Have any of you seen the new "out Here"issue from Tractor supply?

[Carolyn R]

Carolyn is there an issue number or "March 2009" that we should refer to?

Spring 2009

issue #19

 

[ontherisefarm]

I have to admit that was a very disappointing article. Those minis were in terrible condition. I would have expected something better from TSC.

 

[Genie]

Just not good!

For the uninformed I would think they might be wondering what goes on in the mini horse breeders' head.

I can not understand why people write articles on a subject which they obviously know nothing about.

 

[Boinky]

well i sent an e-mail to the address someone listed on here. apparently it goes to 3 people because i got read conformations back from three separate people/e-mail addys. Wonder if they will acknowlege me? lol

 

[Boinky]

I got a response.

We appreciate your taking the time to write to us about your concerns regarding the miniature horses story.Donna Weaver, a reader of Out Here magazine, wrote us about her horses, so we decided to feature them in a story, particularly since they had won awards from the American Miniature Horse Registry.

On our visit to the Weaver home, there was no indication of any problem; the horses appeared healthy, well fed and loved. As a miniature horse trainer and seller, however, you certainly have a keener, more discerning eye than most of us.

The intent of the story was to show the fun and enjoyment of having a miniature horse, and we certainly don’t want to do anything to hurt sales of this breed. Indeed, we encourage horse ownership.

To show our good faith, we would like to feature miniature horses owned by other Out Here readers in the May issue of the magazine. Would you like to submit a couple high-resolution photos of your horses? Just send them to [email protected] and put “Mini horse photos requested by Out Here editor” in the subject line so they’ll get to me more quickly.

And, going forward, we will take your concerns to heart, and keep a sharper eye on the livestock that we feature in Out Here.

Thank you again for taking the time to write.

Sincerely,

Carol Davis

 

[Sandee]

Maxi'sMinis and ICspots both need to dial it back a bit. There's probably nothing wrong with these horses that a good photographer couldn't fix. They obviously went to these people and took "candid" shots. Most of us would have been so worried and had everything "spit, spot" but MOST OF US isn't the whole world.

If you read the article these people feed those minis 2lb of grain and then hay too. If mine got that they'd be little butter balls. Like someone else said the front horse is not standing square and makes it look really bad. The horses weren't clipped and even if they were you can't judge body scores solely from pictures. I think the photographer didn't know anything about horses for sure.

Rag on the article, on TSC for running an unfavorable article (again depending on your view, as it was generally correct), but don't condem these people about whom you know nothing.

 

[Gizzmoe]

Maxi'sMinis and ICspots both need to dial it back a bit. There's probably nothing wrong with these horses that a good photographer couldn't fix. They obviously went to these people and took "candid" shots. Most of us would have been so worried and had everything "spit, spot" but MOST OF US isn't the whole world. If you read the article these people feed those minis 2lb of grain and then hay too. If mine got that they'd be little butter balls. Like someone else said the front horse is not standing square and makes it look really bad. The horses weren't clipped and even if they were you can't judge body scores solely from pictures. I think the photographer didn't know anything about horses for sure.

Rag on the article, on TSC for running an unfavorable article (again depending on your view, as it was generally correct), but don't condem these people about whom you know nothing.

I'm sorry to say that even good photos couldn't fix it. Their backbones are very predominant. This isn't just about using badly conformed minis for a breed rep, but mostly the fact that emaciated miniatures were used. To me this is not the picture of health and I do not see how a better pic is going to fix anything.

 

[ontherisefarm]

I also sent them an email and got back the same exact response that Boinky did.

 

[wildhorses]

I know I will be writing a letter to Tractor Supply and to the editor of this magazine. I think it is absolutely a sad thing to see. Articles like that can make an impression that is irreversable in the eyes of those that read it. They couldn't have found a poorer example if they had looked harder, those poor horses. You don't have to be a horse person to see the poor condition these horses are in.

Funny I have never heard the story of "where the miniatures originated from" as it was stated in the article by an AMHA employee...I must have missed out on that story in all my years with minis.

