Spook Factors and the Economic Boogeyman
I almost hate to bring this up, for fear of adding to the negative feeding frenzy. But I still can't help but be fascinated by the way runaway psychology is affecting the horse-world economy at present.
People have gotten caught up in trading pieces of bad news. It's become the starting point for conversations when horse folks get together--a replacement for talking about the weather. Collectively, we're like the horse that spooks as he walks by the mailbox, because the horse in front of HIM spooked beside the mailbox. React first, look closely later, if at all.
To be sure, economic news in general isn't very rosy. But isn't it possible that we may be magnifying the boogeyman, just by keeping him in the spotlight?
I've now run into people who haven't even TRIED to sell their horses before advertising them as free. I know some who've stayed home from this summer's horse events simply because they've convinced themselves that no one else will attend, either--so why bother? Others seem to be spending entire days online, singing that "Woe Is We" song over and over and over to anyone else who'll listen.
At some point, doesn't it all becomes self-fulfilling, like the way rumors can ignite a run on a financial firm and end up causing it to fail?
I don' mean to gloss over any of the real issues we all face. It's just that I have to wonder:
What would happen if we decided to celebrate what we still have, instead of lamenting what we don't?
posted by Juli Thorson @ 11:20 AM
18 comments
18 Comments:
Well done, Juli! I agree with you; unfortunately, I am one of those who sits at the computer lamenting all day, I am ashamed to say. I have a project horse to keep my spirit - not up, but on a rather roller coaster ride. In any case this horse I am training keeps my mind busy. I shall make an effort to celebrate more often! Why not? I have everything I have ever asked for! Two horses of my very own, a wild Mustang to play with every day, a wonderful boyfriend and a beautiful, happy toddler. Cheers, Juli! I knew there was a reason I like your writing.
Thanks, Christina.
I've been thinking about people in other parts of the world who don't have it nearly as good as we do--horsewise, or otherwise.
I've also been thinking about the potential BENEFITS of our economic downturn--like the revival of local-level horse activities (less fuel cost to get to them), and a greater emphasis on frugality, recycling, repurposing, and other activities that aren't about out-of-control consumption.
I know I was raised by people who survived the Great Depression, and it didn't hurt me one bit!
Julie: I had mentioned Lindsay Sears's horse Martha to you a few posts back. I found an article about Lindsay Sears that stated she lives in Ropesville. (now does that sound like a western town or what!) :)
Here's a link to the article:
http://www.amarillo.com/stories/032908/mor_9981057.shtml
Hope that helps.
Well said, and sadly true. That run on Indy Mac bank last week was brought on by someone warning them of ...the possibility of a run on the bank!
Speaking strictly in generalities, people have enough energy to piss and moan about the economy and tough times, but inertia sets in when faced with actually having to make changes, let alone sacrifices. [whiny voice] "I don't WANT to deprive myself. I don't WANT to change my spending habits. Recycling takes too LONG. It's too HARD. I just want everything to be the way it WA-AS."
I've lived through several economic downturns as well as personal financial crises, and it can completely overwhelm you if you let it. I'm not saying the current climate isn't a concern -- I'm certainly feeling it. But I'm with you: adding negative verbal chum to the frenzy is not the answer.
A good bit of the pessimism is spread by the media and is politically motivated. I think after the election it will die down
Leah, you make me laugh with your version of The Whiners.
I have spent several days this week in the company of a 7-year-old, and I have definitely heard that whine-y voice!
Half-empty, or half-full? To be honest, my glass is about 85% full, has maybe hit 90% in the past, so why do I spend so much time worrying about that missing 10%?
I agree that there will be silver linings in our challenges today; less breeding/more riding of the trained solid horses we have. More appreciation for the live we have. A renewed interest in making do with less stuff and more quality time with those we love (two-footed and four.) A return to sobriety in consumption, I hope.
Our media is a relentless clamor, 25/7 and accordingly, our shock sense has become deadened. It takes bigger natural disasters, worse scandals, and steeper lines on a stock chart to get our attention. So it takes a lot of banging on our brains to get a response... until we reach a tipping point.
I've tipped in several small ways, and so far, they're all positive. I'm trying to look at the rich wine in the glass, not the slightly-lower level of that wine. Life is pretty good, and I am sobering up along with many others in my area... to the fact that a barbecue with friends or short trail ride produces as much lingering satisfaction as an expensive dinner out, or a trip to a faraway horse show to watch others have fun.
Happy Trails!
Suzi V
Great comments, all...have a great weekend!
Wow,
I am suprised that you have decided to take such a loaded topic. I could not agree with you more. My husband and I are moving to Idaho in October. We sold our house 2 1/2 months early. I also found fantastic homes for my 2 horses. I did not give anything away, and we got almost our entire asking price for our house. The economy is shining for us. We are looking forward to the move.
Welcome to Idaho. I hope it suits you as well as it does me!
At last, someone who brought this up before me! I'm so sick of people talking about the bad things in life, and they get the sh**s with me when I stop listening. It's like bad times...you've gotta go through them so why make it harder on yourself by focusing on the negatives? What harm does it do to think things happen for a reason? Or that life isn't all doom & gloom, and the world isn't against you. Honestly, how can it hurt?
