Newer forum members, is the forum helping you?

[Frankie]

I have noticed many new forum members recently, or maybe new to posting. I have seen tons of questions from them as well.

I am just wondering if the forum is helping you, working for you?

I am not asking how Mary Lou runs it, I am asking if the members here are offering you the help and information you are in need of?

Many of us have been here a long time, I think we may at times forget what it is like to post our first 100 posts, when we are already at 4,000.

If you do not get responses, keep posting and keep asking. Please remember that some of these questions have been answered a hundred times, including when I asked 3 years ago. I think most here really do try to help out when ever possible. :bgrin

So this is a question for the newer folks, but I think if it can help all of us. You get your answers, and us being more helpful and too considerate.

Because I do see so many new names, I would like to hear your imput. If for no other reason, to help me when I respond.

:

Just want to encourage you to keep posting, it takes each and everyone of us to make a great forum.

 

[justagirl]

:saludando: Frankie ~ I'm a newbie.....to minis, but not horses as a whole. And to answer your question, yes, the Forum is very helpful. I've learned a lot here and I appreciate all the helpful advice, and opinions, even if I don't agree entirely, I appreciate people sharing their personal experinces. We can learn from indifference, as long as it doesn't get personal.

What I have also noticed are condescending, know-it-all, knit pickers, that must come here to get their jollies from making people look stupid. If I see these people on a thread, I totally avoid posting on it. And yes, I've got a small list.

 

[Paminihorse]

:saludando: Frankie..

Yes this forum is very informative, and very helpful. I' ve been on the site for about a month and I have gained a lot of information. This will be my first year showing my own miniatures under my own barn name and not for someone else, and I have learned a lot from here. Yes we may all have our opionios on how to do somehting and something may not seem right to somone else, but at least I can read through the posts get as much info from everyone and try something severeal different ways and see which one works for me.

Also I would like to give every one here a :aktion033: even though I have notcied there are some situations that we tend to disagree on, or our opinion may be something that somone don't like, its nice to see posts that are not name calling, or major arguments that take up the whole post and go off subject like I have seen on other forums.

Thank you

JB

 

[Frankie]

I just want you to know that a forum, or a club, is only as good as it's members.

I would like to be a good member, so that is the reason for my asking. If we older members do not know, we can't help, or offer help. And newer members are the only ones who can answer that for us.

:

 

[MiniHoofBeats]

Carolyn,

I have been on here for almost a year (will be a year in May) but I still consider myself a newbie! I am still learning and asking questions left and right, and I DO love this site! Without lilbeginnings and everyone here I would be so lost, books just don't cut it sometimes when you need personal advice or the experience of someone who's owned/showed/bred miniatures for years!! No book can give me all the answers, but here on the forum I get replies to every question I ask and I get them with honesty and sincerely...

I love you guys! You're like my second family and I love that everyone here understands each others passions about miniature horses!! =)

 

[djskid]

I've only posted a couple of times, but I'm an avid lurker!! I have found lots of information that has been very helpful (ie. my horse was having loose stools but stopped when I started to give coconut!). Some of the other new posters have been asking the questions I've been wondering about and have received lots of good info. Quite often I am searching the archives for answers to some of my questions so that the long time posters don't get sick of repeating themselves. This forum is one of the first places I go, every day! :bgrin

 

[MiniHoofBeats]

Yup =) daily ritual!!

 

[Whitewave]

I have found many things on here to be very helpful with my Mini knowledge, I too have years experiance with large horses and have found that there really is a difference in things done with the Mini's....I have tried to listen to what other have said and then use my judgement as to which way I will use what I have learned...I very rarely post due to the fact at times I'm scared of asking a question and having those that are or have been in the business alot longer than I (mini business) come back with smart remarks that may not seem to be harsh from thier point of view but from one newbie to another it does come across very harsh...Therefore i just lurk and read and seldom respond.... I truly have learned alot and thank those that are willing to help out us Newbies to understand others point of views. Maybe we Newbie should say at the beginning of our posts "hey I'm new, and I qot a question" maybe then remarks made to our answers will not come across as so harsh. Thanks again to all of you for posting here on this forum and sharing your years of experiance with all us newbies that have to start somewhere. This is a great place to start to learn.Thanks again to all of you !

 

[sassy1]

I have been lurking for some time now, :saludando: and although I don't show my girls as Miniature Horses, I find the information on the site interesting and educational.

I enjoy seeing other people's foals and like the tips and friendly hints etc.

Here in Australia, we have Miniature Horse classes and Miniature Pony classes.

I show in the Miniature Pony classes as my girls are (I believe) more pony type than Horse type.

I am interested in what's happening in the Miniature Horse world. I also judge both Miniature Horse and Miniature Pony classes at some Agricultural Shows.

These are some photos of my girls -

Aaron Park I'm a Q.T. (32.25") & Aaron Park I'm N.V.S. (30.25") [measured at top of withers]

And flip sides!

And no they are not in foal - just need more work! :bgrin

 

[SouthernHorseWoman]

I found this forum through another member posting on another forum I belong to. I am not so new to horses, but very new to learning anything about Miniature Horses. I read a few articles, saw pictures in a breed book, etc. but honestly I did not realize what beautiful, versatile little horses they can be! I am also an Arabian fan (since I can remember) and recently saw some Miniatures that looked very like them, which sparked my interest. Hunting around, I found that Miniatures jump, do a variety of in-hand classes, drive, show at liberty, etc. which I never realized. The more I learn, the more interested I became so after lurking for a few weeks, I joined yesterday. :bgrin

I even put a little disclaimer in my signature so hopefully people will not get too annoyed at me. I ask a LOT of questions when I want to learn.

