When people put down your horse!

[ness]

Some people always have to say negative things.

In the past I have had someone say 'she will do for you, won't she?':mad:

A couple of weeks someone said 'I am not really a fan of coloureds'

and today, when I said that I was starting to do dressage, a woman said
'is she really the right sort of horse for dressage?' I said 'well she's got nice paces, so we will have a go!' what a cheek!':mad:

Have you ever had any put downs about your horse?

[vels mum]

Id just put it down to ignorance or jelousy!

[black crow]

Ignore them! You dont need a flash horse for dressage anyway.

Once when id dismounted, talking to Jase. A woman suddenly walked past an launched into a mega go at me about "what have i done" to Spud because he was "blind" when actually it was his wall eye. "It looks horrible, like hes blind" GRR.

The worst ive ever had, i still remember like it was yesterday. "Jesus christ, im not surprised he went for meat, he's ugly. What happened to his skin? [meaning because he has pink skin instead of black] Are you having him put down? What a shame you didnt find something that would excel in the show ring, atleast you can sell them"
:(:(:(:(


Although not a direct insult, Jo the shameless, ugly mannered woman at the livery, despite not knowing **** ALL about him, the second she saw Scottie, went "Ah what a shame, you will have to have him put down" In a very sarcastic tone.

[Thingamyjig]

people knock my horses all the time cos they are mostly rescue ones and are old or not this or not that but do you know what.....i couldn't give a monkeys arse what they think or say, i have my horses because "I" want them, not for anyone else's benefit...

Chin up Ness, balls to them

x

[Susan]

Don't listen to them. People who try to rain on your parade like that are the absolute pits. I had someone do it to me with Mags when we were going to our first show and it was utter jealousy that she wasn't able to go. There are plenty of horses that are not my type, but I would never be so thoughtless as to express that view to their owner! Like Vel's Mum says, if they think that a cob can't do dressage then they are just ignorant!

[banjo]

take no notice...some people really are sour grapes.
People often called Banjo a 'cart horse' if you please.
A pony or horse is what you make it. You might find she is a great dressage star then you can tell them to shove the comment where the sun don't shine.
And if shes not...so what. Shes all yours and you love her:D

[CityLights]

rearely other than once someone said Dennis would never work on his hocks cause he had such a big head it would be too hard for him!

What really annoys me is if i say Kizzie is an appaloosa and they treat me like im stupid cause she has no spots, ERM NO! appaloosa is a breed i have the ****** passport if you like she is an appaloosa :mad:

most things i kind of just shrug off you cant let it get to you unless your the type of person that will be motivated to show people wrong

[ness]

Ignore them! You dont need a flash horse for dressage anyway.

Once when id dismounted, talking to Jase. A woman suddenly walked past an launched into a mega go at me about "what have i done" to Spud because he was "blind" when actually it was his wall eye. "It looks horrible, like hes blind" GRR.

The worst ive ever had, i still remember like it was yesterday. "Jesus christ, im not surprised he went for meat, he's ugly. What happened to his skin? [meaning because he has pink skin instead of black] Are you having him put down? What a shame you didnt find something that would excel in the show ring, atleast you can sell them"
:(:(:(:(
Aww that's horrible-how ignorant!

[fairyfeet]

Hey take no notice of these ignorant people! Ifs not as if you are expecting to enter the Olympics for goodness sake. Dressage at local shows etc is undertaken by all sorts and shapes and most do really well! Breeding and type doesn't enter into it, its what the horse does on the day and coloured cobs can do exceptionately well and like you say have really nice paces. Its discipline and training that counts not what breed!

[hot.to.trot]

urgh it just mean! if you ask for their opinion fien btu if not i suppsoe unles their only helping or its unbeneficial to the horse they can say it

[black crow]

Agree with above, Jealousy is a horrible thing!!!

[vels mum]

Ignore them! You dont need a flash horse for dressage anyway.

Once when id dismounted, talking to Jase. A woman suddenly walked past an launched into a mega go at me about "what have i done" to Spud because he was "blind" when actually it was his wall eye. "It looks horrible, like hes blind" GRR.

