**It's hard with horses being such a controversial subject**?

Question

So whenever I'm looking at someones questions I always see sooo many differening answers and opinions-- and along with them I see other people immediatly say that they are wrong (on controversial issues such as when to geld, how often to shoe, and certain ways of training) and then the person gets a thumbs down....

But don't you think that with horses many many things are based on how the person learned to ride and learned how to care for horses... There are so many different ways that we all have learned, none necessarily right or wrong. Training and caring for horses are very controvesial topics....Just because someone gives different advice on how to train a spooky horse or whatever doesn't mean that they are wrong...

Anyone else notice this and agree somewhat?

Answer 1

It's just like asking for advice on parenting :) Everyone has their own styles and it is up to the asked to see what works best for them. I try not call a person wrong unless it seems like their advice may be harmful or dangerous; you can actually learn quite a lot from these boards. It never hurts to keep an open mind, just use your common sense!

Answer 2

I agree. It all depends on how you were taught, what discipline you ride,who taught you, how much experience you have, personal opinion, etc. It's important for the asker to take into consideration all of the answers. There is no right or wrong answer. It's just different information. A thumbs down should especially not be given when an opinion question is made. For example: What is your favorite breed of horse or when do you think ..... I will only give a thumbs down to an answer that could possibly harm the animal or if I truly believe that the person was being ignorant.

It is 8:17pm here and I am noting that nobody who has answered this question thus far has recieved a thumbs down!

Answer 3

When I first got my horse, I moved him to a large boarding stable. I had been around horses but I figured I still had a lot to learn, so I asked questions, lots and lots of questions. I got lots and LOTS of different answers! So I took the answers that sounded best to me and tried the advice. From that, I learned what would and wouldn't work for my horse and me. I learned SO MUCH MORE than if everyone had said the same thing!

But I do give a 'thumbs down' if an answer seems cruel or too heavy handed. We've come a LONG WAY in understanding why horses do what they do and we need to work WITH them, not make them our slaves.

Try not to let the 'controversy' get to you. Take the advice that seems 'right' and try it. If it works, great. If it doesn't, try something else!

But most of all, have FUN with your horse!

Answer 4

Mostly I agree, there is definitely more than one way to do something correctly, but there are other things that can be done wrong very easily too. There are a lot of people who have learned how to do things (nearly everything) wrong though. I was one of those people. I wasted 8 years of my life learning how to ride wrong and care for horses poorly because of the place I took lessons at. I didn't know I was doing everything wrong, I didn't know any different. When I went off to college and started taking lessons in a really good horse program, I learned a lot really fast. I still agree that there is more than one way to do a lot of things, but stuff like worming your horse regularly and getting feet trimmed usually every 6-8 weeks is just plain necessary for the health of the horse. Not worming on a regular schedule can lead to colic- worms are the leading cause of colic, and bad feet can lead to lameness. However I do think it depends on the horse. My friend had a pony who could go 12 weeks and look like 3 weeks. As far as training, I agree that there is more than one way to train and more than one method can be safe and effective, but there is also a lot of bad advice that could be harmful to the horse or person. There is a fine line, and somethings are very correct, and others aren't.

Answer 5

Agreed- everything works best for that person- but may not work for the next horse or person. I have been training horses the same way for 8 yrs. Then I got a filly that was smarter than anything I have ever seen before. I had to switch my training methods drastically or she would kill me either out of boredom or just because she wants to (still tries to every once and a while, but overall we are ok now).
I get lessons every once and a while and the trainers give me tips that work with "all horses". Unfortunately, my current show mare didn't get the memo. Their methods make her move nice, but she is a nervous wreck and as tight as a spring.


Whenever I ask for advice here or anywhere else, I usually try a mix of everyone's training methods and see which one gets the most response out of my horse- which is really what training is all about.

I have given advice to people and gotten thumbs down for it- the method works excellent for me (and my horses are extremely bonded to me), but turns out that most other people (at least on yahoo) tried that and it failed miserably. Like I said- every person has to keep an open mind- a new horse or person may make you have to change your methods.

Answer 6

This has been discussed before here where we live. Big hot issue!!
Like you there is no right or wrong. There are how ever some very cruel techniques out there that have been outdated, but people still use them.
Heck there are many opinions out there and if looking for opinions this is all they are. I took the opinion of a guy and it killed one of my horses at the time (I am still not totally ok with this for it killed my horse!! I am a lot more leary of people and there advice now)...... so a person has to weed out peoples opinions and use your best judgment!

Answer 7

Yes. I completely agree. I believe there is no one absolutely correct way of doing things with your horse. One thing that always worries me with the people who believe their way is the only way to do it, what happens when they get a horse who can't or won't learn that way? I think training horses is like raising kids: some learn different than others and you have to change your training techniques so that the horse/kid learns effectively.

Answer 8

I agree. But a child never stopmed you and put you in the hospital, or bucked you into a fence! Were dealing with a large animal that can put you into the er in a heartbeat! It is funny how some people buy a horse and are overnight experts, those are the ones that never got hurt bad by a horse, or they feed the horse carrots while its trying to kick the shoer saying "Its ok baby!" But God help the shoer if he smacks the horse while He's underneath it!

Answer 9

i COMPLETELY agree. my trainer has some different methods of actually working with the horse and many people try to put her down and tell her shes wrong. ALL of her training techniques have worked wonders with me and my horse and i would NEVER stop training with her. all different horse people learned a different way and as long as the method works then its not wrong... it may not be the way you learned but that def. doesnt mean that its wrong. to all you ethnocentrics there are all sorts of ways to do things... not only one is right. i give you props for posting this cuz i totally agree. =]

Answer 10

YES!!!!!
I am shocked at how many people are such no it alls about horses!!! They have no shame in making others feel bad!!