this matter. Do not post any information you may have here or anywhere else. The goal is to I.D. the person(s) involved and have them dealt with by the appropriate people.
Link- Girl Throwing Puppies in a River
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Conformation Station
Ok, folks. We're going to give this a try. I'm going to provide you with pictures of a horse sans breed, discipline, and anything that isn't just a horse. Your job? Critique the horse to your best ability. For some additional details you can add:
Potential discipline
Breeding worth
Strengths
Breed guess
Age guess
Whether or not you'd purchase
Etc.
I will be posting a link back to the source of the pictures since we are using them. I ask you simply do not click it until you're done and have posted a comment. You don't want to spoil it for yourself, would you? Also, if I find out that the source link is being abused in any way, I will simply stop doing these. You know what I mean by abuse, too. Now, on to the pictures!
Potential discipline
Breeding worth
Strengths
Breed guess
Age guess
Whether or not you'd purchase
Etc.
I will be posting a link back to the source of the pictures since we are using them. I ask you simply do not click it until you're done and have posted a comment. You don't want to spoil it for yourself, would you? Also, if I find out that the source link is being abused in any way, I will simply stop doing these. You know what I mean by abuse, too. Now, on to the pictures!
Click Images to Enlarge
 |
 |
| Source Link |
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
The Chain of Questions
 |
| From http://www.re-picture.info/blog/repictureblog.html |
Who are we to say that our way is necessarily the right way when it comes to raising and dealing with animals? Animal lovers alike share many things with others like them, but no two go about raising or handling them the same way. Is barefoot better than the shoed? Nobody can truly say, for each animal varies in its responses to the practices we submit them to, nor does each practice remain just like the rest.
What about going as far as demonizing every person who doesn't do what you do? Does the barefooter begin spreading hatred about the one who shoes, giving out all the potential evils of shoeing? Does the other do the same for the barefooter? Do we go as far as posting numbers, pictures, and e-mails about these people so that only the bad stands out? It certainly raises a chain of questions and a story we are all too familiar with.
Animals deserve as much basic essential care as anyone else, but what happens when that said horse cannot be ridden, cannot eat properly anyone, cannot move freely, or cannot provide in the business they were a part of? We all know basic business principles, and how the goal is to maintain a steady flow of business and income in order to continue on with the said business.
The name 'horse industry' itself denotes that horses themselves can be a business, and like all things the old mares and stallions must go to make way for the new generation who can still work and continue on. What becomes of those said animals who can no longer provide for their owners? Do we euthanize them, which it turn creates a host of bills from vet calls, proper disposal, backhoe rental, etc. Do we take them to the auction where the prospect they will be taken by a kill buyer and leave with the only money spent being in gas? From a business perspective, the latter looks and can be a lot cheaper than the former.
Say these horses do end up being taken by the kill buyer. Are the people who left these horses monsters who deserve to be treated like dirt, or are they acting upon a different perspective such as money, potential use of horse for food, etc.? Is slaughter the great demon many have made it out to be, or have we created it ourselves by banning it here for good? Then do we continue to chastise the people who left their horses to the kill pen when those who took away our chance to make it more regulated took that chance away? Do they truly treat the animals in the way that we are told by these groups, or are we being subjected to look through the wrong end of the telescope so what we see is small and the truth gets farther away?
These are all questions we must ask ourselves, and actions we carry out personally. What you choose to do is your own right, but to smear others in disagreement is no way to go about the day. Privacy and information has become a sensitive issue today, and to respect it is to respect others a little more.
So what are your views?
Alternatives?
Etc?
Monday, July 26, 2010
Um What?
Honestly, this is just a hold post. I'm currently still gone on vacation + I get to go home and play move into the apartment/start school game so I cannot exactly get everything too too together right now. Internet resources are limited, plus it's buggery slow. So yeah, the summer of chaos continues. Why the picture? Because somebody's crazy has to be funny.
