Yes, but what happens when a trainer is using a ban to hide genuinely nefarious practices?
Also, even on these forums how many times has an endless post spiral been clarified with a video?
I’m of the opinion that there should be no videos or photos taken at a barn unless it’s at the request of the person who is the subject of the video/photo or taken by their relative/guardian. Photos for vets and quick questions re: tack, etc. as someone described upthread I have no issue with.
The reason for my opinion is that someone videoed me without my knowledge or permission and posted it to social media - not sure if there were any comments as I wasn’t aware of the platform used; only that someone mentioned seeing it to me. I was horrified due to the fact that I HAD seen photos of myself on my horse taken by a friend and I was extremely embarrassed by the way I looked. In my heyday, I was a pretty decent rider, was effective and looked good on a horse. During the years since that time, I had gained weight and also was suffering from neck muscles that were atrophying with the result that I could no longer hold my head up for any extended period. I was also suffering from undiagnosed (at the time) congestive heart failure. I stopped riding shortly after that video was posted because of the decline of my abilities and have not ridden since, almost 10 years ago.
I was well aware of most of my physical decline. however I did NOT need it publicly posted. I was not going to the barn to have my privacy invaded - and that’s exactly what happens when a photo or video is taken without permission.
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This thread has once again affirmed my belief that the majority of people can’t help but abuse what could be a good thing. Not only do I think cell phones should be banned at the barns, I will go a step further and say that picture taking, video, internet access, emailing and texting capabilities be eliminated from all phones.
A cell phone-- that just makes phone calls is about all that people can use without causing harm to others. If you want to video do it the old fashioned way and set up your video camera. That way people know and no surprises.
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Let them ban cell phones. That’s fine. If someone is trying to out a sicko horse abuser (they deserve to be), cameras come in all shapes and sizes. Doesn’t have to be a cell phone. They come disguised as pens, buttons, glasses, etc. If you (g) want to catch an abuser in the act and put it out there for everyone to see, you don’t need a cell phone.
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No firsthand experience with that so no idea. Only have firsthand experience with posting videos of somebody else’s minor child with negative, commentary, mean girl crap and misrepresentation of who owned the horse featured in a video.
Seeing any nefarious practices would have me heading out elsewhere.
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Yeah, but “I’d just move” doesn’t help the people who might go there after (or who might not fully understand how bad things are).
What about all the photos of those poor starved horses at that one retirement farm, when that woman was exposed? A photo can tell a thousand words.
The examples of internet bullying people are bringing up can occur in any context, not just the barn.
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I think from a safety standpoint that an outright cell phone ban is problematic. I would want everyone, including minors, to be able to call for help if needed. I do think that having a written social media policy, outlining what can and can’t be done on barn property is a good idea. People, kids especially, can easily lose sight of how nasty people on the internet can be. At one time I followed a young equestrian, whose account was run by mom, that got just crushed by people who just had nasty things to say. Everything from the kid only rode the easy ponies to the ponies were dangerous and that mom was going to get the kid killed. At least two or three times a year mom had to remind everyone to be kind !! I don’t think anyone should be exposed to the negative effects of social media without their permission.
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Not to derail- so? Does it matter if it is an xrail or a 1.50 jump if it is of themselves? Let them celebrate whatever they feel are accomplishments. Why the hate?
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Just in case there is a misunderstanding, my barns did not ban cell phones. They banned taking videos of riders without the permission of the rider or their parent on cell or other device.
They had social media policies and one lady was shown the door for trashing other clients and misrepresenting who owned what horse. Nobody missed her but felt sorry for her daughter.
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It’s not hate. It’s too much oversharing. 1/2 the stuff I 'd be mortified to post publicly. I had to tell a kid once you did not win anything - ‘You did well’ when they did a class in a mock show at a boarding barn that has a riding for the handicapped program … and they came out shouting I WON. I WON!
So call me a meanie and what else names you have for me. My kids were raised to not claim the spotlights. They quietly ‘did well.’
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Blockquote
p.s. Cesar, you’re up there with Valliere and Ward in the awful people…
I saw the video of him training and definitely did not like his behavior, but have I missed another incident, has he killed horses? Asking honestly.
I was raised to be mortified to post publicly that I put a handicapped kid “in their place” at a fun show….
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@Mander Nope it wasn’t a handicapped kid - it was a boarder kid I helped that was athletic and capable but a novice rider. It was a barn show for the handicapped program. They let others ride too. Should have done Hors Concour.
You folks are quick to pull the trigger.
My comment was just an aside about cell cameras at the barn - just take it back to the matter of abuse.
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Ouch. If you don’t want to see someone celebrating their x rail achievement then you can always unfollow since the height bothers you
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In a dwindling sport, focusing on building our base and INCLUSION- doing well is just as important as winning. Doing well is its own celebration. Sorry you are too bitter to appreciate people can just be happy with getting around and a job well done.
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I don’t ‘follow’ anyone. I am not on FB, etc. And didn’t I just say I’m an avid you did well supporter.
Let it go. Let it go.
cringe
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I think this action, sneakily taking video of someone else to trash them, is vastly different from posting videos of yourself and being proud of a what seems like to others a insignificant accomplishment. Although overall I disagree with banning cellphones in barns.
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Banning cellphones is dangerous. Cellphones are a safety device and have saved lives, enabling people to call for help, and that can include showing a photograph of where you are and your injury.
It can also be useful to shoot a photo or video to an owner, “is this normal for your horse,” or to an outside trainer for feedback. And yes, I think people should have the right to post photos about themselves online. Or a newbie taking a tour of a new barn posting photos to a friend (privately) and asking “is this normal”?
Posting photos online of other people without their permission is a totally different issue. If that happens, and is brought to the trainer’s attention, I would have no problem with a barn policy that doing so is a “firing” offense from the barn–i.e., if you do this to a fellow boarder, you’re out. All of the examples of cyber-bulling here certainly would fall under that category.
But I have no problem with people posting photos of abusive training, either, although, as with everything online, you have to remember people can have an agenda (positive or negative).
Honestly, though, if a barn was really anti-cellphone, that would make me suspicious. I’ve had non-horsey friends post photos of themselves riding on, say, a trail ride or on vacation–photos of themselves, ethically–and based on the conditions of the horses and tack in some photos I would never ride at those places.
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I believe some of the examples of posting vids and pics on line to criticize or demean a person falls into the area of Safe Sport violations ( bullying) . Trainers are wise to have policies in place and make very clear such activity would not be tolerated
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