The worst ive ever had, i still remember like it was yesterday. "Jesus christ, im not surprised he went for meat, he's ugly. What happened to his skin? [meaning because he has pink skin instead of black] Are you having him put down? What a shame you didnt find something that would excel in the show ring, atleast you can sell them"
:(:(:(:(

That is awful, id have punched their lights out and im not a violent person!! :evilgrin:

Some people are just plain rude and ignorant, Spud is one in a million...I think your lucky to have such a special horse!!!

[Catg]

How rude!

I've never had anyone put Zeb down apart from 'oh my god he's tiny' which did irritate me, I'm 5ft tall for gods sake and pretty much a beginner when I found him, why would I get myself a huge horse?

Some people are just incapable of thinking before speaking, more fool them! x

[ness]

rearely other than once someone said Dennis would never work on his hocks cause he had such a big head it would be too hard for him!

What really annoys me is if i say Kizzie is an appaloosa and they treat me like im stupid cause she has no spots, ERM NO! appaloosa is a breed i have the ****** passport if you like she is an appaloosa :mad:

most things i kind of just shrug off you cant let it get to you unless your the type of person that will be motivated to show people wrong
Oh yes, I am that sort of person! and yes, I think some of the comments that people make are from jealousy. I'm not worked up, I just thought it would be an amusing post to see the terrible things some people say!

[My Crazy Clan]

BC - What horrid people you've been around!

Ness - Don't listen to them hun, Kissie is worth 10 of them!

jealousy all the way, My aunt is the same.

[classic astra]

ince someone said to me "jazz isnt exactly a looker is she" and i was like no, but u dont have to say it like that!!

i know shes not the prettiest horse in the world but i think shes gorgeous and i dont really care wat other people think!

[ness]

rearely other than once someone said Dennis would never work on his hocks cause he had such a big head it would be too hard for him!

What really annoys me is if i say Kizzie is an appaloosa and they treat me like im stupid cause she has no spots, ERM NO! appaloosa is a breed i have the ****** passport if you like she is an appaloosa :mad:

most things i kind of just shrug off you cant let it get to you unless your the type of person that will be motivated to show people wrong
Sorry, I can't help laughing at the 'big head'comment!:lol: what crap comes out of their mouths!

[Betseyboo]

Ignore them ness....jealous, pathetic, ignorant. I'm sure Betsey isn't everyones cuppa tea. She's a hairy fluffball with crap paces but she's mine and i love her. Also as BC said "You don't need a flash horse to do dressage" xxxxx

[CityLights]

Sorry, I can't help laughing at the 'big head'comment!:lol: what crap comes out of their mouths!

to be fair he did have a rather large head,

[Catg]

to be fair he did have a rather large head,

Lol! That made me chuckle too

[vels mum]

I laugh at a girl in Shetland who always makes comments about Friesians. When I first bought Vel she asked me if I would allow Vel to cover her mare meaning I would have to keep him entire till he was at least 2, I decided against it and ever since she always tells me friesians are hidious horses till they are at least 7 as they take so long to develop and grow. She also tells me she does not like the friesian shape...I just bite my tongue but she does make me giggle!!!!

[Teej]

I don't know why people have to say anything if they have nothing nice to say :mad: It's just so typical of the horsey world though.

I've had some unpleasant comments in the past and I do try to ignore them although it does wind me up at the time.

[Cinders]

Generally people who say comments like that are jealous or ignorant! Try and rise above it and prove them wrong :) as for the dressage, all horses can do dressage maybe not to a high level but they can still do prelims etc you and kissie are doing fab on the schooling so stick at it! x

[flambards]

Oh God don't get me started :(

I moved to a God-awful "horse" (read: money) area when we came back from South Africa. When we got Domino, we contacted the woman we were working for about boarding and she said some absolutely atrocious things about him and our ability to bring him on into anything. She actually said she would not keep a pony "like that" on her yard. We quit promptly thereafter.

Even when we moved to a bigger, less ritzy yard, people constantly ridiculed us for the fact that he's just some dinky crossbred backyard pony, when everyone else in the area knows you just must be on a massive Warmblood to be able to do anything.

