How to explain to someone what a work ethic is?

Question

I'm looking into purchasing a horse. I asked the seller what her work ethic was like and they didn't know what I meant. The horse was not hers, it was her kids, so she might not even know the answer but I thought I'd ask anyway.
How do I explain what a work ethic is?
I know what it is I'm just having trouble putting it into words. Any help would be appreciated.

Answer 1

I have always explained work ethic as 'what is their attitude towards work?'



Are they a willing participant and eager to learn?

or do they have a lazy, unwilling attitude towards work?



Hope that makes sense, I think it could go for humans and horses alike.

Answer 2

A work ethic is the moral standards that someone goes by in their business.



In this case, are you asking if they have trained the horse, or if they are selling the horse for a fair price?



Some better questions might be to ask what they do with the horse on a daily basis. What activities does it do, what do they feed it, when was the last time a vet was out and would they agree to paying for a vet check prior to purchase. A Coggins test is always a good idea before purchasing.



If you are asking what the horses behavior is like, then ask pointed questions on what the horse does with the specific equipment on you would be using. Such as "How does she work under saddle, does she wear a martingale, what kind of a bit does she use, does she buck, shy, or refuse?"

Answer 3

Horses don't have ethics. Ethics are defined by your moral compass. Horses don't have morals either.



Now if you are asking about the horses' general temperment people might be able to answer that question with some comprehension of what you want to know.

I assume you wanted to know if the horse was of a willng nature or needed extra prodding to get the job done. That is defined by a horses temperment NOT his non existent ethics.

Answer 4

I'd ask these questions:



'Does the horse need aditional motivation (ie spurs, crop, ect) to work?'

'Will the horse stick to a task and not get boerd within 5 minutes and start to act up?'

'Have you cross trained the horse (more than one thing, ex: Roping and also dressage? Did the horse transition easily?'

'Does the horse pick up on new things and enjoy them? Or do you have to force it to do something out of the routine?'



Hope these help!!! :)

In my oppinion... a horse with a good work ethic is willing to learn TONS of new things... while also continuing to enjoy things they already knew!!

~Miss Montana

Answer 5

goodness...work ethic is not known to most people ive found anymore...

there seems to be no concept of it, the two words combined...work? whats that?...ethic...do you mean colored people? ha ha

it doesnt go for just what your question is about...i dont ask that question to about 90% of the horse people i talk to. but it goes for people in general anymore...

im sure you are putting your words just fine...other than maybe you might need to "dumb down" as ive had to put it, when talking to some of these people...put things as you would to a preschooler...sometimes that helps:)

darn, im being pessimistic, but i guess ive been there too many times...lol

Answer 6

Work ethic is the horse's willingness to perform at the top of their game.



A horse with a good work ethic seems to enjoy its tasks.