ridecamp@endurance.net: horses and $$$$ comments

horses and $$$$ comments

Mary Burgess (mburgess@theglobal.net)
Fri, 7 Mar 1997 15:21:09 -0800

To Kimberly -
Been there, done that, got the T-shirt. On the Arabs and price issue - I
think the truth is that you get what you pay for, OR LESS. After many
years and injuries, and I guess the female equivalent of testosterone
surges, that I have to accomplish everything 400 lb gorillas can accomplish
and more, I have come to the conclusion, that if you really scrimp on the
price of a horse, you are most likely to pay the money instead to your
orthopedic surgeon or plastic surgeon.
I am an absolutely diabolical advocate of your thoughts on WELL HANDLED
from youth (preferably birth) horses. With much painful experience under
my belt, and fortunately no deaths, either equine or human, I know that I
can get past most "problems" in horses with my training - but why bother?
Life is to short to have an animal that you CANNOT trust any farther than
you can throw them. I honestly believe that no amount of training of an
adult horse can equal the trust and rapport that can be achieved (with half
the effort and danger) in a baby. I will match my babies to anyone's for
quiet, thoughtful, sensitive, calm and well-mannered, and it translates
line for line to ease in training to saddle etc.
I fear that too many people, particularly in purchasing for their
children, think that the cheapest is best. I prefer not to purchase adult
horses raised by other people, but when I feel compelled for some other
reason, my FIRST interest is in early handling. In my opinion, it is
equivalent to conformation in importance, and an attribute which I for one,
am willing to see reflected in the horse's price. It takes time and good
sense to make a sensible animal, and I would rather pay it to the breeder
than the medical profession! Mary Burgess

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