"Hello, my new 9 yr old haflinger has not been ridden for several years-- what is the fastest way to train him?"
Now that is not unusual for the mentality of many people who are now obtaining free or very inexpensive Haflingers because they have been dumped, neglected and no longer valued. As you all can imagine, it results in disasters for the people and the Haflingers. It seems that there is not much patience for the very long, involved, and yes, expensive process in training the horse, and especially training the human. Very few people grow up learning how to handle large animals, are not being taught from childhood by their parents and grandparents, so are very uninformed, naive and frankly think it is like handling a dog. They are an accident waiting to happen. Even very experienced folks get hurt by their horses.
Yahoo in the past hasn't let me edit my list introduction letter so I've not changed it for years. I see now I might be allowed to edit without losing content, so I might try to get a new and improved guideline list out to new members. I'll keep you posted. Here is what is currently going out:
Hello, New Haflinger Friend!
Welcome to the Haflinger Friends list. Please take a moment to review this message.
The purpose of this group is to provide support and encouragement for people all over the world who love Haflinger horses, want to learn more about them, and exchange information about them. This is truly a world-wide network of "Haflinger Friends", with members from 14 countries, and now over 900 people strong! Our affiliated website is http://www.haflingerhorses.com and you will find additional information about Haflingers there, including free Haflinger for sale ads, Haflinger wanted ads, Haflinger tack ads and breeding stallions, as well as links to farms.
When you join this list, we request a note either to the list or to me, the list owner, telling us who you are, where you are located, and how you are connected to Haflingers. That information is then shared with the rest of the list members, and added to our member list found at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/haflingerfriends/database. You may edit your member listing at any time yourself, to keep it updated.
You can find archives of the messages that have been posted previously to this list at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/haflingerfriends/messages. A search window is available to find particular topics of interest to you in the archives, as there is a vast reservoir of information provided by this list.
Ongoing and past polls regarding list members' opinions on Haflinger topics are found at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/haflingerfriends/polls and feel free to add in your votes.
Haflinger photos from the list are found at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/haflingerfriends/files and http://groups.yahoo.com/group/haflingerfriends/photos . You may add photofiles yourself to share with the list.
Live chat times for the Haflinger Friends list will be found on the Calendar with reminders sent to the group ahead of time and the Chat area is accessed at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/haflingerfriends/chat.
When you post to this list, please identify yourself on all messages you send to the list, including your name, location, farm name and web site if you have one. All messages are moderated before being sent on to the rest of the list members, but only the author, not the list owner, is responsible for the content of the message. When you reply to a message that has come from the list, the reply goes to the whole list, so if you wish to send a private message as a reply, you need to address it to that message writer alone.
The original Haflinger list was formed in 1996 to provide an easy means for Haflinger enthusiasts to communicate with each other on the Internet. In 1999, I took over the responsibility, hoping to provide an open, free flowing, spontaneous forum for discussion about Haflingers
With that freedom comes significant responsibility for each list member to ensure this group remains a positive and nurturing part of the Haflinger community.
Therefore, rules and guidelines are necessary to prevent harm to any individual list member, and especially to prevent harm to the Haflinger breed.
1. Use of obscenities or other sexually inappropriate language is not allowed and those messages will be edited before being sent to the group or deleted altogether.
2. Attachments of any sort are automatically blocked so there is no risk of sending viruses to list members. If you have a photo or other attachment you wish people to see, you may announce that on the list, and people may request it from you privately, or you can post it to the photo files linked from the sidebar on the left of the home page.
3. No posting from this list may be reproduced and distributed either in print or email without permission of the list owner or author of the post. The postings are meant for our membership only. Emails taken out of context can be misconstrued and potentially cause harm.
4. Please do not use the group for private messages to another individual. Many list members complain about the sheer volume of mail coming over the list and leave the group in frustration. An option is to select "daily digest only" for a daily compilation of the posts sent in one email, or to select "No email/website only" in order to view messages on the Haflinger Friends website, but receive no email. You can still post anytime to the list.
5. This is not a politically affiliated group with any registry, and it is best that political issues be left to private discussions. If registry information is sought, the list manager can provide you with the email addresses for registries all over the world.
6. As the list cannot endorse, investigate, or be responsible for the accuracy of advertising for commercial for-profit businesses or products, those ads will not be allowed on the list. Any owner wishing to advertise their horses for sale may list their horses for free on http://www.haflingerhorses.com , and may notify the list they have horses for sale and how list members can contact them. Tack and other horse equipment similarly can be advertised on that same website.
