Facebook is a powerful tool that allows humans to share photos of brunch and videos of cats in ways that we never could before. It also allows us to keep up with our closest equestrian friends and frenemies, former barnmates, childhood riding instructors, that girl we met at a show that one time, and our favorite celebrity trainer. You might notice that some of the members of your vast network of horsey friends and acquaintances start to fall into certain categories. Here’s your field guide to the types of horse people on Facebook.
2. The Vaguebooker. “Sometimes being a horse owner is hard. :(” Oh? Tell me more. But the Vaguebooker never does. Even when her friends ask for details, there’s never any follow up. “Poor Silver had a rough day.” Well, is he okay? Nothing but crickets. Vaguebookers are certainly not limited to equestrian circles, but we do have our fair share.
3. The “Trainer.” It costs hundreds of dollars or more each month to keep a horse in full training. But why spend that kind of money when there is probably at least one “Trainer” just waiting to spring some unsolicited advice on you? Share a silly anecdote about how your horse took off on the trail after a bunny hopped out of the bushes? The “Trainer” is the first to reply with a 12-step plan to fix your horse’s spookiness, which you hadn’t even realized was a problem. And all for free. Thanks, “Trainer”!
4. The Shutterbug. This amateur photographer posts plenty of photos of her horse for the world to see, but too much of a good thing really is too much. Between the grooming sesh selfie, the endless between-the-ears shots, the eight-second video of the horse munching on his hay post-ride, we have to wonder if the Shutterbug is even capable of living in the moment. Did you enjoy your ride, or was it all just a photo op, Shutterbug?
5. The Political Activist. When you were in a group lessons together, this person seemed pretty cool. But when she added you on Facebook, you saw a whole ‘nother side. The Activist’s political tirades are factually questionable and of a slant so far to one side that you wonder if she’s welcome at anyone’s Thanksgiving table. Sure, there’s the “hide” option, but she interrupts her stream of political ranting with awesome photos of her adorable horse, and you really don’t want to miss those. Why doesn’t Facebook have an “Hide (except for cute animal photos)” option?
Back to The Near Side
Leslie Potter is Sr. Associate Web Editor of horseillustrated.com. Follow her on Twitter: @LeslieInLex.
haha, the shutterbug, so true!
I think I’m 2 and 4.
You left one out..The one that thinks only her critical rant of other posters is actually clever and not insulting… REALLY??
I jokingly call myself the “Profiler.” rather than look like a dirty homeless person 😀 I just use my horse for a profile pic…
I’m probably guilty of all the above 😀 at some point or another, except the political would fall more on racetrack, anti-slaughter, etc…
Hilarious article and true. Especially love the opening sentence. From a #4 facebooker.
not sure where I fall into these categories I do use my horses pic for id pic and a picture of me riding another horse on beach as a cover but most pictures of horses I post are those of my friends
These “categories” are demeaning to most horse lovers. Someone’s opinion, that is all. The tone is snide, not sincere. I found it unhelpful and useless yap.