Why are you upset again?

I breed high dollar labs and all but one is couch potatoe material to the core.  One hunts when it's not "too cold."  I like that as a breeder, some hunting dogs are treated like property.

What's wrong with treating your horse nice?  Don't you want them to treat you nice?  I got bucked off once and the darned horse came back and nudged me until I got up off the ground, kinda like he was saying he was sorry and he was just playing around.  I'd rather have them like me than run off knowing I'm going to be rough with them everytime we meet...I really hate chasing them down!

Really, what is the point??  I really don't think it matters how spoiled someone's horses are, as long as they are caring for them.  We all have different views and levels of "spoiling" our horses.  My horses are my sanity, and I couldn't imagine life without them.  After a bad day, my horses are always there for me.

 John Lyons previous travel partner "Bright Zip" was one of the most spoiled horses I have ever seen, he was also one of the most amazing horses I ever had the privledge of meeting.  I think your a little jealous that your friend can afford "high dollar" pets??? 

As for adopting from rescue or shelter, sure that's great, but if your friend chose to purchase a dog, I fail to see a problem as long as he provides for them. 

I applaud the fact that you must have purchased all your horses from the killer pen at the sale barn and all your pets are rescue's or shelter animals. 

Best of luck

Wait a minute here. I think you are missing the point.

I for one have seen too many people treat their horses like family members. A horse is a horse and needs to be treated as a horse. That doesn't mean that I abuse the horse or that I don't have a relationship with them. You all teach your horses not to invade your space, not to kick or nip you like they do with pasture mates. When I enter the coral they come and they face me. I am the alpha not an equal.

I give my horses the best care I can. Regular vet visit. All the annual shots. ( I can't remember the last Flu shot or vacination I had) Good quality feed, regular exercise, regular scheduled farrier visit. Frequent apple or carrot treats. Good scratches and brush downs. But I don't treat them like family members. Maybe I'm an old softy, but my five daughter all too often get their way. With the horses there is no discussion about what I ask of them. Obey or get popped on the butt with the end of the lead rope.

Maybe that's the point the original poster was talking about. Too many people love horses and let them step on their toes. And maybe I misread the original post.

Youngbuck your most recent post explains what you meant in the first post better.  I agree about not allowing your horse to eat stuff on the trail as it could be poisioness or become a safety issue and it's just rude as it could cause the horse in back to run into you, etc.   I've heard many people say, "oh they won't eat it if it's poisoness."  Yeah right - I bought a book on poisoness plants & trees and was amazed how many there really are that are potentially a problem - even apple seeds in too large a quantity.  And that same horse will eat 100 pounds of grain if given the chance. 

I don't know where besides Fla it grows, but there is a vine called a Rosary Pea that has these hard red seeds with a black dot on them that are so highly poisoness that ONE will kill a horse or a human.  There is NO antidote, so if you eat one and the hard shell breaks, you'll die. It can be found all over Fla and I see it everywhere.  Now that is good enough reason not to allow your horse to eat anything along the trail.  My humble apologies for sorta hijacking the thread.

I also don't allow my horse to use me for a rubbing post, though I see many that do. Respect is the key.

I think youngbuck explained a little more, and seems like a genuine and nice person.  Think about it, a jerk that didn't care 2 cents for horses wouldn't be posting on a message site like this anyway!!!

We just all have to agree to disagree sometimes!  I spoil my horse more than my friends, and less than my neighbor.  Are any of us wrong??  Just depends on your opinion, and we all have different ones!  I bet youngbuck's horses are great at what they do and VERY well cared for.

Diane