As a horse person, it bothers me when...?

Question

I just had to start this thread/question.

As a horse person, it bothers me when in movies, they use two different horses in the same role. An untrained eye wouldn't be able to recognize it, but it bothers me now!

It also bothers me when people say 'You don't do anything except sit on your horse when you horseback ride.' I'd like to see you try it!

What else bothers you as a horse person?

Answer 1

1)I hate it when people that have only seen horses in like flicka and black beauty try and say that riding horses or using them is cruel.

2) I hate it when people think they are the ONLY person in the world who knows about horses, and that there way is the ONLY way.

3) I hate it when horse people put other less experienced horse people down for trying to enjoy horses. We all started the same way (not knowing #$^*) and some people arn't fortunate enough to have been born into it, or have a mentor to help them, and those poor suckers just have to learn through there mistakes.

REALLY hate it when people buy an unbroke horse for their kid and think that "they can learn together" or go out and buy a peice of junk or problem horse that doesn't know anything for there kid to go out and get hurt on or just have a horrible explerience with. and when they refuse to buy and old dependable horse because he's too old (Two years of good experience seems pretty pricesless to me)

Answer 2

I know someone with one of the Sea Biscuit horses LOL What a small horse.  But what bugs me where to start.

People who buy horses for their image, not for the joy of the horse.

People who breed and breed and throw away the mare.

People who get horses and dont know the first thing about taking care of them, or they neglect to give them proper care.

People who say it just a horse.

People who drive their fur buddies into the ground, drug them and drive them into the ground more and then throw them away.

People who can sit there and either half starve or starve their horse, neglect their feet, fail to provide medical care when needed, or they think setting them free they will survive.

I could go on...and on...and on.

Answer 3

With movies it bothers me when I see the supposed expert flapping and flopping around in the saddle.

It bugs me when people assume it's okay to just wander up and "stroke the horsey" or when they try to feed them junk over the fence.

Yeah and when they ask how riding can possibly be tiring when the horse does all the work.

People who let their dogs run loose towards you because "He's alright with horses" - yeah maybe so but what if my horse isn't alright with dogs ?

Answer 4

when i see a neglected horse in a paddock knowing that if i had it it would be looked after properly!!

Answer 5

As  a horse person it bothers me when...

  

- non-horse people say its just a horse

- when spoiled children get a horse just to ride but dont do anything else

- horses are abandond or abused

- ummm

good question

Answer 6

As a horse person it bothers me when a greenhorn asks you something and when you try to give them your answer they say "but I read that you do it this way". GGRRRR! and then they argue with you about your way. All I can think is why did you ask me then in the first place? It irritates me how greenhorns read one  horse book and think they've learned it all. Then when what they've read doesn't work they ask you for your opinion and when you give it argue that its not what the book said to do... Every horse is different and there are countless ways to deal with countless problems and countless ways to train a horse. You just have to find the one that works for that particular horse. One way isn't always the answer but I find most greenhorns believe the first book they read is the answer to everything and is the only right answer! I usually just smile and say "Well I hope you and your horse resolve your problem. If you need my help again just ask..." and leave it at that. :)

Answer 7

Pretty much the same as you. I use to have these "friends" that went to one of my rodeos and said i hated that that's not even a sport the horse is doing more work then you are all your doing is sitting there i laughed in there faces i said ok when we get back to my house i want to see if you can do what i can do so they did and said sorry guess we were wrong i said exactly my point =]

Answer 8

yeah anybody can sit on horse, but actually ride a horse, not everyone can do that. just wait til the horse shys, then you can tell if they can ride. one thing that bothers me is that when people say they can ride, but they can't at all, hey i'll be the first to admit that im not a great rider, but im getting better. another thing that bothers me is that when people flog their horse when it shys at something, (say on the road), just give the horse a moment to have a look, then get it to move on, if it doesn't then you can be a little forceful, but slow and steady is the way to go with horses. hey thanks for this question, its like a release from some tension!

Answer 9

It bothers me when I ride my horse down country roads...and have cars speed by, swerving as close as they can to my horse & honking.  Thank goodness I have a really good road horse...although you never know when something may scare him & he could end up as a hood ornament.

Some people are just ignorant!

Answer 10

the fact that my parrents wont buy me one =[

Answer 11

As a horse person, it bothers me when...

-People say that horseback riding isn't work

-Little kids throw tantrums over not getting a pretty pony

-People throw a saddle on a horses back and call themselves trainers

-I get people who will swarm my skittish horse, then when I tell them to please be careful & quiet they make sure to shove their hands into his face

-People think that hitting a horse is cruel, if it bites me then I am going to bite him.

-And lastly, it really just bugs me when I see this obese little kid at my barn jumping her poor small pony to death

-Oh, and when my horse just has to wipe his mouth on my breeches when he is done eating. :c

Answer 12

yeah, it does bother me when the movies do that. but it's usually because they need multiple horses with a lot of skills to do many tricks and things.

and yes, many people DO say that you are just sitting on top of a horse. i'd like to see them try cantering a course. i'd like to see them try showing and jumping. as "easy" as riding may look, it really isn't. i am on my 5th year of riding and i am just now cantering courses.

