ALL CAMS GOING PRIVATE!!!!

[Heather T]

DID I GET YOUR ATTENTION??

Good - because I have tried everything else - and if you viewers do not learn some discretion more and more cams will go private. I have two farms this week that have contacted me about putting up private cams.

I have had numerous cam owners contact me this week about ugly emails and phone calls from viewers.

One cam owner removed her phone number from her page because a viewer called to tell her that the mare had foaled - the day AFTER the foal was born. The caller jumped all over the cam owner asking why the phone number was still on her page then? So now what will happen if we're watching and that mare/foal get into trouble? There is no longer a phone number to call. This viewer had no right to do this.

One cam owner called in distress because she can't do this alone - she NEEDS the viewers but she can't handle the criticism. THIS IS NOT WHAT MARE STARE IS ABOUT!!!!

One member in particular has been harrassed repeatedly on this forum and I am telling you now that I will not tolerate it.

Mare Stare was created to allow the farm owners some relief - so they didn't have to do it alone. It is also here to EDUCATE - how many of you have learned from watching these births - the tragedies and the victories? I know I have.

We have grown so dramatically this past two years and it's a blessing to have so many cam owners INVITING us into thier private lives. Let's remember that it is a priviledge and not a right. I keep stressing that but there are some of you who are not listening.

We want the viewers experience to be wonderful and we need your eyes - you are important to all the cam owners. But do not assume that you know everything that is going on behind the scenes. If you don't understand something email me! I'll respond to you, but do NOT harrass or criticize a cam owner.

I have started a Question and Answer forum so that you can ask questions about things you don't understand - let's use it.

As we continue to grow we will have more viewers.... I am counting on each of you, who are here for the good of the animal and the owner, to help us keep educate these viewers.

AND Do not assume that if a cam is not connecting that the entire network of Mare Stare is down - and don't call the cam owner and give them fits because their cam is not coming up!!!!! People actually do shut their cams off, and they do have issues on their end that cause connection problems.

And no, the cams are not all going private, but if things don't change there will be more and more that will - and, if that happens, it's a lose/lose situation for everyone.

[lilpondarosamini]

Maybe we as veiwers need to recieve warnings when we cross the line. I hope if I ever step on a cam owners toes that someone will let me know so I wont do it again. I would hate to hurt anyones feelings when I know they are doing the best they can and should be appreciated not critiqued. I thank each and everyone of them for letting me into their barns. I have learned alot here good and bad but all I have learned needed to be learned. I hope to always practice treating everyone here as I would like to be treated in return.

[Nettie]

I have had many emails complaining about my cam being down.. when in fact I have it switched off because I am in Australia and opposite times here... I am working on getting an outdoor cam, but for now there is a number of hours during Aussie day time that my cam is not online (not broken, nothing wrong, and not a MareStare or server problem).

MareStare is such a vital tool for us foaling barns who need extra eyes. We all know how tiring it gets watching a mare on cam.. imagine it ten fold.. thats what its like have mare int he barn ready to foal. Its a very anxious and scarey time (I know I hold my breath!) and we really don't need people complaining about how we do things, when we have our cam online.. or the qaulity of the picture coming from our cam.

Heather... the help you give me (especially when I am having my *der* moments) is just tops and I really hope everyone reads this thread and thinks before posting/emailing/calling and harrassing cam owners.

I do hope all barns stay public and people start respecting their decisions.

Nettie

[mysteryhorses]

Nettie, good wording!!!

Heather Keep up the great job and if you have to be tough be tough!!!

Good luck figuring out what to do.

[ClevengerPaints]

Lets all just use the golden rule..."If you can't say anything nice, Dont say anything at all." - Clevenger Paint Horses

[wmhackneyponies]

Heather,

Just a thought. When an alert goes out there are a lot of people who just get the alert by email. They just click on the link and away they go to the cam. They don't even need to come to the Marestare site. They may not be seeing any of the warnings being posted.

[Dar]

I am a cam owner... and I am going to refer you to my yearly warning post.

stroquat.proboards18.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1167752627

Now I do not get a lot of calls on what I do... nor have I gotten many posts about how people do things different. I have gotten calls when a colt was cast after weaning and I was in town. I did get a 3 am wake up call last summer that I had a mare foaling. The weanlings was in the barn in July.. sorry no mares foaling and went back to bed. I did have to be up at 5 am to go to work. Please leave me your numbers so I can call you back at 3 am when I do not have to go to work.

I do watch other message boards as I have seen how people go other places and whine and complain about how people do things. Shame....

Part of my yearly post should hit home....

This is my home and my barn. Most of the people that have watched me foal can tell you what is going on by what they see me doing. I do have a Frequently asked questions above for you to read. This should explain a lot to you that are new.

Just remember .. everyone does things different.. I do things my way. This makes nobody's way right or wrong, just their way of doing things. If you do not like my way of foaling I will ask that you hit the little x in the corner and not watch.

My cams are up for you to learn. I invite you to my board, my home and my barn.. but they are my home, my board & my barn and my horses.

I do NOT owe you the viewers anything. This is real life, I do not do things for you in cam land. I do things for my horses 1st. I do not post all updates, as you do not need to know everything that is going on. Also, due to dramatics at other places, I have stopped posting a lot more than I used to.

I do expect you to post on my board, and hopefully do not read stuff at other boards where you posted negative stuff, or see stuff about other places posted. I can get a tad ticked over stuff that is emailed to others. Remember we do hear about it, and it is brought to our attention. (even if a board is private, we hear about it)

I do appreciate the calls when mares are close. I can not stay awake all the time & work too. I have shared beautiful foalings, sick horses, and even the few I have lost with you all.

