Show and Tell

[Rides 2 Far <rides2far@juno.com>]

Alright Jim and Heidi,

I'm tired of ya'll constantly "dissing" those of us who ride idiots.  I
guess I'll just have to speak up for the horses who aren't perfectly
mannered.

I sort of like horses who are a little out of control.  If Kaboot were in
control we'd have never done as well on rides as we have.  He's
constantly saying, "I can go faster, let me go!" and I'm saying, "You're
going to kill yourself, slow down!"  So far he's been right and I've
gotten some lovely upper arm and shoulder muscles in the exercise.  (Note
to readers.  My horse will stop to eat and drink during his runaway) 

Riding a horse that is pulling you is more guilt free.  If Kaboot were on
a slack rein and in control how would I know when to speed up?  I'd
actually feel sort of guilty asking him to. It's easier to say just give
in when he asks me "Can I go faster, please, please...to heck with you,
I'm going to runaway after that horse up ahead!"

He's 12 now.  Not long ago his breeder noticed him fidgeting all over the
place while I was grooming and saddling him.  He commented to me, "You
ever heard that you can leave a horse saddled up from dawn to dark one
day and he'll quit fidgeting like that?"  I said, "Yeah, I've heard that"
as I brushed him a lick every time his rump passed by.  He said, "Yeah,
well we did that to him once and he was still just fidgeting all over the
place that night...but he'd plowed the ground pretty well".  I can't help
but think that attitude has helped make him just dumb enough to be happy
to leave at the 90 mile mark.  I think if I'd waited until he was
perfectly obedient to compete I'd still be waiting.

I'm thinking about starting my own magazine called "The Imperfect Horse".
 It may not change horses any, but I bet the "Letters from the Readers"
will be entertaining. :-)

Angie

________________________________________________________________
GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO!
Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less!
Join Juno today!  For your FREE software, visit:
http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.