[HPforGrownups] Hagrid the animal abuser

[Bart Lidofsky]

No: HPFGUIDX 166223

horridporrid03 wrote:
>>>>Bart:
>>I grew up a city kid, and I learned how to handle a horse when I   
>>was 7 years old. First thing I learned: Never walk behind a horse   
>>within kicking range.
> 
> Betsy Hp:
> Me too.  I'm curious as to how you were taught that particular 
> lesson?  For me, a group of us kids (about 6 or so) were taken inside 
> a stable, our teacher stood with the horse and told us all the finer 
> points, and then, one by one, we were encouraged to pet and brush the 
> horse.  Over time we were left more and more unsupervised, in that 
> we'd each care for the horse we rode, but there were always at least 
> two responsible adults around.  Oh, and the horses used were calm 
> friendly sorts that were used to children.

Bart:
	I was taught pretty much the same way you were. As I and others have 
pointed out, Hagrid's experience was mostly on VERY small groups 
(probably no more than 4 at a time). As the Hogwarts Gamekeeper, he 
probably assisted other magical creatures teachers; I would not be 
surprised if he had helped train a few, as well. But I suspect that 
everybody who he had worked with in the past was motivated: either they 
were really interested in learning, or they were under detention, and 
didn't want to make things any worse. As has been pointed out, he 
probably doesn't even think that it's possible that one or more of his 
students are NOT eager to learn.

	We are not the only ones who have complained about the basic teaching 
skills of the Hogwarts professors; note Snape's complaints when he took 
over Lupin's classes in POA (not the fact that he was complaining; the 
substance of the complaints, such as no written lesson plans).

	Bart