Please remember there is lag time depending on the number of viewers. You will miss a lot that is going on. This is NOT a popularity contest, it is real life.

and once again

Just remember .. everyone does things different.. I do things my way. This makes nobody's way right or wrong, just their way of doing things. If you do not like my way of foaling I will ask that you hit the little x in the corner and not watch.

Thanks to all of you that do watch and learn.

[Nettie]

Dar that is a great post.. maybe all barns should post one similar on their message boards? Do you think? I had to ban guests from posting on my board because of things they were saying....

Nettie

[Linda]

Very well said Heather and Dar. I can't imagine anyone calling, like it was their horse, and getting so nasty at the real owners. Who do these people think they are!!! Some just need to get a life and stay out of others. You all have been so terrific by letting us into your barns, and I thank you so much for that. It has been a wonderful learning experience for me. I wouldn't have known what to do when my Mini's foaled last summer if it wasn't for you all on this wonderful site I could have been in lot's of trouble, but stayed calm and everything went very smooth. I got some great advice and with that I didn't panic when the time came. Heather you have done such a awesome job with mare stare and I can't even imagine how hard you work and all the hours you put in in a days time. Please don't let a hand full of lame, pushey, stupid people get to you, as you have so many of us good ones that are behind you all the way. I, as many others would be lost if it wasn't for your wonderful site. God Bless you and the others that are involved in keeping mare stare up and going.

And, yes Heather, you sure got my attention. Your title is perfect, and should get everyones attention.

[Chero]

I sure hope that you get thru this time Heather, it enrages me and I am not a cam owner...to think anyone has the audacity to call and harrass an owner for ANY reason what so ever!!!

I just cannot understand how they think that they have any rights to do anything other than sit watch and learn about foalings, it is definitely a privilege to be able to view these magnificent animals during these delicate times and to find the nerve to have anything to say other than "thank you for allowing me to help you while your away, busy or sleeping" is beyond my comprehension...

Hmmm, private okay by me because I dont abuse the privilege...I make sure if I call, I give my name (login usually) i.e., "Chero from mare stare chat" so they know whos calling with regards to their horse, I even apologize for having to call at an odd hour, but I only do it when its absolutely a necessity.

Sorry so long winded, but I am just as upset as if I were being the one thats being harrassed.

[Sandyb]

Heather,
I am 54 yrs old and to this day i have found people to be welll not real sure i can say. But my husband is diable and to help pass the time we come to mare stare. I have been here for three yrs i love watching these cams. No i don't post alot but i do watch. How somone does their barn or animals is their business. I my self at 54 have to do my alone. Since now my hasband is no longer able. We have mini horses and donkeys and i have my own cameras so we may see them for ourselves and to make sure all is well in the barn. Thanks to all the share theirs in our home i am sorry to hear that there are people out there that can be so nasty. There are some of us that like the pleasure of sharing and not judging keep up the good work.

Sandy (hollie)

[KCQHFARM]

People are here to watch, please have a heart for those that are foaling their mares out. I have watched some and I have thought hmm would I do it that way? But hey, it's not MY mare..From what I have seen here the owners have all done EXCELENT JOBS!! These people KNOW their own mares and we just need to sit back and watch... Like I said before..HAVE A HEART... or we will be watching NOTHING...

[mistymoon]

I have seen some rather nasty posts about different things - and it has made me very angry that people would post these messages. I have posted messages responding to these critics saying that they have no right to do so.
It is a privilege not a right to watch these cams and as a cam owner I am thankful that people are watching for me. I work at a very demanding job and appreciate extra sets of eyes on my mares. But good Lord people - don't criticize others or this wonderful world of marestare will become very limited. How would you feel if there was a horse in trouble on cam and the owners could not be contacted - because you abused your privilege. The whole point of marestare is to allow you a glimpse into farm owners barns - and their very personal business during foaling. Think about what you are posting. Think about the middle of the night phone calls. Just think - period!!!!!!!!!!!
I have only had a few phone calls during foaling season - and appreciated the calls - I was in the foaling barn when people called but they couldn't see me - I appreciate that. But others have had phone calls at all hours of the night - for nothing.
Come on people - don't wreck this for those of us that depend on this great service.
And Heather - you have done such a wonderful job - your business is growing in leaps and bounds because of your great service.
I hope that the few "bad" viewers will think about Heather and what they are doing to her throught their thoughtlessness.

[minidonks]

Heather,

The few false phone calls we receive is worth the aggravation in order to get the phone calls that are needed when our jennets are truly about to foal. You just have to develop a thick skin and if people are getting on your nerves turn the doggone camera off and post a note on your web cam page that you have turned it off. Don't let a minority of people spoil it for the majority.

[cher1010]

I hope that those who are guilty of this behavior will STOP doing it, whatever method they are using, posting, calling. These owners and their horses were doing just fine before we were allowed to HELP THEM WATCH THE MARES and that is what we all need to keep in mind. All births, people included, are different. We do not know by watching a camera, what is going on there. These cameras are a privilege and enjoyed by many. Saying negative things isn't going to change anything about the birth or the way the stalls are kept, etc..The only thing it will do is make the owners mad and sad and make the marestarers MAD. How do you like them apples? Another thing, Heather had offered in more than one post, that if you have questions, to LET HER KNOW. There, really, is no excuse for this behavior. A few bad eggs can ruin it for all.