7. Respect your fellow list member's opinion and accept differences in opinion with grace and a measure of humility. This is a forum for airing those differences with a sense of humor and an open heart. No one wants to read messages that are hypercritical, personal attacks, or mean-spirited. Innuendo, rumors, and gossip have no place here.
8. Keep in mind the purpose of this group: to support and inform each other in our efforts to enjoy and promote the Haflinger horse. Each message should be written as encouragement to others, said in the spirit of mutual respect with the desire to keep meaningful dialogue flowing about our horses. Keep in mind how your message will appear to someone brand-new to the Haflinger world. If this is not the bottom line behind the message you are about to send to the group, do not send it.
8. Spread the word among your friends about this list!
To unsubscribe from this list, go to the Yahoo! groups website, at
http://groups.yahoo.com, and select the My Groups link from the menu bar on the left. This menu will also let you change your subscription between digest and normal mode.
Thanks and don't hesitate to contact me directly with comments or questions about this list,
Emily Gibson,List Owner
BriarCroft Haflingers http://www.briarcroft.com
emily@briarcroft.com
--- In haflingerfriends@yahoogroups.com, "cedarglyn" <cedarglyn@...> wrote:
>
> Cari,
>
> It may seem idealistic, but I think getting along is attainable *IF* all posters keep several things in mind:
>
> 1. UNDERSTANDING that the versatile Haflinger is owned by many people for different reasons and uses. No one reason or use is superior to any other!! Thus, many diverse interests are reflected on this list which is financially supported by breeders of REGISTERED Haflingers and we all do well to keep that in mind when posting about our own personal preferences. It's a matter of mutual respect.
>
> 2. To all NEW FOLKS (and please remember that every one of us was at one time new here), we DO understnad how it feels to try to "join" in this large group of very knowledgeable folks. The combined knowledge of all members is ENORMOUS! We understand what it is to want to share enthusiasm about one's own Haflinger! We also understand that being new can never excuse ridiculing others or complaining about topics discussed or getting sarcastic with other member's comments. Again, it is a matter of mutual respect.
>
> 3. New members who join predominately to LEARN (many join to share) have immediate access to all the ARCHIVES (located at top of page) containing over 10 years worth of information discussed on this list. The more simple the question, the more likely it's been answered many times, by many people. Not simple to search? Requires time? Stop and think: answering the same question for the 100th time (many of us have done that not because we had to do it but because we've wanted to help fellow Haflinger owners) is not always simple or quick either. But we do it for the welfare of the Haflinger Horse (it's not about a person).
>
> 4. ALSO, LEARNERS: Emily has invested many hours of her spare time creating an interesting and informative site for everyone to check out. It, too, contains a wealth of info. And if your question doesn't get an immediate answer, perhaps other members are busy or have other interests (most of us have full lives beyond this list), you certainly can ask again in a few days. Perhaps someday we'll have an automated site with instant answers, but until then we're all just human beings. And as human beings we like to feel "useful", not "used" (think about the difference!).
>
> 5 READ CAREFULLY (not just the first few lines and assume the rest), but the entire post. The WISE new member will consider the fact that these posts have not gone through numerous revisions and editing--they're spontaneously written. As wonderful as it can be at times, the written word has it's limitations. No bodily gestures, no facial expressions, no inflections of the voice; therefore, it is usually wiser to interpret each post as having a kindly intent because that's usually how comments are intended.
>
> 7. My apologies to Emily, who I know posted a very comprehensive set of suggestions for each of us to follow when we joined this list. I appreciate your patience, Emily, and perhaps we could benefit from a review of those if you feel inclined to refresh our memories.
>
> Finally, there will always be people who leave this list. No one list could possibly satisfy all people at all times. Drama is usually best saved for the stage so if I ever leave this list it will be done quietly and without fanfare used to draw attention to ME because this list is not about me or any single person, it's about the Haflinger Horse. Cheers, Judy in NE TN
>
>
>
> --- In haflingerfriends@yahoogroups.com, Cari Kilborn <carik@> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Cate, I agree with you 100%. I am a relatively new member here. Joined
> > in Feb I think. Since I have joined, there have been two battles. How
> > about we all just get along, huh?
> > ~Cari
> >
> > >
> > >
> > > ________________________________
> > >
> > >
> > > For what it is worth...and I am sure it is not worth much since I am
> > > new to this forum! I got the same impression as Jen and the latest
> > > post by the owner in TN that rants about others intelligence (or her
> > > presumtion of their lack of it ) is further confirmation to me of the
> > > kind of people that are posting here. WOW Did it ever occur to you
> > > that maybe they came here to learn from you all?