In all seriousness, I need to gather together some info because something is going down in the comments that I cannot sort out to save my life. Maybe it's because I get on to check when most of the populous is asleep and I'm about to go to bed, or I just fail at basic comprehension (OK, so it's this) so I'm asking somebody to gather the alphabet soup and start spelling things out for me. From my lack of basic comprehension I'm reading on the Fugly Blog, I'm feeling like I'm getting a big dose of hypocrite in between a "Yeah, we know what they did was wrong." Maybe I should just go read there and get it sorted out before I make a legit post.
I'll try and get something together if I can. In the meantime go do something productive like...stuff. I also promise if I do get something up, it won't be so terrible/casual. Until then, go forth and spread chaos, panic, and disorder...or just let your cat into some catnip. You'll get the same results.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Helping Out
Currently, e-bird is asking people who see animals in distress to report them to their website. Even if you are not a birder, going out is still a great help. To help determine species, Sibley's Guide to Birds of Eastern North America is a fabulous resource to use and has advice to help I.D. birds that may look similar to others. If you have a good memory, then Cornell has a good regular guide if you wish to do your I.D. work at home. If you are already and expert birder and can I.D. without one, more the help.
E-bird has a special section devoted to the identification of oil spill birds, so they will not be grouped with the regular collection as found on the site. For more information visit here.
If any of you have anymore sites that could let others help despite distance, that would be great and I will add it to this one. I am aware this has nothing to do about horses, but I know how much we all love animals and want to do all we can to help those who need our help for a time.
All I ask if that if you do happen to go out there, please do not try to handle these animals yourself. Remember these are wild creatures in distress. The last thing they need is a good heart with no experience. Doing your part is well enough to help them.
More ways to help:
Donate fur/hair for eco-friendly clean-up - Here's how.
Dawn Saving Wildlife - Info - Activate Donation
Report oiled wildlife to 1-866-557-1401. Messages checked hourly.
Have links? Post them in the comments and I'll update the post to include them.
Photo from http://audubonoffloridanews.org/
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
How to Make an Effective Abuse/Neglect Report
British Heavy Coloured CobMore from the greatness that is Grainne Dhu!
How to Make an Effective Abuse/Neglect Report
by Grainne Dhu
Okay, you've seen a situation that you feel is clearly abusive or
neglectful, you've identified the person responsible as clearly as you
can and you've identified the correct agency to make a complaint to.
The content of your complaint can have a significant effect on how
seriously it is taken. Many years ago, I was involved in two different
puppy mill seizure cases and I learned a lot about effective testimony
from watching the prosecutor. An effective complaint can make the
difference between changing the situation for the animal and being
round-filed.
First of all, it's important to clearly differentiate between what you
actually saw for yourself and what you conjecture may have happened
out of your sight. If you see someone shanking a horse as they walk
behind the barn, hear some sort of commotion from that direction and
then see that person leading the horse back lathered up and flinching
away from the handler's hand, you can describe all that. You cannot
describe how they beat the horse with a whip because that's
conjectural, you didn't see it. You can, however, say "I didn't see
what happened while the horse was out of my sight behind the barn but
the sounds I heard and the horse's condition afterward made me think
that the horse had been beaten while out of my sight."
Quantify, quantify, quantify! Note your own position as you witnessed
the event(s), where the event occurred, how far away it was, the date,
the time of day, whether that time is an approximation or whether you
looked at a clock to ascertain it, the ambient conditions
(temperature, humidity, precipitation, etc), how many people you saw,
whether you knew those people from previous acquaintance, feel you
could identify them again, etc. Describe what the person was wearing
as clearly as you can.
If you see someone striking an animal, don't just say "she was beating
on that dog." Describe how the person was striking the dog (open hand?
closed fist? object?) and a count or estimate of how many blows were
involved. Describe the dog's reaction to the beating, whether the dog
was cringing, yelping, trying to escape, etc. Describe the force the
blows by including the clues that let you know how heavy they were;
for instance, a kick that landed hard enough to move both the dog's
hind feet, a punch that landed hard enough on the dog's head to knock
the dog's front end to the ground, etc.
British Heavy Coloured CobIn neglect cases, it's much better to describe than to diagnose. For
example, a report that says "the horse's ribs are prominent, the
horse has lost the fat pads along the top of the spine on the back, I
could see the individual spinal processes, the tailhead lacked fat and
was clearly visible above the hindquarters and the horse's neck has a
significant dip along the top side due to loss of normal fat deposits"
is far more effective than saying "the horse has a body condition
score of 2 to 2.5."
