Having had the chance to meet & chat with the lovely founders of Digital Horse a few weeks ago at the Aztec Diamond Equestrian press day, we were talking about how important it is to keep Digital Horse as a safe community, where you can ask questions and talk to others about your day without being mercilessly attacked by other people. The problem of social media such as Facebook and Instagram is that when so much of your life becomes public, other people’s opinions can become difficult to avoid, especially when people seem to have so much time on their hands to comment and apparently some have forgotten the saying "if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything". In my case I'm lucky in that what I choose to put out into the world is entirely my own choice, and whilst I often don't post about the negative days, what I do share on Facebook and Instagram is carefully chose. I have my own horses at home, so most of my riding, horse care and the decisions I make happen on my own terms and I do not have the problems that others may do at livery yards. I get to choose exactly what gets shared & published, but others are less fortunate and therefore need to have a safe place where they can share how their day went and how their horses are doing without receiving any negativity.
When I see posts on Facebook asking for advice on how to deal with problems with their horses or simply asking for useful exercises when riding or different methods of lunging, but they have to add a ‘no nasty comments’ note at the beginning of the post it just breaks my heart. Having to worry about nasty comments or receiving hate when all you're doing is simply asking for help, guidance or more knowledge from others saddens me. How anyone can be hurtful and judgmental when another person is simply asking for help is beyond me. And the biggest problem is that there doesn't seem to be a solution, which is why I'm more than happy to have joined up with Digital Horse as their guest blogger to try and help people, especially the more vulnerable younger generations to find a safe and secure equestrian community where they'll never be bullied or attacked.
After more than 6 years of blogging I've learnt that sometimes some of the keyboard warriors attack because they feel like they're commenting on post that will be for the good of the horse, or in order to make a change. The problem is that these comments about an individual actually don't achieve any change, they just hurt the person and can destroy their enjoyment of horses and riding and could end up putting them in a position where they want to stop riding. The best advice I have ever heard for this is to not accept criticism from those that you wouldn't go to for advice, and if you do want to ask for advice online, go ask it from your trainer and trusted friends or from a safe place like Digital Horse.
After more than 6 years of blogging I've learnt that sometimes some of the keyboard warriors attack because they feel like they're commenting on post that will be for the good of the horse, or in order to make a change. The problem is that these comments about an individual actually don't achieve any change, they just hurt the person and can destroy their enjoyment of horses and riding and could end up putting them in a position where they want to stop riding. The best advice I have ever heard for this is to not accept criticism from those that you wouldn't go to for advice, and if you do want to ask for advice online, go ask it from your trainer and trusted friends or from a safe place like Digital Horse.
It is important to remember that whilst social media IS a part of lives it is not everything and your world doesn't have revolve around it, especially if you are receiving hate or being bullied online. And remember that good people still exist, that places such as Digital Horse are there to support you and to show you just how good the equestrian community can be!
This sounds so amazing! Heading over to check it out xx
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