How can equestrians unite more as a group sharing and learning together our common love for horses?

Question

Fundamentalism is a pervasive global problem creating wars, cultural rifts, fueling terrorism and general antagonism between groups of people the world over. This same phenomenon resides in the equestrian world too. We divide into classical vs. "Rollkur" - Natural horsemanship vs. "normal" - barefoot vs. shod, show riders vs recreational riders...... cities are growing, farmers and ranchers are being pushed out and horses too.... we need to unite. We have tremendous economic impact and can lobby for our own growth as an industry if we come together and not let fundamentalism drive us apart. How can we foster a greater more accepting culture that allows us to learn and appreciate what each has to offer even if we remain different?

Answer 1

There are some good websites where equestrians can discuss common interests. The internet can bring people together to discuss their various problems. There are also agricultural shows and horse shows where members of the public can talk to breeders, farmers who have working horses and people interested in dressage and show jumping. In Ireland lots of different social classes are members of Hunts. Both the Dublin Horse Show at the Royal Dublin Society's Showgrounds and the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society's Show at the King's Hall, Balmoral, Belfast are well attended by people interested in many different aspects of horses. The London International Horse Show is another brilliant event attended by both members of the horse racing fraternity and the dressage, eventing and show jumping fraternity. Those people who look after the interests of rare breeds of horses are also seen at most agricultural shows and horse shows throughout Britain and Ireland. Some of them take their animals to schools and events other than the specialist shows during the summer months to let people have a chance to see the animals. If you want to foster a more accepting culture you have to go out to promote the world of the horse as most people living in cities and large towns don't really understand about horses. Education is the best way forward .. bring horses to cities and towns occasionally. I don't know about US and Canada but in Britain and Ireland there's a group called the Countryside Alliance which has been gaining a lot of members since the British Government banned Hunting in Britain. Hunting has not been banned on the island of Ireland.

Answer 2

It is all in each person having the ability to be opened minded and to accept the fact that everyone has an opinion and that's OK--You understand to AGREE to DISAGREE--and be happy with that--In fact there is a union of all horse owners and those who love the breed HORSE and that is simply just that--LOVE and admiration of the horse--period--When you put persons in a situation where discussions are being held you will find the likes and dislikes of each individual--its simply personal preference's--but the bond of the horse is still present--just like going to a car show--there are Chevy guys and Ford guys but push come to shove the reason why they are there is the love for more speed!!
In the horse world I don't believe that its a matter of accepting as much as just focusing on where you are --say showing paints or quarters or Arabs--its just what you have time for--and its not that they don't appreciate the other aspects because I don't know any horse owner that doesn't see a beautiful horse and go--NICE!! So you see in fact your worry isn't all that much of one--Its OK to remain different because reality shows we are still the same--HORSE --IN GENERAL CRAZY

Answer 3

The best way is for everyone to remain open minded when it comes to the aspect of horses. Just because both of my horses are barefoot doesn't mean that I have the right to force that way of life on you. Both of my horses have good feet naturally. They are not tender footed when I walk them down a gravel road, it that choice suits me. As long as I understand that they choice may not or does not suit you we can get along. Natural Horsemanship vs. normal. Define normal I dare you. Normal to me is most likely not normal to you, and that's OK. We can discuss and agree, disagree, or agree to disagree. The choice is ours and ours alone. You can't control how I think or act and I can't control how you think or act. And that is how most wars, disagreements, fights are started. One side wanting to force it's way of life on the other. And if we all be totally honest we've all thought "Why can't you see this like I do." more than once in our lifetimes. Look at how many totally different religions are bases on the King James version of the Holy Bible. It's all in the perspective of how you see or understand something. If you can stay open minded long enough to try to understand the opposition you might learn something that you didn't know. Long story short, there will never be peace on earth as long as we all have the capability to think for ourselves.

Answer 4

I think the various online forums are a good place to start...If everyone would come in with an open mind and agree that they love horses, everyone might be able to learn a new thing or two!

Answer 5

Durham Saddle Club!!!!!

Answer 6

Well, Hard as it is to say, yes. every one now days needs to get along. I'm in, Musles (SP) vs. non Musles in the horses now.