Answer 13

Besides many of the things listed here already:

The #1 thing that bugs the heck out of me is when people refer to their horse or another horse or any horse in general as an "it".

Automatic knee jerk for me

Answer 14

Did you notice on the Lonesome Dove movie that Woodrow Call's Kiowa mare was a gelding?  Her name in the movie was "h**l B**ch" and I thought they should have either not said "it's" name or gotten a different horse for the part.

The old tv show Walker, Texas Ranger used to drive me nuts too!  When he would do a western type of show, the only reason I would watch it was to pick it apart.  One scene there was a breast collar, the next it wasn't on, different saddle blankets back and forth etc.

The movie "Dances with Wolves" I was out where they filmed it a year later and there was this little tourist ghost town and they had one of the horses (I think there was 3) that played the part of Cisco.  This poor horse was in a small pen, hooves overgrown and split up the center, ribs showing, no shade, head hanging down, and to top it all off, here was this little gumball type machine that you could put a quarter in for a little handful of oats!  His eyes had no life left in them, and I felt so bad.  I went in to the front office and let them have it.  I said that horse needs his feet trimmed, more room, and someone needs to take him out and ride him once in awhile!  The idiot said no, I can't ride him!  I said I didn't ask to ride him, but somebody needs to take him out and give him some excersize.  They said if I didn't lower my voice and leave the premises immediately, they were going to call the cops.  When I got home I did turn them in.  I don't know how it turned out.   I can't watch that movie anymore, that horse was fantastic then to see him in those conditions.  He was the one with a half moon on his head.

As far as people's comments, I don't let it bother me.  Why waste my time worrying about what someone else thinks?

Answer 15

i agreee with everyone who answered this question,it really annoys me though when,

- little kids are like aw that horse is so cute, wen its biting someone, or something like that.

-people that think that barrel racing is animal cruelty.

- people give u dirty looks wen u walk into like a wawa rite after a rodeo.

-people that dont know how to muck a stall and they hide the p**p and then wen u go to do that stall and its disgusting.

moree....

Answer 16

I agree with 4 the horses.

It also annoys me when western people tell me to ride differently and have my reins on the buckle

why cant they see that I need a contact to ask my horse to collect and do dressage movements?

Answer 17

Speaking of movies, did you know they used 7 different horse in filming Hildago.  They all had different talents which was required for the movie.

Most people that say you don't do anything but sit when you ride, don't know anything about horsemanship.

Answer 18

In Black Beauty they used a filly for black beauty! I hate it when people say stuff like " You can oly ride if you ride barrels and or poles!" I think there is sooo many styles of riding that everyone should embrace their OWN favorite...

Answer 19

I love your Icon pic...".4 the horses" such a beautiful paint, do you have more info on this horse?

Things that bother me.......hum

this really bothers me is extreme eventing, now I like the sport but what is with solid fences??? Our we thinking our horses are infallible? to think one mistake and theres no give to those fences, I  just dont get it............the other is Politics in the horse show world of top level competition. This is the point Im at with our business, it wasnt so bad when gas was affordable, hay was reasonable, and horse products, entry fees and association fees were manageable........The whole thing is just depressing to me.

Answer 20

Biggest? "The horse does all the work" EVERYONE says it!!!!! They think it's like riding a bicycle. Well, yeah, if the bicycle weighs up to or over 1 ton and likes to argue. Oh, and if you are perpetually bouncing around. Oh, and don't forget to sit still on it. :)

Other bothering thing is when my family comes to the barn and keeps touching my horse. URG! NO! MINE! :p :) I get a little possessive. My horse is semi-head shy and my brother thinks it's a good idea to try to pet his face. Also, when I'm trying to ride, they keep trying to talk to me!

Last one is when kids are running around the barn. I had the owner's son shoot my horse in the face with a water gun last week!!

Answer 21

I have to totally agree with everyone but I also dont like when:

People say nasty things about my Arab, just because she is one.

That people think just because ponies are cute and little means they're cute and little (if you know what I mean) Pony doesn't always mean, perfect for kids.

That people at fairs around my town think barrel racing is cruel, we are pushing our horses too hard.

That the girls at my college think that just because they took a semester class on how to break a horse to drive that they can now drive anything. I have been driving for 5 years and still wouldn't say I could drive anything (prob never will).

The movies I can handle except when you can clearly see where they have used paints in such to cover or make facial markings lol

Wow i think we could all go on forever!!!

Answer 22

Those people who are so convinced their way is "the right way" or "the only way". They are closing themselves off to further knowledge. Horsemanship is a journey, a true horseperson must always be open and objective regarding new ideas, new situations, and new methods. No sigle set method of doing something is all going to best for all horses or in all situations.

Regarding the movies and different horses I can deal with that, I understand they may need different talents for different parts ect. What gets me is when they substitute another gender. The horse magicaly changes back and forth between male and female. Same thing with the dog movies. Use different ones if you must but enough with the instant gender changes back and forth between scenes. :-)

It's called "riding" and not "sitting" for a reason. Anyone who says that obviously doesn't know how to ride, so who cares what they think?