If you are reporting neglect, it's often a matter of showing a pattern
of neglect because otherwise the neglectful person could claim "I just
bought the horse in this condition." Keep a log and write down
everything relevant. Keep in mind the principle that if you don't
write it down, it didn't happen. Show or share your log with other
people to help bolster your case; if you keep a computer log, it's
easy to email the entries to one or two trusted friends.
If your contacts with the abusive/neglectful owner leads you to
believe they are not normal, be sure to describe as clearly as
possible what they say or do that leads you to that conclusion. Avoid
assigning a motive or diagnosis like "she acts like she is a hoarder"
or "she clearly doesn't care." Describe how the person laughs
inappropriately, makes statements that are irrelevant to your stated
concerns or has an unusually intense reaction.
An effective report comes down to painting a picture in words so that
the person reading your report feels they were there. The more details
you can include, the more effectively you will convey what happened
and the more likely it is that your complaint will be taken seriously.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
In Agreement
A beautiful appy for FernThe question for today is: What points do you agree with FHOTD on?
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Show us why YOU don't get burned out!
Rick James horseI though that everyone one might need a good laugh today. This is a quote from today's article, 'Show us why YOU don't get burned out!', from FHOTD:
Someone asked yesterday how you can be involved in rescue and not get burned out by all the negative things you see, and all of the animals you cannot help….I don’t get burned out because I pay attention to the positive outcomes.
We all know that Fugs doesn't get burned out because she doesn't do anything. The rescues do the work and Fugs is not involved.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Horse Racing
In the struggle for change there are tools at our disposal that have proven effective over the decades. One such tool is voicing a grievance by letter or phone call which is a powerful tool in any arsenal and, for this reason, needs to be part of a well orchestrated campaign. Failure to do so, as we have seen with a recent FHOTD post, will ultimately work against the horse rescue cause. I hold anyone not showing restraint equally responsible for the deaths of horses as the owner who dumped the horse.
To see how to effectively use a grievance campaign and to understand how it can go terribly wrong we first need to understand the circumstances surrounding rescue work. Justsayingfubb was kind enough to get this statement from a race horse owner which describes horse retirement in the racing industry:
From another owner trainer
What we are seeing in the Thoroughbred industry is a higher level of awareness. Over the last ten years or so people have learned that just giving a horse away doesn't guarantee it a good home for life, chances are it will end up in a slaughterhouse. While there will always be people working with horses that just don't care where a horse ends up if they are handed a few hundred bucks, those people are thankfully quickly becoming the minority. Most racetracks have instituted anti-slaughter policies, with Suffolk Downs' being the best so far. Racetracks in many states now deduct money from purses earmarked for TB rescue, and rehabilitation. Philadelphia Park has a barn where horses can be placed if the owners no longer want them. The horses are retired, and re-homed. There is a remarkable number of people going to low end auctions every week to find TB's and save them from killer buyers.
A rescue would have to realize that not all racehorses can be rehabilitated, or re-homed, and be willing, for the good of certain individual horses, to euthanize. Someone very experienced with racehorses should be consulted in those instances. The Thoroughbred industry leads all other breeds in rescue, rehabilitation, and re-homing of ex-racehorses. Most people in racing love their horses, and want to see them live long, happy lives after their racing careers are over.
An anonymous poster described the effects on TB rescue as a result of FHOTD's recent failed attempt at voicing grievances:
…I am very, very angry that Cathy Atkinson's latest temper tantrum has closed off our access to the TB's... we were already crippled by not being able to 'flip lips' and check out the pedigree's. every single time we tried to advertise these beautiful, well bred, horses the past owners, no matter how far back or innocent, were harassed by nasty phone calls...So we stopped posting pedigrees to protect past owners. Now, because of the Frisco thing...all of the phone calls to the past owners and trainers and even the track officials - The FLO has closed off all access to the TB's - Doesn't matter that Cathy Atkinson screwed up, doesn't matter that her follower's didn't know what they were talking about. It doesn't even matter that no one knows what they were trying to accomplish..All that matters to me is that the FLO has decided that we won't be allowed access to the TB's anymore and there's nothing we can do about it..All of the TB's will be shipped to the Slaughterhouse,..period, full stop..They will still be dumped, but no one will see them, no one will be able to help them and not a darned thing has been gained..There must have been a 'point', but I'm just not seeing it...So any explanation by 'wiser' minds would be gratefully appreciated.