And even at the new small yard, which I like a lot, the owner's daughter is very rich and constantly unintentionally puts Domino down. She was talking about this horse she was offered for $15,000 and she just immediately said, "Nothing under $50,000 is ever any good anyways." She's also constantly saying things about how he's a cute little playing pony but could never amount to anything "in real competition".

I've grown very, very, very, very, very thick skin about Domino. I love my fat ugly worthless be-spotted old beastie pony very much, and the rest of 'em can go ... y'know. :lol:

[ness]

Thanks for the replies and very kind comments. (I really wasn't fishing for compliments!)

Flambards - 'a pony like that'!!! (lol)that creases me up! Domino is beautiful!
In fact all horses are beautiful, but no, one loves them, like their mum!
I take no notice, but it does motivate me to make them eat their words!

[Loony]

Its a shame that people are driven to say such insensitive things because of jealousy!! How sad they must be :cheekywink:

You'll prove 'em wrong ness!!

[Bek B]

How sad some people are. I think somewhere inbetween their jealousy and delusions they forget what owning horses is all about.

Now, I think Kissie is a doll. She's a lovely stamp of mare who is well marked too.

I'm sure you'll do very well with your dressage. But say for example you have a go, never win a thing but have a fab time doing it. If that happens, in my opinion, you've done fantastically. That's what I think about my Ollie (who has had his fair share of unkind comments!). We won't be Grand Prix, but every little positive step is like a big prize to me!

[Gillian]

Oh, definitely ignore them!! How rude. No reason Kissie can't do dressage whatsoever. I find a LOT of people will make comments like this in the horsey world.

I've had many about Nycha. Ones I can remember are 'she's ok, but doesn't really have the best conformation does she?'

And when talking about getting back to riding Nycha recently someone said to me 'Will that really happen? She'll need to get over her mental problem.' whilst pointing at her head and making loopy signs. Lol!

And I know a few people who just plain don't like her, think she's a bit nutty. Which really is unfounded as she's far from a headcase, you just need to know how to ride her. Since going to our new livery yard everybody seems to like her a lot and think she's a lovely mare which is nice to hear. Its just a few people who like to rain on your parade!

[Pirouette]

Some people always have to say negative things.

In the past I have had someone say 'she will do for you, won't she?':mad:

A couple of weeks someone said 'I am not really a fan of coloureds'

and today, when I said that I was starting to do dressage, a woman said
'is she really the right sort of horse for dressage?' I said 'well she's got nice paces, so we will have a go!' what a cheek!':mad:

Have you ever had any put downs about your horse?

Is she the horse is your signature pic? If so she has a lovely kind face. Ignore them, they are probably jealous.

For the first couple of years that I had Tali I kept him on working livery at a riding school because I couldn't find anywhere else for him (I was so glad when we moved!!). I heard plenty of negative comments about him, mostly from riding school clients who he didn't like and who didn't have a clue how to ride him. I think they would be eating their words if they could see him now.

[Sasca]

Hazel was my first horse and form that i developed selective hearing as no one would has ever come up to me and said she is a nice horse. The nicest we get is 'she's ummm....interesting!'

I took two horse to college inc Hazel and while i was in one stable, degree student went in to do something with hazel and i heard the one girl saying "ughrr...its so *********g Ugly, i just want to punch it in the face!" I tattletailed on her after that but that wasn't the worst people will say about her, at least there was no comparison to ugly creatures this time.

We get a lot of "disgusting's" and "hideous-es" etc etc. Its something that after 6 years, you learn to live with. It would be nice one day to own a horse people think is stunning and nice but i know it wouldn't have the temperament of Hazel...

but hardley a floaty princess is she...

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q262/Sasca06/Horses/Hazel/Feb09HazelnSnowy009.jpg

[beks the artist]

Hazel is goregous. Some people have no respect!

It isn't usually my horses that get nasty comments, the comments are usually about me, how bad my riding is etc, my lower leg position etc, how I am jumping, blah, blah, blah. Yep I know I am not the world's greatest rider etc but I don't need to be told in such a cruel way. Anyhows, I have come to the conclusion most of the nasty comments come from people who do not have a horse of their own.

