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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Mini Boden catalogue - Painted horse on the cover is wrong

52 replies

willowmead · 07/08/2011 00:58

Am I the only one who thinks the painted horse on the front of the Mini Boden Autumn 2011 catalogue is wrong? The cover shows a white horse that has been painted with squiggles and decorations designed to look like they have been done by a youngster.

I think the message it gives is that it is ok to decorate your pet and that it could lay the seeds of the idea that it is ok to spray paint an animal.

I complained to Boden and I got back a reply saying the paints were non-toxic (I never thought they would be otherwise), horses like being painted and it is ok to do it because everyday veterinary students are taught horse anatomy with painted live animals!!!! Are there any vets out there who can comment on that please!!!

OP posts:
catgirl1976 · 07/08/2011 12:05

Grin sassy

moaningminniewhingesagain · 07/08/2011 12:06

I had DD painted last week. All over her face it was, I paid money for that too - hold on I will just ring the NSPCC...

MilkNoSugarPlease · 07/08/2011 12:08

That ninja turtle poodle on Thumbwitches link is fabulous!!

Mandy2003 · 07/08/2011 12:15

I expect they Photoshopped the horse!

michelleseashell · 07/08/2011 12:38

You guys crack me up :o

JoyceBarnaby · 07/08/2011 13:21

I watched Wizard of Oz the other day and thought the scene with 'the horse of a different colour' enticed children to take to the fields and spray paint horses. Don't even get me started on the flying monkeys and their little bolero jackets.

Time for a Mumsnet campaign - Campaign Regarding Accessorising Ponies

chaya5738 · 07/08/2011 15:36

i am laughing so hard at this

scottishmummy · 07/08/2011 15:48

i think you need to get a grip.misplaced ire
and the notion that anyone is going to proceed to spray paint a horse because of some middle class clothes catalogue cover is risible.the message it gives is over priced clobber for kids available inside. children who catch tadpoles in jars
and boys with mullets

you are over thinking this.big time

ExitPursuedByAGryffin · 07/08/2011 15:55

My mare would love to be on the front of a Boden catalogue - but she is a drama queen.

Did the Mnetter who sprayed her pony pink get a flaming. I remember the photos.

We had an incident locally a few months ago where horses were covered in paint in a field but that was some sort of lover's tiff.

I haven't had my Boden catalogue yet - wail - I enjoy a good laugh.

InTheNightKitchen · 07/08/2011 15:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

InTheNightKitchen · 07/08/2011 16:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LordOfTheFlies · 07/08/2011 16:08

One things for sure, the good people of Boden have had their publicity.!

There is a world of difference between animal abuse/cruelty and this catalogue cover.
Bit like the John Lewis Christmad advert and the dog outside in its shelter.DCs love the 'alternative' ending on YouTube.

BTW I'm sure it was Mitchieinge who turned her pony pink with food colouring. He survived.

ITNK PMSL @ Flamingo> Grin

CurrySpice · 07/08/2011 16:10

I think that if this is an issue that has got you worked up enough to write to Boden and post on AIBU you are crackers need to get out more tbh

YABU

SnapesMistress · 07/08/2011 16:50

Bah, if a horse needs painting to be fabulous then it is a crap horse IMO, that lovely chameleon horse from Wizard of Oz needed no such spraypaints. OP YANBU I suggest you write back to Boden and tell them to get a better horse.

catgirl1976 · 07/08/2011 16:54

This cruelty issue is deeper than I thought.

I have just come across "The Very Hungry Caterpillar". I think it gives the message it is ok for caterpillars to overeat with no adult supervision of what is in thier lunch boxes. I think after reading this people may run amok, showing 5 whole strawberries down the gullets of small caterpillars.

How many more instances of such irresposibility are there out there? I am so worried now my pearls have made indents into my palms.

CRS · 07/08/2011 17:17

I just went out and spray painted 6 horses and a cow, and I haven't even seen the catalogue - just hearing about it was enough. So the OP is NBU, and has alerted us all to a very serious issue.

MillyR · 07/08/2011 17:47

I agree with you OP. I thought it looked cruel that they had face painted that design so close to the horse's eyes. I was worried it might have caused it some distress. I don't own a horse so I don't know, but I know my dogs would find it upsetting to have some repeatedly messing around brushing something on to them so close to their eyes.

catgirl1976 · 07/08/2011 17:57

If you have horses milly you brush thier faces everyday, close to thier eyes. They generally like it. You also often sponge their eyes too.

MillyR · 07/08/2011 18:05

Thanks Catgirl, that makes me feel better about it.

catgirl1976 · 07/08/2011 18:06

I wouldn't paint mine though :) He would bit a bit perturbed!

spiderpig8 · 07/08/2011 18:11

i am so fed up with the num,ber of catalogues they sent out.Spend less on cataloguies and reduce your prices I say!

honeyandsalt · 07/08/2011 18:14

catgirl, I had to read the thread and your post out loud to m'DH your post made me laugh so hard!

catgirl1976 · 07/08/2011 18:15

Grin honey

picnicbasketcase · 07/08/2011 18:18

I know exactly what you mean. I'm on my way to a local farm to have serious words with the farmer who think it's okay to 'tag' his sheep with spray paint. It's just graffiti by any other name.

catgirl1976 · 07/08/2011 18:18

Yes but those Banksy sheep are just so cool.............