I think it's time to start inviting some horse owners to this forum. There are a lot of horse owners asking farrier questions on the COTH forum. The problem there is other horse owners trying to answer give advice on farriery when they aren't qualified to do so. Since horseshoes.com has eliminated everything that was user friendly on their site, I don't expect horse owners to get much help there. How about a forum heading like "Horse Owners Seeking Advice from Professional Farriers" ??? The title might help set expectations - who is asking the questions and who is supposed to answer. That way any posts with "advice" from amateurs, pretenders, BUA, and dilettantes can be discarded. Your thoughts?
I'm away till monday. I'd like to get a good base of knowledge in the resource first. But whatever, if you want an owner section we can get something going when I get back. Figure out how it should be set up and I'll get it done. Eric Russell
I think Tom is right, it opens the forum for growth in another area and will be of service to folks who need it. I do hope that the owners are treated with respect and understanding. If everyone knew the answers then there would be no need for such a site on this forum. It is called professionalism. We treat them with a certain amount of respect when they are here in person, I am confident we can do so on this forum. Many owners were lost over the years on Horseshoes because of unnecesary harshness from some responders.
Good points Bruce. I think the best way to prevent that sort of deterioration is to encourage non-professionals to stick to asking questions instead of attempting to cloud the discussion with their own advice. This is the biggest problem with forums like COTH, everybody thinks they're an expert with knowledge to offer. That puts the professionals in a position of constantly correcting the bad information in addition to answering questions. I think if people are told up from that the horse owner forum has "expectations" regarding who plays what role, a lot of this will be nipped in the bud. For example, a brief description and disclaimer to the effect - The Farriers Forum provides this venue as a public service to horse owners seeking advice from established professional farriers. The expectations are as follows; Horse owners have a place where they can anonymously seek the opinion(s) of established professionals without the pressure of the business/politics/stress which may be involved with discussing their concerns face to face with their current hoof care provider. Think of this as "Dear Abby" for horse owners. Except, you might get several opinions and the benefit of dialog. And professionals do not always agree, therefore you should expect multiple viewpoints to be represented. Established professional farriers may provide their opinion and offer advice here. By doing so, you are representing that you are indeed an established professional farrier and as such an expert in the craft. If you are not, the Farriers Forum administrators will find out soon enough and your posts will be removed and your posting privileges revoked without notice or warning. So please, don't misrepresent yourself. The Farriers Forum expects the professionals offering advice here to support their opinions with fact, scientific reason, and logic whenever possible. This is not a soap box for promoting a brand or "system" of shoeing. Probably too wordy, but it could be pared down and simplified. Your thoughts?
I think we should but already there is a potential problem. That NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED BEFORE WE INVITE THE PUBLIC HERE !!!!!!!! We need the professional farriers to be honest and forthright. We can't have a farrier who claims to be a Vtfarrier actually residing in Alvin, Texas!!! Should he not be required to change his username to Txfarrier? Just kidding bruce I do think that if we can be respectful and welcoming that horseowners will enjoy the help that is available here.
When you guys figure out how to set it up and manage it, let me know. If some of you guys want to be moderators let me know that also.
Is there a large calling for a horse owner section right now? Like I said, the plan was to get a good foundation in the resource section. Such as husbandry articles, thrush treatments, nutrition, ........ basic helpful things to help horse owners. We seem to have a good base of users so maybe if we start a horse owner section we can set the tone for the future. If need be there are plenty of things built into the system to control people who get out of line. One thing I don't want to do is have a bunch of categories on here that remain blank. So if you guys want and owner section and think it's time, I'll get it done next week after I get back from the shoeing classic.
Nice work on the website Eric. Were you looking for contributions to the resource section from any members or did you have specific articles/authors in mind? I agree with Tom that a horse owner section would add value. It provides fodder for interesting case work. Cheers, Mark
Mark, definitely looking for articles from others. My mind is on other things this second. As soon as I get back I will get with anyone interested and figure out how and where we should take this site. It takes 2 seconds to set up a new section. We just need to figure out the best way to do it and it will be done. By the end of next week we should have a horse owner section set up. I have ideas where I want things to go. I will try to gather my thoughts tues or weds and go from there.
Oh come on Eric, its not like you have been practicing with three other guys that are counting on you. You will be alright. I hear Quick is going to be Welsh at this one! If you need moderators I nominate Tom and Bruce!
OK, I had to turn on "Compatibility view" to be able to post. That means something changed on the site and Internet Explorer doesn't show the update fields correctly with compatibility view turned off.
On a serious note, I for one look forward to any articles written by Tom, Mark Gough or George Spears. There is diversity there and these three men are some of the most intelligent folks i have had the pleasure to know over the years. When they speak "Bruce listens"
What if you screen the Farriers that are able to respond ? There could be a short application process. And if they cross the line they lose the right to post to horse owners. ps. Why should the horse owners be able to post anonymously? If I can be found from a google search I think they should be as well. I could use it as a weeding out process for clients.
Michael screening the farriers who will post is/can be a double edged sword. (you folks will cancel me out almost immediately !!) Laying down the law on civility when responding will set barriers. Nipping rudeness or argueing in the bud I think will have an ever present effect. It will need to be repeated as new farriers come on, but in all honesty on horseshoe's I can only remember only 3 who were very offensive. Others got into a heated debate, but that is good... Explaining what you believe is positive, but also tempering that with the knowledge that there may be a better way or perhaps another solution as good or as effective makes discussions enjoyable and doesn't offend others or horse owners. Remember that youth believes they are bullet proof Old age teaches you bullets kill immediately, talking and listening allows you to live and learn.
