Should we delete the farrier forum?

PasoBaby_CarolU · Should we delete the farrier forum?

Because of the continual contentiousness in the Farrier Forum, we are debating discontinuing it. I realize people learn a lot from it, but other people are turned off from the entire Forum because of all the fighting. I realize people are PASSIONATE about horses' feet, but I, and now Erin, consume too much time here keeping peace. I believe strongly in Freedom of Speech, but I also believe in civility.

It seems impossible to have both when it comes to trimming.

So, the choice is yours people.....

learningthedance

I think the great thing about this forum is if someone doesn't like one of the forums, they can choose not to read them. Just like the "spiritual" forum, or the It's about the money forum", etc.... (and I enjoy both of them by the way)

It does get frustrating however when someone is trying to learn and the tone changes from "teaching" and sharing of information for comparison, to slapping faces and insults.

I am not sure how much of a PITA it would be, but do you think maybe a farriers section and a barefoot section might help? Just as you keep the Its about the money section separate so it doesn't spill over to the rest of the forum? or the spiritual section etc....

This way we could keep the information flowing for BOTH groups, instead of trying to mix oil and water together all the time. Two very different trains of thought. I don't believe one is right or wrong. Just very different.

I know we have a couple dedicated and very knowledgeable farriers here and many people that shoe who will benefit from being able to share notes, ask questions and learn about new techniques. We also have quite a large group that is interested, extremely knowledgeable, (and yes, passionate) about barefoot as well as those of us trimming our own horses that would bennefit from a barefoot section.

Just a thought.

coveredbridgefarm

Carol, this is nothing more than my personal perspective, of course, but I definitely vote for finding a way to keep it. LTD might have a good idea about dividing the farrier forum.

I am more than willing to expose myself to the missiles of verbal explosions that sometimes accompany the invaluable tidbits of information that I find there.

In fact, it tends to add an element of adventure to the learning process. It's like digging for treasure in an active combat zone, on a virtual level, of course.

Larry

thelmanelle

I vote it as a keeper. Passionate things at times can lead people to say things. Hopefully, they can rephrase in the future. Keeping in mind kids read the forums, too. Just being civil disagreeing on techniques.

Doctors do the same thing about procedures, but it is professional courtesy to be respectful while disagreeing with another licensed professional.

appellativo

I voted to keep it. Possibly creating a separate category for farrier/barefoot would be in order if we have tons of issues....

jokersmama

I voted keep it also, even though there are heated conversations they are still conversations. As far as hoof care forums go, this is not so bad IMO.

I don't think we should split it, all that will do is make it so we have to read more than one forum, it won't stop people from posting in both places.

People like to debate. There is so much information that comes out of peoples passion and more so when they are asked to defend their stand.

The getting personal stuff could go away. If you noticed when the other participant in the debates left, that forum shriveled up, now that there are two opposite passionate people again there is room for learning. Personally I love that... learning that is

Usually you have to wade through a bunch of crap to get just one pearl of knowledge but if it helps just one horse it's worth it.

Personally I like seeing as many different opinions on one subject as I can, right or wrong that's what they are opinions, and we all know what they say about those...

If people don't like they don't have to read it, just like the "it's about the money" forum. I personally never go there anymore, I am done with it and don't need to read it, it just brings all those feelings back I have moved on from, but some people are just now getting there to those feelings and still need to vent.

Maybe a bigger warning at the top of the farrier forum if they don't want to read it, or get offended easily, just stay out??

Our farrier forum is very mild compared to others, but at least now it's breathing again.

PasoBaby_CarolU

I don't know. Is the issue really shoes vs. barefoot, or is it different barefoot trim methods?

appellativo

this last one was over trim method/hoof mechanism, and disagreements, true, and I do agree that more forums is just more to keep up with, after all.

I did put a sticky in all caps just yesterday (REQUIRED READING FOR ALL FORUM PARTICIPANTS or some such), which states...well, I'll let y'all go read it

cheerios

I know I've learned a ton from reading it and looking at others trim photos.

I hope people can keep being (fairly) civil and that people will continue to post trim photos.

I know I've learned a lot from watching some of the threads on individual horses and how their feet have progressed.

learningthedance

appellativo

LOL. Well, it doesn't say anything that hasn't been said before though. Same stuff different context...

whisperingwindfarms

I'm just sitting here fat, dumb and happy that there's a controversy and I'm not a part of it.

