*men...

There is an amazing sense of entitlement among me that no matter where they fall on the spectrum of looks, intelligence and personality they deserve/are OWED a certified hottie. Owed by whom, unclear. It's so fucking pervasive.

No responsible breeder breeds "teacups", period! Luxuating patellas are a problem in a number of toy breeds (chihuahas, yorkies, and poms especially). Attempting to breed these already too small dogs even smaller exacerbates the problem, in addition to the fact that (like you said) the people breeding teacups are not…

Well bred Yorkies run between 5 and 7 pounds - these asshats are breeding sickly dogs that wind up at 3-4 pounds, hence the addition of the "teacup" label.

I'm pro rescue, but there is a WORLD of difference an ethical breeder who takes lifetime responsibility for his/her dogs, and is trying to produce healthiest, most well adjusted pets possible, and someone who is intentionally churning out problem riddled, sickly puppies because they are trendy and profitable. Kettle…

It's basically the result of breeding unhealthy runt to unhealthy runt, over and over again. Obviously, this causes a lot of problems. In addition to their very high risk of injury (even jumping off the couch can cause injury eventually) they are also predisposed to luxuating patellas (basically their kneecaps slip…

I think it is an Aussie-style trekking saddle?

I agree! I personally like some sass in a horse, but it's hardly a good model for a first pony!

They really are nature's little bastards. There is nothing that makes happier than a bratty, sassy, angry little pony!

If it is an Arab, it would not be a racehorse. You might be right about the investment if it is a halter-horse (they are shown for conformation, kind of like dogs), but then the kid is stuck with a horse that she can't really interact with at all (halter-bred Arabs are known for being extremely excitable, flighty and…

Sometimes the big guys can surprise you! When I was little I took a big old strawberry roan percheron cross out in some jumper classes. So much fun!

I really hope no one!
I did know a girl who got (not kidding here) a 3 year old arabxmorganxhackney for her 7th birthday. It ended exactly as poorly as you're probably imagining.

You gave me the giggles. Arabs truly are the prissypants of the horse world. I'm sorry you lost yours.

I've both worked and been a client at some of the top dressage farms, and there are definitely still some of the issues you described, but at least the horses had to be kept sane and stimulated.
I think the elite level of any horse sport is going to have at least some of those problems, but it's definitely exacerbated…

PS. I'm *that girl* too. Mine was for Christmas, so she had a red ribbon :p

Yeah, my side eye was at the idea of a 75k Arab who is measuring in as a pony. Welsh hunter? German Sport Pony showing FEI Pony? Sure - but 75k for an under 14.2 Arab is getting you a halter type horse which is NOT a good first pony for anyone.

That was my thought too! Well campaigned German Sport Pony or a serious little section A welsh hunter.

I have an Arab who is kid safe (she was my first horse) but they are the exception, not the rule. There are plenty of Arabs who sell for 75k+, but they aren't selling as dressage/hunter/jumper horses and the intensity that makes a horse successful in eventing or endurance would render it unsafe for a beginner (let…

I've done this with Dressage stallions! Super stressful.
I have always been in the sport side of horses, but halter classes in general seem like such a problem through the aggressive emphasis of form over function (like all the people intentionally breeding to Impressive/HYPP positive stallions). I've heard rumours…

*overbred... whoops!