:

 

[nassaunellie]

I find this forum very informative and helpful. There's nothing like asking those that have a lot of experience to share what's worked for them. Like anything else, you have to gleen out what you think is the best information for your situation. Also, I tend to do more reading than posting and I love the pictures. I haven't quite figured out how to post pictures of my own yet but I really haven't had time to look into either.

Wendy

 

[minifarmgirl]

Hi Frankie, I just joined the forum last month. I got my first mini two years ago, so I still have much to learn. I have found the forum to be a great help so far. I learn something new just about every day. I find the people to be friendly and helpful. I am especially enjoying the photos. Great experience for me so far. Thanks!

:

 

[REO]

I'm glad the coconut helped!

:

 

[shane]

WELL I JOINED BACK IN OCTOBER AND TO BE HONEST IVE BECAME VERY SAD :no: BECAUSE I USED TO HAVE A LIFE UNTIL I FOUND THIS PLACE LOL :bgrin I HAVE TO SAY I LOVE IT,WE MAY NOT ALL GET ON SOMETIMES BUT THATS WHAT MAKES IT INTERESTING,ID LOVE TO SEE MORE POSTS FROM NEW MEMBERS THOUGH AS I THINK ITS REFREASHING TO GO OVER NEW GROUND AND OLD,IVE MET LOADS OF NEW FRIENDS HERE AND CONTACTED ONES IVE HEARD OF AND NEVER SPOKEN TOO, AND GOTTEN GREAT ADVISE,I JUST HOPE ILL BE AROUND TO POST MY 4000 ONE

: THIS IS THE FIRST PLACE I COME TO IN THE MORNING,AND THE LAST PLACE I COME TO AT NIGHT,I THINK MY HUBBY THINKS IVE MET SOMEONE AND AM GOING TO RUN OFF, CUZ I DONT COMPLAIN ABOUT HIM HAVING THE REMOTE ANYMORE HAHA :bgrin I DO SERIOUSLY THINK THIS IS THE BEST PLACE TO COME IF YOUVE GOT A MINI :aktion033:

 

[horsehug]

Sassy 1, Your little black and white horses are just beautiful! ))

Susan O.

 

[Mijke]

:aktion033: :aktion033: :aktion033:

Frankie, I'm a professional 'lurker'...and WOW...what a great forum this is for a mini-addict!! Endless lurking is possible overhere!

I do read, search and learn so much here. Sometimes you think you know it (almost) all, and then you read the advises given here, alternatives, personal opinions, tips, new insights...

Grooming, showing, breeding, foaling, ilness, colour, genetics (need I go on..

: ). Reading all those topics make me realise, every day, that I probably will never stop learning. And it is so much fun to gain more knowledge, and I have all of you to thank for that! :aktion033:

It also is great to realise that there are members from all over the world, what makes it even more interesting (for me anyway).

And one of the things I respect and admire deeply is the way the members support eachother and give eachother comfort in bad and sad days and events in their lifes. On the other hand, it is also great to see the happiness and joy people can share and the good wishes to the other.

: It creates a warm 'family-feeling'. (And most families are filled with support, love, disagreements, flames, understanding, respect etc.).

Everybody is entitled to their own opinion, and I think it's great that there are disagreements (I think those are probably the times we can learn the most from eachother). But I hope it will not scare of persons (like I read) to post or respond...

: So a BIG thank you to all of you who make my lurking such an interesting, touching and fun event :aktion033:

I hope to make more contributions to the forum in the future, and hope they will be worthwile

:

: And p.s.....I love the fact that so many photo's are placed in the topics! It makes it often more understandable and educational...and cute (like the foals

: )

 

[sedeh]

Great post Carolyn! It's so nice to see some fresh "faces" for a change. I've been on the forum for about a year now and still feel like a newbie I'm learning so much. I have become totally addicted not only because of the information I learn but because of the warm, caring people on this forum. I find something that brings tears of joy or sorrow to my eyes almost every day. I have to admit.....I love the controversial posts and the arguments and flames too. It's like our very own soap opera....and I don't watch soaps but I sure am hooked on this forum! Love you guys. :bgrin

 

[Joyce]

Beautiful horses Sassy and I'm really enjoying what the newbies are saying here. I know I visit this site just about every day sometimes more than once and I've been on here for a few years and in minis since 1985. A great place to be.

Joyce

 

[pepperhill]

I come here almost everyday to see what's new. I just love how many different ways there are to do things, and that people are willing to share so much info. Although I have had minis for years (not as long as some of you :lol I still find something new to add to my little black book of notes almost every time I am here, especially since I have started to breed them. I really don't have anyone else in my area that is into minis so this is a wonderful sounding board for me. All of you are such good, caring people. I'm so glad I found this place! Thank-you, Linda

 

[Buckskin gal]

Carolyn, Thanks for wanting to know about the newer members. :aktion033: :aktion033: I joined the forum less than a year ago and enjoy, tremendously, all the help, opinions and advice that is shared by knowledgeable people. Jane, Lyn, and others have a lot to share and even if I don't agree with everything they say, what they say is always given consideration. Yes there can be snippiness at times but I think as I have learned about the different personalities of different members I have learned to just accept that most mean well, even though it may not always sound the best!

: I had to learn to develop a little thicker skin and now snippiness and the off humor of some just don't bother me. Without this forum and the people who are so knowledgeable we would be missing a lot!

: Those of you that are sincere in helping others learn, deserve a big pat on the back and lots of hugs.

: I always refer newcomers that I meet that are interested in minis to this board. Mary Lou provides a wonderful service and the members keep it so worthwhile! Just can't say enough good about it! Mary