I currently work and have worked for large corporations. I also worked in the horse industry for 10 years before working for corporations. I agree there is a certain lack of integrity in the horse world and honest horse people are rare. Many people work in the horse industry because they couldn't get a job any where else. Flame suit on!

Congrates on your honesty................you are a model for others

I think a lot of what bothers you could also be found in other industries, but I do think the horse business, especially buying and selling is entirely "buyer beware".

When I buy a horse I ask very pointed questions, some of which I repeat several times to get every detail possible.

That being said, the horse professionals I work with on a day to day basis are all fantastic people whom I trust, so I guess there are people from one end of the spectrum to the other.

Well said, Well Schooled.
It is the new generation's responsibility to "take the power back!" we can alter this industry through forums like this and with our own business dealings.
No more barn gossip.
No more shady deals.
No more dishonesty.
I'm taking it back!

Yeppers, that there lack of interity sure throws alot of manure on our industry.

It is going to take individuals who still have a backbone to stand up and be heard, to not be a bullied coward. The horses have no voices, we humans, their partners need to tell it like it is and take no bs from anyone.

Integrity does seem to be a lost virtue. Greed and pride seem to rule today, and that is sad. I am a business owner and I base my business off of intergrity and honesty, for I feel you can't have one without the other. My reputation is on the line with every student I coach and every horse I train and sell. I'm not about to do something to screw that up.

Agreed. It looks like we have a good collection of horse folk here.

One must ask, who are the role models?
Certainly that is the element that actually molds individuals. Where is the integrity in the churches, schools, law enforcement, etc., when you have the child molestation etc., coming out of these institutions.

I have to say as a young adult, I was very fortunate to be scared stiff of my first coach. She was a very tough woman to get a long with and if your riding wasn't up to par, you got off the horse and took it back to the field because you were "disgracing the animal", and you were only allowed to ride after mucking stalls at 4am and making sure everybody was taken care of. You showed up in proper riding gear, you called the top of the halter the "crown piece" and never the "top of the halter" or the "halter strap", the horses ate before you did etc. I used to hide in the stall and cry! She only showed me once how to put a halter on, and I learned to pay attention. Because I didn't and it took me at least 20min fighting with an unbroke 2y/o trying to get it on his head. Oh yeah, and I was 9 years old  Looking back now, I am so happy that I had this very "mean" woman as my coach, because I learned to have high standards for my animals and for myself (and I also got to ride some amazing horses as I got more privileges).

Why this story? As I got older and moved around to different barns, met more people at horse shows and expanded my group of equestrians that I know. I've learned that people who take pride in what they do is very far and few in between. Our youth learns from example, and if their leaders aren't good ones, what are you to expect? The most abusive, underhanded, back stabbing, no morals, no work ethic people that I have met within the industry. Have been adults. And these adults have been role models.

Now not everybody falls into this scenario, but we can't blame our youth when they don't have respectible role models to look towards.

End of rant.

Nikki- I'm with you.
spirithorse- I'm a little confused by your story. This woman is 65? I was defending the younger generation, and it sounds as though your story backs up the thought that it is not soley young people who are responsible for the lack of integrity of the horse world.

I have worked for some notorious players in my area, however, I now currently work for a barn that is well known and well established. Integrity, honesty, and respect are evident. Each student and boarded is treated with kindness and compassion. Education and respect for the four-footed partner is paramount and I couldn't be happier. I know that there is goodness within this industry soley based on my experience with my current barn. There are bad seeds anywhere you go, unfortunately. It is not unique to the horse world, however, because we are so passionate about these animals, any offences seem all the more personal.
Spirithorse, I am sorry for the dismaying circumstance you have endured, people really can be thick.

Dante, I'm just wondering how you will handle the situation with the client? Will you tell them that for whatever reason you can not work with them or will you try to get along? If you don't want to say, that is okay -- I am just curious.