Home? and what was your first post?

[ZinniaZ]

I have of course been perusing the UDBB for the past week or so and remembering all the wonderful people and thehappy place that it was for me. What made it home for so long was the kind ness and generosity of the posters, the sarcastic wit, just the community.

I went and reread my first posts there. The first one was about retraining standardbred racehorses, which I still do (no surprise) aqnd then a bunch of dog training posts, which I also still do.

My questions for you:
What made UDBB home to you?
What was your first post?

[Chancellor]

Ooh, a very good question. I don't remember my first post but I do remember posting in the young horse forum when Rendition (the last horse I started under saddle....he broke me instead of the other way round) decided to roll while under saddle and being led by someone!

[KathyK]

According to the UDBB history, my first post was made a year and a half after I joined. I'm pretty sure that's not the case, lol. I believe my first post asked for help because I was distraught with worry about my OTTB who had had EPM and now had EHV. I was in a terrible place trying to figure out what to do, and found a lot of support.

[M&M]

My baby horse was 13 months old when I first posted. If he were still around, he would be 14 now. What a great age that would have been! Unless, of course, he had ended up killing me when he was young.

I had become so much less attached to UDBB the last few years, but I have been feeling a strong sense of loss and melancholy, and thank you, Chancellor! for stepping up to give us a new place to watch for Mike Matson posts and Ankywannabe videos!

Although I do enjoy some of MM's posts. (ducking for cover!)

[Kitty]

I joined in July of 2000 and my first post was in Oct. of 2001. It referenced a post Nabor had made, and then I asked about a friend's horse that had suddenly gone lame in a hip. I had a total of 4307 posts over the years. Rather startling. I didn't think I posted that much. I only recently returned to the UDBB, and I guess I also have nostalgia for it.

[PaulaO]

Apparently my first post was in 2001, asking where to buy Adequan online for cheap. I didn't post much til Deanna resurrected the board. It was home because people were caring and nice and if they had something frank to say, they did it without scorn or rancor (at least to me). A onto or so ago I asked "is it ok be a one horse woman?" One the replies (I don't remember who and I'm not going to look it up) was "time to let go of Bob a little." That really opened my eyes to my excessive grief. It wasn't snotty or mean, and pushed me in the direction I needed. I really appreciated those words.

[DJR]

I have of course been perusing the UDBB for the past week or so and remembering all the wonderful people and thehappy place that it was for me. What made it home for so long was the kind ness and generosity of the posters, the sarcastic wit, just the community.

I went and reread my first posts there. The first one was about retraining standardbred racehorses, which I still do (no surprise) aqnd then a bunch of dog training posts, which I also still do.

My questions for you:
What made UDBB home to you?
What was your first post?

Love this idea!

UDBB became home to me when I re-started riding in early 2009 after a very long, unanticipated hiatus from horses.

I thought my first post was in January or February of 2009 when I introduced myself and showed pictures of my first time riding again. But, I can't find that post for some reason.

The first post in the UDBB archive was on March 20, 2009, in which I excitedly announced the arrival of my new horse. I've added the OP from that thread here. I still have Jet and still love him as much or more than I did then!

:D

As of a bit earlier today, I am the VERY proud and even MORE excited owner of my first horse since the 1980's. In fact, he's my first horse ever that I've owned exclusively (my past horse's were co-owned with my mom, who also used to ride as much as I did back then).

I'm SO happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He's a 3-1/2 year old Friesian (sire) x Percheron (dam) gelding. He's already 17.2 hh, and will probably mature at 17.3 hh (he's rump high again right now, so in another growth spurt). He is jet black (hence his barn name, "Jet"), and has only a tiny star (that's just right of midline) and a tiny snip (that's just left of midline on his upper lip). His sire is a more modern-type Friesian, and Jet looks a lot like him (his sire is "Koning", who can be seen here http://flyingwfarms.com/horses/Sires/Koning/Koning%20index.htm). He isn't registered yet, so I intend to register him with the name "Prince Roac the Raven". He's eligible for at least two registries.

I've always loved Friesians and was so happy when I found him ... he has the size I've always wanted, and the looks (he looks like a big Friesian, really). I intend to do mostly dressage with him, and some low-level jumping for fun ... and, of course, lots of hacks and fun times, too.

Here are a few pictures of him. These were taken during the pre-purchase process and he's a bit muddy in some (he LOVES rolling in mud puddles - LOL), but they're all I have (so far!).











And here is the only picture (so far!) of me on him. He is *very* green (barely knows the aids, and no "power steering" yet - LOL), but he was fantastic when I rode him to try him out.


