All I know, I learned from COTH!!!

[sublimequine]

So, I was at the barn today... and noticed something.

My mare was wearing a Kensington fly sheet... that I got recommendations from COTH.

She has PINK spray in her tail... that I got recommendations from COTH.

I put OFF Deep Woods on her before I rode... a tip from COTH.

I rode in my little english hackamore... a suggestion from COTH.

When I was done she got her Mega-Cell supplement... suggested by COTH.

She gets the Mega-Cell because she's on a grain-free diet... recommended by COTH.

I just started to laugh when I realized this.. COTH has totally infected all parts of my horsey life! :lol:

How about you? What have YOU gotten off COTH? ;)

[JSwan]

S
How about you? What have YOU gotten off COTH? ;)

Not to ask for a water break during a riding lesson? :winkgrin:

[sublimequine]

Not to ask for a water break during a riding lesson? :winkgrin:

Otherwise you're a disrespectful, whining failure of a student! :D

:lol::lol::lol:

[Meredith Clark]

You have to have at least a F-650 (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.usageorge.com/Wallpapers/Automobile/wallpaper/Ford-F-650.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.usageorge.com/Wallpapers/Automobile/Ford-F-650.html&h=687&w=916&sz=147&tbnid=WNi9hO486KLiwM:&tbnh=110&tbnw=147&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dford%2B650&hl=en&usg=__AfZCj3ubWac0Ng-t05PNdqaPeEo=&ei=_TR6SrW3KpDMNePyyOEC&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=1&ct=image) to pull a 2 horse trailer.

Because "its not about PULLING it's about STOPPING" :winkgrin:

[sublimequine]

You have to have at least a F-650 (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.usageorge.com/Wallpapers/Automobile/wallpaper/Ford-F-650.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.usageorge.com/Wallpapers/Automobile/Ford-F-650.html&h=687&w=916&sz=147&tbnid=WNi9hO486KLiwM:&tbnh=110&tbnw=147&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dford%2B650&hl=en&usg=__AfZCj3ubWac0Ng-t05PNdqaPeEo=&ei=_TR6SrW3KpDMNePyyOEC&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=1&ct=image) to pull a 2 horse trailer.

Because "its not about PULLING it's about STOPPING" :winkgrin:

:lol:

[dghunter]

I've learned that the water break thread will *never* die :lol:

I've also learned that people love to create multiple threads on the same topic.

I have picked up a lot of good information on here though :yes: Smaller things like different exercises and such.

COTH is also always good for a laugh or two.

[Cita]

I've learned that having VPL is probably the worst horse-related sin you can commit. Close seconds are not wearing a polo shirt while riding, not wearing a hairnet/tucked in hair while riding, or having any kind of color/pattern on your polos/pads.

[horse-loverz]

I've learned that having VPL is probably the worst horse-related sin you can commit. Close seconds are not wearing a polo shirt while riding, not wearing a hairnet/tucked in hair while riding, or having any kind of color/pattern on your polos/pads.

Don't forget having the right mascara!!!

[horse-loverz]

On a serious note.

I did learn the signs of ulcers so my guy got diagnosed early.

I learned the value of having a written contract for EVERYTHING!!

I learned that if you put shoes on your horse you are a horrible horse owner

I learned that if you have your horse barefoot you are a horrible horse owner. :winkgrin:

I learned to FORGET THE SNAPS AND GOLDFISH!!:lol:

I learned the quickest way to start a trainwreck if not an out and out brawl is to discuss Parelli or hoof care.

I have learned a lot about saddle fitting.

I have learned STICK ART!!

~____/>
_//__\\_

[Meredith Clark]

You can ride however badly you want as long as you make sure they're blacking out your face in pictures (http://www.scandinavian-dressage.com/images/Rollkur2_300.jpg)

On that topic don't EVER say the "R" word or anything about Anky on the dressage forum.

[Ambrey]

That I should give it up, because neither my horse nor I have any talent.

