| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| tiny |
Posted - 13 Aug 2010 : 10:01:21 PM
What happened to the Arabian Lines i joined?? The one where you could get great help and advice from the more knowlegable, where you could get involved in a lively debate without the fear of someone jumping down your throat.
it has a real feel of them vs us these days and there is a general feeling that if your not in the AL clique you must be a bad and cruel horse owner.
just lately some of the so called advice on here has been quite horrific and obviously given by people not living in the real world.
i used to use this site regualy and always enjoyed it very much but have noticed a decline in those voicing there oppinion and it always seems to be same few time and time again and these people are blinkered into thinking that their way is the only way and there seems no room for anyone elses oppinion anymore which is a terrible shame as pople are missing the wisdom and experience of some great people.
did we not all join this forum because we shared a passion for these amazing horses instead all that seems to have happened is the arab world is getting a bigger and bigger divide.
so now while the regulars polish their halos and warm up their keyboards ready to jump down my throat i'm off to sharpen my horns and measure my very broad shoulders.....
oh and before we all get paranoid i wasn't thinking of any one person in particular but the membership as a whole
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| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| sazzlepants71 |
Posted - 16 Aug 2010 : 2:22:39 PM
I know what you mean... I adore AL and have made some wonderful friends whom I have met offline 
cyberspace is peculiar sometimes and I think people can create opinions of you almost..even though you have never met!!!  sometimes I think, am I ALLOWED to post on this topic or will people laugh at what my thoughts & feelings are..or be unpleasant
thats not very nice -
but, I have to say I have had friendly welcoming posts in the past so I shouldnt be to much of a grump !
with life as hard as it is at times, its great to have a space to escape too.. to talk about arabians!
long may it continue  |
| Kazzy |
Posted - 16 Aug 2010 : 12:36:36 PM
I think it has its ups and downs. Sometimes loads of people post for weeks on end then nothing for a while, people have busy lives (well apart from me off work for 6 weeks) and poeple do post on Facebook aswell
I think this forum is one of the busier ones that I go on, some forums you can leave for a month and go back and the same threads are still on page one!!
And its always the same after every Malvern/Towerlands same people come on here moaning and we go over the same thing everytime, I cant complain because I have had a go this time, but mainly because of the H & H getting involved and making a mountain out of a molehill!!
Janet |
| marionpack |
Posted - 16 Aug 2010 : 12:12:01 PM
I agree, I think it has changed and its nothing to do with the running of the site as admin do a great job, there are a lot of people who used to post on here that don't any more and it is a shame, it could be facebook, maybe they just don't have time anymore, I would certainly miss reading all the posts, but if I didn't do this at work I wouldn't have as much time to do it at home as there are so many other things that need doing, especially in the summer, Keep up the good work Admin |
| proctorclaire |
Posted - 15 Aug 2010 : 9:25:32 PM
I only joined Arabian Lines a few months back and I can already see alot of members are in a little groups together and always leave comments on posts together but I have had alot of good advice on here. I come on everyday and love wee updates on all the horses, despite the fact I don't know any of them. |
| pat day |
Posted - 15 Aug 2010 : 2:33:00 PM
I think the change is for a number of reasons.
The three main ones are,..... I think??.....
a) Years ago, we all seemed to know each other, personally, as well as being friends over the Internet. I would have put my life in the hands of most of the members at that time.
b) The monitoring has had to be tougher mainly because of the threats of legal proceedings, and that in turn, has upset some members when their posts have been altered, removed or whatever.
c) Some have personal hidden agenda,s, and we have to try and see through this, whether it be in a form of advertising OR getting at another member over personal issues, its all very difficult.
I would hate to lose A/Lines, it is up to us to make sure that Paula and Rui are shown their worth by supporting them with our loyalty, and we give them no cause for concern.
Will finish by saying...
Sensible debate is good, insulting debate is bad. |
| bridie |
Posted - 15 Aug 2010 : 1:13:40 PM
I agree....as much as I love AL its just not the same.
I miss the guys who like me cant be bothered to post anymore.....I visit most days for a look around but its getting dismal on here.
Its not a reflection on Paula etc.....they do a great job.....its just that its boring.
AL`s sucess was due to its brilliant members....simple, now those guys have gone what is left???
Im afraid I stopped posting when all the begging posts were going on, I complained only to be told a precedent had been set with the first one so Admin allowed others to follow. I know people here are good hearted and will keep giving & giving.....but I hated to think of these genuine guys being ripped off.