I think the worst one was from a young girl, who I let ride Taran (for FREE!), picked her up in the car, dropped her home. Wrote on Facebook some really cruel things about my jumping; how small it was etc, how she could do much better, how she was going to loan my pony etc. I heard she had also been going round telling everyone Taran was her horse! She would constantly nag me if she found out I was competing as she wanted to compete Taran - despite me doing all the hard work, freezing my whatsit off in the depths of winter to muck him out, feed and ride him etc - She wanted all the glory! The icing on the cake was when she put on facebooks she had a 'boring ride today around the lake and she should of gone for a gallop and jumped!' - how rude!!!! Needless to say, I do not let her ride any of my horses anymore, ungrateful cow-bags!

Sorry, rant over! :D xx

[Bay Chaos]

Yep, I'm always hearing, I don't like arabs, or shame it's arabian. fortunately though, as it's only me and my arab mad friend on our yard, I don't have to put up with it there!

[Bek B]

I think the worst one was from a young girl, who I let ride Taran (for FREE!), picked her up in the car, dropped her home. Wrote on Facebook some really cruel things about my jumping; how small it was etc, how she could do much better, how she was going to loan my pony etc. I heard she had also been going round telling everyone Taran was her horse! She would constantly nag me if she found out I was competing as she wanted to compete Taran - despite me doing all the hard work, freezing my whatsit off in the depths of winter to muck him out, feed and ride him etc - She wanted all the glory! The icing on the cake was when she put on facebooks she had a 'boring ride today around the lake and she should of gone for a gallop and jumped!' - how rude!!!! Needless to say, I do not let her ride any of my horses anymore, ungrateful cow-bags!

Sorry, rant over! :D xx

How very rude, suprised you put up with her for so long!

[ness]

Oh dear I think we should do as Sasca does and become selectively deaf regarding our horses! Beks-I think you are a brilliant rider. The girl you are talking about anyone I know?

[bimba]

People are so rude sometimes, it just brings out the worst in me and makes me want to be really rude back - have to take a deep breathe and remind myself to rise above it!

My old YO once told me that Mac 'wasn't up to much' and then proceeded a few months later to tell me after I'd spent hours helping her do her horses and riding for her when she was on crutches that 'she hoped I rode her horses to a better standard than I rode my own'. I have to say I ignored the first one but after toiling for nothing and then being insulted I told her where to shove it and moved Mac 2 weeks later.

[Smoke on the Water]

You have to totally ignore that Ness. What nasty horrid people.

[Charli]

Some people are so stupid!!

[eeek]

So, so many comments! Good job I have a thick skin :)

Don't even know where to begin...

A top driver drove him in a race once early on in his racing career. When I asked him what he thought he said 'he might win a Maiden race one day' (which is the first race any young horse enters), basically meaning he thought he only had one win in him. He won 7 races :)

One acquaintance was always on at me to sell Vinny. His memorable words were 'you can't polish a turd'. He also said the trainer who broke Vinny in as a 3-year-old had reported that Vinny was the stupidest horse he had ever had in his stable!!! I think Vinny's achievements speak for themselves :) But he won't do a thing if you are rough with him.

And a showing judge 2 weeks ago said audibly as I went past 'that one's crap'. If only she knew...

I get unexpected nice comments occasionally though. One of the stewards from the races who stands on a corner every Saturday watching the horses go by and pretending to watch out for people fouling each other bumped into me at the petrol station the other day as I was on the way to the races. It was Vinny's first race in 3 years, and when I told the guy which horse I had in the lorry he said he'd always liked him and thought he was a good little horse :)
Mind you the guy is absolutely blind when it comes to enforcing what few rules there are, so I didn't take too much notice!

[sazzy925]

I can't remember anyone really having anything nasty to say about shauny when he's with me.
There was an old man who used to drive past calling shauny and william fat a lot, but then I think he was a bit off his rocker because he seemed to think everything should be thoroughbred size.
And there was a girl I spoke to at the RDA who'd had shauny once before me, and he'd been a little *** with her - ran off with her every single time she went to catch him apparently - so she didn't have a lot of nice things to say about him, but I think shauny brought that one on himself lol, if he wasn't so naughty with her she'd have had nice things to say about him.

