Has reading anothers' opinion here ever changed your position on an equine issue? NH? Bits? The "s" word?

Question

There are so many of the same questions over and over and over again, the same answers over and over again. New users don't search the archives (not faulting them, I don't either...) so we sometimes seem to have the same conversations over and again. Not saying we need a solution or that it's a big problem, just curious about whether the debates we have over hot topics ever sway anyone one way or another.

Answer 1

Oh, that pesky "s" word! (Hint:  it is no longer occurring in the US.)

I don't think I've ever been completely swayed by someone else's opinion here.  But, there are certain people here whose opinions I value, so it's always interesting to see what they have to say on this or that matter.  Of course, some topics have been completely done to death...that's different.

As for checking the archives, I think people either don't think to do that, or else want their Very Own Personal answers to their Very Own Personal questions (which are delivered most conveniently to their in-box!)

The only questions that really baffle me are the ones that are much easily Googled.  I don't get it - you're already in front of the computer, so why come here?  :P

Answer 2

Hmmm....I have to ponder this question.

I cannot say the answer, or opinion of any one person has ever changed my way of thinking about horses (at least here on Yahoo Q&A).

But over the years, my opinon on horses HAS indeed changed.  Thoughts/opnions I now have as an adult person, I would NEVER have had as a teenager.  My thoughts and opinions have changed due to things I've read in the new, magazines, or books, sometimes articles on the internet.

Like horse slaughter.  As a teenager, I would NEVER in a million years have agreed with the idea.  As an adult, I'm able to see the bigger picture, and the reasons why we still need it.  Doesn't mean I think it's right, or that it would ever happen to one of my "babies," I'm just able to have a better understanding of the reasons it's needed.  

I assume at some point, I'll run accross a thoughtful, and well written horse question, or answer in Yahoo, which will give me more insight, and may change my views, or opinions.  If that happens, it's probably going to be something written by an adult, with years of horse experience under their belt.

Or it could just be some bit of simple, but complete brilliance that someone posts, that I read and go, "DUH!  Why didn't I think of that YEARS ago!"

Non-horse example:

I belong to a group an a certain exotic pet.  South America's version of the raccoon (not naming the animal, because I don't want people thinking they are cute, or good pets).

Everyone on the group agrees while this critter is very sweet, they can be very hard to get loaded into crates, for travel, or sleeping time.  If this critter doesn't want to go in, they can leave nasty bites on their owner.  Everyone was posting with different food bribes that only worked sometimes.  Everyone on the group agrees that this critter is extremely attracted by new, or unsual smells.

One lady posted she spritzes a bit of perfume in the back of the crate, and her critter goes in every single time to investigate the smell.  Simple, and brilliant.  The other owners posted it was a miracle and worked like a charm.

So while you might have sworn by marshmellows, eggs, fig newtons, and such for years to get your critter to load for years, it might be changed in the blink of an eye, to perfume, because "it works every time."

Same with horses. People can come up with new and brilliant ideas that completely change how you do something, or think about something.

~Garnet

Permaculture homesteading/farming over 20 years

Horse owner over 30 years

Answer 3

about as much as reading the daily paper changes my thoughts on say religion and politics......

Answer 4

No but there are interesting people and horses and I will think about what they say and experience. I have got some pointers on the different  disciplines.I love to see their relationship with their horses and how much they care for them.But until I go to the Stable in the Sky there may be an issue I was not aware of and if posted with facts will look into it.My opinion hasn't changed because I haven't come across the need yet but will consider anothers opinion if the situation fits.One is always learning things about horses they teach us.

Answer 5

New users evidently do not use the Internet either or they would find valuable information and their answer to the question they are about to ask.

Answer 6

You know I wonder the same thing! One reason I posted the geld question. Maybe to help.....  & I don't mind the questions asking about slaughter if they  truly learn the pros & cons. I don't like the ones "Slaughter is awful & no animal should die". In a perfect world.....  I know there are 2 that I can think of(not names) that have said they thought slaughter was awful intell they read some of our posts. Which to me is great! & On some subjects I think we have to debate often, but learn from them. I sure have learned a lot on here!!!! & I sure hope someone hs learned something from me. Yeah, I don't check the archives either.... LOL  Good Question CNS!!!!

****edit*****

Great point Bobbi~~~~  I think we all know I've got a mouth.... I have made a comment & it was alllll wrong. Because I didn't read it correctly. I hate when I do that to the poor posters...... *shakes head*

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B.B.~~ Yep I'm one Tom Thumb hater!!! Only because these kids think its a good bit! Or they think it is a good bit for a green horse just out of a snaffle. It is for experanced hands!! It is a hard bit for a lot of horses that have a kid jerking on their mouth. & When I hear the bit I picture some kids hands up to their neck pulling as hard as they can, the horses mouth open because the bit is jabbing the roof of the moth....... Thats what flashes to me..... Now when I hear you or someone I think is older then I don't shiver at the name. & I know all bits can be bad but that one gets me.....