I'll probably get toasted for this, so I'm posting as Anonymous. I don't need the hassle.
Personally, I think people bring up the economy because they're worried and don't know what to do about it. The media describes the situation using an alphabet soup mixture of confusing words and acronyms that sound as if they're speaking in a foreign language.
TPTB have LIED since last year. Well, either they lied or they have the worst record in history. First they stated that there wasn't a problem, then there was a problem, but it wasn't that bad, then the problem was "sort of" bad, but it was contained and wouldn't spread. Next thing you know, gas prices and unemployment are up and the taxpayer is funding JPMorgan's acquisition of Bear Stearns.
They print more money and destroy the value of our dollars, while telling us that they want a "strong" dollar. When they go overseas, they tell other countries they want a weak dollar. You can't have it both ways. Which is it? I think their actions speak loudly enough. Meanwhile, our leaders sit around and point their fingers at "big oil," questioning them about high gas prices. What a farce. It would be laughable if it wasn't so pathetic.
Now the Fed & Treasury wants to saddle the taxpayer with Fannie and Freddie debt too. That will just about double our national debt (which doesn't include the $54 trillion in upcoming SS and Medicare entitlements--which we don't have). We know what the rest of the world thinks since they're looking at lowering the USA's credit rating, should we take on this debt. That means not only will Joe Taxpayer have to pay back Fannie and Freddie via taxes, but any further credit extended to the USA after that will come with a higher interest rate, resulting in even more taxes! ACK!
Now I don't mind tightening my belt, I've done so many many times, and I know how. But when it's possible that the entire country's standard of living will go down (way down) due to these shenanigans, I feel compelled to stand up and scream about it. Maybe it's my 15 years of military influence or the fact that DH recently retired from the military himself, but we see what is happening here. This is NOT something you can run from and hope someone else will take care of it for you. You must fight it or you risk losses not only for yourself, but for your children.
Whenever someone complains to me, I try to use it as an opportunity to tell them the very BEST way to fix this is to contact their elected officials in DC and tell THEM. We can't put a stop to the nonsense if nobody cares enough to call. If those switchboards don't light up, IMO, America faces a very long, very difficult road ahead.
I am blessed to live out in the country and have ample space for my three horses. But we've had three great riding facilities either go up For Sale or go under in the past few months. We've had reports of a neighbor finding strange horses abandoned in their back pasture - left their via a road on the other side of the pasture and an unlocked gate (now locked). This is the likes of something I've never seen before and it is concerning. Yes - live, love, laugh. Life will always be too short. But keep your eyes open.
I think its okay - I was going to say good, but "ok" is better.
The economy is forcing change upon us and people historically don't react well to change, but we need it.
I think regardless of whether its that bad - its making people and shows and organizations change. In the long run I would be we will see it change for the better...
Agreed!
Check the December 06 archive for my blog post about breed shows--the one called "Dinosaurs In Our Midst." I think they'd been evolving toward extinction even without a poor economy, so the current conditions may be what it takes to bring about changes on key fronts.
what an interesting subject.
I do think hysteria feeds on itself and many simply allow it to overwhelm them.
I think horses are going to be hard to get rid of and the ones that will sell will be solid riding horses.
I think that everyone needs to manage their finances carefully and we all need to be aware of how our money is spent. At our house we will be tightening up our belts and doing a cost/benefit analysis each month to see how we can change what we have, to make sure what we have is fitting with our spending habits and to make sure we are not overspending. The next year will be the toughest for me, then things should ease up somewhat.
If I can sell my mare I will do so but if I cannot get what I want for her, I will keep her. Doing the cost/benefit analysis there, it would benefit me and mine to not have her, but the cost of owning her is not so outrageous that I will have to sell her.
Runaway psychology, is not what's happenning in the real world today, or you are so removed from it, that you completely don't get it! I see starving horses, everyday, on my way to work. Animal control, has been there TOO MANY times, and gives the excuse, that if they do take these horses away, they will go to slaughter, and now, there is no humane slaughter. Horses have been found turned out on county roads. I live in a rural area, mid USA...people are losing jobs by the minute..people are trying to feed their families by the minute... Many of these people who love their animals, are having BIG choices...cut back on good hay, or no hay at all; use less/inferior feed; hope the continual drought doesn't keep up this summer, for the pastures;
etc. Many folks, who are self employed, cannot keep this up.
Those who work for someone else, and haven't been laid off yet, can still depend on a steady income.
I think some folks need to remember their humble roots, or if they haven't had any, somehow can envision a walk in someone's elses shoes. Other than that, this was a really feel good article about people, who can still aford to do their horse stuff, and not feel guilty about it!
The reality is the banks and card companies gave credit to those who normally do not qualify for it and the housing market has dropped. These people have been going to their home as a bank and now owe more than the worth. This will get worse. Oil prices are continueing to climb. A lot of that has political reasons behind it it. This is a recession and history of the 1930's is repeating itself. What we can do personally to get through it is up to oneself. Personally I do not owe more than my house is worth and people must learn to tighten their belts to get through this. We have. It is happening. Yes we should be happy for what we have, but we also need to consider the future. At least if you have children and we shouldn't wander around oblivious to the rest of the WORLD around us.It should very well concern us.
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