Like all barns I visit, there are rules. I like very simple rules. I like the sign, “My barn, my rules”

1. BE KIND OR BE GONE! Treat others here BETTER than you treat yourself. Choose your words wisely. Write everything in a text editor first, review, re-write and then paste that into your reply or discussion. This helps spelling and grammar as well.
2. ABBREVIATIONS – Assume the other person isn’t as smart as you. Abbreviations should be followed once with what the letters stand for. If describing something, assume we are not there seeing what you are seeing.
3. THINK BEFORE COMMENTING – Condescending and flippant remarks drive people into silence or worse. “We all know that…” “This has been discussed elsewhere…” “If you just read the earlier comments…” Remember that none of us are perfect but this community is precious and we need to care for each other.
4. SET THE STANDARD – Smoking, drinking and cussing are OK as long as it doesn’t drift into this barn. There may be children here trying to learn how to best care for their horse and “adult” things have no place here. Wearing a riding helmet is setting the right example for the kids with easily damaged brains and NOT to protect knuckleheads like the cussing and drinking people we all know.
5. HORSES ONLY – This is ALL ABOUT helping horses thrive in a human world. Discussing politics doesn’t meet this goal. Nor does gossip, religion, and our in-laws. So please stay on the topic of horses and horse farms.

6. NO ADVERTISING – Please no posting of your business, your services, your products or your sales items. The exception are personal items for occasional sale (cleaning out the barn for example). Please go to the Members Classifieds forum.

I may add some more rules later but these are enough to get started. Flagrant abuse results in being banned. This is NOT censorship but it is a private and safe home to all visitors.

6 basic human needs applied to this website:

1. Certainty – This is a safe place for all.
2. Uncertainty – We all will get some surprises as our beliefs are challenged.
3. Significance – Gain this by doing constructive things and NOT by being destructive of others.
4. Connection – Meet other like minded people and try to enjoy and reciprocate the good feelings given and received.
5. Growth – So much for ALL of us (including you and me) to learn here in this community.
6. Contribution – This community offers opportunities to give back what you know through volunteering your time in helping others.

Start by introducing yourself and then welcoming all new members. Doc T