Ridecamp: Re: [RC] horses that kick

Heidi--

Could you say then that perhaps a part of the problem is riders that perhaps
either don't know their animals as well as they think they do, or that maybe
overestimate their own abilities to control their horses?  I saw this with
kids when I was a camp counselor--they get one short trail ride under their
belt and all of a sudden they think they're Pat Shoemaker or John Wayne.
Nothing wrong with a little self-confidence, but there are times that
arrogance can get someone hurt or killed.

>From personal choice, I have no desire to own or ride a stallion--which is
fine, since I have no real interest in getting into breeding.  I just don't
feel that I have the skills and training abilities necessary to deal with
one on a regular basis.  I've had people with no experience whatsover with
horses, much less studs, tell me that they want a stud for recreational
riding and I just cringe.  Yes, they are beautiful, regal creatures, but
they are horses that come with a tremendous amount of responsibility and
require a better than average knowledge of horses to handle effectively--a
point I try to make to these ambitious folks, with varying degrees of
success.

I think it all comes down to trusting your own instincts with regards to a
given situation and a given animal...and to ride defensively, whatever the
circumstances.



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