Readers Overwhelming Response to Recent EC Blog “Criticism in the Horse Industry”
We regularly receive messages and comments regarding articles or blogs we’ve posted on EquineChronicle.com. A blog we shared last week, Steven Petzer’s “How Unsolicited, Mean-spirited Criticism Hurts the Horse Community,” struck such a chord with our readers we thought we’d share some of the great responses. Click on the link above to read the blog that was shared 455 times and reached over 40,0oo people on Facebook!
Tami Read-Schween– “I wanted to personally say thank you for this blog. I could not agree with it more. A photo of my daughter (she’s a 15-year-old AQHA youth all-around rider) riding her horse in a Western Pleasure class was posted to Facebook and Instagram without our knowledge. At first, I thought how wonderful that AQHA had picked a photo of she and her horse from the thousands they must receive. Well, once I started reading the comments posted by people, I quickly changed my mind on that. The comments were so mean spirited, negative, and flat out nasty that they brought tears to my eyes. And all were made by “adults.” From what I could glean from their backgrounds, they had NO experience with Western Pleasure horses. I could not believe it. I almost called AQHA to have post taken down. I hope those same people read this blog, recall their own nastiness, and think twice about doing it to another child, adult, or any kind of equestrian. Thank you again for addressing a much needed topic!”
April Hughes– “I read the blog about criticizing other disciplines, riding gear, equestrians, and here is what I have experienced. I don’t own my own horse. I used to take lessons every week and rent a horse for trail rides from a different barn. The gossip, back-stabbing, and lying at both of these barns was unbelievable. The pre-teen/teen girls were the main problem, but the adults were a large part of it too. There was almost a caste system, management, horse owners, “barn rats,” and finally, the lesson clients, who were condescended to, laughed at, and gossiped about. Management never intervened. The whole of these experiences has left me convinced that most horse owners are snobs and people who manage barns are either clueless, or in on the drama. How could one not expect that with what goes on at barns, for it not to spread out through the industry? Someday, we’ll be involved in horses again, but we’ll own and have them on our own land. ”
Mary Bernard- “Do you mind, if I watch?” a barn mate asked as I climbed on my mare for a first-time lesson with a new trainer. Odd question I thought, but being new to the South I was just learning that courtesy was customary. “No, not at all,” I said. Curious, I asked, “Why?” “Because some people can be critical. You know, mean-spirited,” she said.
It struck me it was about the third or fourth time this summer that I had heard someone bemoan the hyper-critical nature of horse people. We have all suffered criticism in the equestrian world – some of it can be instructive, most is not. The tone however has changed leaving some to wonder where are we going with this disturbing trend?
A recent blog post by Kristen Smith: “If the Saddle Fits” brings to light body-shaming as the ugly degree to which the commentary has fallen in the show ring. She recalls choosing to correct her ‘green-as-grass’ horse during a Dressage test rather than letting him continue to perform a movement incorrectly. Correction probably helped the horse but her action instigated a salvo of criticism, including fat-shaming remarks that stated her weight likely inhibited the horse’s performance. Kristen’s account came from comments overheard by her husband who, as a non-horse show person, was appalled. The fact that the remarks were “easily overheard cattiness was a shock for my non-riding husband.”
Kristen goes on to explain her efforts to lose weight, her plan to continue improving her riding, and seek approval through her own equestrian success. All admirable efforts, but what about the ‘mean girls’ in the gallery? Why leave them with all the power? Where’s their correction? Point is, we’ve all been privy to painful remarks. They’re not meant to be helpful or insightful; it’s just unreciprocated hostility. A cheap shot.
Not long ago, I was shopping online videos looking to purchase a horse. A Facebook friend sent a video of a young Western Pleasure prospect that was remarkably slow-legged. This gelding was not what I was looking for, as I prefer hunters. Still, it was a pleasure to watch the video of a coming champion for the right owner. The video brought an unsolicited, profanity-laced comment deriding Western Pleasure riders and their discipline as “cowards in fear of their horses.” Worst still, this was written by a person who alleged to be an equestrian. After eliminating the negative comment from the page, my friend received more blistering ridicule from the comment’s author over the phone.
Steven Petzer’s blog post on EquineChronicle.com, “How Unsolicited, Mean-Spirited Criticism Hurts the Horse Community,” states that this damaging behavior is tearing down the sport. Steven, like Kristen, notes that this negativity has become so commonplace among equestrians it is simply being tolerated. He rightly calls out the purveyors of mean-spirited criticism, most of whom are equestrians themselves, to ‘knock it off.’ Unsolicited negative commentary about a person’s appearance “is both unprofessional and unacceptable” Steven writes. Well said Steven, it’s about time somebody called out the haters.
Every trainer should integrate this message into their teaching programs for young riders. Start by encouraging team building within the barn and take that spirit onto the field of competition. Once on the field, do not engage in hurtful commentary and remind others that to do so, dishonors the sport. Take back the power.
