ridecamp@endurance.net: RE:Response to saddle woes

RE:Response to saddle woes

GehringK@aol.com
Sun, 20 Apr 1997 22:05:49 -0400 (EDT)

Point well taken regarding the importance of conformation. I agree that
people need to be aware when they hit a wall caused by a horse's
conformation, inability or lack of heart for the task. Not coming to terms
with this can cause the suffering you've seen. My issue is that I can't see
horses as just a means to an end in some sort of mechanistic sense where if
they can't perform to par they deserve to be in "dog food". Call me a
bleeding heart, but when I look into their eyes, I see a soul; often kinder
and certainly more patient than alot of folks I know. We need to find a
balance between what we want and what the horse is capable of. On a
philosophical note, why do we ride anyway? Is it to build up our egos
through ribbons and trophies? Or is it that thrill we got when we first
cantered across a field and felt one with this majestic creature carrying us?
I guess I just think that our horses put up with alot from us; they deserve
our respect.
Karen

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