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Kharidian
Platinum Member
 England
4297 Posts |
 Posted - 06 Feb 2013 : 8:54:05 PM
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  Just looked on the Sales pages (no, I'm NOT looking - my two precious boys are just perfect for me) but have noticed that some advertisers have rose-tinted spectacles as horses are described as "stunning", with some people having very unrealistic expectations of their darling equines. Perhaps it is just me(?) - or perhaps the horses are stunning but the photographs do not show them to best advantage?
 Caryn
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Kharidian (Prince Sadik x Khiri)........ Alkara Cassino (H Tobago x Rose Aboud)
aka "Roger".................................... aka "Chips"
     
The first image is from an original painting by Pat Shorto.
South-East Essex |
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Vera
Membership Moderator
United Kingdom
8652 Posts |
Posted - 06 Feb 2013 : 9:04:10 PM
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| I agree, but its also true for any site that sells horses! |
    
Hampshire |
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Vik1
Platinum Member
1711 Posts |
Posted - 06 Feb 2013 : 9:27:02 PM
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I agree. I think some sellers say it as it could attract buyers who dont have that much knowledge in terms of conformation etc and then there are some people with rose tinted glasses/serious lack of knowledge. There is a newbie at my yard who recently swapped her big cobby type horse for another at a local dealer. The reason she bought big cobby horse in first place was because she thought he was flashy and quality...ahem, no offence to the lovely natured thing but he was no oil painting. She has now swapped it for a tb type that has a nice face but thats about it and obv lame! The word 'stunning' would easily attract this type of person who would be completely sucked in.
I think Im the most critical person of my 2. Yes I tell storm he is a handsome boy when I see him but realistically he will never be more than a riding club level show quality. However, I dont care because I bought him for his wonderful nature. |
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natntaz
Platinum Member
England
2919 Posts |
Posted - 06 Feb 2013 : 10:34:02 PM
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Lol Caryn perhaps we as owners see our horses as stunning !!
That said was having similar conversation the other day. Do
People really think that horses are pretty or are they illuding
There self or is beauty in the eye of the beholder.
Or is it because we all like different things.
I just know I think Arabs are the most beautifull breed but there
Are some not so pretty as others !!! |
   
Natalie Pix. Essex. Tariq ibn Radfan and Taroub |
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Kharidian
Platinum Member
England
4297 Posts |
Posted - 06 Feb 2013 : 10:51:52 PM
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Lol Nat - "some are not so pretty as others"!
Caryn |
Kharidian (Prince Sadik x Khiri)........ Alkara Cassino (H Tobago x Rose Aboud)
aka "Roger".................................... aka "Chips"
The first image is from an original painting by Pat Shorto.
South-East Essex |
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debs
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
3218 Posts |
Posted - 06 Feb 2013 : 11:01:26 PM
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Espec ially when describing stallions....  |
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pinkvboots
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
3290 Posts |
Posted - 06 Feb 2013 : 11:05:03 PM
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| Agree with Vera its on all the sites, I also hate the way some adds badly contradict from one line to another, people obviously don't read there own adverts back and think what they are actually saying, and some just make no sense at all. |
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kcv1223
Gold Member
England
651 Posts |
Posted - 06 Feb 2013 : 11:05:12 PM
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Ha ha Caryn - my favourite advertising term is "quality" It usually accompanies a photo of a large hairy also-ran. I figure if someone needs to shout it is quality, it probably isn't!  |
www.alkaraarabians.co.uk |
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Kharidian
Platinum Member
England
4297 Posts |
Posted - 06 Feb 2013 : 11:52:03 PM
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Yep, that's true Karen!
Caryn |
Kharidian (Prince Sadik x Khiri)........ Alkara Cassino (H Tobago x Rose Aboud)
aka "Roger".................................... aka "Chips"
The first image is from an original painting by Pat Shorto.
South-East Essex |
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Fee
Platinum Member
2601 Posts |
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FullCircle
Gold Member
Scotland
554 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2013 : 05:55:36 AM
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I too hate the over use of the word "stunning" when used to describe horses in adverts. It's almost like it's obligatory! Often when I look at the ads, it's usually soemthing very common looking - and I don't necessarily think one type or stamp only is "stunningn" - I can think many are. But really, some are just plain jane and don't seem to do or achieve much.
Having said that, I often see people on FB or elsewhere post photos of horses that everyone oohs and ahhhs over and call them "stunning" and it can be of a horse is ill fitting tack standing awkwardly and looking miserable. I wonder: do people say these things because they think they should to compliment the owner/rider but not really are meaning the horse in the flesh?
I know that my own horses are not everyone's cuppa tea. I know how I feel when I look at my horse too. Sometimes I look at him and I feel a lump in my throat...and other times I think "oooh dear, today you look like muffin the mule". But it doesn't *really* matter to me what others think about him because I know I adore him. So if I was advertising him, I'd have a hard time not using the word "stunning" but the truth of it is, I hate the word so much now because of it's overuse I'd use something else...
....gorgeous, exquisite, spectacular, good looking, radiant, glorious, delightful, sublime, resplendent, lovely, fair, pleasing, magnificent, spectacular, stunning, attractive, splendid, aesthetically appealing, incomparable, handsome, pleasant, excellent, pretty.....
oh dear, can I use them all LOL
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Esther
Gold Member
United Kingdom
866 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2013 : 06:32:03 AM
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I don't think I'd use stunning to describe any of ours.
When people meet Wolf, he tends to get described as 'cracking'.
When people meet Felix, he tends to be described as a 'funny little thing'.
When people meet Spud, they either describe him as 'pretty' or they very quickly realise that the world is all about Spud.
When people meet H, they say he is 'lovely'
When people meet Ol, they tend to say he is 'handsome'
And then Tobe gets 'cute'. Which he's not 
ps Some horses have a tendency to look like mules when you get a camera out. Eg AHS British National Futurity Champion:
And some people have a tendency to use really naff pics when advertising. If the ad people are b*tching about here is the one I think it is, I reckon under that fluff and the peculiar camera angles that's actually quite a correct little horse. They're just not the best pics. |
paranoid horsemother
 
