tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post7457536386046423780..comments2024-03-25T15:17:04.488-07:00Comments on Captain Capitalism: How Horses are to Blame for the Housing CrashCaptain Capitalismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05620212946121617985noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-15720033309943844472010-01-18T14:37:03.799-08:002010-01-18T14:37:03.799-08:00While in Chicago once I met a lady who said, "...While in Chicago once I met a lady who said, "the definition of a horse is an animal that eats money".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-51693474199290580192008-11-21T09:15:00.000-08:002008-11-21T09:15:00.000-08:00Cap, I hope you find a good woman some day. They d...Cap, I hope you find a good woman some day. They do exist out there :)<BR/><BR/>I had a friend whose dad bought his mom a horse and it was the dumbest thing I had ever witnessed. They kept it at a stable and visited it like twice a year. What a waste of money.Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00252455464056599105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-14403958392721772912008-11-20T04:50:00.000-08:002008-11-20T04:50:00.000-08:00You asked why women like horses. I think some wome...You asked why women like horses. I think some women like horses for the same reason some women like riding motorcycles. Aside from the obvious comparisons about power between the legs I’m told that some women enjoy the sensation of horseback riding the way some women enjoy the vibration of a motorcycle engine. It would explain why trophy wives who married old farts that were past their prime had the need for a stable full of ponies.Breton Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10964363354520448130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-52949183677057654302008-11-19T20:32:00.000-08:002008-11-19T20:32:00.000-08:00"Alas, big dumb animals were tangentially backing ..."Alas, big dumb animals were tangentially backing up various real estate and other business deals."<BR/><BR/>Now, now. It's not fair to call the horses dumb; they just wanted to eat oats and gallop around. They didn't make any crazy real estate investments.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-9741609951595128772008-11-19T19:45:00.000-08:002008-11-19T19:45:00.000-08:00Insert joke about being a "horse's asset" here.Insert joke about being a "horse's asset" here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-25234732493807408002008-11-19T12:26:00.000-08:002008-11-19T12:26:00.000-08:00"But there is something about horses and trophy wi..."But there is something about horses and trophy wives that I can't put my finger on, but I know is there."<BR/><BR/>Really cynical answer is that both horses and trophy wives are high-maintenance as hell. Some people confuse being rich, important and powerful with spending lots of money and being constantly in demand. So you have someone with money and a lack of confidence hook up with someone or something that takes a lot of money and constant attention. Everyone's happy (for a while).<BR/><BR/>Slightly less cynical answer is that there's a constant tension between old money and new money. Old money wants to make sure the new money knows it's the new kid in town, new money wants to prove it can do anything the old money did and do it better. Having a stable of horses, not for actual work or a profitable business or anything, but just to go out and look at and ride around on every so often when you feel like it, still has cultural associations with old money. So the new money tries to copy some of the things they see old money do so they can say "see, we're just as classy as old money too". Got an up-close look at that with a friend from a poor family who's done okay for himself, not great but okay, and who researched his genealogy, resurrected an old English grant of arms, and started hanging out with a stupid old money type (a trust fund kid who's trying to spend everything he has), some other not-so-stupid old money types, and some truly stupid new money types.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-65360347981570574462008-11-19T12:22:00.000-08:002008-11-19T12:22:00.000-08:00Interesting.....my thought is that your visitors/a...Interesting.....my thought is that your visitors/acquaintances see the horse as they drive up to your house, or at least the paddock and barn. Not so your shoes, cars, purse, or even your boat. But your horse.....<BR/><BR/>I noticed about the same thing when I lived in Colorado. Horses by a McMansion were a sure sign that the inhabitants were among the "shallow rich."Bike Bubbahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08193546045614393425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-1150731611415821412008-11-19T11:51:00.000-08:002008-11-19T11:51:00.000-08:00I have observed this very phenomenon also, and you...I have observed this very phenomenon also, and you have nailed it (living in Western Canada, we get to see lots of horseys and their owners). I never heard of horses being used as collateral for a loan, and always assumed that the "ranching" operation was used as a way to reduce taxes for a company or individual. The idea of using them as collateral is ridiculous on its face.<BR/><BR/>Women are predominately horse lovers, far more so than men. Men look at horses as a means to an adventure, decide "screw it" and buy a motorcycle to reach that adventure. Women, who have long been entranced with the beautiful princess bug, use horses as a way of capturing that life style. I really, truly believe that it is the romantic life style that woman fall in love with. As if mucking stalls can be considered romantic.<BR/><BR/>Obviously bikes are far more cost effective than horses in today's urban environment.<BR/><BR/>At least that is my .02 Cdn sociological/equine scatological analysis.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-33972606631656320812008-11-19T11:46:00.000-08:002008-11-19T11:46:00.000-08:00Real Asset Value of Most Horses: Dressed weight in...Real Asset Value of Most Horses: <BR/><BR/>Dressed weight in meat and offal for dog food.<BR/><BR/><BR/>I think the horses of the kind you describe most are a " I wanted a horse when I was little girl" romantic ideal thing thing.<BR/><BR/>I have have little respect for people who own horses who don't also muck-out for them, at least sometimes. Those horse owners actually seem to like horses.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-82038976112663274562008-11-19T10:34:00.000-08:002008-11-19T10:34:00.000-08:00I'm wondering if you ever caught the episode o...I'm wondering if you ever caught the episode of "City Confidential" on A&E about the guy who professionally killed horses in Illinois for the insurance money, for their owners? He got busted for offing some older lady he was romantically involved with (neither here nor there), but... <BR/><BR/>Maybe there's more to this than you think?Alfred T. Mahanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07741127311437596004noreply@blogger.com