> > > I always go on the presumption that all people have something to teach
> > > me and that all people have value. I joined this 2 weeks ago to learn
> > > from you Haflinger owners and boy have I....I have no further desire
> > > to cram my inbox with this type of JUDGEMENT and garbage!
> > >
> > > Cate in MN
> > > signing off
> > > PS.. Jennifer in Cali -all your horses and pics are beautiful... I am
> > > envious right now! and Jen from MN hope to see you at the Expo!
> > >
> > > ____________ _________ _________ __
> > > From: Molly McD <mollymcdonald@ columbus. rr.com>
> > > To: haflingerfriends@ yahoogroups. com
> > > Sent: Mon, March 1, 2010 12:41:37 PM
> > > Subject: Re: [haflingerfriends] Preaching to the Choir
> > >
> > > Jen, it is a HUGE shame and it is VERY sad!!! I hate that you got that
> > > impression from this list!! I love most of what goes on here. Sure
> > > people are going to have differing ideas and it's not a bad thing to
> > > debate some of these things, but when it turns into personal attacks
> > > and passing judgement on others, it has gone too far in my opinion.
> > > Please don't leave the list because of what a few people have said or
> > > done, there are so many more that make it such a JOY to be part of
> > > this group! It is a wealth of information and support, I am very sorry
> > > that you had such a bad experience and got sucker-punched when you
> > > were trying to ask questions and share your excitement. Please
> > > remember that there are lots of us here that will NEVER do anything
> > > like that and that are thrilled to share in someone else's excitement.
> > > I hope that you are able to reconsider when the sting subsides.... ..
> > >
> > > Molly in Ohio
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: HRT
> > > To: haflingerfriends@ yahoogroups. com
> > > Sent: Monday, March 01, 2010 11:27 AM
> > > Subject: RE: [haflingerfriends] Preaching to the Choir
> > >
> > > I agree Marilyn. I don't think you are being crabby. It seems whatever
> > > topic gets started it somehow branches to this discussion. As a new Haffie
> > > owner I have to say I'm getting discouraged by listening to these posts.
> > > Please don't misunderstand that I'm getting discouraged with the
> > > breed, just
> > > what type of people are associated with the breed. That said, I do have to
> > > say that there are some REALLY great people on here too. I know when I was
> > > looking at purchasing a filly and just 'mentioned' about possibly having a
> > > (as in ONE) foal out of her in maybe 6-7 years from now and just
> > > wanting to
> > > make sure I was purchasing something that was a good representation of the
> > > breed I got jumped all over publically and privately. Actually, I got a PM
> > > about purchasing a youngster and working with it myself, about how
> > > much time
> > > it takes, etc. it wasn't even on topic with what I was asking and
> > > automatically went into the breeding debate.
> > >
> > > I've since decided to keep my pre-purchasing questions to myself and am no
> > > longer sharing my excitement publicly (on here) for the breed. I think
> > > it's
> > > a shame and sad.
> > >
> > > -Jen in MN
> > >
> > > From: haflingerfriends@ yahoogroups. com
> > > [mailto:haflingerfr iends@ yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of Marilyn Mitchell
> > > Sent: Monday, March 01, 2010 9:31 AM
> > > To: haflingerfriends@ yahoogroups. com
> > > Subject: [haflingerfriends] Preaching to the Choir
> > >
> > > Sigh. You know, I really don't think any irresponsible backyard
> > > breeders are
> > > using this site. I know good will come from talking about the need to be
> > > careful when breeding our horses, but I'm tired of this topic. Yes, I can
> > > just skip these posts but it pops up in other threads.
> > >
> > > Or, how about a new branch to the topic such as what to do when one
> > > sees/meets someone who is ignorantly breeds their unfit mare/stallion
> > > to see
> > > what it'll throw. Or, organizing in some way to require licenses to breed
> > > horses. I'm not against responsibly breeding out-crosses. People breed
> > > unfit
> > > purebreds, as well as mixes. I'm not into trendy pets. I'm just tired of
> > > this topic. Nothing new is being said.
> > >
> > > Or, if you have a beef against one particular person continue that
> > > conversation privatley.
> > >
> > > Sorry to be such a Scrooge. I'm against irresponsible breeding,
> > > too,...but I
> > > have geldings and no interest whatsoever in breeding. Plus, I've been sick
> > > for the past week and a half and am just feeling well enough to be crabby.
> > >
> > > I'm afraid I'll be hated on now. Oh well.
> > >
> > > Marilyn
> > >
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > >
> > > No virus found in this incoming message.
> > > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> > > Version: 9.0.733 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2716 - Release Date: 03/01/10
> > > 01:34:00
> > >
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > >
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > >
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > >
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > >
> > >
> >
>
------------------------------------
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