He's still in the States and hopefully will be shipped up to me (in Ontario, Canada) in early April. Yay!!!! I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[boots-aregard]

I don't know what my first post was, because I joined in 2000 and the oldest post listed was 2002. My first post under "boots" was when boots was an alter, and I used it to hide my online identity because I was SOOOOOO downhearted about my riding. In that thread, people were so very kind.

Then I fouled up my login as aregard and took boots as my second identity. (I prefer using my 'real' identity. aregard is first initial, last name.)

As for when it became "Home"? Well, lots of little things, I'm sure, but I really felt the power of the community most when my daughter was lost in Japan for that very very long weekend of the Tsunami. The UDBB was a lifeline, and when I could accomplish nothing else, I would review the posts of people saying "Don't worry, she'll turn up". And they were right. That was the very most emotional of interactions for me and it really changed my thinking about online communities. I came to realize I could love total strangers because they offered a little kindness. It made me want to be a kinder person.

[pKOR]

"lisa wilcox tells DT reader to buy new horse"



I think that's my legacy.

[VBOpie]

I don't know what my first post was. The commaraderie is why I like it here. I'm mostly a lurker, but there area lot of people I've enjoyed following through thick and thin (Fallingwaters, Chisamba, Quelah, Louise, Lynn (and Peter), etc.). Also, as I've mentioned before, my bff used to like this board, too. It's been so nice to see some of the people who left come back. I hope they decide to stay. There is no place like this board. TOB just doesn't do it for me. Maybe I'm missing it, but it just doesn't seem to have the same sense of community. I'm getting a little older (glad to the Senior Gals forum), and have had a lot of changes the last couple of years. At least the demise of the UDBB seems to have a soft landing.

[iriedogs]

Mine was a post started by Cornbread, and it was about a house, not a horse! 2008. There have been many more, about horses, dogs, current events, and about getting together with UDBB'ers in the NC /SC area (always fun).

[ZinniaZ]

I came to realize I could love total strangers because they offered a little kindness. It made me want to be a kinder person.

Sums it up for me.

[ZinniaZ]

That board seriously made me love humans again.

[KathyK]

"lisa wilcox tells DT reader to buy new horse"



I think that's my legacy.

Oh yes, that did cause a bit of a ruckus, didn't it?

[Linde]

I just found one of my earliest post. About adopting my dog. I had totally forgotten about that post. My husband and I couldn't remember when we got our dog. Thanks to that post I know! Yay! Turns out my dog is at least 11 yrs, possibly 14, if the estimate then was right. If so, she's still going strong at 14 yrs old.

The post was about her having accidents, probably due to stress.

11 years later, we are starting to have the same issue again, only this time it's because she's old and now needs medication. We've come full circle.

[paownyc]

My first post was something about hooves. I joined because Equinextion was a member and had been posting on hoof topics.

It became home because my now ex-husband hated the horses and I desperately wanted to have people to talk about horsey stuff. It became more like home when we had an SF UDBB get together. We had so much fun. Many of us became really good friends IRL.

[Imperini]

Though just a lurker it felt like home because of the people and because of how long I was there.

First post is lost as I joined in 2000, but my first post that I can find is about the horse I had at the time and her club foot. She was very talented at losing shoes on that foot and it was taking a toll each time she lost one. It is actually only part of the thread because the first page is missing.

[Moutaineer]

So, it seems to be gone now. How sad. Onwards we go...

[carpevita]

cant believe I missed the end--was chatting with chisamba on fb when it went dark.
rip udbb.

[carpevita]

dupe

[ZinniaZ]

gah. it makes me so very sad. but the truth is-- it was the people and some of us are here. let's live up to that old place, when it was home and we all were better for it.

[Valerie]

Wow. It has disappeared now for me, and I'm sure I don't remember my first post! I am pretty sure it was in 2003. I was so thrilled to hit the 10k post mark, though. What made it "home" was the community and that it wasn't only about the horses, even though that was obviously what brought us all together. We had recipes and kids, and houses, and lightbulbs, and weather. And even politics, LOL! I rarely went into the training forum, so I missed a lot of the snarkiness that tended to happen there since I was never a "real" dressage rider.

[gypsy still flies]

I went back through all my posts and most of them were for comic relief...go figure. I'm still comic relief at work.

[paownyc]

gah. it makes me so very sad. but the truth is-- it was the people and some of us are here. let's live up to that old place, when it was home and we all were better for it.

YES!!

[Amado]

I don't remember my first post, I think I joined in about 2005, and have mostly been a lurker. I just went to check and it seems to be gone already!