[chescar]

People used to have a go at Troy calling him a plod and just a riding school horse - i was guilty of it too - until i kicked myself up the arse and did something about it.
Now , apart from the YO's hunters, he is the most versitile, fittest horse on our yard!

[ness]

Thanks for the replies everyone- Its amazing how horrible some people can be about other people's horses!
Bimba-that is so rude!
Liz-I can't believe that-you should have reported them if they were judges!
Jo-you certainly have made them eat their words!

[honeybee]

I think I've got used to people having a dig about Hamish..they say how they couldn't put up with a horse being a *** to catch or whatever, they just get 'yeah he's a quirky boy but he'd never intentionally hurt you and he's such an angel on his back when you know him he's worth his weight' shuts them up quite nicely!

[ness]

Someone said (about Kissie) that she was a bitch because she wouldn't be caught. But she had just moved stables and some kids had been in the field and spooked the horses!
Only I can call her a bitch!

[cocopops]

I got told mine was psychotic and dangerous and should be shot, also that i he was far too small for me and we would never get anywhere.
Ok.. he was a little dangerous, he used to bolt when you mounted and it was fairly terrifying.. but weve wworked through it and is fine now, i knew when i bought him he would come right.
Oh and i may be 5'8 and Coco 14.2 but we are doing British Eventing Intro/BE90 now and BSJA.. so i reckon were doing alright!

[ness]

I think that's more than alright!

[ness]

i had it done to me at our old yard. The yard owner kept putting Georgie down saying how ugly she was and all she'd be good for is dog meat etc etc. When i came back off a hack down the wood where we had a canter and then in to the field where i let her go and galloped etc we came back all sweaty i went back to the yard all happy because we'd had such a good hack and the yard owner was laughing at me saying really sarcasticly ' what her gallop '
just ignore them i did now i have moved and i am the only livery on the new yard theres no politics its so much better!!
It can be really depressing being on a yard where its all negative vibes. I used to be on one like that, but I have moved and I am much happier now and fel much more positive about my horse and my riding!:D

[XenaWarriorPrincess]

I dont think ive ever heard anyone say anything like that about mine but i was on a yard and one of the horses that came from the sales was brought by a man who kept her on the yard. She was a black driving cob with a white face and wall eyes. She was a lovely mare and wouldnt hurt a fly.
One of the girls who helped out on a saturday brought her mum up to have a look round and they got to rosie's box...her mum leaned on the door and went 'ooh shes an ugly thing isnt she!?!'

Next thing we knew Rosie had rushed to the front of her box, stuck her head over and smacked this woman across the side of her head!!

:lol::lol::lol::lol:

Funniest thing i have ever seen!!

[beks the artist]

I dont think ive ever heard anyone say anything like that about mine but i was on a yard and one of the horses that came from the sales was brought by a man who kept her on the yard. She was a black driving cob with a white face and wall eyes. She was a lovely mare and wouldnt hurt a fly.
One of the girls who helped out on a saturday brought her mum up to have a look round and they got to rosie's box...her mum leaned on the door and went 'ooh shes an ugly thing isnt she!?!'

Next thing we knew Rosie had rushed to the front of her box, stuck her head over and smacked this woman across the side of her head!!

:lol::lol::lol::lol:

Funniest thing i have ever seen!!

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol: Brilliant! Hope Rosie knocked some sense into her! :lol::lol::lol:

[Jill]

How very rude some people are!

Of course 'she will do for you' - that's why you got her - just like some top eventer 'will do' for its rider - you get the horse for the job. As for dressage, I would have thought the right sort of horse is the one that does as it's told and is responsive - which can apply to any horse, especially one that wants to please you - and that's down to your relationship.

[Welly]

This is the convo I had with a rather fat, red haired girl in the queue for food at our local EC showjumping night..

Her: Euugh, have you brought that ugly ginger thing with you tonight?
Me: Thats rich, coming from you, have you ever really looked in a mirror..

Never has it been said that I hold my tongue for the sake of a quiet life!!