[KateKat]

all about hunter hair and WWGMD :)

seriously though, this place has given me a lot of useful advice on things that I would otherwise be clueless about.

[Foxtrot's]

I've learned that for every blunt, sharp, accusatory person out there there are two kind, caring, compassionate people who will try to make a constructive comment. That some people come over grumpy and irritable, some are always funny and upbeat. Some threads are darn right hilarious, others chew the fat too much. And one always has a choice of moving on...and it is just a BB. And I still keep logging on.

[Across Sicily]

I've learned about Oncocherca (sp) - gross, but necessary.

I've learned OODLES about saddle fit, saddle quality, etc and the value of each. MVP, I constantly stalk your threads!

I, too, have learned that VPLs are the worst. things. ever.

I learned a bunch about joint injections and whether or not my mare really needed them. (She didn't - Legend and HA supplement was our magic bullet)

I learned how to *properly* condition my leather goods. (As opposed to slapping glycerine on them and oiling after... whoops)

At some point someone sent me in the direction of the Collection Online Store and I proceeded to buy a show shirt in just about every color. (Which is great for my show wardrobe, considering I still haven't worn half of them...)

COTH has also helped fund my SmartPak addiction by providing free shipping codes... curse you.

Because of COTH, my girls no longer bounce when I ride (whoever suggested the Enell is a GENIUS)

And about a million other interesting tidbits that I learn every day. I don't post all that much, but I glean a heck of a lot of information by reading all kinds of posts.

[mvp]

That stalkery is a form of flattery. Thanks, Across Sicily! Also, I have been waiting with baited breath to hear if your new County arrived.

That I wasn't a complete ignoramus/redneck, despite the fact that I was raised in a barn. Seriously, it has been great to have some of the facts/advice/ideas I learned somewhere as a kid confirmed by other CoTHers has been reassuring.

That there is a new generation of peeps out there who want what they want, and have no qualms about ripping someone a new one if they think that might help get it. From horses, however, I have learned that there is a natural order of escalation and de-escalation. Like horses in a herd, it's best to use the minimum of energy needed to get the job done, just for today. Why kick when you can just put your ears back and maybe snake your neck?

But also that horsemen by and large will rush into help one another. You know, being able to talk to each other is one of the few advantages we have over these beasts who don't come from one mold or are often missing an owner's manual. I'm grateful to y'all.

[thatmoody]

Probably the most useful thing I've learned is written contract for everything. Or at least not to whine about it if I don't get one.

And I'm getting goldfish, nyah nyah nyah. Just cause they're gonna live in a tank in my house makes no diff...

Oh, and neverevereverever post a picture of yourself. Although I did find one yesterday that I liked, and I posted that sucker! At least post pictures of horses with less than 30 days under saddle - that way you can blame defensive riding on any posture problems...

[monstrpony]

I'm just dislexic enough that the water break thread had me wondering what all of these pregnant women were doing taking riding lessons.

[Chief2]

That water thread is something else. :eek:

In the nine years I have been on this board, I have learned that this is the best place to come to get a good cross-section of ideas and opinions about a subject BEFORE I sink a lot of time into researching the published articles. Someone always has an idea or a point of view that I didn't think of, and there are many, many knowledgable and highly experienced horse people on this forum. The information is always timely, I always learn something from my time spent here, and the mods are teriffic!

I have also sadly learned that when people are totally committed to their own point of view, agreeing to disagree becomes impossible. Whether the discussion is over water, training methods, barefoot vs shod, rescue vs slaughter, or some of the other hot topics, once folks come down on one side of the fence or another, they put on the blinders, campaign full speed ahead, and detente becomes impossible. Which is really too bad.

I have learned that my favorite threads are the information sharing threads and new product threads. I also enjoyed participating in some of the fund raising threads, had a good time with Rescue Secret Santa, and have made some nice internet friends because of this board. Oh, and I love the pictures people post of their farms and horses! They brighten my day! :)

[Dreamburger]

I've learned that I'm not brave enough to own a rooster!

