Extreme Reckless Child Endangerment

Eegads. Thanks to the folks of Bad Riding for this gem!

Most people agree that keeping your kids safe should include helmets when riding...

 But not everyone. Then there's those folks that see no problem with this...

 Ummm see the open 'escape' route should saintly horse be stung by a bee or other such unlikely incident...?

And this...

My thoughts on the relative virtues of standing on horses for sale ads has been expressed in the past... I reiterate that if the horse has a sneezing fit or jumps at the least little thing small child is high up enough to hurt themselves just hitting the deck from that height.

Finally we have....

Now this one makes me feel slightly ill, having only yesterday observed my kind-natured mare kicking at a fly on her belly in the sort of move that would have hit any child in this position square in the skull. 

Yes the horse looks sweet, but some nice shots of him in action with his little jockey would have put that point across readily without risking the prompt execution of said jockey! 

Horses are big and strong and react quickly and instinctively to all kinds of stimuli.. why put yourself or your family in the position where it's even easier for them to hurt you?! 

Advert of the Day (2 for 1)

Eegads, what is going on here?

This looks uncannily like a woman fighting with a Shetland pony- and not looking that happy about it! Sadly (or perhaps fortunately) the image is very small but dressing it up with the curtains doesn't make it less worrying to an experienced horse person's eye. Finding out the shettie in question is a stallion is even less reassuring. From this picture he appears to be a bad mannered and possibly overly randy little sod.

So you'd be desperate to buy him wouldn't you? Of course! Yes this is a sales picture. No really, it is. Honestly. Proof below:

Soon after being shocked by the above, I came across the following...

Seriously, what's going on there? I presume and hope that the chap was executing a trick of some kind with this gelding, who is nearly two years old. But did he not then look at the picture before posting it and think- yeah, maybe not a good idea that. It looks like he's p-d off and trying to attack me. Which he does! And as we have previously discussed on this blog, teaching a large heavy animal that it's OK to put their front feet and their weight anywhere near a person's shoulders and head is pretty dumb. 

Lesson to learn? If you actually want to sell, maybe say a bit more about your horse or pony's good points before you so accurately illustrate that he's a little ****** or potentially lethal!!!

Advert of the Decade...

Seriously, someone designed this cracker over at Dragon Driving just to play on all my horse selling pet hates!

 

Non professional rider slouching all over and hanging off horse's head with random tack on it that fails to show off horse at all? Check!

 

 

Horse's apparent living space full of random junk and standing on said horse for no discernable reason? Check!

Using horse as jungle gum while at the same time managing to be utterly oblivous to the multitude of stains on said horse which could easily have been brushed off and are now transferring themselves to pants? Check!

Randomly dangerous manoevre which further illustrates complete lack of safe riding gear? Check!

I never look at one of these shots without hearing a voice in my head saying ' an' this 'ere's the last shot we got of yr uncle George, right before ole Bertha got a nasty wasp sittin' on her big behind...'

Anyway, gotta be a classic.

What's the Great Big Advantage in...

A horse that is happy for you to stand up in the saddle? I am bemused by the increasingly regular appearance of sales shots of people standing on the offered horses... and the use of these as the only or biggest photograph in a horse sale ad as if it is some amazing plus point. If I want to pick apples out of a high branch I'll use a stepladder. If I can't see what's going on at a busy show I'll find a fence to sit on or a different place to stand. I don't need a horse as a means of gaining height thanks!

Here are just two adverts where this random talent is apparently the horse's big selling point! Don't get me wrong- this chap looks a sweetheart, but as I can count on er.... no fingers, the times when I am ever likely to want or need to stand up on his back, I'd rather see a nice shot of him being ridden properly please? If you want to show me how non spooky he is, ride him and carry an umbrella or balloon or something... that's at least more relevant to my normal everyday requirements from my horse!

Now I have more of an issue with this one...

So on the plus side child has hat and correct footwear on. On the negative side, she is A CHILD and she is standing on a pony which is not being held, in open pasture and apparently not tied to anything. I don't care how quiet a horse or pony is, things can still happen! What if an insect stings quiet pony, and quiet pony reacts  instinctively to sudden pain and bucks or takes off up field? Child doesn't have a hope of staying on pony and could easily break an arm or even a neck hitting dirt from that elevated height. Her parents appear to be taking the picture- at least our first guy is an adult making his own educated decision on risk. Kids can be a bit too gung ho for their own good- this is REALLY a time where mom or dad should be saying... gee honey, don't think that's a good idea...