To summarize, it is suffice to say that FHOTD effect on horse rescue has been disastrous. She has started a campaign without knowledge of the industry or consideration of consequences. This has resulted in her followers harassing individuals to the extent that they no longer want to work with rescues and Fugly has greatly sabotaged rescue attempts which has cost many horses their lives. It is truly sad to see the energy of her followers working against horse rescue when we could imagine the change for the better that could have been possible if their energies had be properly used. The best advice for those who read FHOTD is to join a rescue group and put your energies there rather than relying on Fugly for direction.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Now, hold it a minute!
Lorie Wigle IS a responsible horse ownerIn the article "Dear Racehorse Owners of America" FHOTD outs Lorie Wigle for dumping her horse Fritz at a feedlot. Apparently, Fritz raced Monday and in less than 24 hours ended up in a kill pen. FHOTD refuses to accept Wigle's response when she states," It is the usual “I gave him to someone who was going to retrain him.” Well, he was in the kill pen less than 24 hours later…. Ship-to-kill date was yesterday, Lorie." So, clearly FHOTD uses the timeline to establish culpability.
Now, just hold it a minute. Perhaps it's best to look at Lorie Wigle's statement. In response to FHOTD, Lorie Wigles says, "The entire thing is completely untrue. Fritz NEVER went to a slaughter facility. We gave him -- completely sound -- to someone who retrains race horses for second careers. The posting is a complete fake. The person we gave Fritz to apparently sold him to a woman who SAID she was going to train him as an English pleasure horse. Unfortunately her intention seems to be some sort of Internet scam.
If you visited my farm you'd find two 26 year-old mares, one of whom has been blind for 10 years and a gelding that I've nursed through a broken leg and two colic surgeries. I treasure my horses.
But a 3 year old would not be happy just being a pasture pony. As i said, Fritz is perfectly sound, he's an attractive horse and a real trier. I wanted him to have a chance to make someone a good riding horse. And I don't have the skills to complete that training. " I don't see anything in this statement that denotes an irresponsible owner, rather, caring for senior horses says a lot to me about accountability.
What is stated in Wigle's response is easy to verify with one trip to the farm or a phone call. Rather than do this, FHOTD has chosen to base her evidence solely on the 24 hour time line. Within 24 hours it is possible to buy a horse and drive it directly to the auction. The 24 hour window proves nothing.
Now, let's compare another time line. Within a five hour window it is possible for Fugs to write and publish an article citing Lorie Wigle for animal abandonment and encouraging an entourage of young people to attack race horse owners, trainers, and track owners. This group of track professionals are essential to the continued rehoming and retraining of ex-race horses. The rescue community relies on the goodwill of this group to continue receiving racehorses. The FHOTD article, if it has any effect, is to damage the relationship on which horses' live hinge. If there is culpability to be assigned for irresponsibility and the death of horses, then it lies firm on the shoulders of FHOTD and her followers.
I would like to thank justsayingfubb for contacting Lorie Wigle and getting her response. Well done, JSF!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Yep…that’s broke
In a post titled 'Yep…that’s broke' FHOTD writes, "But putting the equivalent of an emergency brake in his mouth truly isn’t the answer. It works…for a while. And then he gets pissed and sore and starts running through it….Um, if you are THAT out of control, YOU ARE NOT READY TO JUMP!" Accompanying the article is a photo of a woman competing in jump class with a heavy bit and the horse flinging it's head in the air. The assumption of the article is that this is unnecessary and the horse can be retrained when she states, "I’ll tell you right now, there isn’t any way in the world that both you and your horse won’t get better at whatever it is you do by spending time with less artillery in his mouth." My answer to this is yes and no.
