ALL CAMS GOING PRIVATE!!!!

[barnmother]

While I am new to marestare I have foaled out hundreds of mares over many years in several states, I worked for a veterinarian for many years. I have seen some of these posts and have to assume when I read them that the writer was so new to the foaling process that they thought it was like human birth.

To the newbies I would suggest a little reading "Blessed are the Broodmares" is a great source of information and I am sure that there are many more reading opportunities out there. There are also videoed births that can be watched to get more familiar with the foaling process.

Perhaps if people with additional questions used the question and answer thread and allowed the moderators to answer their questions that would help.

I have never felt the need to pick up a phone and call an owner during the times I have been watching and I have seen many mares foal on marestare. Perhaps because the owners are following the course of action that I would have chosen. We do however all need to remember it is their horse, their barn, their show. Wouldn't it be best to PM the moderators and have them call the owner if you feel there is a potential problem?

To the moderators of the marestare site, you have a great thing here. I hope to be able to continue to enjoy watching mares foal on your site. To the camera owners who have been offended, criticized and disturbed by these "well meaning" individuals I apologize for their ignorance, I love watching your mares, quietly in the background. Thank you for sharing with us.

Teresa

[brookhaven]

bbm4ever...trust me, that was short compared to what I really wanted to say....LOL!!!! You know that old soap box...ya get on a roll....hehe

[finallyashowgirl]

Boy, I haven't been on here in a couple of days and this is the first post I see! My heart started pounding!!

Now, I'm still pretty new here, but I completely agree with the warnings and consequences idea. If it is not too much work for the mods, maybe they could keep track by having the owners call or pm and report the abusive caller/emailer. I know some people do not identify themselves when they call, but most people have Caller ID these days. Unfortunately, I'm thinking this is the only way some starers will get the hint.

Also, I think it would be a good idea to have a Mare Stare Board or something like that, and only those people would be able to call the owners.

I know this is not what MareStare is all about, but maybe implementing these things for a while will get the message across.

Hopefully, these people will not ruin it for the rest of us.

[Carol the Night Owl]

WOWSERS!!!
I am so sorry that some cam owners have been harrassed so badly - I have never called anyone because their cam was off and wouldn't dream of doing so.
HOWEVER - I have been responsible in the past for calling a couple of breeders and informing them that their mare had foaled - unbeknownst to them - and was thanked for it.
I also called a breeder a few years back, before Mare Stare was begun, and by doing so saved the life of a foal - so viewers can be helpful - BUT they need to be careful and really aware of what is going on.

[celeste]

I work with the public and anyone who does knows there are some REAL JERKS out there that feel they are the experts on EVERYTHING..I can't imagine emailing or calling any of these owners with criticisms or advice..I can't afford to subscribe to cams but hey.. if thats what it takes....I don't blame anyone for closing their boards if they have to deal with some of the smart ^$$#$'s I've seen on line!!

[lovelyepona]

As a previous Marestare client I want to say something as well. I had people question my actions when I had my foal last year. I had calls that my mare was stepping on the foal. I appreciated the calls. I didn't take offense to someone being concerned. Yes many of the people get excited or over step their bounds but they also do it out of concern. Many of the people watched my foals short life, and I appreciated the concern.
As my grandmother said, take everything with a grain of saly and a teashoohoo of sugar. I sometimes forget that myself.
Now with that being said, I would not appreciate someone pestering me on a regular basis. I understand the concern but sometimes people need to chill out. If you are trying to help and the owner says/implies she/he doesn't want it, drop it. Move on.

[chrystalpaths]

Well spoken Heather!

[finallyashowgirl]

I just wanted to add to my post that I agree that most of these people are calling out of concern, are new and don't know what to look for, etc. Some of the cam owners do appreciate the calls, even if they are mistaken. Others have had so many calls, it is jepoardizing their sanity.

Maybe have the owners choose whether they want their phone number to be publicly listed? Then, the ones that don't, have a Board of Directors or something that will be the only ones that have the phone numbers.

[Marion]

I know that viewers haved saved my foals. I know that I have done things that people have disagreed with in this foaling session. However, I knew my mare and her reaction to us during foaling. We don't keep our cameras on unless a mare is close within a week or sometimes within days ( they can sneak up on you). Heather, you have done a great job and whatever you think is best about phone numbers will work for me.

