| Why would equestrians want to network on the | | | | friends. You can also join horse groups at MySpace, |
| internet? | | | | and you are free to advertise whatever you like on |
| Horse people are as a rule social animals and naturally | | | | your home page. |
| do a fair amount of networking on a daily basis without | | | | 5. If you are looking for romance, join a reputable |
| even trying. On the internet this natural talent can be | | | | equestrian singles site. Make sure your private |
| very useful, especially for those hose riders and horse | | | | information is safe. Never give out any personal details, |
| owners who intend to earn some spare cash on the | | | | especially not your e-mail address. All communication |
| net. | | | | happens via the site. Even if you are not looking for |
| The simple act of setting up a horse blog in | | | | romance, these sites can be a great place to meet |
| cyberspace, even if it is on a fascinating subject like | | | | new people, and you can specify on your profile if you |
| equestrian holidays, will not guarantee you visitors who | | | | are looking for a relationship or just want to make |
| click on your adsense ads or buy your e-book. When | | | | horsey friends. |
| you have told all your horse fiends and acquaintances | | | | 6. Subscribe to quality equestrian newsletters like the |
| as well as your grandmother about your blog or | | | | Equestrian Information Newsletter; or even better, start |
| e-book, time has come to take it to the masses of | | | | writing one of your own. |
| eager readers on the net. Although they are very | | | | 7. Subscribe to equestrian magazines, or e-zines, like |
| keen to get hold of the equestrian information you | | | | the Equestrian Online Weekly about how horse people |
| want to share, they can not do so if they do not know | | | | can earn money on the net. Choose an e-zine that will |
| where to find it. | | | | provide you with valuable, practical information in every |
| So how do equetrians network on the internet? | | | | issue. |
| Much the same as you would in real life. You talk to | | | | 8. Attend equestrian webminars. These are a bit like |
| other horse people about your passion and exchange | | | | real-life seminars, except the whole thing happens in |
| horse stories. Meeting people from all over the world is | | | | cyberspace. It can be via a telephone connection, or |
| a truly enriching experience. Here are a few quick and | | | | via webcam, with means you can also see the other |
| easy ways to go about it: | | | | participants. Tremendous fun, and very informative. |
| 1. Join a forum. There are literally hundreds of forums | | | | 9. Use social bookmarking sites like Delicious, Digg and |
| on the net. Choose one on a subject that interests you | | | | specifically for blogs, Technorati. These humongous |
| specifically. Two favorites of mine are the Yahoo | | | | sites exist purely to help you find the information you |
| groups Ride with Confidence and the Friesian Horses | | | | are looking for according to what other web surfers |
| Group. Just be very careful never to advertise your | | | | thought of the quality of the information they have |
| services or products directly on the forum. You will get | | | | already discovered. When you find a useful website, |
| banned. Forums are about making contacts, not selling | | | | you can bookmark and rate it depending on how |
| your wares. | | | | practical and realistic the information was on the site. |
| 2. Join a society or a club. If you are interested in | | | | Other people can then look at your assessment and |
| classical riding, join a classical riding club. Or an eventing | | | | decide whether it will be worthwhile to visit that site. |
| or show jumping or horse breeding club. Be an active | | | | 10. Write your own blog. Probably the easiest and |
| member and contribute regularly. | | | | most profitable way of networking on the internet and |
| 3. Subscribe to and comment on other people's horse | | | | definitely the most amusing. Go to Technorati and do a |
| blogs. You can subscribe by RSS- just click on the little | | | | search on horse blogs to see what is already out |
| orange sign- or by e-mail. When you comment, leave | | | | there. You ill be amazed and impressed and soon you'll |
| your blog address. | | | | also be addicted. Don't forget to bookmark your own |
| 4. Join MySpace, an enormous social networking site, | | | | blog with the social bookmark sites! |
| and invite MySpace horse people to become your | | | | |