Why do people do this?

Question

Why do normally reasonable people, honest, well educated, nice.
Think they can just jump into horse ownership..As a proffesional trainer and clinician for 25 years I have seen unintentional abuse inflicted on these amazing animals time after time, I have seen well meaning people bilked by national clinicians, who " accredit people" who only have the ability to write a check. I hear some fairly decent answers from time to time here, and find them summarilly ignored.. So someone can have a warm fuzzy given by the goo goo feel good set.

Horses kill people everyday, horses are crippled everyday,,,Horrible breeding descisions are made everyday. I understand horses, my question is why most horse owners refuse to properley prepare themselves.

I will be closing this question soon..Thanks to all of you for your input. to the person who says I have a souperiority complex,,,, you may be right.. But I have devoted my entire life to learning all I can.
I recently realized , after 25 years, 1800 head of colt starts, the invitations to numerous colleges, multiple world qualifications, several champion students. And hours of coaching from some of the finest trainers in the world...I just became capable to become a proper student.
If I act superior, I am sorry. But I feel I am qualified to pass these judgements.

Sorry it is just frustrating to see others besides myself have our vast experience ignored.

After you get past youer next thousand head, we'll talk.

This is not a money issue,,, it is a stupidity issue...finance has nothing to do with smart.

Answer 1

People see that owning a horse is a status symbol or a childhood fantasy about being a cowboy. They wanted it as a child, had the money for it as an adult and presto chango they now have a four-legged childhood fantasy come true. They fail to realize that they have to care for them.

Answer 2

I agree this is a heartbreaking issue. I dont know why people feel the need to get horses more for property than anything else, to say it's something they have, without contemplating the emotional and material requirements. What really gets me though, is that people continue to own them, long after they have come to the realisation that they are not fully equipped to take care of horses, and it's only when they get in trouble for it that they do something, and sometimes even that isn't enough.
Lack of compassion is a worldwide problem, unfortunately it is not isolated to just pets and animals. Lack of compassion is woven into everything that includes the human race.

You have one fellow horselover definately standing with you. The most important question here is "What can we do about it?" "How can we lead others to understand the responsibilities of life, and the impact of evading those responsibilities?"

Answer 3

It's every child's dream to own a horse and unfortunately some people don't grow out of it. Lack of education in regards to horse ownership and the false belief that a horse is as easy to take care of as a dog or cat doesn't help. The sad thing is, even people who are suppose to have "experience" with horses shouldn't be around them.

Owning a horse starts on the ground. You can't just jump into a saddle and expect to be John Wayne or Annie Oakley.

Answer 4

You know I think this question is true for all pets. Just because you have the money doesn't mean you have the heart and time for an animal. Just look how many beautiful horses are put in a field, given bad hay and left alone. Then their hoofs over grow causing their knees to swell in horrible pain and for what? He's nice to look at? Some people need a wake up call! There should be a course or somthing to match people with animals. I know lots of people who'd get matched with a pet rock and not a living breathing animal!

Answer 5

Some people go out and make uneducated purchases in general, just because "They Want". In this case was a Horse, who needs food, shelter, veterinary assistance, training, companionship, cleaning up after, and lives for many years. Some folks just don't want to take the time to become knowledgeable before buying. I adore animals of all kinds, and certainly would not own any animal, without first researching, and educating myself. I also live in a rural area, and see animals of-all-kinds, everyday. Sadly I have seen things I consider to be reprehensible, deplorable, distressing and even criminal. Animal cruelty is so very ignorant and is all around us.

Answer 6

i help people everyday with there horses infact i only got asked yesterday to ride a young fell whos owner brought him a couple of weeks ago and dosn't have a clue about horses its a very sad situation that we have here.I still do this even tho i broke my back in a freak riding accident that left me in hospital and wheelchair for 6 months luckly i am able to walk now and help those who dont have a clue and i do all of this for free i belive the only reason i can walk is to help those that wont be able to if they dont get help there is a great seriousness to this problem and it needs to be addressed and the one answer that is most likely to be correct is because the child went on so much about having a pony that the unknowing parent give in and brought them one not even putting a thought into it most of them cant afford this amazing creature and dont even understand the love care and attention it craves and needs and when it comes to the crunch they run and hide through shame of not knowing what to do even something simple like a shoe coming of can end up fatal ive seen it all. through a child having a tantrum............

Answer 7

Because people are often so immersed in their self gratification that they pay little attention to the care of the animal. Also, many average people have to work a lot in order to be able to buy a horse, so they're less likely to spend the great amount of time required to learn how to properly own a horse.

Answer 8

I agree with you. A person should get at least 5 years of hands on horse care and book smarts before even thinking of having their own horse. The same thing happens just as much with people who get dogs for christmas or at the spur of the moment. Pets are not something you should just buy, like a chess set. Pets do not just sit on a
shelf and wait for you to come home. They require 24/7 care. They eat,drink water, get sick, go poo poo, chew things, get hurt, and bite other living things. They need haircuts, nail trimming, ear cleaning, exercise, human attention, and shots. And thats just the tip of the pet iceberg!

Answer 9

It doesn't matter if, horse, goat, dog or cat.....ppl are selfish for their own wants/needs....not the animals.
So & so has one, so I want one! I think all ppl wanting to buy & own a pet today, should have to fill out a application. But, what I & you think will not stop the abuse of animals.
Just read some of the stupid questions ask on here BY STUPID PET PPL...

Answer 10

You're doing what you can to give people the tools to become responsible. The rest is on them. Just keep in mind that fewer horses are abused than children. Here's an idea: instead of ranting and raving on here about situations you don't entirely know (unless you're there, all the details aren't apparent), start educating as many people as you can about the dangers and joys of horse ownership. Honestly, I think you've got a superiority complex yourself and need to be knocked down a notch. You're not god's gift to horses. I believe you may be good, based on what you claim, but who can tell for sure? One thing I know. There's someone better than you out there. Get off your high horse and do what you do best, help horses. Forget the idiots and instead of telling someone they shouldn't have a horse, give them the tools to be better. You'll have done the only thing you can, short of miracles and you're far from being a miracle-worker...you're only human, just like the rest of us. You know the saying "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink"...same goes with giving people advice. Do everything you can and save as many horses as you can, but realize that you can't do it all. Chances are, if you get over yourself and offer genuine concern, people are more likely to listen.

P.S. I was one of those people who jumped into horse ownership without knowing a damn thing about it. I listened to those who knew more than me. I read every book, magazine, article and pamplet I could get my hands on. I talked to vets and trainers and professionals. I asked for help and relied on more experienced people to care for my horse at a stable. My husband keeps saying over and over that he wants to get a horse when we move to Texas, but after quizing him on a few basic care questions (such as how often should we get the farrier out), I realize I know more than he does and I refuse to keep a horse on my property. I readily admit I don't know enough to feel comfortable about caring for a horse properly by myself. IF we were to ever buy a horse, it would be safely stabled by experienced horse-owners and we would start over...asking questions and accepting advice. I, too, feel bad about all the abuse and neglect that people cause, but rather than attack them, I'm going to give them any help I can. Maybe, just maybe, one day they'll actually listen and the animal will get a second chance. If you've already burned the bridge of trust, the day they were going to listen never comes. Get my point? Your job is the horses, so work for them.

Your comment that MOST horse owners refuse to properly prepare themselves shows that you are so caught up in the bad apples you've seen and dealt with that you are letting opportunities to help the willing slip through your fingers. Stop judging people and start putting the helping hands back out. If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.