[HuntJumpSC]

all about hunter hair and WWGMD :)

seriously though, this place has given me a lot of useful advice on things that I would otherwise be clueless about.

So true! And I have a "WWGD?" decal that is begging to be put on the back of my trailer, because it i silver and will match the silver stripe perfectly! :)

I have learned sooo much here on COTH that has been useful, as well as what NOT to do! It is an endless wealth of knowledge and entertainment~ nothing more fun than a trainwreck thread! ;)

[ILuvmyButtercups]

I've learned that having VPL is probably the worst horse-related sin you can commit. Close seconds are not wearing a polo shirt while riding, not wearing a hairnet/tucked in hair while riding, or having any kind of color/pattern on your polos/pads.

:confused: Ok, I'll bite - what's VPL? Must know, don't want to offend horse or friends while riding! I'm NEW here, forgive please! :)

[matryoshka]

:confused: Ok, I'll bite - what's VPL? Must know, don't want to offend horse or friends while riding! I'm NEW here, forgive please! :)I wonder about this, too. Something new to learn from COTH?

[caradino]

I wonder about this, too. Something new to learn from COTH?

visible panty lines!!

you must not be spending enough time on H/J where we worry about these sorts of things. :winkgrin:

[Ambrey]

On the dressage board it's "camel toe" :lol:

[caradino]

On the dressage board it's "camel toe" :lol:

i have to say, that's far more unpleasant a sin than VPL...

[matryoshka]

Hilarious!! :lol: No, I frequent the endurance/trail section. My getup is pretty colorful, and I get to match my bridle, saddle pad, breastplate, crupper, and gaiters. It'd probably make a hunter/jumper person cry, or fall off laughing. I figure that if I'm brightly dressed they'll find me if I end up unconscious at the bottom of a hill and need rescuing.

I'll be sure not to have VPL or camel toes, though. :D

[mkevent]

I think Chief2 has expressed my feelings best so I won't repeat those.

I have had lots of laughs-some posters are just hilarious and I do admit that I tend to always read their posts! I've shed lots of tears with those that have lost their animals-the pain never gets less intense but I think that's because of the joy our animals have brought to our lives.

I respect those that always take the time to offer support and post jingles. Dressage Geek always posts positive threads as well as Zu Zu and I think that's really cool. There are many others, too-I just can't think of any names right now.

There are some posters that I'd like to meet because they seem really cool- Magnolia 72(or is it 73?),Misty Blue are two I can think of off the top of my head-but there are many others as well.

I also think CoTH has given me the courage to stand by my convictions as far as horsekeeping, riding and all things horse related is concerned. Before CoTH, most of my opinions and ideas were from the magazines I've read and or my instructor/friends. Now I have such a wider range of opinions and knowledge and for that I will be forever grateful.

There are also some posters whose answer to everything is the same old thing and I tend not to read their posts (hopefully I'm not one of them).

Sometimes I feel like it's a competition between Laurierace and I as to who is a bigger Back on Track fan-it's kinda funny!

And I also found icanhascheezburger.com through CoTH and that always gives me a smile, too.

Thank you all!

[BuddyRoo]

I have learned to embrace my inner Crayola and bark like a COTH dog when needed.

I have learned that when you're *really* in trouble with something horse related, someone on COTH probably knows how you can get out of the mess.

[katarine]

serious learnin':


Let Em Sweat for anhydrosis
Paprika for dark colored coats, and why it works (thank Melyni!)
USRider
found my dressage instructor - found her via the a poster on the dressage board, I love her to death :)
good gaited learnin' from Tamara and Guilherme and others, too :)
all about sunkissed: attended her show last yr and will this yr if they have one...
I'm sure there's more :)


silly stuff? tons, this is such a diverse bunch here, so big, that there's room for all sorts. that makes it entertaining to be sure, coupled with folks who take themselves a little too seriously, just cracks me up!

