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Re: [RC] BLM adoptions at Rides - Heidi Smith

Well, I already replied to this exact same post on the AERC list, and Howard didn't like my answer there, so I'll rephrase it.
 
AERC is about endurance riding.  AERC's involvement and endorsement of the program makes a public impression that the BLM mustangs would make good endurance mounts.  We just got done with a thread in which we (and Howard quite frequently and vocally) discussed the need for AERC to investigate deaths and treatments, and to find ways to reduce same.  One of the often-mentioned items was horse selection and horse suitability.  So now, on one hand, Howard would have us trying to educate riders about horse suitability, and on the other hand, have us merrily embracing an adoption program that is largely made up of horses not suitable for the sport.  I gave this a label on the other list, and Howard didn't like it.  OK, Howard, I won't put a label on it here, but it sure is strange that you can so wholeheartedly embrace the death/treatment issue, and then turn right around and suggest that it is a Good Thing for us as an organization to endorse horses that are likely not suitable for the sport.  I'll let others fill in the blank here.
 
As for the lack of suitability of some of your horses for the sport, Howard, good for you for recognizing that, but again, I'll rephrase what I said on the other list.  Over there, I stated that I didn't feel I had any like that, other than a couple with physical injuries, and your response was pretty much, "Who cares?"  Well, Howard, the same goes for the lack of suitability of the ones you have.  Who cares, unless you bring them to a ride?  Their existence is not germain to the fundamental conflict here, which is the fact that AERC is espousing an adoption program of largely unsuitable horses.  We all know that unsuitable horses exist--hey, that was a part of the whole death/treatment thing.  They shouldn't be out there in the first place.  And therefore, AERC should not be endorsing them.  Is that so difficult to grasp?  BLM should be seeking partnerships with sports or activities to which more of them ARE suited.  Our three therapeutic mustangs would make great poster children for BLM.  But not for endurance!  And I'll reiterate what I said in the beginning of this post--AERC is about endurance....
 
Heidi
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, November 08, 2003 11:10 AM
Subject: [RC] BLM adoptions at Rides

Why are some folks getting so upset about all of this?  It seems to me that BLM is looking for ways to improve the chances of these horses going to good homes.  Those who came up with this idea are right on about endurance folks being a logical choice.  We have some of the best horseman in the world and it takes a really good one to train a wild feral horse and make them ride-able.
 
This is a good thing.  It's called a partnership for a reason.  We benefit by aligning ourselves with BLM concerning trails, which, in case you haven't noticed, are kind of necessary to put on an endurance ride.  They ask, from us, to try and place a few of their horses into good homes.  Hey, you don't have to buy a raffle ticket.  And, if you win, you don't have to actually take home a horse you do not want.  If you're so against the program then don't buy a ticket.
 
I'm a little wacky when it comes to horses.  I feel that every horse on earth deserves to live with someone who will take care of them.  Radical, I know, because there are those who think superior breeding is the only thing that counts.  I disagree.  I think what is more important is what is inside one's own heart, their love for horses and the desire to put the needs of a fragile creature ahead of their own.  If we, as horse owners, don't take care of them, who will?
 
The thing is, why is it all about endurance anyway?  Don't some of you own horses that you would never consider entering in a 50 or 100 miler?  I own three that I would not run in endurance, ever.  It doesn't have to be entirely about the sport, does it?  Can't it, for once, be about the horse?  Someone has to own these horses unless we plan on slaughtering all of them.  Why can't it be an endurance rider?  No one is forcing you to do anything here.  We need to hook up with as many agencies as possible to survive, and BLM is a good choice, no matter how you feel about their program.
 
I think it's an interesting and courageous idea.  Hey, if the riders don't like it, it won't work.  No one will buy a raffle ticket or take home one of these horses.  My guess is, some of these honorable creatures will find homes.  I've seen too much heart at our rides for it to turn out any other way.
 
cya,
Howard

Replies
[RC] BLM adoptions at Rides, Howard Bramhall