[kelstar]

I for one surely hope it never goes private. Our whole family sit here for days on end in anticipation for different foals to be born. It is such a learning experience for my children who can't witness it in person as we don't have a farm our horses are agisted out. The smile that comes across their faces when they see a miracle happen in the foals being born is worth all the money in the world so PLEASE everybody leave the business of the foals being born to the owners and keep any opinions to yourself, and respect their privacy as you would expect them to respect yours. Thank you from our family for the oppurtunity to see these little miracles happen everyday.We truly love them all.

[Dianne(GodMommy2Max)]

Who did it ummm lemme at em!! just kidding I realy hope that this doesnt continue i would hate to see private cams everywhere its rude to call and jump on an owner all because a darn phone number is up Tracy had her number on there after lil heart butt was born and after the cam was off for 3 days I did call her only out of concern of the cold weather and the chance both mom and foal had of colicing. and i called thea once but we were ALL sure that was the night , otherwise we should all accept that the numbers are private and as they say FOR EMERGANCY only. if it came down to it heather could it be set to where diffrent moderators only had the numbers Im sure there are many of us online to help and watch and I know i am on 24/7 with DSL as well have free Long Distance. as for the rude person who is causing issues GROW UP i know heather has warned us before so wake up and get a clue some behavior is for children not adults!

[MaryGoRoundHorses]

I'm more a BLOW IT OUT YOUR BUTT type if I got that email or call.
I do a LOT of imprinting..and that ALWAYS gets controversy...W/E. I'm comfortable with what I do, and if someone wants to make it crystal clear how unknowledgable and not the brightest crayon in the box, they can.
Extra poopy stalls? Can we get the "posters" snail mail and MAIL the extra to THEM? Heehee!
Sorry to whoever had the calls. Its never appreciated to get a call at 2:30 am to let you know your mare is down...when the mare is SLEEPING. *rolling eyes*

[nancyg]

My heart was almost broken when I read the headline of this post!!! I am so so sorry for those of you having troubling phone calls, emails, comments, etc. That only adds to your frustrations and apprehensions of foaling and I for one wish I could help relieve some of your sleepless nights and tensions during the foaling season. Please people who are being so inconsiderate, stop this childish behavior and do not ruin one of the best sites I, as well as others, have found in a very long time. We are very privledged to be able to observe (quietly and respectively) and I appreciate that. I hope that I have never posted a rude or deragotory remark toward any of the cam owners and if I have, please accept my sincere apology. I think there have been many worthy responses to this post and hope all viewers will take the time to read and ahere to what is being said. I would hate for all the cams to go private and hopefully those who have can and will return.

[durangosmom]

Wow - haven't been on the board in a while - this defiantly got my attention! Heather, I think you are right to put your foot down. I also think that it would be prudent to ban certain people from the site entirely if need be. I have no problem either way with the phone numbers being published or private (your number). I also think that extra eyes are an asset to those that cannot always be looking, or there for that matter. I guess if I was getting harassing phone calls, I would want my number private - but would want my cams public - or at least let me choose who gets to watch. Good luck with your decision - sorry you have to deal with this.

Heather
PS - My gelding is NOT pregnant the last time I checked LOL!

[tooee]

Being a total novice, I questioned certain things myself. But I would not dare call someone. I would leave that up to the KNOWLEDGEABLE people who watch the cams. THEY are the ones who should and will make the calls when necessary. I have no business making any calls to owners, and others like me (novice) have no business making those calls.

I like the new thread for asking questions. Great idea! If someone has a concern during a time of labor or after a foal is born, what a great place to post it.

I hope the cams will not have to go private. I've been watching for a few years now and love the foaling season. I owned 2 geldings 15 yrs ago so I'm enjoying the only way I can be around horses again. I'm greatful for the opportunity to be invited to freely view the cams in others private barns. I watch, oooh & awww, and mind my own business.

To those who feel they have to 'act' important , do it another way than by causing problems at MareStare please. Some of us just plain need the cams in our lives. It's relaxing us starers and helpful for the owners. Don't make it stressful.