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Yes, Sandy, horses have jobs. Don't be silly. Even
if it's just to be an expensive pet and entertain the owner, a horse
has got a job and if they aren't good at it, they risk losing it. And
yes, horses are very cognizant of their status in the herd... they understand
being demoted and replaced, and it feels threatening to
them.
It sure sounds like a lot of folks disagree with your
assessment that these front runners in the IAHA ride are over riding their
horses, including the vets at the ride... I'm sure they're qualified. I
haven't seen the video, but your opinion on one side and the opinions
of many vet and riders I respect on the other side?
I don't condone over riding a horse. I'm a moderate,
uncompetitive rider but Gavilan's a good enough horse that I can top
ten on occasion without pushing him at all. I do support riding a horse the
way Heather rides Red, because she wouldn't ask too much of him, for emotional
as well as ethical reasons. I'd let Heather ride Gavilan in a ride, and there
are VERY few people that I'd let do that. Definitely Julie Suhr and Maryben.
Gavilan's not my horse, he's my partner, my soul mate. I feel that way about all
of my horses...
Most of us grow to love our horses, Sandy, but when we
buy our horses we buy them because the have the ability to become a part of
our life. People who ride endurance buy endurance caliber horses, but
if those horses don't like endurance and the rider is determined to do
it, sometimes the horse gets sold. This happens even in Montana, right?
Sometimes those horses are good at loafing and balk at any sort of riding, they
won't do ANY job, and yes, sometimes they end up in bad homes or meat
auctions. If that's unpleasant for you to contemplate... life is not
always what we'd like.
Sometimes bad things happen to great horses even when
we try and protect them. stay tuned to for the sequel.
Linda Cowles
Horse 'N
Hound
New,
Consigned & Used Tack
9155 North State St., Redwood Valley, CA 95470
EASY access with Hwy 101
frontage!
Store:
707-485-0347
Fax: 707-485-4053
Running is their JOB? They CHOOSE to keep
going...because they understand that it is how they earn their position in the
community????? Wow...and what kind of LEADERS are we...???? Because these world
class horses will follow us anywhere....does that give us the right to push them
to their absolute limits...because it is their JOB and we are their
LEADERS? If my horse (friend, partner) falters because of my lack of
ethical leadership...I am embarrassed and ashamed in the eyes of my horse...ask
his forgiveness and try to do better by him next time.
"They have to uphold their part of the deal or all
bets are off"?? And our part of the deal is only to make sure they are well
cared for when not competing??...What is our "part of the deal" when we are
riding them??...competing via their "wings" for our own ego gratification?
Their wings are no good to us if our egos, and lack of compassion cause the sky
to be taken away (that is a quote from somewhere)
I too am out of here..this is not a "community" of
which I wish to be a part.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, November 10, 2002 7:56
PM
Subject: ridecamp
Horses CAN choose not to run, but these horses
choose to keep going. They
understand that running is their job, how they
earn their position in the
community. It's their job, for gods sake. Some
of you may not understand
that, but somehow these horses do. Horses
understand the stark reality of
life better than we do because of their
awareness of the constant presence
of unseen predators. They understand
that we're the leaders who
...... geez it keep going "seen
pedators" are Man.
"choose to keep going " No choice in
the hand of the rider. yes they do get well taken care of but i
dont think many know how to ride them.
i sorry to write you but im
just getting this out and ill have to stop reading ridecamp like
most of my friends got rid of it it got too much stupidity. now
should we bring back Cliify Lewis?
se
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