📜 Community Rules — The Happy Horse and Rider Lab
These rules exist to protect the learning space, not to police people. 1️⃣ Lead with Curiosity Share experiences, observations, and questions—not ultimatums. Instead of: “You should just…” Try: “What’s worked for me…” “Have you considered…” “I’m curious what happens if…” 2️⃣ Horse-First, Always Advice should consider: - The horse’s physical comfort - Emotional state - Learning history If a suggestion prioritizes control over understanding, it doesn’t belong here. 3️⃣ No Discipline or Method Shaming All disciplines and backgrounds are welcome. This is not a place to: - Dismiss others based on discipline - Promote superiority of one system - Mock “less advanced” questions We learn across disciplines here. 4️⃣ Behavior Is Information We don’t label horses as: - Stubborn - Lazy - Dominant - Bad Describe what you see and what’s happening, not what you assume. 5️⃣ Debate Ideas, Not People Disagreement is okay. Disrespect is not. - No personal attacks - No sarcasm aimed at individuals - No “gotcha” replies If a conversation stops being productive, moderators may step in. 6️⃣ No Fear-Based or Punitive Advice Advice rooted in: - Intimidation - Flooding - Escalation for compliance - “Make them learn” thinking …will be removed. Discussion about these approaches is welcome. Promotion of them is not. 7️⃣ This Is Not a Marketplace - No unsolicited promotions - No DMing members to sell services - No affiliate links without permission If you have something valuable to share, ask first. 8️⃣ Protect Psychological Safety - No diagnosing horses or humans - No shaming emotional responses - No minimizing someone’s experience Growth happens best in safety. 9️⃣ Stay Engaged, Stay Kind If you post a question: - Be open to feedback - Stay involved in the discussion - Remember: learning is collaborative 🔟 Moderator Discretion To maintain the integrity of this space: - Posts may be edited or removed - Repeat violations may result in removal