Ridecamp: Re: [RC] bone

--- Heidi Smith <heidi@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> The whole concept of "bone" has been blown out of
> proportion by too many in the endurance world. 
> Substance and bone need to be sufficient FOR THE
> SIZE OF THE HORSE.  

Thank you Heidi for pointing this out.

I took a gelding to Equine Affaire last year to stand
in the IAHA booth.  He is 14.2 and at max 800 lbs
(probably less), and he has 7-3/4" bone -- with these
proportions, he looks quite heavy-boned to the eye.  I
had an "endurance rider" come up to the booth and
start to loudly explain to her friend that this horse
was the "show kind" and "can't be ridden" due to how
light his bone was.  It took a lot of control for me
to keep my temper as she stood there and insulted my
horse (that I also happen to have bred).  When I
objected to her proclaimations about my horse
(nicely!), she told me that her horse has 8" cannons. 
I asked how big her horse was.  She said 15 hands.  I
tried to explain about proportions of size to bone,
etc to her, but she left in a huff.  My guess is that
she didn't appreciate having someone correct her
during her lecture to her friend.  I also guess the
body clip, polished hooves, and standing under the
IAHA sign automatically made him a "show kind" and
"unridable."  Funny, as all three horses that were
displayed in the booth were most definately riding
horses.  

BTW, this gelding is now owned by a junior rider who
adores him.  She shows him in fun shows and has done
one NATRC ride so far with plans to start AERC rides
this year. :)

~Nicole

=====
*      Zephyr Arabians & KattWmn Web Design      *
*         http://www.zephyrarabians.com          *  
*             http://www.kattwmn.com             *  
* From the "Horse Capital of the USA" Norco, CA  *
*                                                *
* You have the right to remain silent, anything  * 
* you say can be misquoted and used against you. *

__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now.
http://mailplus.yahoo.com

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
 Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
 Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
 Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp

 Ride Long and Ride Safe!!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=