The determining factor is the level the horse is competing at as it dictates how the horse is trained, the amount of time spent in training, and the type of personality selected for training. In Grand Prix and up usually a more aggressive and hotter personality is selected for the advantages it gives to enhance the competitive edge. Often, upper level horses are shown in all types of contraptions to try to get the horse under control quickly during competition. There are horses shown in the hackamore and harsh bit combination. The reason for this isn't because the trainers and rider are incompetent or unknowledgeable, but that the horse is being trained "go for it". In most upper level competitions you could take a similar photograph of a horse flinging it's head etc. and it would not be considered an example of incompetence.
The above photo is of Eric Lamaze and Hickstead who recently won gold for Canada in the Olympics. Hickstead is wearing a strong bit, noseband, and martingale frequently found in show jumping. Hickstead, like many show jumping horses, avoids the bit by opening his mouth and tossing his head. He is by nature and training a difficult horse to slow down. At the upper levels there are no simple answers to running through the bit.
Similar situations can be found in racing and polo. A race horse is never trained to relax and have a quiet mind because it interferes with the horse's performance. Equally, polo presents the same training issues as racing and show jumping. Polo ponies wear a variety of noseband and bit combination in an attempt to control the horse and martingales are the norm. Why do polo players and upper level riders get a break for using such equipment?
A trainer of upper level horses would avoid training that would teach the horse to relax and be quiet as it would reinforce behavioural traits that are undesirable for competition. So, it depends on what your long term goals are. If you wish to have an all-around-horse then by all means train the horse to have two mind sets. The first is the quiet, in-hand mindset that is trained through classical dressage and the second is a 'go for it" mindset for competition. The earlier in the horse's life the training begins the better.
As for the woman featured on FHOTD, I'm sure she doesn't appreciate her picture plastered all over the web with an accompanying article suggesting incompetence. In truth, it's impossible to tell from the picture what is happening. The photo could be taken during an unusual hot mood for the horse or a shy where it is not a typical representation of the riders skill and the horse's training. When discussing quiet mind set training the author needs to consider all levels of competition and similar equipment used in polo. If the author suggests that this type of training is the only answer then she also needs to address how she would get horses like Hickstead over a course with a winning performance while solving the running through the bit problem. This scenario is complicated and has no easy answers.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Low Level Accountability
Buck joins the circusby GD
There's been some talk on the blog about financial accountability if
you're an individual taking donations for a specific horse, rather
than a recognised non-profit.
Accountability is pretty easy to meet on the informal level. First you
need to show how much you received in donations and then you need to
show how those funds were spent.
Accountability in funds received is easy. Ask each donor how they wish
to be recognised on your list of donations that you plan to post
publicly. If they do not wish to be identified by name or initials,
you can identify them as "anonymous" with their check number or last
four numbers of their PayPal receipt (without a lot more information
to go with it, that information is not enough to compromise anyone's
privacy). By publishing the list of donors, it provides proof of funds
received, particularly if the list is published in a forum where
people can respond with "oh, you forgot mine!"
Accountability for funds spent is also easy. Publish a list of
expenses, including vendor, date and price. Most people will be
satisfied with that but if you want to go an extra step, scan receipts
and place them on a website or offer to email them on request. If you
don't have a scanner, you can fiddle with your cell phone camera and
get pictures of them (light from the side is often more effective than
light from directly above in illuminating what is written on the
paper).
Every donor should receive an immediate acknowledgement of their
donation via email and a follow up thank you with a copy of the
scanned receipts (will usually fit onto one or two pages).
None of this requires much in the way of time or resources! It's very
simple to do but provides enough information that the situation is
clear to everyone involved.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Trainers
Percheron Going GreyIn a recent post FHOTD made seven points on how to find a trainer. What are your thoughts on the points and can you add to the list?
1. See the horses trained by a potential trainer. Look for sound, happy horses
2. Review the trainers barn policies and make sure that you have access to your horse.
3. Research the trainers history to see if they have been disciplined by an association or if they have a bad review online.
