Fugly Horse of the Day blog: love it or hate it
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Too brutal?
FHOTD is not without enemies—often people who have been featured in past blog entries. Others simply argue that the author's delivery is too harsh and defeats the purpose.
Let's take a look, and you decide.
736
# of visits 9/2/08
after being featured
on the blog!
OOPS!
Seven reasons to read FHOTD
Warning: Blunt, snarky commentary ahead!
If harsh words make you cry, skip this section.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byCult following?
Many fans of "fugly" visit daily for their dose of sarcasm, wit and often crude but not unfounded attacks on the misguided, grammatically challenged and future Darwin Award winners.With over 2,600 matches on Google for "FHOTD" it seems there are plenty of people paying attention. Each blog entry receives hundreds of replies, from new visitors and regulars.
FHOTD: Too snarky?
Sound off on the blog you love or hate.
Is the Fugly blog too harsh?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes, the honest truth without being mean or nasty would work better.
Trot-on says:
I can't stand people who have the opinion of " oh he has cow hocks and a funny neck, hes ugly, dog him!".. I have heard it way to many times. Every horse is good for something.. Do you think little sally cares that her best friend shetland has cow hocks, sway back and such? I think not.
People can have their opinions sure, but to degrade horses and their owners over looks, thats cruel.
Posted May 25, 2009
mollee says:
I agree in essence with much of what the blog has to say about training methods, and some of what is said about breeding responsibly. The common-sense-get-you-hands-dirty-every-day stuff, is usually within shouting distance of my own opinion.
However...
I think the delivery is crappy, and attracts certain classes of judgmental 'asshats' in droves.
I think fully a third of what is said about breeding specifically is either:
A. Short sighted
B.Opaque in representation; because it is designed to further an agenda that many people fishing that site wouldn't agree with.
or
C. Just flat lacking in research (lazy) and thorough knowledge (Chosen ignorance makes it so much easier to judge someone simply for the self gratification of finger-pointing, and no other purpose) of many circumstances.
I think there is a bit of 'witch hunt' mentality going on there that is nasty, brutal, and prone to perpetuating itself and getting out of control. (Please refer back to 'I think...' number one.)
I think that they are open supporters of HSUS (which has a covert vegan agenda), and unless those on that site are out-of-the-closet militant vegans they are either hypocrites or tools.
I think I do not always agree with the general consensus there on 'fugly' and 'not fugly'. There are basics to adhere to in conformation, but (for example) some of what they site as 'breed-able' has too little bone in my opinion.
On a final (slightly aside) note. I think that they harp on spelling, grammar, and punctuation a lot. In my experience that is little more than a weak attempt to discredit someone, because you are insecure in your argument. Not a big deal, but annoying. (Mostly because I mix up 'your' and 'you're' all the time, and put in too many spaces. Sue me.)
I think the blog over all is sneaky, manipulative, irresponsible, and should be shut down. I personally hope that one of these days, someone drags a good ol' fashioned junkyard dog lawyer into this, and sues someone until they bleed.
Posted March 31, 2009
XP says:
The blogger herself is really not that bad. There is usually something to be learned.
But some of her faithful are simply nasty people, offering nothing of value to the conversation, and delighting in bashing the innocent along with the perceived guilty.
Dare go against the sheeple and you'll see what I mean. They have no concept of the gray area or a difference of opinion; there is only "their way" and "wrong."
Posted January 21, 2009
The_Homeopath says:
I think it's pretty harsh. Making perverse fun of anything for no other reason than a laugh is pretty lame. It's as pathetic as Cake Wrecks, people need to get a life.
Posted October 09, 2008
No! People need to get over the swearing and attitude -- the topic is important!
raochoa says:
I tend to agree with a lot of what FHOTD says, but she does possible have an extreme agenda, as some others (like mollee) have hinted. For instance, I have two young horses who are basically on a "trial basis" until I figure out if they're going to work well for polo or not. If not, they're young, sane, sound horses who will have some solid training under their belts when I sell (she seems to be okay with that). But you know, I know enough these days to -hopefully- pick a horse that won't be a disaster if I have to resell. If, God forbid, they were injured in such a way that would make them usable (or virtually so), I'd probably euthanize. I don't think she's -really- okay with that, even if I wasn't being an asshat about working them improperly, and the barn they're at is clear of "accidents waiting to happen". She really seems to think that as soon as you buy something, it's -yours- forever, like those people at the humane society that get upset when someone brings back an animal with behavior problems after a few weeks (long enough to give the animal a chance, but certainly not "dumping" "their" pet!). Now, if my guys put in careers with me, they'll get a retirement with me. I have a "retiree" who didn't earn it at all right now, and frankly, I kind of resent it, but I am far too attached after all of those years of him trying to kill me (not his fault, he's just a crazy racing appy/arab who I got "FREE!!!" when I was a dumb teenager). So then, what about those poor schmucks who end up with fugly, ornery horses that they will probably never be able to enjoy? Should they feel like they have to keep them for the rest of their lives? Most of those horses should be euthanized, but people either find a way to pawn them off until bad things happen, or, they are stuck with a POS for -years-. That is -not- the same thing as a deserving retiree. Mostly, with my old guy, I resent that I can't afford to take in really deserving retirees like the adorable little 18 year old Polish Arabian I saw the other day (those are the ones you hate to see for sale). This guy had put in a real career, and was sweet as could be, not a crazy arab in the least.