Horse in question was a stunning (I think) 17h chestnut TB who I was fiercely protective of!! Said girl hasn't ever spoken to me since, shame lol! xx

[Imperial]

Yes as I have a quarter horse people seem to think he cant do any thing except western.

Narrow minded people hate them !!

[mandy5775]

Over the years I've had many people make various comments about my horses and to be honest I never gave a **** because at the end of the day my horses have been my pride and joy. I couldn't care less what anybody else thought - I'm sure you love your horse just the way she is and that's all that matters. Chin up and ride your horse with your head held high, be proud of her and stay positive - do not be put down by others.

[eeek]

Elanor - that is really low. Who said that??

[Roan Mare]

One woman on a previous yard used to hate my Doris with a passion.

When she brought friends up to see her horses and they stopped to give Doris admiring glances she would say things like "you wouldn't like her if you got to know her" and "urgh she's a horrible mare".

Doris doesn't have a "horrible" bone in her body but did at this time kick out frequently at this persons 17hh hunter type gelding. He was constantly mounting her when she was out in the field so I think that was probably why!

I hated hearing her spoken about like that (she's my princess :p) but I knew there was no truth in it. It's much nicer not being on a yard with that person though!

[mistonia]

its terrible some of the comments people make, so inconsiderate and heartless. we have had some nasty comments in the past not only for the horse but also as riders and how hopeless we were and an embarassment to even get lessons when we were only started and it was out of jealousy as we were infact better than they were and they didn;t want us showing them up. any horse is capable of doing any discipline so just go out and prove them wrong getting pics too just as evidance to show us lot lol.

[torgrosset]

This subject really gets my back up. This is just so typical of how bitchy some horsey folk are - and before anybody bites my head off, not *everybody* is like this, but look at how mnany replies are to this post - most peeps have had something negative said about either them or their horse. Just goes to show! Most of it, like others have said, is either pure ignorance or jealousy. I'm afraid it's the type of thing that will continue to happen on a lot of yards and at shows/events, which really is very sad.

ness - like others have already said, and you've said yourself, take it all with a pinch of salt and ignore them. I've found you have to have thick skin in the horsey world as like I've already said there's an awful lot of jealousy and ignorance out there.

[beks the artist]

Well said Tor. Why can't people be happy for their peers? x

[eeek]

Completely agree Tor, it is shocking isn't it.

I think in the horse world it is difficult for some people to accept that they are not the best, because when they aren't performing they can blame their horse.
If you were a runner, and you were coming last every week, there aren't really THAT many people you can blame other than yourself. So you quickly have to either up your game, or accept that you are not the champion you thought you were.

But with horse sports it's so easy to persuade yourself that you are losing not because you are not good enough, but because your horse is not good enough or because somebody else is richer than you. A lot of people instantly tell themselves: 'So-and-so's horse cost 5k, no wonder I can't beat her, but it doesn't mean she can ride, in fact she is useless!' or 'if I could afford that many lessons of course I could beat her' or 'if my horse was that well-behaved of course I would be winning'.

Obviously, money goes a long way in the horse world - but not as far as hard work and talent!! I think a few more people should remember this.

At the yard I used to keep Vinny on there were a few people who were incredibly bitchy. They would corner you as you were trying to head out on a quiet hack and say 'Jane turned her horse out this evening!' to which you reply 'huh?'
'WITHOUT a rug!'
'Er...'
'I mean, last night it had a rug, today it doesn't have a rug, WHERE IS THE CONSISTENCY?'
'Um.'
'She NEVER rides the thing either, honestly I don't know why some people keep horses'.
And I'm sitting there desperate to go for a nice ride on my boy, not really sure what I'm meant to say! The only thing I wanted to say was 'you never ride either' but that wouldn't have gone down well.

I think there are a lot of people who would be MUCH better off knuckling down to doing some work with THEIR horses instead of hanging around with a sour expression on their faces, telling everybody else what to do and then bitching about them.

Rant over.

[ness]

Haha Liz-love it!

[eeek]

Oh yes and my neighbour felt the need to inform me that I couldn't/mustn't race Vinny again because I had already began schooling and jumping him and it would confuse him. Can't help thinking that if she ever got on her horse she might realise they can actually be taught to do more than one thing.

