Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Weight of horse compared to rider

I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings -- but I do not agree that
Arabians can be bred taller without losing the athleticism and stamina
that is so fundamental a part of the Arabian breed.  Beauty is, of
course, in the eye of the beholder.

Yes, humans have been getting larger ... but at a cost.  How many
6-foot marathon Champions have you seen?  How many 6-foot figure
skaters or gymnastics Champions?  Only in sports where sheer bulk or
height is a part of the game (like football and basketball) is "big"
an advantage for humans either.

Sorry, but IMO it is damaging to the breed that the genes of
overly-tall "Arabians" are being perpetuated.

On Fri, 06 Sep 2002 22:34:05 -0700, Bette Lamore <woa@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

>Hi Joe
>Perhaps you wouldn't feel the same way if you were way over 6 feet but 
>still liked the Arabian athletic ability and wonderful disposition and 
>intelligence. Sure, my husband could go out and get a Warmblood or 
>thoroughbred (or a camel)--- but he happens to LOVE the Arabian spirit. 
>You need not give up quality and type to have size---- nor must you give 
>up athletic ability and beauty. If you have any doubt about this, visit 
>my web site and ask to see Halynov's video. There are other tall Arabian 
>horses out there as well--- some better than others, of course, just as 
>some smaller Arabs are better than others.
>Mankind has evolved and is much taller as a whole (did you ever see the 
>old clothes in museums--- look like my kid's clothes)--- why shouldn't 
>their mounts evolve as well. I never bash the CMK breed, which can be on 
>the small side on the average (and I own a smaller CMK stallion whom I 
>cross onto Halynov's daughters, very successfully-- and still do not 
>lose size) but I find it interesting that it is frequently a CMK breeder 
>who bashes the taller horses (not all--- some of my best friends.... ;-)  )
>I believe there is room in the breed for ALL sizes so long as quality is 
>not sacrificed. After all, not all of us can fit into a size 7 pair of 
>pants ;-)
>Have a nice evening!
>Bette
>
>Joe Long wrote:
>
>> On Fri, 06 Sep 2002 11:54:02 -0700, Bette Lamore <woa@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
>> wrote:
>> 
>> 
>>>So I am saying that IMHO that horse is too small for that man. I know 
>>>Heidi doesn't like me bringing this subject up again (we have had our 
>>>differences in the past re: BIG Arabs--- me standing a 16.2 Purebred 
>>>Arab stallion put me in the pro position with her breeding her smaller 
>>>Arabs putting her in the con position) BUT, I'll tell you my husband 
>>>feels MUCH more comfortable on his 16h Arabian gelding and feels he is 
>>>pushing the envelope when he is on anything smaller than a 15.2h horse. 
>>>I guess it is partly a matter of personal preference and then maybe 
>>>someone should ask the horse! ;-)
>>>
>> 
>> Just as breeders can produce "toy" dogs and miniature horses, it is
>> possible to breed outlandishly tall Arabians.  I think it's sad,
>> though, that the American obsession with "bigger is better" is
>> producing such animals.  I sure wouldn't recommend such an outsized
>> horse to anyone to use in endurance, though.  The Arabs knew what they
>> were doing when over thousands of years they bred those compact,
>> athletic, beautiful horses.  If they wanted something tall, there were
>> always camels.
>> 
>> That's my two cents on it.
>> 
>> 
>> 
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-- 

Joe Long
jlong@xxxxxxxx
http://www.rnbw.com


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