Photo on far right thanks to West End Photography
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pleasures
Gold Member
United Kingdom
781 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2013 : 07:00:44 AM
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I have four horses on the sales pages and only in one i have used the word "stunning" why because in my eyes it is true/ she has a truly beautiful head but when you try to sell something surely you will mention what you think is a positive.
For me it is not the be all and end all I am still a not foot no horse type of person.
Others may not agree as others on the site said beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
my other horses however, the others have been described as I see them warts and all.
Pleasures (SueH)
PS dont have pics at the mo as I am the worlds worst photographer
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natntaz
Platinum Member
England
2919 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2013 : 08:21:23 AM
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Fee I might be wrong but I think Caryn was generally saying, not pin
Pointing anyone. I for one have commented but without any digs at anyone
But with an Opinion which is my view.
Sue, you don't need to show pictures. I have seen you horses and they
We're lovely. Michelle always says she would love your bay mare 
I am someone who would never want anything like an hairy cob but I
I'm sure some people think they are beautiful. It does make you wonder
Sometimes does someone really think its beautiful but the same could
Be said of dogs I suppose. Because beauty is in the eye of the be holder.
If you think about it it's like colours I. Horses we all have preference mine is
Chestnut of bay. Others love a grey !! |
Natalie Pix. Essex. Tariq ibn Radfan and Taroub |
Edited by - natntaz on 07 Feb 2013 08:24:09 AM |
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glo
Gold Member
England
1297 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2013 : 09:13:51 AM
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I think it depends from where you are starting, When I was 8 or 9 I was on holiday and saw a stunning, little pony we called him Brazil!!! I was not from a horse back ground and I studied and look at that picture for hours!! in reality he was just a little moorland pony but was stunning to me.
Friend say that my old mare is stunning, I think she plane, as she is not as nice, well no where as nice as my friends Arabs.
So I think, if its the best horse you have ever looked at, it may very well be stunning in the eyes of that person. After all beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
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amy_southworth
Silver Member
United Kingdom
350 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2013 : 09:57:34 AM
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You find that with people in the Arabian world there is a wide spectrum to what people consider stunning.... I believe the reason for this is exposure to the different levels of quality of Arabian. For example if one is not exposed to what is considered stunning to the vast majority they are unable to compare against their own stock. (Now I am talking about what is considered quality from the Inhand/Ridden showing perspective, not the Racing or Endurance Arabian)
I believe this rose coloured glasses mentality in the main can be put down to naivety and inexperience.
But when offered for little money who are we to judge what describing words are used in an advert... The ad after all will only attract those who are genuinely interested from the photos and pedigree.
However I think there is a much more serious issue with these type of adverts. That is quite simply, the lower priced Arabian market is already flooded with horses that cannot be re homed, and promoting breeding animals which may not be of breeding quality is irresponsible and quite frankly detrimental to the breed standard.
If it ever were a serious possibility I would certainly be in favour of the stallion licensing system like in the Shire horse world and many other breeds, to raise the quality of Arabian stallions that are considered acceptable for their purpose, judged against the breed standard.
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"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams" |
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Meggie-Lu
Platinum Member
England
1519 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2013 : 10:09:52 AM
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What a great topic, people are a little guilty of thinking there horses are amazing, but then again if your are trying to sell them and u describe them as simple then people might get the wrong idea.
I have to say my Mouse was perfect in everyway to me, but if was to sell him i wouldn't put stunning i would put it as a comical twist there was plenty of horse to love :-)
I do agree however that yes some horses are STUNNING but not all of them. |
   Danger Mouse |
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LadyLuck1
Gold Member
England
730 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2013 : 10:20:22 AM
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To me, Kirstie is OMG beautiful to others she is probably a bit plain looks like a donkey in most pictures and rarely has her ears forward. I would say beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Mary |
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Pasch
Platinum Member
2277 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2013 : 10:47:34 AM
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Some people can't understand my love for Arabs they think they are too small,toy-like,their heads too refined,they like a bigger heavier kind of horse with straight roman profile,like warmbloods.I think a beautiful arab is more beautiful than a beautiful warmblood (although I do recognize a beautiful specimen of any type of horse)but that's my taste and who am I to think I hold the absolute truth?
Non araby people will like Pasch more than Armos for several reasons including coat (not many grey lovers here due to the local breed being black or dark bay only) and features.From an arab point of view I know Armos is more typical.To my eyes they are both stunning(ops!I said it)even if far from perfect.
I don't like extreme heads to the point of finding some revolting...but then these horses win shows...
I think unexperienced,naif people can get the wrong horse even without a "stunning"in the advert.What should be important is they get a horse they like (even if they are the only ones who do)and can have fun with.The rest,who cares really...if ever they want to go into showing-breeding,they will learn more! |
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Judith S
Platinum Member
Wales
15686 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2013 : 11:02:49 AM
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Stunning is an interesting word, try googling it and find how many definitions and interpretations there are, then add in the personal interpretations of an individual about their horse and you come up with a pretty ambiguous word at best to use in an advert IMO |
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Sue J
Gold Member
Wales
914 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2013 : 11:03:24 AM
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Amy,
I agree with you entirely. Particularly about the breeding from anything but the best specimens whether it be for the showring or indeed more importantly IMO as performance horses.
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Welshpool
Welsh/Shrops border
   
