Re: [RC] [Guest] Mustang Suitabilty - Howard Bramhall
Wow! I never even thought of that one. I wonder if we could put
the stats up on the board to see if that is something some of us might have
missed along the way. I do know I've seen some ARabs hooked up to an
IV. Saw one at a ride I attended just last week-end.
The thing is, endurance riders are tough. It's a tough sport, and to
try and train and domesticate a wild, feral horse requires some true dedication
and exceptional horsemanship. But, the rewards, if you were to actually
achieve such a thing.....could you imagine?
Of course domesticated horses with controlled breeding have an
advantage over these poor feral creatures. And, the differences don't just
end with conformation. Most domesticated horses don't have to worry about
some stupid human taking a pot shot at them with a rifle, for fun, along the
roadside out in the middle of nowhere. Most domesticated horses don't have
to worry about where their next meal is coming from or if they'll be able to
find water to drink today. Most domesticated horses don't have to worry
about lions and tigers and bears (out here it's gators and snakes) each and
every day of their short lifespan. And, with Heidi, I actually do
agree, most feral horses are not and nor will they ever be, endurance
material. However, there are a few that just might be able
to compete equally with the Arabians.
Horse ownership is an honorable thing. You get from it what you put
into it. If you choose to make your horse the top of the line breed, the
one that is made to do only one thing (endurance), that is perfectly within your
right to decide that. But, for those few, those daring, those courageous
horse owners who think differently than yourself, who want to save a horse
because it will perish if they do not stand up and make that bid, these are the
folks who choose to go that extra length, put forth that extra effort, I say to
you, "God bless you, because you are what being a horse person, to me, is all
about. You have decided to save a horse from a future that looks extremely
grim; one who needed to be saved and I think you are the type of horseman I
will look up to and try to emulate from this day forward." AERC is right
on embracing such people and fostering this type of relationship. Not all
endurance riders need to own only an Arabian horse. There are other breeds
and other factors to consider here.
To postulate that this is a mistake, that we are not thinking correctly
here, is an idea I cannot fathom. Are these creatures not horses?
Are they not as noble as our own, if not even more? What is wrong
with the idea of saving one or two or three while we travel down that
endurance highway? How can we not embrace this idea and make it part of
our organization?
I am not a noble person. I know this and I do have problems dealing
with my fellow man. The few that do tolerate me are those who understand
that if we don't take care of the things we truly believe in, foster the notion
that this is a worthy endeavor, that there is something out there greater than
ourselves, what hope is there for us as a species? Do we plan on killing
off everything that does not meet our definition of acceptability?
I say, if you have the courage, the wherewithal, buy a darn Raffle ticket
and, if you actually win, pick out a really good one. Take ED, owner of
Gorgeous George, with you when you go take a look see. It matters not
whether this horse turns out to be a 50 or 100 miler. What does matter is
you have done something good, not only for yourself, but, for the most noble of
all creatures on this planet. I seriously doubt you will ever regret your
decision.
Jeanne Pepper pepperja@xxxxxxxxx I can't recall in
all my years ever seeing a mustang at an endurance ride with an IV in it's
neck .I certainly could be wrong here,but not everyone who does endurance
is competing on the same level and I'm talking 50 miles & up races
here.Many of us are out here for the shear joy of sharing the time with
the horses and people who love them.If we top ten it's great but not all
of us end up with horses we've researched for months before purchasing.I'm
kinda the queen of the impulse buy and someone's being kind to me cause
I've owned many wonderful (and successful)horses over the years.Some have
been really tough to bring up to a competitive level but that for me is
what makes this sport interesting and a challange. Oh yeh,I can remember a
race many years ago when I was riding in the front with a group and our
entire conversation revolved around how cheap each of the horses we were
riding cost.These were some of the top riders of the day and some are
still on the trail.Things sure have changed,for some anyway..not
everyone.
