training schools???

[Cliff Fenneman <cfly@concentric.net>]

I'd just decided to send my mule away to a bonified mule trainer when 
all these messages started popping up. Gosh! How does one protect ones 
self and animule from abuse. I have seen this trainer working with 
animals and with me and talked to others that have had their mules in 
training with him...checks out well so far...
I've had my share of problems with "trainers" over the years...trying to 
get some help with my arab. A lot of trainers are prejudiced against 
arabs and aren't interested unless you are going to "show", mainly I've 
done it myself, reading and making a lot of mistakes. My arab forgave me 
and is a (almost) perfect gentleman at 17. But this mule is a different 
story...I've already been dumped and kicked at and she is strong like a 
truck!
I think the value of this forum is to be able to share information with 
others...when something like animal abuse comes up...that's an emotional 
issue and it's easy for someone to get a bad rap ...but, we do have the 
responsibility to take care of our animals and protect them from harm in 
the name of education.
I wonder about the liabilities of defamation of character and stuff like 
that when sharing this kind of information in a public forum?
Lynda