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Centaur
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
237 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2013 : 11:34:05 AM
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My most irritating overused word is "awesome". Very rare to see any horse which is awesome, perhaps Frankel or Sprinter Sacre but these are truely the "hens teeth" of the horse world!
Would love to see performance testing before allowing a stallion to be used as breeding stock. It's the reason why the continentals are so far ahead of us in producing top athletes. The problem with licensing breeding stock on subjective criteria is that opinions differ so widely and impartiality is difficult to achieve.
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pleasures
Gold Member
United Kingdom
781 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2013 : 11:40:26 AM
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Sorry if I came across as thinking I was being picked on I was trying to point out although I have used the word stunning for one mare I have not used it to describe any of the others.
I suppose I could have used beautiful but for me that just does not cut it for the bay Mare AC Sonsee Arry she in my eye the owner of a truly stunning head.
I Love her for all of her not just her head. 
Thank you for all of your kind comments Nat I only wish Michele was going to be her new owner she would so loved for the rest of her life.
Pleasures (Sue) |
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Pop
Platinum Member
England
3051 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2013 : 12:57:46 PM
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Mats is awesomely beautiful, athletic and very proud. Zar is very pretty and sweet. Wilz is just a funny little pocket rocket.
Powneee is stunning - well, I'm stunned by the absolutely ridiculous things she gets up to |
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Mrs Vlacq
Platinum Member
Wales
3776 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2013 : 1:53:24 PM
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haha......... it is a running joke here whenever an yhorsey mag is flicked through - how many 'stunnings-per-page' there will be. It's become a non-word.... and as most classifieds are listed alphabetically (within their sub category) WHY would you start your ad with a non-word that lumps you in with allsorts, and puts you at the end of the section?
Sadly, most people don't know how to write an advert and so copy a format they have seen, and they 've seen a lot of 'stunnings'!
Composing an ad is tricky - meeting a word count but giving the correct information; and leaving the enquirer with questions to ask. It is that first telephone call or email that sellers often have to use to weed out the weirdos/insincere/chancers/kids/crooks after all....sadly!
Specifically to Arabians - stunning implies extreme.... and often the horse is one of those with no legs, just a pretty face in a picturesque setting of foliage or soft focus  By all means use that image to get attention, but have (or be prepared to take) honest, representative conformation shots for serious enquirers. Extreme won't outweigh areas the horse may be lacking in terms of basic structure, sorry.
And if you are paying good money for an advert, don't use a grainy mobile phone shot of a horse with its rug on a mile away in the rain in your advert. The horse may be 'stunning' but the photo is doing no favours.
And if you really want to annoy us.... throw in 'mover', 'confirmation' and incorrectly spelt pedigrees....
... rant over...! |
    
- V Khazad - V Calacirya & V Sulime - Quarida(L) - V Boogie Knights - V Hamra Tofiq |
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parkvillenerog5
Gold Member
England
699 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2013 : 1:55:57 PM
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I think all my horses are stunning but i to may have rose tinted glasses
There was a similar thread recently on another forum where they were saying the term "HOYS STANDARD/POTENTIAL/PROSPECT etc", is overly used.
My coloured pony was bought as "hoys standard", and imo he is, and hopefully one day will compete there, but who am i, thats only my opinion, and its no big deal if not, i think he is beautiful.
My theree horses are totally diffrent and stunning in diffrent ways (IMO), so im certainly not going to judge anyone elses opinion of there horses. |
      
Solitaire SR(psy dream x ltf wings of joy) Eywas Moonlight (Persie sir russel x Glynwyn abigail)Brookfarm Chorister (Brookfarm mr chips x Hopgarden Lilibet) |
Edited by - parkvillenerog5 on 07 Feb 2013 2:04:14 PM |
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Topic |
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Over use of the word "stunning"
