Saint Chief, I salute your idiot-proofness
Sep 25 2009
One of my readers sent this lovely example of “you should buy him because NOTHING upsets him!” marketing.Â
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4yD1pCAPsU
Poor Chief has to tolerate everything from skateboards to the dog being walked under his belly. The barefoot, bareheaded children are everywhere as their flip-flops fly through the air like missiles.
I’ve realized what annoys me the most about this kind of marketing – aside from the obvious danger to both children and animals – is that it DOES work! Hell, even I want to go buy Chief at this point just to get him away from these loons.
Oh, it gets better. Then they jump him:
Â
http://www.equinenow.com/video-num-7831.htm
I hate for their ad to work but I have to say: Chief is a freaking saint and I see upgrade potential there despite his shaggy appearance and, um, interesting conformation. If he will jump with that girl doing the knee-pivoting flop and slam all over his back, he will jump for anyone. Imagine what he’d be like with 90 days of proper training on him.Â
Now, for those of you who need to see something more positive after that train wreck, in case you missed it, here is the video of the 42 year old dressage pony at a show in Oregon last weekend. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FP5NrrJGvs&feature=channel_page
As you can see, pony is quite a bit sounder than many of the young horses I saw at last weekend’s Pinto show in Tacoma, *snerk* and still going strong. He knows the test so well that he does not trot until he hits C even though the kid is cuing for it earlier! What an adorable guy. He is from Lavender Hill Riding Academy. I met these folks at a show a few years ago and all of their oldies look wonderful. I am definitely one of those who believes that light work like this will keep an old horse going longer and better, and they certainly appreciate the love and treats from the little ones, so it’s a win-win!
50 comments to “Saint Chief, I salute your idiot-proofness”
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OMG that little pony is so cute I could eat him up with a spoon, JK! I want him for my kids, they just dont make em like him anymore!!
Oh, hell. I hate to admit it but I would so go look at him if I was in the market for a kid’s horse. Saints like these are worth their weight in gold. Ugh! The jumping video really made me say ouch for him! What is the purpose of that breast collar flopping about on his legs!
I just loved the 42 year old pony! All of us who have healthy sound seniors know that keeping them moving is the best thing for them!
I was waiting for him to explode, but then if he did, he’d be on the truck or shot where he stood.
How pathetic can people be putting their kids in potential danger. Asshats, I say…ASSHATS!!!!!
Sure hope he finds a home where he will be loved and not tormented for his sake.
Where is he located? How much do they want?
I have a couple of Arabians that I’d love to watch those kids to act like that around. Go ahead, run up screaming behind it in your barefeet while you whack it repeatedly with a pool noodle and you’ll be sailing thru the air higher than your flip flops!
This pony is super cute, It’s a good thing he is such a saint, or those kids would be in pieces in a hospital right about now. I’m glad he’s for sale too. I’d buy him in a heartbeat!
That poor guy, I hope someone buys him, so that he does not have to put up with those “pesty” kids anylonger. I feel sorry for the guy, he is cute.
Must resist urge to upgrade Chief!
OMG, the poor horse. Where do people get the idea that it is OK to treat a horse this way. Agree with fugly that it will probably sell the horse, and better than a nice straight, dressed correctly riding video. The horse isn’t show material, but certainly if I were looking for a backyard horse for my kids, this guy would be high on my list. I sure hope somebody buys him for pony club or at least will handle and ride him with more professionalism.
Chief really is kind of cute. He deserves and upgrade for sure. And he doesn’t look to bad jumping either.
I’ll give him some high points for not crushing any of those bare toes or heads too.
Now, that dressage pony is worth a fortune. 42 and still being the best pony ever. Love it! Wish I could give him a hug.
Okay, its one thing to show that the horse is good at putting up with scary things and all… but she is beating him with that freaking stick!!! Chief has more patience with them than I ever would, I would have turned and kicked her right in the shin.
