Re: RC: Re: Re: Breeds

[CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com]

In a message dated 6/14/00 12:38:49 PM Pacific Daylight Time, TOS@htcomp.net 
writes:

<< From: Helga Loncosky <hblmh@ptd.net>> out. I don't see most folks with 
Arabs
 ever relaxing! <VBG>
 
 "some", maybe even "most", but not all. >>

Maybe it depends on your definition of "relaxed"....  I'm with Becky--I've 
always felt that I could relax around most of my Arabs, most of the 
time--granted, I've only had a couple on which I could relax at the start of 
a ride, but none on which I could NOT relax shortly thereafter.  And with all 
of them, once reasonably started, I could "relax" around them to the point of 
sitting on the ground scrubbing stockings, etc.  OTOH, I don't define "relax" 
as "go to sleep"--I want a horse that continues to move out eagerly and 
willingly--if I have one so "relaxed" that I have to push him every step of 
the way, then I am certainly NOT "relaxed"--I'm utterly exhausted!  I'm 
reminded of the really HARD rides I made riding range as a kid on 
non-Arabs--and how we thought the far reaches of our cattle range were a real 
expedition.  Then in my early 20's, I can remember going out with my Dad, me 
mounted on my foundation Arab stallion, and him mounted on a half-Arab son of 
his--and Dad's understated comment--"Boy, isn't it amazing how much smaller 
this range is when you're on a good horse!"  It is amazing how much more 
"relaxing" it is to get where you need to go without feeling like you 
personally walked every step of the way!  (BTW--Dad is now 81, and has quit 
riding--but we kept him going until a few years ago, past the point where he 
found it difficult to saddle his own horse, so we helped him, and past the 
point where he could mount without major assistance--and he blessed his 
half-Arab who patiently and trustingly made it possible...)

Heidi