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BlueSB~~~ Me & you both!!! I am full Aries too!! & I sure act Aries! LOL With my big mouth, brassh, stobborn!!! I knew I like ya for a reason!! LOL LOL The 13th???  Mine the 12th!!

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BSB~~ So your Bday falls on Friday the 13th. I have thought that, as a kid, that would be great! LOL or 4-20....... LOL

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Noodle whip!!! LOL LOL LOL

Answer 7

naw my opions are pretty rock solid on thinks. I mean thats why they are my opions. I don't have to ahve the same as everyone else thats the beauty of free thinking and free will. i will admit there is 1 issue that I was swayed on ann am now a supporter of and that is horse slaughter. I used to be totaly appaled at the idea of it and was against it 1005 and then some. But then I started working with my local rescue group and talking to some of the pro slaughter folks on here and realized that the reason we were seeing such an increas ein mistreated horses was b/c the slaughter houses closed. Now i will admit the way they slaughter them coud use a bit of work to make it a wee bit more humane. But other than that nope my opions are just that, mine:)

the s word... do you mean stupid people hehehehehhe

Gawd just noticed my spelling was horrid... got to typing to fast again... not gonna bother to fix it just apologize soooooooo sorry i can't spell when i type fast and im too lazy to do spell check hahahahahah

Answer 8

I'm the type that has to "see it to believe it" so unless someone posts a video on here to sway me, I'm solid in my own experiences and beliefs.

Answer 9

When I was a kid the "s" word made me cringe. But now that I'm older, I've really changed my opinion. I'm okay with it now. http://fuglyhorseoftheday.blogspot.com/ has swayed my thoughts on a lot of things, especially the "s" word.

I've also changed my thoughts on horse racing - I rather like it, and I've had first-hand experience watching many race horses being raised where I board my horses. I've seen that most race horses are treated like kings and queens, yet only the small handful of stupid people who abuse their race horses ever make the headlines and you don't ever see their horses winning enough to make a name for themselves.

The list goes on and on over things I've changed my opinions about, so I'll just end it with the "s" word and racing. :)

Answer 10

I'm pretty set in my ways with my way of training...but that also came from looking at the end result of something I messed up.  I do watch and read questions about like...how to get a horse to move for a particular movement.  So, far...I've heard of most of them  Ya learn and add to your knowledge of "Well, this isn't working...what's plan B?"

Really didn't have an opinion about NH...until reading people's experiences with it.  And I'm NOT SORRY...I won't pay money to learn how to play with a bouncy ball with my horse or any of the other silly games.  My horse is to ride and work.  And a good straight branch off a tree...is a h**l of a lot cheaper than a 'carrot stick!'  And I've owned lunge whips for years.  I've cut the end of old ones off...and WOW...it's now a 'carrot stick!'  Or a 'broccoli stick'...mine is green.

Bits...When I see someone using something I don't know about...I ask!  What's it for?  What are they accomplishing with it?  I own a tom thumb...my horse takes it like any other bit I put in her mouth.  I know my own hands and horse.  Just because the 'bit police' don't like it...doesn't mean I am going agree with them.  If the horse doesn't like it or do well with it...change it.  Seems like common sense to me.  *Although mine hasn't been used in years...simply because my horse works fine in a snaffle.*  Simple common sense....

slaughter...as a tweenie, no way.  As a mature adult that lives in the real world...a necessary evil.  No one on here has altered my opinion on that...But I have received more information on WHY it's a necessary evil.  So, my knowledge was increased.

I don't research often at all...like another says...I do like MY VERY OWN PERSONAL ANSWERS!!  Makes me feel special that I've asked a question that people are interested in answering....

Is learning new knowledge akin to changing my opinions??  Maybe.  Mostly pertaining though...to let's say...hoof care, medical, supplements, feeding programs.  Although those aren't exactly 'hot topics'...

**EDIT...NO WAY would I allow anyone else to use a tom thumb on my horses.  Just me.  And I would counsel against anyone using it...unless I felt they knew what they were doing.  

Kinda like someone using a spade.  No way would I even put one on my horse.  And I wouldn't ride someone else's with one on.  I DON'T have the experience or knowledge to do it.  And I would make it clear to anyone who wasn't a pro...that that bit is BAD for them and their horse.  Same as I would for the tom thumb in the hands of someone who doesn't know how to use it.  Best I can explain my position on this....

But watching a finished horse with a knowledgeable rider is a beautiful sight to see...regardless of the bit.

