Patterns:
- I feel that within the genre of equine journalism not much is excluded. Perhaps the lack of live televised horse events due to freak accidents that would require like an advisory or warning beforehand (that happens in every sport – football, soccer, baseball hockey), or maybe there is an exclusion in certain articles that could involve maybe more opinion pieces but without the dramatic commenting feud that happens on social media. Content that is usually included in the genre of equine journalism are heartfelt rescue stories, training methods, exercises methods for the rider, fashion trends, ads or informative pieces about new products or equipment, interviews with professional riders and trainers, and I believe a couple more ideas.
Content is treated with respect and open arms (for the most part) by the horse community, but from outsiders they can be skeptical and wary about reading, watching, or listening to the content. Examples??? Evidence includes advice from professionals and kind of a history of experimenting what works and what doesn’t. There’s always different ways to doing things in the horse world and so content can include a variety of arguments and different angles.
- Rhetorical appeals that are used include ethos (each writer of the article or produced content is given recognition and in interviews), pathos (inspiration, influence, drama, sappy, encouraging, and much more), and logos I don’t think are used but I could be wrong.
- Texts in the genre are structured in different ways, you can have a Q and A type article, a letter format, one that is listed in steps if it is a demonstration of some sort, and a typical article with a single head title. Within a magazine there can be texts of all formats since each article is different.
- Different formats for content include magazines, podcasts, blogs, social media posts, and videos. Layouts vary but one thing in common with most of the formats is pictures of horses, or riders, or the two together. A typical text can vary in size, usually articles stay within a certain word limit maybe around 1,000? Videos and interviews can change though based on the content it is covering.
- Depending on the content, sentences can be both simple and complex, passive and active.
- Frequently used words or jargon include: faults, strides, oxer (other types of fences), ring, timer, buzzer, breeches, saddle, bridle, boots, bits, two-point, stretch out, long spot, short spot, hesitate, spook, and many, many more.
Situation and Scene:
- These patterns show that the genre is quite open and doesn’t really have a set style. In certain formats the genre isn’t as welcomed like broadcasts on tv (except for the Triple Crown). What this says about the people who use the genre are avid horse people.
I think that in order to understand or appreciate the genre you just have to have a simple understanding of what exactly the horse world entails. Just take the idea of journalism and put it with horses. Just about everyone is invited to the genre since it is so broad and open to anyone.
Certain roles that the genre may encourage readers to do (given that the audience could be anyone) could be to try horseback riding or maybe a different sport. It could also encourage them to be afraid of the sport or to try building a relationship with a horse, or at least become aware of the different types of characters in the horse world.
- One thing that I think someone can learn through the actions being performed in the genre by observing its language patterns would be the serious amount of passion people have for the sport and the animals we trust so much. Since the genre of equine journalism has no set language pattern it’s possible to also learn a little bit of everything about the horse community and the people within it.
It’s understood that this genre in general is underappreciated by outsiders and I think overall the genre is treated with fear and intimidation from the outside public, but loved and respected by those inside the horse community. Content that is considered important I think would be interviews or tips from top professionals. Content that is ignored I would say is a story that doesn’t provide the reader with anything or any emotion.
I think there is an assumption that you have to be an avid horse lover to read, listen, or watch equine journalism. There are certain aspects that can actually help people learn to better communicate with other people or even their pets, and it provides them with an awareness about other living creatures on this earth and a way to live life I think. One thing that is valued and shared is the passion horse people have for the sport and the relationship, but that varies based on one’s idea of a connection, bond, or way of doing something.
Similar to the above paragraph, I think the actions that the genre enables to a sense of one’s surroundings and the potential to construct such a strong bond with a creature that speaks an entirely different language. It enables this action for outsiders to better understand why it is what we horse lovers do and improves knowledge in those that are already a part of the community. On a different note, I do think the genre constrains the reality of the horse community. Everyone shares the same passion, but there is always a controversy or drama that needs to be settled and I don’t think the genre discusses it all that well.