Kim Cassidy

appellativo

LOL Erin

OMG I love your blog post "Make him or her a son of a (gun) by comparison!"

jokersmama

Sticks and stones...

calatar

I vote to keep.

I wish all members would stay civil but there seems to be a double standard, older members seem to get away with more sh*t than newer ones...

It is and has been a great learning tool for many people and would be a shame to lose it. Also as someone that primarily checks the farrier forum, I'd probably spend less time here if it was gone. Just food for thought, there may be others like me.

jackspark

I don't visit often and post even less, but I have been the recipient of some very, and I must say, civil advice and have had an informative pm from a very knowledgeable participant. Vote to keep

misstux

I too voted to keep this forum. I trim Scouty myself and am always looking to learn more; there is so much information here.

Clarissa

Oh PLEEEZ don't take it away untill I get my horse sorted!!

I voted to keep it too. Obviously farrier styles are like politics styles & we know what happens when people start talking politics....or religion.

We just need to take a deep breath, breathe out & count to 10, get up from the computer, have a cuppa, come back tomorrow, type the post then cancel it, whatever it takes for the immediate angst to dissipate....

just learn to agree to disagree.

Geez I have to do it every day in my daily life, even with things I'm totally passionate about. It takes all sorts...

barnelda

I think A LOT of the problem went away

But PLEASE keep farrier and hoofcare!!!

4theloveofjake

I must be living in a cave as I wasn't aware there was any fighting

But I definately would like to keep it if at all possible.

bit

Wanna keep it. Lots of good to be found, just don't want to wade through the heated debate to get to the pearls. I can see how a differening of opinion will get heated, but name calling doesn't seem to win ya much. Like to see the end of that. Even if ya'll do do it on other forums, it isn't well received here.
This isn't about barefoot vs. shod, it's human vs. human.

thelmanelle

Deb,
I agree with keeping it. It would be nice if we could some how in a moment of not on the topic attitude, go to a be nasty thread...not moderated....just say whatever and be done with it. Then, come back and give an educational answer without being negative. I personally limit what I ask and how far I go with the posts when I see the posts starting to get more personal and attacking and no longer educational for me.

That is me, the introvert. Hard for me to give up information if I am going to be attacked or asked to attack my farrier, who happens to be very on the up and up with me.

I have had to learn a few things the hard way and am willing to admit it for others to learn. But, I do it to help. Because, I want others to learn from my mistakes be they driving, the incident in the dressage arena with the pnh halter and leadline that took me for a really quick ride that I had to go for serious training with Flint to be able to get back on him. And yes I cried for the 1st hour I sat on his back in a round pen claustrophobic of the rails and yet not able to go out. I never knew I was scared of the fence and rails until that day.

What an awakening. So many things to learn and ponder. Just not worth fighting over and being challenged when you are innocently trying to learn and understand.

That my view.

Sunny

I'm all for keeping it. There's so much to learn. As long as everyone can be civil and respectful to one another.

learningthedance

thelmanelle

Elise,
We might need that...board!

Kim Cassidy

learningthedance

Chablis

Wow!

Now I'm running away and hiding.

Kim Cassidy

AlythLong

I'll vote when I learn how to!! But I am definitely for keeping it, preferably sorted into shod and barefoot. After all I am not interested in the shoeing side at all so I can skip that like I skip the political arguments in the general section. All that sniping at Obama is ridiculou!!! To a New Zealander anyway!!!

FYI I have just had a quick squizz at the argument section -- that is another one I will be avoiding like the plague!!!

Good one Carol and the mods. Excellent solutions. Alyth

alexwein

Why can't I vote? I would vote to keep it. I hardly ever check into it and mostly ignore it. Great information, but as I said elsewhere, I really dislike the nasty tone it sometimes takes. So, I do have the option of staying away from it and enjoying the rest of the forum. And I know there are those who use the hoof/farrier forum and get a lot out of it.

I also realize it's hard to moderate and deal with all of this crap. So I'd understand it too if you just decided to save yourselves the trouble and chuck it.

I appreciate that you are thoughtful enough to throw this question out there and let us decide.

So count me as a 'No, keep it, even though I often personally find it to be highly obnoxious!'

learningthedance

AlythLong

So how do I vote? I can't see a "vote" button anywhere!!!

Yes_But_Neigh

PasoBaby_CarolU

Polls have a time limit, usually 10 days. So, we are past the time limit.

It does look like most want to keep it, so that is the decision.

Chablis