[ProudHorse]

o

[mzloolue]

My old pony Sunny was 36 when I made my first post.
One of my sisters had been a member and she recommended it to me as a place where there were people with actual experience and knowledge.
Sunny was having odd problems and I needed to talk to people who have experience with antique ponies.
Sunny was actually older than the vet...

Since 2007 I just kind of hung around asking and answering the occasional question.
It was a sad thing to see that the board was to be disappeared.

[Astral]

No idea, since the board's gone now and I can't go back and check...

But I joined in 2001, so I was in college. I had my gelding, who would have been 7ish, and my mare would have been... 27? (she's since passed). I was still eventing, and actually... riding... so it might have been a much more legitimate horse-related question than my posts in the past few years!

[Crisscreek]

Can't recall my first post, but I'm sure it as around the time I got Khan, my then 7 yr old 17.3 h perch cross. He's now 21! I only mention his height as I vividly recall posting a link to a bareback mounting aid, only to realize i tacked on ".com" instead of ".ca" so that my introduction to the board consisted of me directing people to a rather pornographic site! "Barebackbuddy" don't go there! I was traumatized for years.

And someone mentioned "Cornbread" didn't she have those fabulous threads about her mule?

[Sue B]

I go clear back to when it was a USDF chat room and then the great Mark revolt occurred, etc, etc.

I have no idea what my first post was, but it no doubt had something to do with rehabbing my then sorely abused, crazy OTTB Scotty.

Over the years, I received great advice and not-so-great advice in the training forum and sometimes some really mean stuff. That's what makes it home. Family isn't always perfect but you can usually count on family when the chips are down and that's what I found with this crazy group. The worst incident I remember from UDBB was when someone berated me for announcing I was pregnant, saying I was being cruel to those who couldn't get pregnant! All I wanted was to know how long others rode and what recovery time I should expect. lol I'm sure that whoever it was did not realize that I was a 41yr old who had been given a less than 5% of getting preggers without medical intervention. DS is now 13. The best incident was how many people supported me when same ds was snatched by a pedophile at the county fair. I got so many wonderful and helpful posts and pm's, that I can never fully express my gratitude. All of us who have lost loved ones (4-legged and human) know how much love this place exudes, and how incredibly generous this family is.

[AirsAboveNC]

My first was asking advice on how to stay connected with dressage when I was horseless and broke in a not-very-dressagey town.

I think the board kind of ended up being the answer to that question, which is what made it seem like home.

[Avola]

Can't remember my first post at all. I joined the old board because I needed to talk horses and my ex was not horse friendly. I stayed because I made friends there, both cyber friends and good real life ones. I lurked in the last couple of years because I didn't feel the board was the same anymore. I'm glad this place is up and running (thanks chancellor!) and hope it will be as great or perhaps even better than the old place.

[LeoApp]

I joined in 1/2001 so there is no way I remember what my first post was. I think I came from the USDF board, but I was also on HorseNet (I think) and met Sar (Karissa) there, and a few others. I think she had just gotten Norman her Perch.

[Snork]

I joined very early on 2000 or 2001 like LeoApp. No idea what was my first post but since I was a relative newcomer to dressage, it is quite likely my first post was something in the ObLounge.

[Cookie]

I joined in 2001 or so? Can't remember my first post. There weren't many online dressage resources (that I could find) at that time, so I began lurking.

[SandTikiFire]

I didn't go back and find my first post, but I randomly found UDBB through another site, I think. It was so long ago, but it became home because it was a way to connect with wonderful people who share a love of horses AND other interesting things. Through the UDBB I met new friends with whom I still converse on Facebook even, and, MOST importantly, found a WONDERFUL home for my Tigger pony! Not sure if she is on here now, and I have forgotten her user name....Catherine, are you in the house?

[Chancellor]

Catherine aka Sadiegem.....I'm friends with her on facebook but I have yet to see her here. Tigger is enjoying his life in Maine!

[Valerie]

Ooh, someone posted a link to UDBB archive. Apparently I posted first on Friday the 13th, 2002. It was about my 4 month old colt, Eli, jumping the pasture fence and comparing him to Pagan- his big brother- as a baby trying the same thing. Pagan managed to impale himself in the process, Eli cleared it in perfect form with no problem. Too bad Eli and I didn't get along well. He found a lovely eventing home when he was weaned and got on the trailer without a backward look.

[Paints]

I don't remember my first post and I have been more of a lurker lately do to changes in my life which have made me a bit sad. I recently had pneumonia and when I was home from the hospital I clicked on UDBB and was shocked to find it gone. It was like losing an old friend.

