Well, Bravestorm was banned from this board. There was a reason because the Mods don’t just ban quickly. It seems that the new alter started up right when EMG shut down.
I will miss the classifieds and the vet forum.
I won’t believe this is true unless we (the EMG’rs) receive some sort of official notification. It is strange however that it would take this long to “fix” the spammer problem. It was a great resource for all of us…there would be no reason that I can possibly think of not to get it back and running ASAP. If someone from Equiman could confirm the status for all of us here on COTH that would be greatly appreciated.
That’s really unfortunate. I really like the Canadian and Ontario specific threads, the classifieds, and ask the vet.
It was so much easier to go through the ads on EMG vs scrolling through the pages on the Ontario horses for sale, tack for sale, etc. groups on facebook.
You would think they would have the decency to post it on their site rather than send emails to some members… I just checked my spam folder and there is nothing… oh well…
[QUOTE=Preposterous Ponies!;7765902]
You can always go to the Muck Bucket! It is Canadian.
http://www.themuckbucket.com/forum.php
Or here. Here is good too![/QUOTE]
A board is only what the members make it. Want more classifieds on TMB, then post things for sale. Want a certain discussion, start a thread. A board is only what the members contribute, if only a few contribute then it may seem like a “personal” board, but the more people that post, the more it will grow.
I will have to check out Muck Bucket. I’ve heard of it and even read it a few times but for some reason didn’t realize it was Canadian.
Muck Bucket is not good…Im sure someone else could design a more user friendly easy reading board like Coth!
[QUOTE=Jealoushe;7767723]
Muck Bucket is not good…Im sure someone else could design a more user friendly easy reading board like Coth![/QUOTE]
If you are complaining about the software - It is very common BB software, I believe it is the same software that COTH uses here…
If you’re complaining about the people - well to each his own.
I’ll be sad if this is the case. OP, can you copy and paste the email you received from equiman?
They replied to my request about when the board was coming back up and said and it was not coming back up. If you want additional confirmation contact them yourselves. Just thought that everyone deserved to know what was going on as I was wondering.
I found their “new barn/new trainer” section on EMG really useful on several occasions. I’ll miss it.
I don’t think that they arbitrarily sent out an email.
On another board the OP stated that she had been emailing them looking for an update. I have also seen her asking them on FB.
Maybe EMG just replied to stop the inquiries?
Here is the response you have been waiting for:
Good day everyone
I am writing this email to let you all know what has gone on with the EMG bulletin boards as well as myself.
Over the years we (moderators, board users, owners and many in the equine industry) have seen many changes come about as a result of the internet. When the boards first started there wasn’t even Facebook or Twitter!!! If you can imagine that. The boards were the extent of the social outreach. Now with Social Media being what it is the role that the bulletin boards plays in the Equine Industry is a valued tool to many but a very time consuming tool to run.
I myself have spent 11+ years with the board. And if I calculate the hours that have been put into it by just myself it’s as insane as calculating how much it actually costs to own a horse. Now just think of how many moderators we have.
I’ve heard people say that sponsors on the boards are a money maker for Equiman. What I need you to keep in mind is that it cost money to run the boards. And with sponsors can at times be much like a board of directors. There is a sense of responsible obligations to sponsors
We love that they spend money so we can sit in our living rooms and socialize for free and thank them the money they have spent to let us do this. Does it MAKE money for Equiman…only he can answer that but I doubt the boards are a money maker.
Which brings us to where we are today. Over recent months myself as well as a couple of other moderators have seen insane increases in our data plans that we gobble up on our devices to do the volunteer stuff for EMG. So we end up paying out of our pockets.
I’ve been a control freak with board access over the years but we’ve seen increased attacks from spammers etc. And without putting in those insane hours to keep the walls built high we’ve seen what can happen.
The fact of the matter is running a board is a lot. And one with as many people trying to register as we have realistically could fill a job. Does the board make enough money to support an employee dedicated to it. Likely not.
I’ve sat at horse shows waiting for my kids to go in the ring only to miss them because I’ve been dealing with a spammer…so in mid August I tendered my resignation. And I’d put a lot of thought into this. I didn’t want to do it. I’d explained all of my concerns to Equiman. Including the fact that we would have to spend some $$ on updating the program. 2 other moderators shared my resignation.
Equiman while prepping for some big shows has a lot on his plate. I am only sending this email as my personal thoughts. I do not represent Equiman’s thoughts on this. And the Royal is not too far off. Then Pan-Am.
I love the boards like a kid. But I’ve had to let it go to tend to my own growing family, horses, dogs, job etc. Equiman decided to pull the pin on the boards to what it is now until the time is right for him to dedicate time to review the entire situation as part of the business.