Posted April 27, 2009
bkates22 says:
I feel compelled to say that this blog is providing knowledgeable horse people a valuable service. It is a place to vent and share in our frustrations with the irresponsible breeding of poor quality horses, as well our fury at those who beat, starve, and otherwise neglect these animals out of ignorance or just plain maliciousness. No, anger isn't always a pretty thing, but this kind of passion (from FHOTD and her readers) has been instrumental in creating change for the better for many of the horses from the aforementioned unpleasant situations.
I am not the blogger in question, but it is only that. A blog. She has every right to her opinion, and if you don't like it, don't look! Pure and simple. She really would be absolutely thrilled if all of those uninformed owners just went out and read a few books on basic equine management, as well as on the economics of supply and demand. You supply a low quality product, there will be little demand. It's not rocket science people. That's the entire point.
Posted November 08, 2008
diamond1 says:
sometimes, yes. i believe that kind and rational education is the best way to combat the issue of poorly bred animals and bad breeders. so many simply don't understand. attacking causes people to band together and fight back. I'm SURE there are innocent horses produced out of spite to this blog, or shipped to slaughter out of spite. yes i believe its that powerful. i've talked so many people out of breeding piss poor dogs and horses AND into getting them cut by gentle education. HELP them to see things your way, nicely. explain how their decision actually matters. not just why your right and they're stupid. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the blog. i don't want it to change a bit!!! but i think there should be like a 'rational side?' to alot of the stories where it was like hey guys lets help this person, if we can convince them they shouldn't be breeding, lets take up a collection and send the vet there to geld this boy/boys. THEN WE'D MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!! yes they might get another stud. but a couple bucks from each of us and THAT animal will NOT add to the problem. I could go on and on. I just want this blog to do MORE for the industry than just fire people up and get them talking. lets take some action!
Posted November 03, 2008
Apples1 says:
Her groupies can go overboard and are often really annoying, but FHOTD is absolutely right. Most people who breed have no business doing so. Unless your horse is above average, and you have the time/expertise/money to train the foal, and you have the money to care for the foal in the event that no one will buy it, you should not breed.
Posted August 08, 2008
AllHorses says:
EllenMc1 ~ just wanted to clarify that *I* am not the blogger at the heart of this debate.
Posted July 29, 2008
Add-A-Fugly
Your turn: if you're brave enough, add your horse to the Flickr Voting list below.
Users can bump an entry up or down the list. Who is fugliest of them all?
a stallion that should not have been
FUGLY on stallion management
excerpts from the blog
Nothing, but nothing, ruins stallions mentally more quickly than being isolated from other horses from weaning onward.
2. CONSISTENCY IS KEY
From weanling age onward, enforce manners. Nipping is not okay. Kicking is not okay. Dragging you down the aisle, NOT OKAY.
3. EVERY STALLION NEEDS A JOB
I have seen people keep stallions in a box stall and the only time they are haltered is when it is time to breed. Then they wonder why they have a fire-breathing dragon on their hands. Well, duh.
4. TESTICLES ARE NOT AN EXCUSE FOR BAD BEHAVIOR
If I hear one more person use the "oh he's like that because he's a stallion" excuse, my head really WILL explode. No, he's not. He's like that because you failed miserably to train him.
(read the full blog entry)
Inspired by FHOTD
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XP's Skinny Horse of the Day blog
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Sometimes, when I see someone say "OMG that horse is SKINNY!!" I have to wonder how many hundreds of pounds overweight their ideal horse is ...
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XP's Obese Horse of the Day blog
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Get that horse on a treadmill already! Obesity in horses can lead to dangerous health concerns, some deadly. Skip the sugar cubes and cut back on the grain if your horse shows signs of hippo-butt.
Fugly Swag
This is official FHOTD merch!
Fugly Horse Jr. Spaghetti Tank
Price: 17.99
Fugly Horse Jr. Raglan
Price: 18.99
Fugly Horse Women's V-Neck T-Shirt
Price: 16.99
The FHOTD FAQ
Q. Can I send you my horse to critique?
Q. Are you opposed to horse breeding?
Q. Are you opposed to racing/rodeo/gaited horses/etc.?
Q. Are you an animal rights or an animal welfare person?
Q. Why are you so mean?
Q. I think it's wrong that you take pictures of people's horses.
Q. What should people do with fugly horses? Do you want them sent to slaughter or something?
Q. If we only bred really good horses, people who don't have a lot of money would never be able to afford horses.
Q. You're a snob! I love my unregistered TWH-Arab-Appy mix!
Q. You're wrong about just the fugly horses going to slaughter. We rescued Blah Blah Racehorse who won 8 zillion dollars on the track from New Holland!
Q. I'd like to see a picture of you! You're probably fugly!
Q. You just don't like my breed!
Q. Who the hell are you that you think you can judge everybody?
Q. You're just some amateur with a bad attitude!
Q. It's not fair to criticize so-and-so for sending their horse to auction. Not everybody is rich like I am sure YOU are, they had no choice!
Q. How dare you say that about my horse? I'm going to sue you!
Q. If you're anti-slaughter, what do you propose we do with all of these unwanted horses?
(For the answers, please see full blog entry at FHOTD)