UDBB was home because of the extreme kindness of people who only had a virtual presence; because of the wisdom, experience and kindness of so many members; because when I decorate my Christmas tree I have ornaments from Maine, Africa, Ireland, Arizona; because I had Sparkleby stay with me when she did her Canadian vacation and through her I met other UDBBers; and because it was a place I could post and get a recipe, training tip, vacation advice, or just about any other information you can imagine.

[Chisamba]

My first post archived was about if big bested (busted)women are discriminated against by judges lol

I joined to ask breeding questions because i was not familiar with warm blood lines.

I am glad we have a new gathering hole

[piedmontfields]

Chisamba, I like the auto-correct you have going on these days. Kinds of freshens up the English language!

[Chisamba]

Chisamba, I like the auto-correct you have going on these days. Kinds of freshens up the English language!

Sigh. I am sorry. Note to self, read before posting.

[Woost2]

I thought I had joined in 2000 after the USDF debacle, but when I wandered back in 2004 I couldn't find myself. So I reupped as Woost2. My dad had just died and my brother was battling pancreatic cancer. I was living alone in my dad's house trying to figure out what to do -- stay there (it had never been home to me but I'd been there 6 years) or dismantle everything and move on? Go Lexington where I could find a job or go try to find home? Spent much of the next year reading OL and napping in my dad's recliner. I was so happy to have found a place that was horse folks but not horses all the time. I'd worked in the horse industry my whole life but hadn't owned a horse for nearly 10 years. I think my first post was in the freestyle forum where someone was querying why the freestyle world was down on vocals. I had been the USDF office liaison to the freestyle committee, so had the pre-history on all that. An early post was asking about Madison, WI as a place to live. I opted to try to find home and did end up in Madison. Where I didn't know a soul.

I was on rec.equestrian in the pre WWW days and I was working for both Horsenet and EquiSearch so I knew how a BB community could develop. Heck one of the HorseNet forums from 1999 is still functioning today as a yahoo group. More or less. Hello ... I actually met SLC from Horsenet and went to watch her ride. Some rec.eqers and HorseNeters ended up on UDBB as well. So I hung out on the OL. Never made it to 10,000, never received a ranting or unkind PM. Never felt as comfy at COTH.

[Don Giovanni]

UDBB was home because of the extreme kindness of people who only had a virtual presence; because of the wisdom, experience and kindness of so many members; because when I decorate my Christmas tree I have ornaments from Maine, Africa, Ireland, Arizona; because I had Sparkleby stay with me when she did her Canadian vacation and through her I met other UDBBers; and because it was a place I could post and get a recipe, training tip, vacation advice, or just about any other information you can imagine.

this sums it up pretty darn well.
I came from the USDF board in 2000. I've never felt like I "belonged" anywhere before I found UDBB. I was in awe of the knowledge, and willingness to share that knowledge, that I found there. I was amazed at how people from all over the world could become friends, even though the odds are we'll never meet in person.
Maybe I overshare, but UDBB members have helped us welcome our son home and became his cyberaunts.
They shared their knowledge and advice when my wonderful Don Giovanni developed EPM, and their
compassion when we had to put him down.
They held me up when my knees buckled at the pain of losing my mom.
Honestly, I don't know how I would have survived the shock of John's stroke, the long hours at the hospital every day for four months, and the long, long road to recovery that we've been on. My cellphone and the UDBB were my lifelines.
They rallied around Matthew when he was scared and worried about his daddy, and made his birthday so happy and memorable with cards and gifts from all over the world.
We wouldn't have our wonderful little dog if it weren't for connections made through the UDBB.
i could go on and on, but suffice to say I have never known a more caring, supportive, knowledgeable, talented, generous, wonderful group of people.
One of my favourite UDBB quotes is from Rhianon, in the front of the UDBB Cookbook (now there's another amazing benefit from the board!! ) It says "You know you’re a UDBBer when you have a cooking problem, a question about quantum physics, or need to know the temperature in Rabat in February and your first research source of choice is the Observation Lounge. "
I love you guys

[Chancellor]

Don Giovanni, I hope we can have that kind of community here as well.
I have met many friends on UDBB and "met" some friends that I know only online. I am grateful for both of those kinds of friends which is why I started this board. In the hopes of finding that kind of community again.
And yes, that quote from Rhianon is particularly apropos.

[carpevita]

I'm with you guys--this board became home because of us--a group joined by our love of equines, life and eventually each other.
It became my primary research tool too, why go anywhere else for information when someone here will not only know the answer but the conditions and back story?
And I cant tell you how nice it is to see so many of my cyber friends here, the udbb may be gone, but WE are not.