If pony happens to be tied in a fashion I can't make out, I don't need to tell horse people here about the dangers of tying him to a gate, which could be lifted off hinges and trap and break delicate limbs. Also as he's for SALE it's not really a great shot of him as it's a bad angle and you can't see his head properly... honestly, I'd sooner see him in a halter stood directly side on to the camera and with no one using him as a makeshift jungle gym. Or hey, he apparently does get ridden like a normal pony, could we see that please?

BTW you will also notice for the description of pony that the child walks UNDER HIM. Which is another thing which seems like a great idea (to some people), at least until a fly lands on pony's belly when child is mid walk-under and pony lifts hindleg fast and sharp to kick it off. *head desk*

Here we have yet another child taking unnecessary risks... and this time no helmet, so gets to knock herself senseless, possibly permanently, when she hits the deck. Here's a thought- what if quiet pony shifts back leg and child loses balance- now that would never happen right?!

It's like an epidemic!!

Pictures like these just remind me why one of my favourite sayings is- particularly with horses, just because you CAN, doesn't mean you SHOULD! Come on folks, people get killed around horses everyday when they are just leading them in from the field and have followed every basic safety rule- I just can't see the point in making a dangerous activity even more dangerous for absolutely NO REASON!!!

Here's someone who does need a horse that's happy to have him stand on him.. but I can't say I know many riders who will have the same requirements!

It's Cute So Buy It!

Welcome all to my new Blog. Having been a long term horsey window shopper (ages 12- 32!) and extensive browser of horse sale ads, I felt it was time to share the knowledge I have inadvertently accumulated and start trying to show why certain ads are not good, not effective or just downright AWFUL.
Today's offering appeared on Chronicle of the Horse and is from Craigslist, Chicago. As the link will probably disappear quite quickly I include a full transcript of the exact ad and some of the pictures for your perusal!
 Here's the content:

Friesian & Gypsy Vanner crosses (sw wi) ~MAKE OFFER OR TRADE~All foals are healthy and sound more info paintsndanes.webs.com may consider trades, creative financing, and payment plans 6088two250two9 Gypsy Vanner Stallion Wes (son of charlie) http://www.gypsyvannerhorsebreeders.com/ Wes is the sire of Nevaeh, Rumshata, and Bravo.

Romeo(FriesianXPaint) can be registered with the FRIEISAN SPORT HORSE REGISTRY. He is my first foal this year foaled June 16, 2012. We also watched him be born into this world, a truely amazing thing to experience. I would like to share it with you in this video! Romeo is everything I could ask for, and more in a colt! Romeo sports a very friendly sweet personality, and EVERYONE who meets him falls in love! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLfrcXt8x-w

Nevaeh(GypsyVannerXAPHA) foaled June 19, 2012 she is my second foal of the year. She is just like her name heavenly. What a doll, and very spunky, we just love her! Nevaeh has a beautiful build and looks to match!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOxU0WaGPio

Vegas bay AQHA filly foaled 6/24/12.(angels willow X scotch skipnscoot) Vegas is such a cutie and will be offered for sale at weaning. She is a doll! Come check this girl out for yourself you will love her!

Bravo Gypsy Vanner APHA cross colt. Bravo foaled July 5, 2012 my last foal of the year. This tobiano boy is stunning, going to be big! Born with more hair, feather, and leg than any of the other gypsy crosses! This boy is a real gentlman loves people!

Already some red flags are waving for me- firstly the mention of creative financing and payment plans is a little worrying. Secondly the fact that they are selling multiple foals of similar ages but a range of crosses suggests a pretty random, and therefore probably not the best quality, breeding approach. The prevalence of the trendy and therefore all too often overpriced Gypsy Vanner and Friesian in the mix speaks volumes. There's no mention of whether these foals are well handled in the practical terms of having their feet picked up or leading in a halter, but plenty about them being pretty and friendly. And then of course we have the pictures:

Now lets see, what's right with them. Well the horses look nice and healthy, good weight, good condition, no scabs, lice, legs falling off etc. Then we come down to the people with the horses... AAAARGH! Lack of sensible footwear, carrying foals around like dogs, and encouraging them to practically climb on top of them for the love of god?! Ok, so it might be kinda cute now, but hey, that widdle fluffy foal is going to be a great BIG horse in a few years time, and when he puts his feet on your shoulders then, you're gonna KNOW about it! Honestly, the motto with horses ought to be think before you teach it. While the stallions pictured both look in good nick there's not much to say why they should be reproducing- they don't seem to have a performance record. And the mares seem an irrelevance barely discussed. What have these animals done to deserve having babies on the ground? After all, if they've achieved there's a good chance their progeny will. If they haven't... well you get the idea.
So in summary, lesson one. If you want to sell your horse think about what people actually want to buy. With babies that is usually an animal with potential for something more than just looking cute and doing some tricks. And possibly killing you with said trick in the near future. Class dismissed.