The dressage pony, on the other hand, is completely adorable!
I saw this video on COTH and stomached about 30 seconds of it. I knew it would find it’s way to your site. While it is clear that the pony is in good flesh and looks to be well cared for, I was disturbed by the tactics being used to demonstrate that the pony is “bombproof” (no such thing) and kid-friendly. I just had such a visceral reaction that it was disrespectful and inappropriate behavior. As well, I was amazed that the mom was egging them on! That pony probably has a breaking point that will unannounced and unexpected and someone will get hurt.
It’s not the worse thing I’ve seen, but just thought it was so classless and just NOT how I would encourage children to behave around their ponies/horses. Just because he accomodated their ridiculous, taunting behavior doesn’t mean he should have to. Shame on them!
adorable appy… definitely needs an upgrade, not horrifily bad mover or jumper. the funny thing is the girl who tried him out over jumps has another video pointing out her bad equitation. um, hello….
and let’s also mention that he tolerates that hideous bridle as well…
LOVE the old pony video!!!
If you look at all the comments, they give a couple of phone numbers. I’m going to guess that y’all know to not call them unless you really want to buy the horse, but I think whatever they get, they deserve. To film that, state that “No horse should have to endure this” and then put a phone number (or 2) on a site like that, as public as it is, is just the epitome of idiocy, especially since Reverse Lookup gives an address! I actually gasped a few times watching that video and my friend came over to ask what was wrong…her jaw hit the floor too! And I agree, that video is effective enough to make even me want to buy him just to get him away from those jerks. If those were my kids and I saw them acting like that around a horse, they’d be grounded back to the Stone Age.
And that pony was CUTE! Goes to show that senior citizens can keep on going with some good care and a job to do!
Okay, I’ve been reading this blog for a while now, and I don’t usually leave any kind of comments because I don’t really know anything WHATSOEVER about horses. But I love them, I have since I was very young but I’ve never been around them and I don’t have the means to properly care for them but I do truly love horses.
This particular video is absolutely infuriating. What kind of person lets a horse be treated that way.
OMG! I’m tempted to buy him just to get him away from those morons.
It makes me sad…..
ooh! How’s that saddle horn feel?
Ah, that pony. What a fine example of the ‘lazy, sour, stubborn pony’ label that some people would put on the entire species. /sarsasm
And how nice to see a child mounted on an animal the right size for them, not thrown up on a 15.1 horse they haven’t a hope of acquiring a true, balanced seat on, or influencing through their legs and seat. No wonder there’s so much poor riding when children start on something they can only control through the reins.
Guess she couldn’t stand the heat, the video is now down. I love the “you are not the boss of me!” responses from the poster. She herself said “no horse should have to endure this.” YA THINK?
Dang – I wanted to see the flying flip flops but they took down the YouTube video.
You are right though about sometimes those ads work and especially so for a trail horse. My friend bought one that was advertised like that. Of course, she thought some of that bomb-proofness would carry over to the show ring but it hasn’t.
MY GOD, I want to buy that pony! He deserves such better treatment than that! He truly is a Saint, which makes it all the more sad. If he kicked the crap out of those kids they’d maybe have a bit of respect, but because he is a gentleman, he just takes it. Hope he gets the great home he deserves SOON!!!
Aww, poor Chief! He would be a great therapy or lesson horse! He’s cute and I want to get him out of there too
Holy craaaap the jumping. Poor guy!
That girl jumping him… wants to buy him? Oh please, someone save Chief.
Also, the youtube video has already been removed. Quick work!
Thoroughbreds were always my favourite when I was young – and not JUST because I could buy them very cheaply off the track (for meat money) and turn them into expensive show jumpers or show horses. Now I’m a fair way the wrong side of 50, and I love the Irish Draught (and breed them now!) My stallion is exceptional – even within the breed – and does laidback like no other I’ve met. And passes it on to all his progeny to the point they hardly NEED backing – you just have to teach them the aids!