Its such a shame that we have lost so many valued posters......I miss them 
Mandy |
| linda |
Posted - 15 Aug 2010 : 08:15:01 AM
I love Arabianlines and also appreciate the wonderful and hard work by the admin team who run this site for us
But I also agree with Claire and therefore do not post much these days, not because I am worried about being jumped on, I just can't be bothered to get into ridiculous debates with them,
It is easy to work out who the "clique" is, just read most topics
If, anyone does anything that they do not practice themselves,
It is wrong! I sometimes wonder if they sit at the computer all day waiting for a new topic to appear,
Lx |
| JESSIEMAE |
Posted - 14 Aug 2010 : 9:46:27 PM
Love AL and without this site and it's members, I wouldn't have my lovely Montana with me now, all safe and sound!
I have to be honest and haven't noticed any 'cliques'.
However, I do feel that lots of forums in general are not now quite so active due to the social networking sites such as Facebook, which in my case is such a shame as I hate Facebook...ha ha!
Admin, keep up the good work, one of the things I admire most about this forum is the fact that it is so well moderated and I for one, do find the knowledge and helpfulness of it's members, quite simply the best.
Liza
x |
| kastell |
Posted - 14 Aug 2010 : 9:32:38 PM
I think Arabian Lines is great too & think admin do a very good job keeping an eye on everyone! Yes some posts can get a bit heated but as long as it doesn't become personal I don't mind, as at the end of the day everyone has a right to their own opinion! |
| angel2002 |
Posted - 14 Aug 2010 : 9:03:08 PM
I will start by saying Paula & Rui, you have both been more than helpful to me in the past so I thank you loads 
I don't feel that Claire is 'knocking' Admin, she is saying that this isn't the same Forum it once was and I have to agree  There are certain 'groups' on here that do seem to gang up on people when it suits them. Only certain people can speak their mind, if others dare they are burnt at the stake
With reference what Claire says about the advice given on here.....She is right, some given is unbelievable if not out-right dangerous and if you dare try and tell them that what they are being told is wrong.........Make sure you are ready for the fireworks!
I am sure the 'usual suspects' will clock onto this topic soon and the knives will be out....Just going to sharpen mine now 
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| vjc |
Posted - 14 Aug 2010 : 7:39:22 PM
I also think AL is a great site, and i can only imagine the hard work that goes on behind the scenes. There is nothing wrong with a heated debate as long as it does not get personal, after all if we all sang from the same hymn sheet how boring it would seem.
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| Goldenmane |
Posted - 14 Aug 2010 : 7:28:26 PM
I LOVE Arabianlines...wish it was here 30 years ago when I bought my first Arabian. I think all horse people are slightly strange () and that we should read and learn and ignore any bad manners. I don't know about cliques, don't care, but know I'm not the only crazy person who adores all our horses, animals and is able to share our opinions! |
| barbara.gregory |
Posted - 14 Aug 2010 : 5:45:23 PM
Well, we all know those who flounce off in huff when someone disagrees with them (spoilt child throwing his/her toys out of the pram springs to mind!) but it is better to just ignore them. As others have said, we all have our own opinions on how things should be done and obviously we all think we are right; we just need to remember that those with a different view may be equally correct.
I had Claire come to see my horses today, lovely lady, nice to meet you at last, and I hope you come again. We were talking about how we managed our horses and we shared similar views. My horses (particularly one of my stallions) and her horses hate being out in bad weather and ask to come in. There is a view that the only way horses should be kept is out 24/7 and she said "They should ask my gelding, he would tell them different". Well said, Claire; like people all horses are different and being a true "horseman" is to listen to your horse and accomodate him as far as possible.
I have learnt a lot on here and also read a lot of what I would class as utter rubbish but, hey, if people want to write rubbish, fine; I am sure there are some reading this who will class it as rubbish.
Admin, thank you for a great site and to those who post on here, keep doing so and ignore the "I'm always right" brigade.
Barbara |
| saddlebred |
Posted - 14 Aug 2010 : 4:58:43 PM
Well - I dont personally know anyone here so definitely not in any clique.
I also dont have a purebred Arab so keep boring everyone about my palominos - but I have always felt very welcome.
Generally, people are very knowledgable and supportive and it is very well organised. Long may it run and thankyou to admin for all their hard work. |
| Fee |
Posted - 14 Aug 2010 : 09:08:08 AM
I think the folks on here and the admin make this the best forum by far
I think problems arise when people attack people rather than the points/opinions they are putting forward. In addition when people put forward their ideas/beliefs and those are attacked they may take it personally because they feel those points are 'them', very complex! Usually when people feel they cannot back up their argument or have lost their argument the mud starts to get flung, very sad. And yes, also debating in writing is always going to be harder!