4. Go to the barn to see if the horse there are health and happy.
5. Watch how the trainer treats their clients and horses at shows and under pressure
6. Don't expect results if you trainer-hop
7. It's cheaper to buy a fully trained horse than to a hire a trainer for inexperienced horse.
Kaede made an excellent suggestion where she states,
"…she doesn't seem to take into consideration the riders skill and innate talent.
One Saddlebred Show trainer I know spends a great deal of time bringing a horse down to the level of their rider. Taking a Park horse down to country pleasure type thing. For you huntseat folk, it would be like taking an Rolex eventer down to HUS. This does the horse no harm,and hopefully the rider and the horse can be retrained together."
She's correct when she points out that they trainer must understand the skill level of the rider and thoroughly understand who they are training for.
One approach that I do agree with is that in classical dressage the trainer trains the mind of the horse as well as the body. The end result should be a highly responsive, healthy, athletic horse with a quiet mind. We are often taught that we should adapt to the horse's personality and ride what's there. But, I feel that the majority of riders need a trainer that understands the development of the quiet mind. There is a great deal of skill involved in developing a solid trail horse. I think that the majority does not want to fight and manage difficult behaviour on a regular basis. Any thoughts?
Sunday, April 11, 2010
April Adoptable
Since we seem to be on a draft horse kick around here, I decided to jump on the bandwagon. The horse to your left is maybe appropriately named Bertha. Hopefully the $1,800 tag still isn't too much. If you compare her to last month's, I'm sure she'll look really affordable.Bertha is a 17.0hh, 1995 model with a docked tail. Apparently she has been used mainly for trail riding and has a fairly laid back attitude. While it is stated that she does have a tendency to be a bit slow, I'm sure somebody with some meaning behind their oomph could ellicit a canter quickly with no issue. She stands quietly for the farrier, loads, clips, and loves baths. If you are in the Port Deposit, Maryland area, she may be worth looking at.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Conspiracy Theories
A number of readers have mentioned that Fugly is making excuses for breeding her horse while not having a show record or prizes. I sincerely doubt that any one showing or judging horses knows who Fugly is as experienced equestrians tend to read sources that have more detailed and knowledgeable information. Considering that someone else is showing her horse for her then how is it possible that anyone knows that this is her horse and that there is a conspiracy against her? Like many others, I believe that she's making excuses for her imminent failure.
Conspiracy Theories
by Anonymous
And here we start with the justifications about why she will stud out BYC when he doesn't have a ROM.
FHOTD said...
I’ve already been informed, through intermediaries of course – (pussies!) – that my horse WILL NOT be placed because I DARE to speak out about those who do wrong in the show ring.
FHOTD said...
"My horse really is that good, but it was politics that kept him from winning. Therefore I am justified breeding him even though he doesn't meet the qualifications I expect everyone else to meet before they breed their studs."
It would be sad it it weren't so freaking predictable.
Conspiracy Theories
by Anonymous
And here we start with the justifications about why she will stud out BYC when he doesn't have a ROM.
FHOTD said...
I’ve already been informed, through intermediaries of course – (pussies!) – that my horse WILL NOT be placed because I DARE to speak out about those who do wrong in the show ring.
FHOTD said...
"My horse really is that good, but it was politics that kept him from winning. Therefore I am justified breeding him even though he doesn't meet the qualifications I expect everyone else to meet before they breed their studs."
It would be sad it it weren't so freaking predictable.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Canadian Slaughter Plants
FHOTD recently commented on Canadian Slaughter Plants. I would be great to get an opinion from someone with experience in a Canadian slaughter plant. (drum roll) Take it away sunshine and butterflies...
by sunshine and butterflies
She has never stood on a Canadian kill floor. I have.
She has never watched animals load ONTO a Canadian kill floor. I have.
She has never watched the butcher's wife LAY INTO a farmer for transporting his cows in a less-than-adequate trailer and refuse to take any more of his stock until he shapes up. I have.
She has never recovered the carcass of a 4H cow, sold legally at auction, off the railroad tracks after some Animal Welfare Advocates set it free. My husband has.
She clearly has never pet a tame horse, wearing a smock covered in cow blood as it entered the gates, NOT panicked by the sight or smell. Been there too.
She has never reviewed the published Canadian slaughterhouse/abbatoir regulations, and discussed each point with a real, live slaughterhouse owner. I have, cover to cover.
