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Re: [RC] [RC] The Numbers Are Running Against Us - Howard BramhallIt certainly is regional. When I ride up in Tennessee, this group of riders I have been hanging out with up there all ride Tennessee Walkers. I'm the only one on an Arabian horse. For endurance riders, our trail riding might be a little boring (we do a lot of walking), but, considering the climbing, descending and all of those rocks in those mountains, well, it's rare to be able to canter.I don't argue breeds with these folks. It's quite obvious to me they have already made up their minds and I'm having difficulty selling them endurance although I'm hoping to be able to get a few to witness Biltmore since it's close to where they live. For them, the Walker is the best, and since my Arabs have to walk/trot (a little)/walk/trot (a little) to keep up with them, they're all kinda wondering what is so darn hot about Arabs anyway. "Your horse don't walk fast at all," one of them said to me. Actually, the more I ride with these people, the better he's getting. It's only when I take the lead on the trail where I can show them what my horse can do. But, the funny thing is, when my Arab and I get way ahead of the pack after awhile we end up waiting for them to catch up to us. "Don't those horses have any other gait?" I say to myself. I end up putting my horse at the rear of the line since our running ahead seems to be a bit rude (hey, I'm the new guy here, don't want them to catch on to that aspect of my personality the very first day). Darn right it's regional, in fact, it's a state thing. And, in eastern Tennessee and the western mountains of North Carolina, Walkers rule. I doubt if me moving there will change a thing but if I can get a few of them to the Biltmore (and, hopefully not have any horses on bags that paticular day) we might get some more Walkers into the sport. I doubt if any of them will change their minds about breeding. cya, Howard
At 07:39 PM 10/1/2004, Truman Prevatt wrote: How many recreational riders do you see on Arabs? How many do you see on the QH or gaited horse? At some point it will catch up with them. I think it's pretty regional. When I used to live in CA you saw mostly Arabians on the trail. Here you see "ranch horses" which means the same thing as mutt horses, generally part QH or part Arabian. I think anyone riding a gaited horse in my neck of the woods would be asked if the horses needed a vet or a bullet. But only a little over 100 miles to the east on the Rio Grande you see all kinds on the trail - gaited, Arabians, drafts, donkeys and mules. I've never seen so many donkeys under saddle in my life! But you go to an endurance ride around SW NM and you'll still see mostly Arabians. People are still digging them up from somewhere. But as you say, the AHR isn't pushing them, and soon there won't be so many on the trails. So all you people listen to Truman and get into non-Arabians real quick. Hurry up - I've waited a long time to get the big money prizes in endurance! ________________________________
Lif Strand fasterhorses.com
Quemado NM USA
High Country Rider: An endurance rider's journal
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