I just tend to stay clear of such things unless it's something I feel I know something about or have a strong opinion/belief about but even then I must be prepared to have my argument torn to shreds and say 'touche' so long as I'm personally not attacked or little 'comments' made to me. But then, I think if you are entering a debate you should have good strong points to put forward and if you feel they have been fair and squarely beaten then you have learned and probably will change your opinion! Nothing wrong there.
Sorry just some random thoughts before heading off to the horses |
| Fleas |
Posted - 14 Aug 2010 : 12:16:01 AM
I love this site, and I dont even own an Arab but still feel welcome where I can post on something! |
| tiny |
Posted - 14 Aug 2010 : 12:12:39 AM
Nobody is knocking the work done on here by the admin, I understand what hard work it must be and also realise alot of the good things that have been achieved on here by the members. Saying this i do stand by everything else i have previously stated-this forum is no longer the friendly welcoming place it used to be and this is due to some sort of weird clique that appears to have formed on here in recent times. It is sad and i live in hope that things will one day return to how they were..... |
| Callisto |
Posted - 14 Aug 2010 : 12:05:01 AM
Admin, I would just like to express my appreciation for your sterling work - I for one have gained a great deal from this site - thank you for making it possible |
| natntaz |
Posted - 13 Aug 2010 : 11:50:14 PM
Admin, I for one think you do a great job
You cant please all of the people all of the time
I always enjoy coming on here and to be honest i think
people get fed up with other people not with the work
you are doing. Unfortunatly people will never agree with
everything each other are saying but i think we all should
remind our selves that discussion is good mud slinging and
bitching dont help anyone. That said i do think that when
it comes to cruelty and stuff as long as it is truth it should
be put out there for all to make up there own minds
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| Admin |
Posted - 13 Aug 2010 : 11:31:28 PM
10 years of running AL, we have helped hundreds of people. As a group we may disagree, get misunderstood and sometimes type when sitting on our hands would be far the best policy. BUT we do provide a place for people to talk, share, get together, and discuss almost any topic. To say there is no help here is unjustified and actually unfair. Behind the scenes people work tirelessly on behalf of the people and the site as a whole.
Helping people - Tsunami - AL raised 20,000£ towards this thanks to its members. Do we all forget the other countless times AL members have pulled together to help others and their horses? Members have saved show classes and even rescued each other from heartache.
Profiles of our users now are checked, so that you know that people are real, not hiding behind a name. AL was possibly the first forum to say, we want your details so we know you are who you say you are. WHY? Because we care about our members.
Sometimes running AL is a totally thankless task, but we have never once put pen to paper to express this or complain to or about members showing little if any appreciation for us running a site TOTALLY for you all to use.
I shall now go back to sitting on my hands ! |
| mirage |
Posted - 13 Aug 2010 : 10:47:05 PM
I agree Claire. It is very unfortunate but it is not a very friendly place any more. A lot of the comments made are less than constructive and often presumptuous. Many of the core Arab owners and breeders rarely post on here any more and I feel that it is a great loss for those who are new to the breed or want support and guidance. Hopefully one day things will go full circle..... |
| natntaz |
Posted - 13 Aug 2010 : 10:44:27 PM
I agree in some of what you say, people will always
have opinions right or wrong. I always post what i
believe. I think there are some people who for what
ever the reason have to put a downer on things. I know
a lot of the people who used to be on here hardly post
for many of the reasons you have said which is a shame
as we can all learn from each other.
Like others have said before, we all have the same thing
in common but in other ways that is what pushes us apart
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| Pauline |
Posted - 13 Aug 2010 : 10:37:06 PM
There were also the days when you looked at someones profile and you knew who they were and not hiding behind a log on name.
You also knew something about them, where they lived area not address, what they did eg a vet,a breeder etc
Where are the old days gone.
Pauline |
| tiny |
Posted - 13 Aug 2010 : 10:25:07 PM
Well i have found some of the advice given very blinkered and although some people have the best intentions they seem to believe their advice is the best advice and everything else is wrong they seem to forget that every persons circumstances are not the same and every horse is an individual.
I am not alone in this oppinion and have had quite a few conversations with people that feel the same. |
| Callisto |
Posted - 13 Aug 2010 : 10:12:54 PM
Umm I'm just trying to work out what the horrific advice was. Mostly I find the posts helpful and interesting - obviously not everyone shares the same views and experience, but that's life. Edited to add - if I don't think someone's opinion or advice is pertinent then I ignore it, but I have read some very good advice on here.
I must admit that some of the posts make me feel very uncomfortable when feelings run high and things get personal. I also believe that the format of posting in bare print can lead to misunderstandings - posts don't necessarily read as they were meant to. |