[luvs2ridewbs]

WAIT! I haven't learned how to avoid VPL on Coth yet... Can someone fix that? :)

[sublimequine]

WAIT! I haven't learned how to avoid VPL on Coth yet... Can someone fix that? :)

I don't know what the official COTH solution is.. but I wear pantyhose under my breeches.

I also only wear breeches 1 or 2 times a YEAR.. so your results may vary. :lol:

[Ambrey]

SmartSlims and microfiber panties for me ;)

Learned on COTH, but since the smartslims were from Coreene she could also have just told me in person ;)

[Arizona DQ]

Hanging out on COTH is a LOT cheaper than hanging out on eBay!!!!:lol:

[Dispatcher]

I've learend that you must have a lawyer on retainer at all times to settle ALL disputes. No matter how trite. :lol:

I don't know about most of you, but around where I live, if you want a lawyer to write a letter for you, it costs about $600. Just for the letter.

[Trevelyan96]

I've learned how great COTHERS can be when you need help or advice.

I've learned how to find a good OTTB (Curse you Finger Lakes!)

I've learned that I'm not the only person out there with a compulsive tack/breech/boot buying disorder (but I'm still looking for the signup sheet for help.)

I've learned how to share grief, find comfort, and move on by sharing and comforting others in theirs.

I've learned what a HONY is.

NOT to even consider taking my horse on a foxhunt until he learns better manners.

And most of all, I've learned that I don't have enough to do at work!

[MILOUTE55]

I have had lots of laughs-some posters are just hilarious and I do admit that I tend to always read their posts! I've shed lots of tears with those that have lost their animals-the pain never gets less intense but I think that's because of the joy our animals have brought to our lives.

I respect those that always take the time to offer support and post jingles. Dressage Geek always posts positive threads as well as Zu Zu and I think that's really cool. There are many others, too-I just can't think of any names right now.

There are some posters that I'd like to meet because they seem really cool- Magnolia 72(or is it 73?),Misty Blue are two I can think of off the top of my head-but there are many others as well.

I also think CoTH has given me the courage to stand by my convictions as far as horsekeeping, riding and all things horse related is concerned. Before CoTH, most of my opinions and ideas were from the magazines I've read and or my instructor/friends. Now I have such a wider range of opinions and knowledge and for that I will be forever grateful.

There are also some posters whose answer to everything is the same old thing and I tend not to read their posts (hopefully I'm not one of them).

Sometimes I feel like it's a competition between Laurierace and I as to who is a bigger Back on Track fan-it's kinda funny!

And I also found icanhascheezburger.com through CoTH and that always gives me a smile, too.

Thank you all!

What a nice post and cool way of describing your feelings about the forum.
This is a great thread!

Thanks!!

[MILOUTE55]

And most of all, I've learned that I don't have enough to do at work!

I hear you... I HAVE more than enough to do at work so I have to come to the office during the weekends to catch up with the time spent on COTH... :D

[Percheron X]

That "alot" is not a word....

[sketcher]

I've learned that NSC's are at the root of everything. ;)

[Across Sicily]

That stalkery is a form of flattery. Thanks, Across Sicily! Also, I have been waiting with baited breath to hear if your new County arrived.

But of course! You seem to know something about just about every brand out there, what it's good for, how it's shaped and how good the leather is. Since my current topic of obsession is, in fact, saddles, this is quite endearing ;)

And the new County hasn't arrived just yet... but UPS tells me TOMORROW!!! To say I am excited would be an understatement! :D:D:D

I can't believe I forgot to mention PAPRIKA - it turned my ex-mare from a golden chestnut to practically black. Amazing stuff. That and flaxseed - I learned how much to give, to grind it nice n fresh every day, and to refrigerate it whenever possible. (Which led to other members of the household using it in pancakes... perfectly ground up and apportioned for the horses apparently meant it was made just for them...)

[ljc]

That acorns can be toxic to some horses. A COTH poster literally saved my horses' lives. They kept colicking and neither vets nor I could figure out way. I took a flyer and posted a question about possible causes and lo and behold, within a couple of hours the magical answer. Fenced off that portion of the field while acorns were dropping and voila - no more colics.