She has never studied the mechanics of a captive bolt gun, nor observed it in use. Real scientists have, and their results differ from the "studies" released by non-scientists at Animal Welfare groups.
She has never, EVER visited slaughterhouses that use rifles at close range to kill animals, because if she had, she'd shut up about the captive bolts...they AREN'T THAT POPULAR, even at factory slaughterhouses.
She has never spoken to a butcher about the few times a kill failed. In his 30 year history. That he remembers, each and every one. Heard about how critically dangerous it is when that happens and how IMMEDIATELY it is resolved...
I could go on. I like a lot of things about fugly, especially how she is a real rider, about on par with where many of us are (if we are honest about our own flaws) and she has the common sense about a lot of horsey things that people like me appreciate. WE DIFFER SIGNIFICANTLY in our knowledge and opinions on the Canadian slaughter industry.
by sunshine and butterflies
She has never stood on a Canadian kill floor. I have.
She has never watched animals load ONTO a Canadian kill floor. I have.
She has never watched the butcher's wife LAY INTO a farmer for transporting his cows in a less-than-adequate trailer and refuse to take any more of his stock until he shapes up. I have.
She has never recovered the carcass of a 4H cow, sold legally at auction, off the railroad tracks after some Animal Welfare Advocates set it free. My husband has.
She clearly has never pet a tame horse, wearing a smock covered in cow blood as it entered the gates, NOT panicked by the sight or smell. Been there too.
She has never reviewed the published Canadian slaughterhouse/abbatoir regulations, and discussed each point with a real, live slaughterhouse owner. I have, cover to cover.
She has never studied the mechanics of a captive bolt gun, nor observed it in use. Real scientists have, and their results differ from the "studies" released by non-scientists at Animal Welfare groups.
She has never, EVER visited slaughterhouses that use rifles at close range to kill animals, because if she had, she'd shut up about the captive bolts...they AREN'T THAT POPULAR, even at factory slaughterhouses.
She has never spoken to a butcher about the few times a kill failed. In his 30 year history. That he remembers, each and every one. Heard about how critically dangerous it is when that happens and how IMMEDIATELY it is resolved...
I could go on. I like a lot of things about fugly, especially how she is a real rider, about on par with where many of us are (if we are honest about our own flaws) and she has the common sense about a lot of horsey things that people like me appreciate. WE DIFFER SIGNIFICANTLY in our knowledge and opinions on the Canadian slaughter industry.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
That would have paid Hercs board!
Andalusian of the baroque type
by Justsayingfubb
This was the one that pissed me off... Fubbs was told over and over this mare wasnt in foal but noooo "SEND MONEY SAVE HER" she cried...and now this update....
I have to include an update/brag about Exclusive Report, aka Hope. You will remember her from this blog entry. I saw her in the kill pen and flipped out because she just screamed quality and you all know how I am about red mares. Oh, and we were all sure she was heavy in foal – it actually took two separate vets to convince us otherwise because she has major broodie belly! Anyway, so this gorgeous mare whinnied at me and said, HEY, get me out of here and with the help of some very kind donors, we did.
2 Vets to convince you? That would have paid Hercs board! Fubbs put your money where your mouth is.. You bitch about CBER and yet you defend SOS who lets ABR bail the horses then lets them sit for years now in 12x12 mud pens, adopts sick and lame horses as children's mounts when they have been assessed in a alleyway bareback w/ halter WTF is the real story there? Oh yeas they pay you for ads.
Remember your mantra if you adopt a horse dont cry for $$ after you adopt it? Why is it OK for you? And who the hell is "we" you have no cred with SAFE or Ponyup so who is WE???
