Goodbye Horse Illustrated

[VTMorgan06]

I have long thought that Horse Illustrated was loosing its way, but something about the nostalgia of seeing it in my mailbox kept me renewing my subscription. Last month I thought they had hit a new low with their feature column “Is it OK to Hug Your Horse”, but when I saw it this afternoon in my mailbox I decided for sure to be done with this magazine. Their June issue features an article entitled, “Take Better Selfies at the Barn”. Really Horse Illustrated, is there nothing better to write about?

I also don’t know when they stopped using the slogan, “The Magazine for Responsible Horse Owners”, but it now bears the subtitle “Making the Most of Life with Horses”. I guess making the most of your life with your horses means hugging them and taking selfies…or both at the same time.

[Polydor]

Wow Can’t say I have picked up one in years. Mainly since they just seem to be repeats but those are both pretty basic articles.

P.

[amastrike]

Is it OK to hug your horse? Really? Sounds like something from The Onion.

[Silverbridge]

I’m not understanding the animosity toward the selfies. Or do you mean that it’s such an easy thing to do, that an article with how-to instruction is silly? That, I can kind of see.

I get lots of compliments on my selfies with my horse. I’ve even had people ask how I get the good ones. I didn’t realize the selfie was a source of consternation.

[Horseychick87]

I’m also a subscriber to HI.

I’ve become disappointed with how many fluff articles they have been putting in lately. I know it’s kind of a ‘first-timers’ type magazine, but when I was a beginner it was a great how to with plenty of tips and tricks. Now, not so much.

I do have to say I was disappointed when they quit putting in the breed posters as well a few years ago. The posters weren’t that important, but they were nice and most of the images were great for me to use as inspiration as an art student.

But now, the hug your horse and selfie thing make me shake my head.

The magazine seems to have gone down hill when their head editor Moira left (she has since passed away), then Cindy Hale became sick and had to take a break from writing as well, though I have noticed they are publishing articles from Cindy again.

I’m on the fence on whether or not I will keep my subscription, I’m always hoping things will pick back up.

[The_Country_Eventer]

When I first was getting into eventing and the english side of the sport it was really helpful for me. The step by step guides with pictures were really helpful. But, I already knew a lot of things, and always felt talked down to a bit. Just because I’m “new” doesn’t mean I’m stupid!

I quit my subscription probably 6 years ago. Haven’t missed it since!

[Juliette]

I used to love HI, but I haven’t subscribed in years. Sorry to hear of Moira’s passing, I always enjoyed her writing.

[SnicklefritzG]

[QUOTE=Silverbridge;8183527]
I’m not understanding the animosity toward the selfies. Or do you mean that it’s such an easy thing to do, that an article with how-to instruction is silly? That, I can kind of see.

I get lots of compliments on my selfies with my horse. I’ve even had people ask how I get the good ones. I didn’t realize the selfie was a source of consternation.[/QUOTE]

A lot of folks who subscribe to the magazine (or used to) wanted more in-depth and technical articles. I’m not interested in learning how to take better selfies. I want something of substance. Ok, a 1/2 page or even one page is ok, but too much of this fluff and it gets annoying.

[theblondejumper]

Oh wow, I’m so sorry to hear about Moira’s passing I loved her letters.

An old babysitter I had gave me old copies of her Horse Illustrated (gosh probably like a hundred of old back issues!) from the nineties and as a young teen I LOVED them.

I read them over and over. I loved Cindy Hale’s articles and their feature on different college girls studying animal science…it was a lot of fun to read! I haven’t read in years but oh well…figured it’s really gone down in quality a la Practical Horseman…

[Horseychick87]

I too loved reading Moira’s articles.

If anyone is interested this is a blog that tells of her passing: http://www.urbanfarmonline.com/community-building-and-resources/urban-farm-bloggers/urban-farmer-audrey-pavia/missing-moira.aspx