Can I answer when this will be? No.
I, as well as the departed moderators do apologize for the vacancy this has left with all of you. Notice not being given on it going down was beyond our control. Delays in being in touch with everyone might be on me but again I only represent a volunteer.
I look forward to crossing paths with you in the future. Don’t be a stranger. And I wish the Equestrian Management Group all the best and can’t wait to get out to check out the new grounds!!! 2015 will be a very busy year for EMG!!!
April (aka Tandy)
Thanks caper (Tandy) for letting us know what is happening. Thanks too for all the years/months/weeks/days/hours etc you spent keeping the BB afloat. It will be missed.
Take care,
Critters
Perhaps many of the EMG ers will move over to The Muck Bucket so that the Canadian forum may grow with more chat, better classifieds, helping riders and owners grow in their horsemanship etc etc. The more active and knowledgeable members the board has, the better it will become.
Awww Tandy, we will miss you.
I thought you moderated that board with a ton of good sense and class.
There’s a handful of us that have been friends since 2007 or 2008 because of that board.
I started writing again because of it.
I have no doubt that spammers or not, there were times that board could only have been a gigantic pain. There were also tons of laughs.
Like the times the calvary had to charge in and rescue some poor soul being victimized by cyber bullies.
How about Noodle’s post asking if we all thought she could transport a round bale on the top of an SUV? That one went viral and wound up on Fugly.
I guess for me and my compadres, the defining moments would be the Passions at Palgrave oeuvres - the skittering fictional ramblings of a bunch of us involving the pretty blue bottle, evil forces controlling animals via glinty things and for me in particular, Arlo the Barncat.
Eleven years is a long time, so I doubt you’ll forget it any time soon, but you are right to let it go if it interferes with time you spend with your children. My daughter got married this summer, trust me, it goes by in the twinkling of an eye. Don’t miss a second.
Thank you Tandy, and Critters and all the Mods over the years (the Mod Squad) for all the fun you facilitated and moderated. I suppose we will all move on, that’s what people do. But it will never be the same again.
All the best,
Gingersmom.
[QUOTE=Gingersmom;7769688]
Awww Tandy, we will miss you.
I thought you moderated that board with a ton of good sense and class.
There’s a handful of us that have been friends since 2007 or 2008 because of that board.
I started writing again because of it.
I have no doubt that spammers or not, there were times that board could only have been a gigantic pain. There were also tons of laughs.
Like the times the calvary had to charge in and rescue some poor soul being victimized by cyber bullies.
How about Noodle’s post asking if we all thought she could transport a round bale on the top of an SUV? That one went viral and wound up on Fugly.
I guess for me and my compadres, the defining moments would be the Passions at Palgrave oeuvres - the skittering fictional ramblings of a bunch of us involving the pretty blue bottle, evil forces controlling animals via glinty things and for me in particular, Arlo the Barncat.
Eleven years is a long time, so I doubt you’ll forget it any time soon, but you are right to let it go if it interferes with time you spend with your children. My daughter got married this summer, trust me, it goes by in the twinkling of an eye. Don’t miss a second.
Thank you Tandy, and Critters and all the Mods over the years (the Mod Squad) for all the fun you facilitated and moderated. I suppose we will all move on, that’s what people do. But it will never be the same again.
All the best,
Gingersmom.[/QUOTE]
Yes my dear friend Ginges…so well said. Will miss EMG, but life is so fleeting and must be lived well.
Good night Ms. April-Tandy wherever you are…
I, too, will miss EMG for many of the reasons stated by Gingersmom and Dee-Vee. All of us participated in the Passions at Palgrave novelettes - can’t tell you how many times I’d write something and think to myself, I wonder if Tandy’s gonna let this fly…’ and I’d close my eyes and hit enter.
I also remember a few skirmishes and some full-on battles but there was also one huge hellova (can I say that here?) lotta laughs, excellent advice, hugely popular classifieds and just a world of information.
On behalf of Clyde, Dale and myself, I want to thank you, Tandy, for your years of dedication to the EMG bulletin board. You and the board will be missed.
Another one who wants to publicly thank Tandy for her years of work on the EMG forum, and for putting up with the shenanigans with humour and class. 
Thanks to Tandy and all the moderators and of course Equiman himself. However the fact is that many of us (OK showing my age here) do not use Facebook, Twitter or other social media so EMG was really my only source of horse info and entertainment throughout many years. I sincerely hope it does come back up and running. It would have been very thoughtful though to have something official posted on the EMG site itself as not everyone visits here…
Gotta admit, Cherham, I was thinking the same thing - it would have been nice to see something on the website.
