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Re: [RC] Letters to the World -- showing - Barbara McCraryGreat assessment there, Ed, with just the right amount of humor. I submit that some Arabs could do as well at team penning as any QH, but certainly it must be a special individual. Not all Arabs have "cow". If I could get my gelding to become interested in team penning, he could be great. Whether I could stay on him is something else.....never ridden a horse that could stop, turn, or change directions as fast as this one. So far, I've managed to stay planted on him, even if it takes hanging on to his neck with both arms. John Wayne is gone......now if we could get Viggo Mortenson or Kevin Costner or their like on an Arab, we'd have it made. As for trustworthy, I submit my horse as a good example. Yes, he can spook at a large rock on the desert, but he doesn't carry it too far. He just wants me to know that he's looking out for our collective interests, and that he's not asleep on the job :-)) Barbara ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ed & Wendy Hauser" <ranch@xxxxxxxxxxx> Cc: <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Friday, June 18, 2004 11:06 AM Subject: Re: [RC] Letters to the World -- showing When considering how to popularize the Arabian and 1/2 Arabian horse as a general purpose riding animal, we should carefully consider the target consumer. I submit for discussion: 1. The target consumer that needs to be persuaded, is not the person who wants do CTR or LD or endurance. If a horseperson decides to try these sports, he/she will use the horse she/he has. Later, if they like it, the virtues of the Arabian and part Arabian will be obvious to them. Last weekend at Ft. Howes, I rode along side of a cowboy on the last loop. He does cutting and decided to try an LD. He came equipped with a nice small quarter horse, roping saddle, lariat, chinks, and cowboy hat. Because he is a rancher and an excellent horseman, he had no trouble with the ride and knew what a reasonable pace was. Talking to him later he didn't see distance riding as a sport he wanted to do. To bad, I thought we might have a convert. 2. The new (never owned a horse before) horse owner is probably looking for a gentile, kid safe (safe and horse are an oxymoron, but lets go with the flow here), horse. He/she probably envisions his child in a 4H or Pony Club show. Arabian halter classes do not promote this image. The moneyed people who control the sport do not really want the game they play so well changed. 3. There are a bunch of horsepersons who do team penning, cutting, and reining. Most (but not all) use Quarter horses. This is an area where more publicity could increase sales of Arabians and part Arabians. 4. Most dedicated trail riders in this country, feel that Arabian horses have two drawbacks. First, they are wild and trustworthy. Even riding along side of your Arabian does not change their mind. They tell you that your horse is the exception. Secondly, most trailriders are cowboy wannabes. John Wayne did not ride an Arabian. I don't know how to change these perceptions. Ed Ed & Wendy Hauser 2994 Mittower Road Victor, MT 59875 ranch@xxxxxxxxxxx 406.642.6490 ============================================================ Of course things aren't perfect, perfect doesn't exist on this earth. Doesn't mean we won't go on trying to get better at what we do. Besides, if everything was perfect today, what would you do tomorrow? Slamming each other doesn't get anything done. ~ Dot Wiggins ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/ ============================================================ ============================================================ I think home work is the key to having a healthy partner. ~ Steven Proe ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/ ============================================================
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