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Vanners, Fluff, and Fatties on gaited horses
From FHOTD
FHOTD back in: See, I tell you, there is something with all those baroque breeds that is just a magnet for crazy. Gaited horses attract obese people who want to ride the crap out of them as 2 year olds, and baroque breeds attract pretentious, crazy women! I’m not saying you’re all crazy, but folks, Friesians and Vanners have a magnetic force field that attracts loonies like Wal-Mart attracts people with interesting fashion sense. Later that same day... fhotd says: April 4, 2010 at 2:40 pmSometimes I really feel like I need to present a venn diagram with my post for some of you: Just because type of horse A attracts type of person B does not mean that is ALL it attracts. Obviously, some of you are perfectly sane. But it is a fact that whenever I encounter a story like Genevieve’s, dollars to donuts the person is going to be involved with one of the following: 1. Friesians 2. Gypsy Vanners 3. Something else with a lot of mane. I.E. Arabians Whereas every time I encounter a story where someone is more just shady and evil in a business sense – sane, but rotten – they are likely to be involved with a stock breed or Thoroughbreds. I am fairly certain that if I made a chart from the beginning of this blog, we could show this pattern. I am not picking on anyone’s breed in particular, or anyone’s discipline, as you should all know by now. I’m merely stating that every breed has its cross to bear and fluffy horses tend to get delusional women whose don’t live in reality and whose web sites includes a lot of talk about their dreams and magikal horses and associated claptrap. So, if you’re a sane person with fluffy horses, obviously this does not apply to you so why would you be offended by it?
Friday, April 2, 2010
Aggression and Dominance
thehorse.com has a special online edition addressing dominance and aggression issues. It covers the full range of origins from personality, learned behaviour, insecurity, hormones etc. and how to deal with them.
Rescue Guidlines
Grey Percheron
by BrownEyed Cowgirls
Here is my issue with rescues...
Especially when they take on horses like Herc...
This is a horse that probably is (according to the comments made about him and repeated here) a dangerous horse. Yes, he can be nice. But then he flips. Those are the kind of horses that will hurt someone, long before something that acts poorly all of the time.
If rescues truely want to show people the kind of responsibility they are 'supposed' to have, then they need to start making a lot tougher decisions about the horses they rescue.
The fugly commentor mantra is breeding regulations. Okay, so if breeders need to be regulated, then rescues need to be regulated too.
No more emotional drama surrounding 'saving' this horse or that horse.
Rescues are welcome to take in or 'save' any horse they chose, but...
If they rescue a horse that ends up being permanently crippled and unrideable...it must be euthanized irregardless of how young or old it is. Twelve months is plenty of time to determine whether a horse is ever going to be sound or not. Hey, if we want to be kind, we can give them an additional 12 months to try to adopt the horse out. Failing that...buu-bye.
Horses over a certain age, say 20 or 22, and have been starved and/or require more than basic medical attention and/or are probably permanently crippled...must be euthanized immediately.
Any horse rescued over the age of 3 must go into training-within 6 months if they are sound or at the end of 12 months if they are not sound at the time of rescue.
Any horse deemed dangerous or unrideable must be euthanized. I would say that giving the horse 6 months to perhaps adjust to better treatment, but then they must go into training from 6-12 months. At the end of 12 months and they are not better..buuu-bye.
And for god's sakes...Stop with the heroic efforts...begging for money for broken legs, massive injury or stupidly expensive surgeries? Enough already! That money is better spent on actually saving something that has a more probable future.
Here is the way I look at it, Herc's owner never should have been 'outed'. She did not do anything illegal. The horse was not starved and it was obvious an attempt had been made to correct his lameness issue. The owner tried to sell him, tried to give him to a rescue and obviously did not feel the need to lay the horse to rest on her property. She is NOT the one who labeled the horse 'kill only'. His buyer did. Of course, fugs came up with the ridiculous assertation that the whole reason Herc was mean was because he had had a shock collar used on him. Pulled that one right out of her ass, I'd bet money on it.
Irregardless, the horse was purchased by a rescue and they didn't even have $500 to have a few x-rays run on him and they have been begging for money for the damn horse every since? How are they any more responsible than the previous owner? Now they want to farm him out?
Riiighhhttt!
How about they start showing some responsibility here and just put the horse down?
He's mean, he's lame and now they want to pawn him off on some poor sob to take care of for the next decade or so?
Nope-they 'rescued' him. They need to be responsible for their decision. He is not a suitable horse for the average owner and trying to place him is irresponsible and potentially dangerous.
APRIL 2, 2010 9:41 AM
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)