That IR is not the end of the world. You might want it to be after reading the ten zillion threads that occasionally contradict each other but at least you'll die knowing more about IR than you ever thought possible. And unlike the Equine Cushings Board, COTH is a bit more grounded in reality of daily life.

That every single illness, lameness, body soreness, mystery bump, behavioral problem and stable management issue is due to incorrect shoeing. And the wrong diet.

And that joining this board was the best thing I've ever done. I have never yet failed to get an answer to whatever question I've posted.

COTH members rock. (well, except for two or three. Maybe four).

[Char]

I've developed a VPL complex that's so disturbing, it has actually made me ditch the "P" all together. No lines on my butt!! and I don't even WEAR breeches!!!! BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!:winkgrin::winkgrin:

In all seriousness, I've learned a TON from COTH, and gotten quite a few chuckles in the process. The rooster threads are some my favs. :lol: Chuckie......:cool:

[mkevent]

Cothers do rock! After some bad boarders and not so great experiences with some horsepeople, it's so nice to know that there are grounded, sincere and selfless horse people out there! Especially the long term Cothers-ones that have patiently answered the same question in a million multiple forms without ever giving the OP a hassle for it!

I also like the fact then when an OP is truly out of line, the Coth herd is there to set him/her straight!! Some trainwrecks do have quite an entertainment value!

[Zu Zu]

Ditto to mkevent - enjoy the information shared~ the support given ~ as well as when someone is off-base they are set down quickly WHOA ~~~best forum around!Here's to a safe and fun last month of summer riding and driving ~ !!

[Candle]

I've learned that I'm a thread killer :dead:! I also got hooked up with friend and animal-communicator extraordinaire, the IR threads saved one mare's life, and I now know more than I ever wanted to know about USEF/USHJA/CrapIForgotTheAcronym (CIFTA) suspensions.

[vacation1]

Hmmmm. I've learned that:

a) I don't want to live in the "real" country. I already kinda knew this, but the threads regarding snakes, possums and other fauna have confirmed that my idea of a rural paradise is about 10 acres 20 minutes from the NJ Turnpike. I may in fact never leave the Garden State again:lol:

b) I'm not the only one who has a saddle fetish.

c) PETA is behind everything. I already had this impression from the dog forum I used to frequent, but they were mild compared to COTH.

d) Stick art can be very alarming.

e) Driving horses is fairly dangerous - the accident threads on the driving forum scare the crap out of me.

f) Looking more closely at pop culture depictions of horses - book covers, movies, etc. - in order to complain that they got some horsey detail wrong is wildly diverting in a nerdy obsessive way that I totally dig.

g) All chaps are assless:lol: Honestly, I'd never considered the matter, but I love how exasperated it makes people.

h) People will do amazing amounts of trespassing on any rural or semi-rural property, and the property owners will do amazing amounts of paranoid-aggressive fantasizing when the topic is broached online (aka "OMG!, I'd have unleashed a can of whoopass on the jerk!" etc., etc.), sparking a thread-diverting argument over whether to use your bazooka before or AFTER the intruder has shown signs of hostile intent.;)

[JSwan]

You mean you don't like opening the back door and seeing a rabid coon on your porch?

Then having to shoot it in your assless chaps (what will the neighbors think!:eek:)

Then having to explain to the coppers that you thought the rabid coon was really Ingrid Newkirk and that you shot her twice - one to put her down and the second round just for kicks?

And hoping the cop doesn't notice that your chaps are assless and your spurs are on upside down?

What's not to like? :D

[tabula rashah]

- I've added many words to my vocabulary: LOFF, asshat, aghasted to name a few
-That pink and the Big Pink are two totally different things:lol:

[Bluey]

I have learned that there really is such a thing as a "ha-ha" fence, it was not a joke:

:eek: :winkgrin: :lol:

http://www.chronicleforums.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=218176