[black crow]

Well said Tor!!

With the work i used to do, i sometimes heard people speak really badly of their own horse. I always wondered why the hell they owned it if it was really as bad as they said, and treated the horse the way they did? I suppose good on them for getting help, but some of it really appauled me that they could say such things yet still 'love' the poor thing. Theres a difference between calling your horse a blo.ody boob from time to time, to seriously slating it :(

I'd love to be able to forget some of the horrible things people have said about Spud in the past, but i cant. I just cant understand why people feel its ok to slate anyones horse, pet etc

[Horse Mad Mum]

i canniot beleive how unkind some people are what gives them the right to express their rude opinions anyway?? THe worst i have had was an instructor telling me she wouldnt have a haflinger in a lucky bag !!! How rude, i just laughed at her, I am very lucky to have such a special pony as Goldie!!

And Ness for the record I absolutely love Kissis and Bambi !

HMM X

[coloredred]

While i was putting Magic's rug of last night a boy walked past with his mum and little sister who was having a riding lesson and said "is that a pony? She should be riding a horse"

The kid was about 9 and it really wound me up for some reason. Why do people feel the need to comment when they obviously know nothing. I just gave Magic a kiss on the nose and told him that we shouldn't care what people think lol.

[naurarwen]

I've had lots of nasty comments too from people telling me Tillie's too big for me, or that I'm over horsed, or that I'll never be able to jump her or do dressage on her. I myself have been called a wimp for bottling out of jumping one time but at the time Tillie just didn't feel right, needless to say I had the vet out the next day to have her checked over and she was fine but something about her trot and canter the night before just didn't seem right.

Have also had people comment on the fact she's pigeon toed and sometimes falls over her own feet (bless her). Calling her stupid because she's tripped slightly on uneven ground and things like that.

[dun blonde]

Hmm,whilst I do agree that making spiteful comments is bang out of order,and I personally am a believer in the 'don't have anything nice to say,don't say anything at all',I do think that maybe some of you are being a little bit over sensitive,and making yourselves feel bad when maybe there is no need??

The dressage comment in your original post ness,yes that was uncalled for and a bit judgmental,but the not liking coloureds things is perhaps taking things to heart a little bit?? I'm not a huge fan of all coloureds either,love a really nicely marked one with not too much white,but other than that I'm not fussed (and not a fan of wall eyes which tends to rule out a lot of coloureds for me).Doesn't mean I'm having a go about your mare,who I think is lovely btw because she's yours and have gotten to know her character through here,just means I have a preference for what types I like and don't like,maybe person who said it to you was just thinking aloud and expressing an opinion??

I have some friends who like to compete,and like their big sports horse types,and I know they would never buy anything like my fat hairy fell pony lad,they all like him for what he is though,and any remarks they make about him are only said in fun,and the one or two that have ridden him have had great fun on him,he's just not their usual type,and TBH I probably make fun of him more than anyone:cheekywink:,is only meant in jest though,I don't mean anything by it,same as I wouldn't about anyone else's.
I know a lot of the remarks people have mentioned on here ARE downright unkind,but maybe some are not meant so horribly and just sense of humour??

Anyway sorry for waffling,just my thoughts on the matter,is a shame that people are getting upset,when maybe people don't mean it in that way.

People who do mean it in that way are a totally different matter of course,treat 'em with the contempt and tongue lashing that they deserve:cheekywink::evilgrin:

[Imperial]

I have a little quater horse and going to have ago at every thing with him but 99% of peopl say he can do that can he. The best one was when I said I might do ome endurance, an a girl turned round and said have they got the stamina for it. She seemd to forget that Quater horses are used as ranch horse and ride the palines for days at a time.
Ignor them I am sick and tired of people telling me what my horse can and cant do, he's only 3 and just started working.

[Conniecob]

I know what you mean Ness, Connie has been on the receiving end of similar comments, if people have nothing nice to say why can't they just keep it zipped?!

I've had "You're not thinking of entering this class with that are you" that one really annoyed me - it was so nice to go clear and get placed higher than them!