But I would heartily concur with the view there are NO bad breeds – just bad trainers and handlers – and of course folk who breed from a mare with no brain or useful function and wonder why her foal is the same (especially when they leave it in a field untouched until weaning!)
OMG. I want to buy the poor thing just to upgrade it. There are so many dumb owners. Sign. Big sigh.
OMG I saw this on “How Not to Sell your Horse” and almost sent it to you, but figured you were already burdened with emails about it.
Seriously though, I just want to buy him to get him away from them haha!
PS: I love how at least 90% of all the videos you post about as negative examples of horsemanship get removed almost immediately haha
The first video is already gone. Too bad. The one with the girl jumping was quite scary enough, though.
That is so awesome to see that pony going strong at 42. My uncle has a gelding that is around 36 and he is still going down the trail. In fact they tired to retire the old guy and he didn’t like that idea so he is back out having the time of his life. He has packed all ages of kids, been trail ridden all over and has done gymkhana’s ( speed events ). A few years ago my cousin got a 22 second barrel run on him. He is the best horse I have ever met, he is as bomb proof as they come but has bucked a few riders off in his time. That is why I don’t believe a horse is ever completely bomb proof there is just sometimes they get ahead of themselves.
I think the appie could be quite useful; saint at heart and he’s managed on the jumping video to be on the correct lead; both coming off the fence and manages to change to the correct lead going around the corner. Might be a sleeper.
Oh my goodness… what a saint. He’d be a great project! Where exactly is he?
Can’t believe no one’s commented yet. That was awesome. Oh to be that agile when I’m the eqivalent age. I’m a pony fan and it warms the heart to see one so well behaved and loved.
The-Farmer’s-Wife here: OT ATTENTION MORGANITES!! The Third Annual FHOTD reunion of Morgan lovers is to be held in Oklahoma City at Grand Nationals Oct 10-17. Come join the fun!
I judged a 4-H trail class this summer, and I was really impressed by some of the oldie goodies that were shown. There were a bunch of teenaged horses, and all were in great weight and looked well cared for. (I did have to laugh, though – one poor appy the rider swore was six…his teeth claimed he was at LEAST 15!) One little boy won the huge Junior division hands down – his palomino looked older; a little fuzzy and ever so slightly swaybacked. I figured he was fifteen or sixteen, but was surprised he was so muscular – his front legs and chest especially were super. Really good condition on his feet, too (I always look). That horse never put a foot wrong, although it was a tough, tight little course that most horses struggled through. When I told him how well he did and how nice his horse looked at the end (and sneak a peek at his teeth if I could), his mom walked up and told me the horse was 31! She said he didn’t have any teeth left, but his excellent condition was a tribute to beet pulp and daily riding. That horse was a rock star in my book!
I work for a youth co op organization in Los Angeles, we need Chief!!!! Is he in the vicinity? Fortunately I ride english and come from many years at a notable hunter jumper barn, I will not abuse this pony! We need him for kids, we provide riding opportunities to city kids in exchange for labor (mucking, feeding, grooming, barn chores) to get horseback riding lessons. We need this pony!
Love the old pony, this is proof that a well-cared for older pony can still do what matters. My daughter learned to ride on a retired show pony who was about 30 years old. Unfortunately she had previously been foundered, and eventually became too lame to ride. It is definitely worth it, caring for them properly, waiting until they’re grown before you start riding them, keeping them from founder. A good pony can last a really long time with proper care.
The appy is really cute. Would be a good pony for any kid. Definitely needs an upgrade. The humans are lacking in tack fitting and equitation skills, but at least the appy appears to be reasonably well cared for.
Our little saint came to us at age six, already ring sour and absolutely child proof.
We did get her back in the ring in the end, but on her own terms.
