Re: [RC] OUTRAGE - the Mongol Derby - Barbara McCrary
From our experience in Mongolia in 2007, most of the
riders use a snaffle bit so much like the Myler with the slightly curved
mouthpiece (so as to be easier on the corners of the mouth), one wonders if
the Mylers didn't snitch the idea from the Mongolians.
To them, horses are a tool, not a pet, and consequently
they don't seem to be as sympathetic about lameness, galls, etc. as we Americans
who consider horses pets or family or whatever. They do, however, value
them as tools, and as an indicator of their "wealth." The more horses, the
more status. Those little horses, about all 13 hands of them, are tougher
than nails. Between their horses and their archers, the Mongols conquered
more of the known world than any other group of warriors. There is Mongol
blood in many Europeans, including myself (whose father was
Russian.)
These are comments and observations, not judgment on
how the Mongols treat their horses. When one is traveling in THEIR
country, one does not judge them.
From the Long Riders' attack on the Mongol Derby,
this putative quote from Genghis Khan:
?Take care of the horses before they lose condition. For once they have
lost it, you may spare them as much as you will, they will never recover it on
the march. Don?t overload the riding horses, and no horse on the march is to
use a bit. If these orders are disobeyed commanders are authorized to behead
offenders on the spot, so as to protect the welfare of the
horses,? the great Khan
warned.
Putting aside for the
moment the question of the authenticity of the source, why would the world's
greatest horseman find the use of the bit so heinous as to require the
execution of the rider?
(Personally, I ride with a
sidepull, but to my mind the benefits over the bit to the horse are not
worth someone's head.)
From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Merri
Melde Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 7:55 AM To:
ridecamp Subject: [RC] OUTRAGE - the Mongol
Derby
As an endurance rider, I am insulted and outraged by this event
being associated in any way with endurance, riding, and horses. Here in the
US, and all over Europe and Australia and New Zealand endurance most riders
have as their first priority the care of their horses, as does the AERC and
the AERA in Australia, and, presumably, most endurance organizations in
Europe. This event does not.
