California still exists, even in SoCal (Fresno, Oxnard: high school, income, living in)

[Fontucky]

They sure are an interesting and peaceful way to see the back country and hinterlands. I'd much rather do that from atop a horse than astride an infernal machine.

[user_id]

Originally Posted by Fontucky

They sure are an interesting and peaceful way to see the back country and hinterlands. I'd much rather do that from atop a horse than astride an infernal machine.

I'd take the machine, but I'm not suggesting that people shouldn't ride horses (though...I do find it odd), rather that they are an expensive luxury item. As a result they are used to signal wealth, those pesky working-class folks can't easily obtain one.

I grew up in a working-class community in California, nobody I knew had a horse, but we sure did surf and skate a lot. I see a lot of horse people here though, numerous multi-million horse properties in the Conejo Valley (Hidden Valley, etc).

[Fontucky]

And I know a lot of regular working-class people who have a horse/horses. I come from horse people, and we're not rich. We (they, I don't have any horses) simply forgo other things in life to make way for the horse expense. To say it's an indicator of wealth is rather close-minded.

I'm sure many wealthy people share my taste for fine imported coffee beans, but that doesn't mean I wipe with 100 dollar bills.

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

Originally Posted by .highnlite

as per the article, a farrier can make $100,000 K a year, cute beats rich.

So they are lower middle class then?

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

Originally Posted by user_id

Surfing is more or less a working-class/middle-class thing, all it takes is a surf board and some free time (similarly for skateboarding). Horses are primarily an upper-middle class/rich snob thing, it takes considerable resources to maintain the horses, have room for them, etc. Horses are just one of the many ways the wealthy display their status. In terms of function they are entirely outdated and useless.

I have seen all economic classes surfing and plenty of middle class people that have horses. I guess Malibu is full of working class and middle class people then.

[proudmommy]

Originally Posted by user_id

Horses are just one of the many ways the wealthy display their status. In terms of function they are entirely outdated and useless.

For every minute a person rides a horse, he spends about $200 (stable fees, vets, original purchase, etc) and about 45 minutes maintaining, feeding, caring, cleaning, etc.

And, you just got to love flies.

[user_id]

Originally Posted by Fontucky

And I know a lot of regular working-class people who have a horse/horses.

Yes...and? How does this demonstrate that horses aren't used as status symbols?

Originally Posted by Fontucky

I come from horse people, and we're not rich.

We all at some point came from "horse people", I'm talking about today.

Originally Posted by Fontucky

I'm sure many wealthy people share my taste for fine imported coffee beans, but that doesn't mean I wipe with 100 dollar bills.

Coffee beans aren't used as a signal for wealth due to the ease at which just about anybody can purchase them. Feeding, housing, etc a horse is a considerable expense for something that provides no real function.

Now, some rancher out in the middle-of-no-where may derive some actual value from the horse and his cost of ownership is going to be modest as well. But the vast majority of folks in California live in or near cities and it is here that horses function as status symbols. I should have added this caveat in my original comment.

[user_id]

Originally Posted by SOON2BNSURPRISE

I have seen all economic classes surfing and plenty of middle class people that have horses. I guess Malibu is full of working class and middle class people then.

Really? You've seen? Did the rich kids have gold platted wet suits? The only way you're going to determine this is if you were out on the waves talking to people, so where did you go surfing?

In terms of Malibu, let me introduce you to something called an automobile, it can magically transport people to the beach.

I find it funny to what degree people object to classification of activities, tastes, etc along socio-economic lines. Americans have a strong sense that they live in a classless society, yet social class is a dominate force in their lives. Very odd!

[nullgeo]

Originally Posted by user_id

Surfing is more or less a working-class/middle-class thing, all it takes is a surf board and some free time (similarly for skateboarding). Horses are primarily an upper-middle class/rich snob thing, it takes considerable resources to maintain the horses, have room for them, etc. Horses are just one of the many ways the wealthy display their status. In terms of function they are entirely outdated and useless.

Says the passionless lump sitting in his recliner ...

[nullgeo]

Originally Posted by user_id

Yes...and? How does this demonstrate that horses aren't used as status symbols?


We all at some point came from "horse people", I'm talking about today.



Coffee beans aren't used as a signal for wealth due to the ease at which just about anybody can purchase them. Feeding, housing, etc a horse is a considerable expense for something that provides no real function.

Now, some rancher out in the middle-of-no-where may derive some actual value from the horse and his cost of ownership is going to be modest as well. But the vast majority of folks in California live in or near cities and it is here that horses function as status symbols. I should have added this caveat in my original comment.

... and yet more argumentation from the guy who has no points to actually discuss nor interests to convey nor positions to advance -- only statements to make argumentatively about individual statements made by others within their discussions.