Also someone at our yard said "Connie's pretty but she's thick - it's not her fault though it's because she's a cob!" another one that really annoyed me! :mad:

Helen xx

[LilyC]

And don't think it just happens to cob owners etc either! I have a young (6 yr) warmblood I've had for 2 yrs now and yes he has his moments and yes he's unnerved me (when he bucks out of excitement) but I don't find it constructive when people tell me he has an attitude (he may have he doesn't like being told what to do when schooling but maybe I wouldn't at his age!) and that I should sell him and buy myself a cob! If I wanted a cob, I'd have bought one! And he has no ground manners etc (yes he can be a tad annoying but he is young and a bit flighty at times).

Once when he went to his first all day local show earlier this year and behaving perfectly even in an in hand class (and riding class and clear round jumping) someone from our yard who had turned up to watch and is often quite negative about things anyway she never even said how well behaved he was in fact she never commented on him at all! She knew it was his first show out (apart from when he was taken for a short time to a show last yr just to see how he behaved - fine). So sometimes even no comments can be taken as negative comments if you get my drift! He's a nice looking horse (not that that matters I know), just young and silly yes. He isn't dangerous, I can groom him everywhere and he has no malice in him whatsoever.

Luckily he is liked by many other people on our yard so that has helped me get through the negative times. And still does. So a big thank you to all you people who like horses regardless of their faults!

[GreyEventer]

i remeber every time i rode my old pony "oh he's so unsuitable for you" "you definitley should not have bought him" "he'll put you in hospital with thos nasty stops" I was 10, and this was an adult saying this to me! I ignored her, because deep down i know she knows nothing about horses, and i have never been put in hopsital for a horse related accident *touch wood* whereas she has, as have her children as she buys horses and ponies without looking at them! Just ignore..they are only jelous or stupid. or stuck up in my case!
I have to say i think the worst was when she said to my dad "you know, if you are going to insist on letting your daughter ride such a nasty pony, then i think you should spend more time watchinng her as its an evil one that pony, it will put her in hospital" a) my parents both work as we aren't rich enough to sit aournt eh house as she does and b)he was so far from nasty, he was just scared and he turned out to be the best pony you could own for a 10 year old! just ignore!

[eeek]

You just have to remember that a lot of the people offering 'advice' and opinions really haven't got a clue what they're on about.

SO MANY people have come up to me and either told me that you cannot jump and do trotting races with the same horse at the same time, or have expressed surprise/shock/disapproval that I do it. But have any of them actually tried it? No. I do not know of one person who has showjumped and raced the same horse. This is just a theory people have. They haven't tested it. I have. And it works!

[helena]

Its usually done out of ignorance, jealously, insecurity or plain bad manners. I've heard it so many times. Now I just think, 'well it's your problem if you are bothered enough to say anything'.

The last time I went to a show someone said about my horse-
'I can't believe that lump got in the jump off'. 'That lump' then proceeded to get the fastest jump off time of the day! I loved the look on their face at that point.

[MyLuckyStar]

Oh yes, lots and lots - infact thats one of the reasons we are looking at moving yards!!

I'm sick and tired of the constant snidy comments about our horses including 'he shouldn't be ridden on the 2nd ring of a gag' 'he looks depressed' 'i bet i could ride him in a snaffle' 'hes lame and shouldn't be ridden'

In fact if they bothered to find out -
* he is ridden in a gag because this is the bit he is happy in and is stoppable in
* you could probably ride him in a snaffle, but take him out in an open field and you have no chance whatsoever of stopping him
* hes not lame, hes stiff and is every winter due to the cold and his age - but we have only been up there since July so they wouldn't have a clue

[Partner]

Don't pay any attention.

For me training (which is what dressage is) is about the horse and rider being they best they can be and I have seen 'ordinary' horses become extraordinary through time, patience and the rider wanting to learn.

Get yourself a good instructor and prove them all wrong.

[Fruddy]

It absolutely makes my blood BOIL!:mad:

The worst one I ever heard about my lovely lad was when I had him up for sale and the husband of the woman that came to see him called him a "FAT UGLY PLOD!" even before she had ridden him!

I chucked them both off the yard!!!!