Answer 23

This question reminded me of a little thing that happened yesterday... My neighbor asked to come by and see the horses, so I said why not come on over. I have a pony that has been sick for quite sometime now (we think she may have cancer) and she's very thin. I mean, VERY thin. The guy came by and said, "oh wow! She's gorgeous!!".. Puhh, Yeah right she is!! Just goes to show you how clueless some non-horse people are... It bothers me when people can be so ignorant and oblivious to the obvious. Anyone with eyes could see she wasn't 'gorgeous'... Maybe he was just saying that to be nice?

*snif, snif...(Please don't give me c**p about having a sick, thin horse and not putting her to sleep yet...) I've been beat up about it. I think her 'time' is coming. We've had her for 23 years so this ones gonna be tough...*

**Edit**

Thanks eqquus. I just had to put that out there.. I've seen how some of the people on here can get about things like that and I didn't want to hear comments like "well if she's skinny and has cancer euthanize her!".... We've been considering it these last few days but ultimately I'm leaving it up to my daughter and vet. It was her pony.

I thought I'd add some more to this:

I hate it when some of these kids read a book or watch a DVD from one of those comercial trainers and then declair themselves horse experts. I"ve had a few of those boarding at my barn telling ME, someone whose been riding 30 years longer then the little tweenies how to handle and ride my horses.

I had a little girl try to tell me to feed cookies to a horse that was bitting children. I don't think so!! She tried it and almost got her finger torn off. The next time the little **** tried to bite me I stuck out the s***w driver in my hand and it jabbed him in the muzzle. Solved that problem pretty fast!

I know I've got more.. Can't think of it now... I'll be back!

**Edit**

Thanks Lauren, I apreciate it!

Answer 24

it bothers me when people in the crowd at horse shows accuse me of having my horse professionally trained all his life and just jump on and ride for shows. i'm fifteen and i trained my horse from scratch, starting when he was four, and now we win everything we enter: english (equitation's our favorite), western, trail (another favorite), most everything except the speed events. we're county champions in english and reserve state champion in equitation. it bothers me, but it also makes me a bit proud that they think that! =]

Answer 25

It bothers me when people who think they know everything about horses just come and handle your horse without permission.

Answer 26

how people think if you ride horses you must only listen to country music.

dont get my wrong, i like it.

but i also like a whole bunch of other music.

and you do waayyyy more than just sit on the horses back, dumb people. lol.

Answer 27

both of those things bother me too lol.

they thing horseback riding is all fun and games.

well i guess it is lol but its a lot harder than it looks.

it REALLY bothers me when someone is like "oh i can ride any horse blah blah blah" and then they get on a dead broke horse and cant do anything with it.

and people who think they are Roy Rogers [my dad does hahaha] and they do something stupid and fall off. then blame the horse.

the list goes on and on.

Answer 28

well I don't own a horse but I love them and I hear from my riding instructor that her neighbors are always complaining about her having horses and they will say straight to her face "so how many rats do you have in that old barn of yours?" UGH i hate people like that!

Answer 29

I hate it when sluty teenage girls go out and buy a $2 straw cowboy hat and make fun of cowboys and cowgirls.

Answer 30

It bothers me when people have done nothing more than ride trail horses that follow each other on a trail and it doesn't require any real riding skill that they go around telling people they know how to "ride". I say no you know how to "sit". LOL drives me nuts!

Answer 31

As an Animal Advocate It really pisses me off when horses are used in circuses. More and more people are becoming aware of the cruelty to elephants and bears and big cats but horses and ponies are overlooked.

"Horses and ponies are among the most commonly used animals in circuses, they receive the least protection, as they are excluded from federal regulation under the Animal Welfare Act. Positive reinforcement alone will not compel any animal to follow commands to perform the types of complex maneuvers in the typical circus routine—day after day, hundreds of times a year. There will be days when an animal does not feel well or, for whatever reason, does not wish to perform. Because circuses have to satisfy paying customers, trainers cannot afford to let an animal “get away with” a poor performance. The consequences of failure are swift and painful. Horses were punched in the face and severely whipped." http://www.circuses.com/domestic.asp

If EVERYONE stops going to circus that use animals for entertainment then the circus will be forced to shut down! A public that remains ignorant to the cruelty beyond the big top buys the tickets that fund brutal beatings.

I  am also peeved about horse auctions, these horses are prodded and shoved into a tiny ring to be sold to the highest paying meat man. This cruelty NEEDS to stop!! How is it ok to own sickly, swaybacked horses with over grown feet?.... as long as its going to the dinner plate I suppose it doesnt matter. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!

I hate the people who buy horses and then dont feed them, dont have them seen by the vet, or the dentist or have their feet cleaned up....why do these people get a horse in the 1st place?? Its not like you can find a stray horse walking down the alley as you would a dog/cat. No these ignorant people have to go out and get the horse to only leave 'em in the c**p filled tiny pasture with chewed up fences and trees because thats the only thing availble for them to eat. (This senerio is seen alot on Animal Cops Houston)

This is the best answer of all..most of your peeves are just so shallow.......

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Dont You HORSE People Care??? ignorance is bliss!!

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