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I just wanted to let you know, in case you hadn’t noticed, that my latest Twitter update can be found here on the blog in the column to the right inside what’s called a “widget.”
A widget, FWIW, is a little window to an outside website that you can install on your own website. You may have also noticed that I have one for my Facebook updates, too.
But I wanted to let you all know about some of the stories that have broken, came to light and then passed into the night — all on Twitter. Because some of you don’t have access to Twitter and Twitter moves fast. Sometimes, too fast for me to get a blog post together.
What is that Twitter thing anyway?
It’s a lot like a headline news service, only you subscribe to short messages from people. And they can subscribe to what you write.
But your message can only be 140 characters long. That’s it.
I used to think that I could only post from a cellphone, but that’s not true.You can use Twitter on your computer.
A lot of horse people are on Twitter. Some consider it part of their businesses, but most of us use it for fun, too.
Because you can have a conversation on Twitter. It’s like having pen pals – only the “letters” are shorter.
You can also exchange ideas. And you can pass on a link to a good article you just read.
So, why should I care?
Well, I’m trying to figure out a way to keep you all up-to-date on some of the great stuff I’ve seen on Twitter. I know that a lot of you are hesitant to use Twitter, for whatever the reason.
Some horse world news that hits Twitter is fleeting. Or it’s just a tidbit that may not merit a blog post with a photo. Or I just don’t have the time to write it up. Or I’m away from the computer, don’t have my TweetDeck up (TweetDech is an application program that simplifies using Twitter) – and I miss it totally.
When I see good schtuff, I try to Retweet it, or forward it. If you’re one of my Facebook friends or you watch that little Twitter widget to the right on the main blog page, you’ve seen the updates that start with “RT@SomeName … “ That means that I’ve forwarded a message from Twitter. The @ designates a Twitter address.
Posts here that resulted from news on Twitter
When I saw saddlebred fans “tweeting” about watching the live feed from the Lexington Junior League Horse Show, I knew that I had time to whip up a post to let you know when and how to watch because the show lasts about a week.
The same thing happened with the Badminton Horse trials and the Upperville Horse Show. All those links to the live feeds came from Twitter. And those events lasted for several days.
But a problem is that some of the news coming over Twitter is so fleeting that it’s “blink and you miss it.”
As difficult as that is to imagine, I sometimes leave the keyboard. Plus, I don’t do cellphone text. I know – what kind of crazy Luddite talk is that from someone who blogs, Twitters and Facebooks?
Anyway, remember the recent insurance commercial tagline: “Life Comes at You Fast?” Well, Twitter moves even faster. Here is a sampler of recent horse news from Twitter.
Some Twitter-only discussions
Some of the horse stories me and my group of Twitter “horse tweeps” have discussed and followed for as long as the threads ran include:
* the oldest horse race in North America. (It’s not what you think, or where you think.)
* that an American-trained horse finally won at Royal Ascot.
* that the owner of the Boston Red Sox tried to save the Boston Police Department’s Mounted Police Unit, but somehow the offer fell through the cracks. And that I’d compared the situation to a plot line on HBO’s “The Wire.”
* and what leaves one place arrives somewhere else. The Bethlehem, PA, police department just revived its mounted patrol unit. (Yes, in the so-called “rust belt.” They found the dough, but Boston couldn’t? Hmm.)
The thing is, these stories were broken (news-speak for “revealed”) and discussed via Twitter.
So, why didn’t I post them here?
I tend to post essays here, not headlines. But I know that not all of my readers here are comfortable with Twitter. So maybe I should start throwing in more headlines, even if it means that there won’t be photos to go with them?
What do you all think? Updates as they happen, even without photos? Or a Twitter roundup, like this, later?
Feel free to respond in the comments section. Otherwise, I’ll just wing-it. 
Tags: mounted police, TweetDeck, Twitter
July 21st, 2009 at 9:48 am
I love Twitter almost as much as I love blogging. OK, maybe not quite. But it is a great way to connect with horsey people all around the world. Besides being one of the first sources for breaking news these days, I particularly love Twitter for covering events. There was great live coverage of Rolex Kentucky back in April. Today there are people tweeting the reining test event from the Kentucky Horse Park. There’s already lots of discussion about the Word Equestrian Games coming up next year. It gives you a chance to virtually attend these events from your home (or office, if you’re like me!).
July 21st, 2009 at 12:44 pm
I enjoy Twitter, too. It’s like a 24-hour all-you-can-eat buffet where servers bring out new stuff all the time. You pop in when you’re hungry, sample a little of what’s there and then leave because you know that there’ll be new goodies to sample next time.
Maybe that’s what staying on the concierge floor with the snack buffet down the hall is like?
And, yes, it’s a great way to keep up with live events if you don’t have the bandwidth to watch the streaming videos when they’re on. Plus, I enjoy a lot of people I’ve met there.
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Hey Rhonda,
I hope you have a fantastic time in Saratoga! I know I did! I had a blast trying to find all the painted ponies and hidden horses in the town. I do hope that you have a better time at the racing museum…I might have been jadded because the harness museum was so fantasic. I found that the food in Saratoga was hit or miss (either VERY good or very bad) so I don’t know what you are into, but if you like Mexican food El Mexicano on Broadway (on the edge of town right across from the Saratoga Diner) was out of this world good. We went to 2 bad mexican resturants first so it made the find even sweeter. Then there was the Carnival resturant right in the middle of broadway (the main road) for lunch…their salads, soups and sandwhiches were fantastic! I hope you enjoy the town as much as I did!
July 22nd, 2009 at 10:07 pm
Thanks for the Saratoga dining tips. We do love Mexican, especially the good schtuff. I’m going with the friend who went with me to Virginia at the end of May. She’s been to Saratoga before, although it was a long time ago. But this’ll totally be my first time there. I’m looking forward to it.