I hope others will take the time to let Tractor Supply know your feelings. They lost my business over this deal I know that.

 

[StarRidgeAcres]

I got the exact same response. Although I thanked her for taking the time to respond I questioned the assertion that these horses are healthy and well fed. I'm just not buying it. It's just wrong.

And I don't care how good you are at taking photos, without an extensive use of photoshop, there is NO WAY to make those horses look healthy.

 

[Tenltraining]

My gosh that horse is in poor shape, you can tell at a glance. Im really disappointed also that tsc would use such a photo in their ad of a horse in poor condition at best! Its very obvious. Perhaps the owners had just purchased her recently or something and she was poor when they got her, but I sure would have waited for her to get more weight on her before allowing a photo like that to be printed.

 

[Songcatcher]

I am not going to comment on the horses. I think that point has already been made. I do think TSC's response to the email was gracious and provided the opportunity for a follow up. I certainly will not stop shopping there as a result. They have offered us the opportunity for greater exposure.

 

[Joanne]

Personally I cannot afford to stop using TSC. They have incredible prices on horse feed as well as dog food. They are currently $12.60 less than my local feed store for 35 pounds of dog food. Though they are located 1.5 hours away, whenever I have to travel I stop there and stock up!

I like the company too much. This is our chance to educate them and let our voice be heard. Letter writing is the way to go IMHO.

That is what I did anyway. We will see if we all get the same response. That is O.K. with me. We are all just letting them know they goofed. I must admit I have done that once or twice in my life. Just wish I could help the minis in the article.

 

[Boinky]

I also do not think this warrants not using their company/products. I do think it was a good thing for people to e-mail them and let them know they blundered a bit. sounds like they are willing to try to make amends and I'm OK with that. I think it's an excellent opportunity to get some nice photo's to them from varying breeders/handlers etc!!

 

[Carolyn R]

I am not going to comment on the horses. I think that point has already been made. I do think TSC's response to the email was gracious and provided the opportunity for a follow up. I certainly will not stop shopping there as a result. They have offered us the opportunity for greater exposure.

Exactly. With that said, those whom have written and received responses, I encourage you to send light hearted pictures of "what minis can do" Jumps, driving, halter, obstacle, nursing home visits and of course be part of our lives. As long as they are used in a positive, educational manor (I would hate for a photo of my kids with one of our minis to be the poster children for the "unwanted family pet" although it is a serious issue).

I say be part of the solution, and as stated before, educate, educate, educate ourselves and others.

 

[Reble]

I love shopping at our TSC stores in Ontario and this would not have stopped me.

So glad to see a more positive attitude.

Sure hope to see some nice looking horses in the May issue. I thought that was nice of them to offer to do another issue on the miniature horses.

 

[twilightranch]

Whats really sad is those horses are not only on the unhealthy looking side but they are bad representation on the quality of the miniature horse. TSC could have found a better farm to do an article on.

Alisha

Totally agree!!

 

[Minimor]

but it does say they feed 4 horses one bale of hay a week.

and there is probably the problem. Here 4 horses get almost one bale of hay a day.

 

[midnight star stables]

but it does say they feed 4 horses one bale of hay a week.

and there is probably the problem. Here 4 horses get almost one bale of hay a day.

That (depending on the size of the bale) or they aren't getting the *right* feed.

Maybe they have poor hay? Maybe they are not getting grain? Are they being wormed? It does look like something is defiantly missing in their diet, though.

I know that I go through just under a small bale a DAY (+ complete grain and beet pulp), between my 5 minis.... So if they are feeding a small bale and no grain, then yeah, I'd say their horses would be starving...

Maybe someone should educate them? Hopefully someone knows them - and can help them.

I think TSC is trying their best to fix their mistake.

 

[Tenltraining]

Perhaps they will use some other photos now that will be sent to them by others and they will be able to surely see the diffence. Some good may come out of this. Hopefully they will mention something to the owners of the horses in the ads and they will up their grain and get that mare in better shape. So some good may come of this yet hopefully.

I will still buy at TSC as I go in there every so often and I do like the store.