BF...would that be angel hair pasta or spaghetti??  LOL!!  *Bunny starts ducking overcooked pasta*

EDIT...sure, I'm gonna have to go dig it out.  Like I said...I don't use it hardly at all.  I don't like how the shanks lay right along the lips.  Just gave our gelding something to play with.

Answer 11

I've never been swayed or had my opinion changed by what someone has said, unless it was proven fact. I have my beliefs and opinions and pretty much stick to um... But i have a great deal of respect for anyone who can provide a good argument to why they believe in what they believe, and I respect there ideas. I am a very open minded person, but I haven't had anyone convincing enough to change my mind, especially on those subjects.

Answer 12

You have got to be kidding!!!  I'm an Aries!  Getting me to change my opinion would take an act of God...No offense to anyone.

Change my opinion?  Highly doubtful, but I think BB put it all down & that's how I feel about it as well.

We never know everything & I have learned quite a bit on here but my opinions are pretty much not going to change.  I'm pretty bullheaded & there are not many people who are able to give me an argument good enough to change them.  I do listen....most of the time & I can agree with this point or that, & as I said I do learn new things, but......

**EDIT**

Birds of a feather huh American??  LOL!!!

Yup, the 13th!!

**EDIT**

Well put Buck.  I on the other hand enjoy a good debate, but NOT on here, because I cannot have a battle of the witts with an unarmed person & there are many unarmed people on here.  But, like I said, I do enjoy looking, reading & hopefully learning something new, or something that can be filed away for future recall if & when the tried & true methods are not working or are no longer working.

Answer 13

I don't make the connection with the "S" word, so can't comment on that, but yes, some things that "horse people" say do make me think again about specific situations...if one can't continue to learn and grow, then they might just as well quit.  Now, this might be a good time to say something, how appropriate it is, I will let you be the judge, but I did try to email the person who had asked a certain question regarding the "bedazzle gems on leather" question (Barrel Racer or something like that) and her emails are not open....so, maybe I can explain why I answered like I did, and how reading the other comments (and they were right on target)  prompted me to return to the question and read it again and open my mind and shut my mouth for a while...I realized that she wasn't even asking the question that I was answering, nor was she considering putting the "bedazzle" jewels on her good tack, she was just inquiring about finding an instrument to do the same thing with good bling.   I could not find an avenue to go back and correct what I said because it was closed, so I had to just sit and think about why I did that...it was simply because I was in a hurry and wasn't paying attention to her question, short and simple...so, yes...it does make a difference to me what others say.

EDIT*****Oh Gawd!  you are so right!  I don't even click on a question that has that word in it anymore, redundant to the max.

Answer 14

I am not swayed by others opinions unless there is proof that my own opinion is in the wrong!  I am not a person that enjoys debates so those topics I stay out of.

When I don't understand something I ask.  If someone tells me one thing and someone else says different, I research it and come to my own conclusions.

Like for instance..the Tom Thumb bit.  Research has led me to believe that it's a horrid bit regardless of what other people on here believe.  I have experience trying to use it on a greenie and it was a disaster.  I've seen some horses ok with it..but others are blowing up.  Research showed me why so I don't like them.  BB uses one and she does fine by it...no biggie.   It works for her.  Not me.  I'm not gonna hunt her down and noodle whip her for not believing in my opinion!

haha

Many vets and research are more prone to agree on worming every 6-8 weeks so that is what I am sticking with.  The majority rules.

I want to learn.  If I am doing something or have a belief that is truly wrong and there is proof that I am in the wrong...boy I wanna know!  Enlighten me !

Some people say that natural horsemanship is a farce.  They are judging this just on watching Parelli.  They are preaching that NH is just letting your horse have his own way.  They closed their minds and quit learning.

To me there is more than one way to teach and train and learn.  Taking everyone's input and putting it to use in my program has helped in many situations.

Hmmm...forgot what the question was.  I ramble too much :)

OH..in a nutshell...

I just stay away from debates.  Some people are dead set in their opinion and ready to call everyone else idjits and go off on a tantrum...being mean and nasty.

I don't like that.  So..I stick to easy stuff or helpful items. :)

Answer 15

Well, a lot has to do with how qualified the person is to answer the question.  I read plenty of dumb questions with obvious answers if someone takes the time to just THINK.  I also read answers that come from people who have no clue what they're talking about.  But if someone asks an intelligent question and someone else gives an intelligent answer, I pay attention to it.

Answer 16

No I'm too stiff necked and opinionated for that - what I have found is various new and interesting ways to back up my own opinions !

And gone on to form entirely new opinions on things I previously knew nothing about -  Hypp and soring  being two examples of that. And I do get stuck in on things and get my own research done when my interest is piqued.

I don't search the archives either - it just seems like a pain in the butt to try to do.

Edit: have to agree - I like my very own personal answers too.