NEWSGROUP DISCLAIMER for rec.equestrian

I am a professional in the horse industry.   I have been following the posts on the rec.equestrian newsgroup for an extended period of time, and have found that there is a large percentage of harmful and dangerous information being posted on this newsgroup.

The information and replies posted on this newsgroup are very often inaccurate, incomplete, misleading, and/or entirely wrong and harmful to horses and the persons that handle them.  Much of this information is intentionally posted to harm others, which could result in personal injury or even death of yourself, others, or your horse.  At the very least, this information can and will ruin your enjoyment of your horse, which is being posted maliciously and entirely to accomplish that goal.

Newcomers to horses are particularly vunerable, and can be harmed if much of the advice posted on this newsgroup is taken seriously.  If you are new to horses, or have experience but are looking for some advice, be very critical of any advice posted on this newsgroup.  It is highly recommended that anyone needing advice to check out the facts from other sources on the internet, such as the web and email groups (egroups).   Another good source of information is to use more traditional means such as books, videos, and the advice of your veterinarian, local horse professionals, or others who have been around horses for years.

Even if the advice posted is accurate, there are several regular persons on this newsgroup whose only goal is to be very rude to other people, particularly newcomers.  These persons post to nearly every topic, and do so solely to be rude and abrasive.  Many of them claim to be professional horse persons, such as trainers, farriers, and veterinarians.  It is highly doubtful that most of these persons even own horses, or they would be spending time with their horses instead of harassing people on this newsgroup.  Some of the information is even disgusting and repulsive to anyone who owns and cares about horses, and is being posted by individuals with a very warped mind.  Several of these persons should have their internet privledges revoked, but this newsgroup (like most) is unmoderated and anyone can assume the role of advice giver even if the advice is harmful, or posted strictly to be rude.  If you do post a simple horse related question, be prepared to be trashed and bashed and harassed by numerous "regular" persons who dominate the newsgroup, and who violate usenet courtesy on a regular basis to satisfy their own mental illness by attempting to make life miserable for others.  These persons "claim" to own horses, but it's very unlikely that they do, or they would be spending time with their horses, instead of harassing people on the internet.

This message will be posted regularly to caution and protect newcomers or anyone who is using this newsgroup to seek horse related advice.  This is being posted as a courtesy to those who are uninformed or new to this group.  It is hoped that at least a few persons will be spared from injury and/or rudeness by the posting of this warning.

As an American citizen, I am guaranteed "Freedom of Speech".  This is my personal opinion, and is based on several years of watching the postings on rec.equestrian, and my "real" experience with horses.  What I have read on this newsgroup is often very frightening.  Besides poor advice, and extreme rudeness, be prepared to endure reading recipes for cooking horse meat, telling people to slaughter their horses, and many other sick and disgusting postings.

Being someone who works to assist, care for, and protect horses, I simply will not tolerate this sort of destructive information to go unnoticed.

I repeat:  PLEASE USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN GETTING ADVICE FROM THE NEWSGROUP REC.EQUESTRIAN.

Be safe, be informed, and enjoy your horse.

Thank you for your time.

LOVE YOUR HORSES and THEY WILL LOVE YOU

Email: [email protected]