Re: How NOT to promote Fjords
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] << Linda One remark should not a decision make I have people who tell me to this day they think Fjords are grotesque, worthless etc. I was told that when I knew nothing about them. Why should that change me decision as to what I needed? If the person is an expert I might pay more attention but would still do my homework and get what I wanted. Some people are just too easily swayed. Jean >> When I purchased Torden I was shocked at how many people tried to convince me that Fjords were bad. Of course I'd known and loved the breed for years before I bought my first...and those that spoke negatively had never even met one! At the time I was working at a hunter/jumper barn, taming ponies for their naive owners. The owner of one of the worst behaved ponies I had the misfortune to work with told me flat out that Fjords were ugly, they couldn't canter, etc. I attempted to educate her, saying that not only could Torden canter but he had perfect flying lead changes, and just because they don't look like TBs does not make them universally ugly (to each his own). It was like talking to a brick wall. Now it doesn't matter though, because she's still being bucked, spooked, and reared off of her perfectly conformed "hunter" - while I have a horse I can ride. Jamie In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
Re: How NOT to promote Fjords
This message is from: "Jean Gayle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Linda One remark should not a decision make I have people who tell me to this day they think Fjords are grotesque, worthless etc. I was told that when I knew nothing about them. Why should that change me decision as to what I needed? If the person is an expert I might pay more attention but would still do my homework and get what I wanted. Some people are just too easily swayed. Jean Jean Walters Gayle Aberdeen, WA Author:The Colonel's Daughter $20 PO Box 104 Montesano, WA 98563
How NOT to promote Fjords
This message is from: "Linda Lehnert" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I found this on the Hafi List today and felt compelled to share it because it makes such a powerful statement on how NOT to promote Fjords: From Karen in CT: A few years ago I considered purchasing a ...Fjord/QH cross. I was very excited...although it didn't work out and innocently mentioned it to a Fjord person at the Equine Affair. She was so offensive and rude. I felt like I had been slapped in the face. I hadn't purposely bred the horse, but just considering the purchase seemed to be a crime punishable by death. Apparently in her opinion this cross should have never happened and if the Fjord registry ever found out about it, well You can imagine how offended I was and it somewhat turned me away from inqujiring further about the Fjord breed" Perhaps if the Fjord person had been more tactful Karen would now have a Fjord instead of a Hafi. And even if her Hafi doesn't work out for her, I'm sure she will never consider a Fjord because of this person's rudeness. A more tactful response would be something like, "We really prefer purebreds because of all the wonderful qualities for which they have been selectively bred for thousands of years in Norway, but there can be a place for crossbreds" and then proceeded to describe the characteristics. After all, saying "can be a place" is not advocating crossbreeding, but recognizing that for some this might be desireable. With the dog-eat-dog competition among the breeds in the US and so few Fjords it would appear to me that Fjord people cannot afford to alienate a potential convert by this type of behavior. The next time one of you meets someone like Karen please be tactful and think of the consequences of your response. Thank you. Linda in Reichelsheim where we have snow now and it is very cold MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 2 months FREE*