Yes, a PONY!! That dreaded, nasty tempered, badly behaved bad mannered awful….THING! She’s never put a foot wrong in her long, long life. She actually fitted the rider she was bought for (another person here horrified by the idea of putting children on horses they have no chance of actually controlling, let alone learning to ride) She was just 11 hands and is now 38 and still in very gentle work.
We have been offered open cheques for this mare, she was never for sale, so let’s hear it for the ponies, born knowing their one job in life is to carry children in safety and to teach them to ride properly.
And will someone PLEASE go and get that poor gelding and put him somewhere he can roll and play and generally learn again how to be an ordinary horse, not a rocking horse, bored and misused all the time?
And rename him “saint”.
Here is the ad for Chief. Funny the description does not make him out to be the saint the video did. Still worth the money to get him a good new home.
Shoot! I didn’t get to see the flying flip-flop video, but after reading your comments, I can only imagine!
Fugs–can you tell us where he is? I think there’s a responsible buyer lurking on these pages!
Heaven help him if the girl jumping him actually buys him…..
Chief is in Argyle, Texas.
Too far for me, but somebody please go grab him!
Oh, what a fuzzy fugly yet cute horse. He reminds me of a butt ugly appy at a ranch I worked at one summer as a teen. The video’s been taken down though. And as for that pony, what a sweetheart!
I missed the Chief video, but did watch the 42 year old pony.
I wonder if he belongs to ‘Emily’ or if he’s actually a lesson pony? Either way, a nice little rider, on an animal she’s well matched with…I have to give kudos to ‘Lavender Riding Academy’…whether they own this pony or just board him, they’re clearly looking after the little guy…and his rider…well.
Awwww man, my heart seriously aches for poor Chief. I can’t even fully articulate into words how wrong this all is. I never saw the first video since it’s been removed, but I’m not even sure I want to see it from what you described. I guess these idiots missed the Parelli entry where no horse, NO HORSE, no matter how docile or quiet in temperament, is EVER 100% bombproof. Even the gentlest of horses are prone to spooking.
Although I will concur that Chief does very likely qualify for sainthood. And it kills me to think that if he were to act on his natural instinct-which is punting one of those little brats across the yard as their mother encourages them to Darwin themselves right out of the gene pool, then he’d be sold to slaughter because he’d be deemed “dangerous.” These people are just so utterly…classless. It just makes me angry that they would treat such a good animal in such a disrespectful way. Were those my kids, I would be drilling into them that you NEVER, EVER walk under or behind a horse, no matter what. Any parent with a lick of sense would do that! Of course, this mother’s clearly a moron, so she doesn’t have any sense whatsoever, apparently.
He just has such a kind look to him. And while he may not be showhorse material he’d make a great lesson horse. Chief just deserves so much better than that. Why is it that total morons always seem to end up with the sweetest, kind-eyed horses that’ll put up with all sorts of stupidity from humans. Isn’t poor Chief deserving of some dignity?
I’d love to see them try all that with an Arabian or similarly hot-tempered breed. Seriously, I would. The resulting hospital bills would serve them right, and perhaps teach them a lesson.
I am not far from Chief and called about him after seeing him on the COTH Forum. Thought he would make a cute project/lesson pony. I was ready to go get him, but the woman wasn’t sure how tall he was, his age varied from the ad and she quoted me a higher price than on the ad. I am not far, but too far to go with such sketchy details. I do hope he finds a good home. He looks like he’d make a cute local hunter and with a little work I bet he’d have a nice clean lead change.
http://www.equinenow.com/horse-ad-203708 Sorry ad did not show up the first time.
Ohhh… no… Argyle is right near me! If this were posted 3 months from now I’d have a place to put him.
If I can find the ad, I may go look at him anyway….
Wow, no matter how many times she goes over that jump her position never gets any better.
Here is his twin of a different color.
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I just found another poor pony situation… The “knee-pivoting flop and slam” is back and with a vengeance…
Click the link to gaze at the crappiness riding!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opMiCyoRzYM