In a message dated 10/26/02 9:01:30 AM Mountain Daylight Time, tprevatt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
This issue is a complex multifaceted issue
that should be examined using logic rather than emotion. I sure would
rather see policy decisions made based on as many factual inputs as
possible. I would rather see policy decisions made using a realistic
assessment of the risk and consequences of a particular action rather
than based on emotion.
It's just too bad that just about every issue on this forum deteriorates
into an emotional debate.
Randy and Truman seem to be making sense to me.
As for parents being responsible for their children, I'm certain we all agree with that.
As for riding horses being great for kids, of that there is not doubt.
Being concerned for their safety and physical/emotional development is something to be lauded.
Whether more rules, less rules or no rules should be considered, I couldn't say, except to say my grandson (six years old) loves to ride and on those days he doesn't seem to "be into it," we do other things.
I used to be a triathlete. I never would have expected my six year old grandson to ride a bicycle 100 miles, run a marathon or swim a couple of miles in the ocean.
Now, if he wanted to ride a bike until he was tired of riding it, fine.
Now, if he wanted to run in the hills until he was tired of running in the hills, fine.
And, if he wanted to swim a bit in the ocean with this "old, used to be", fine.
But, at six years old, I would not expect him to, nor would I allow him to, ride a horse 100 miles in the Big Horn Mountains with me.
Everyone knows that in our world, there are parents who subject their children to their adult dreams and aspirations. That's simply not a good thing.
We see them at soccer matches, little league, hockey rinks, beauty pageants and horse shows.
When a child slips on the ice and hits hard, it can be devastating.
When a child falls off even a well-broke, older horse, while riding in the mountains or on a flat desert trail, the results can be tragic.
When discussing our children, we shouldn't always project the "best case scenarios"...the horse is the thing. The horse changes the risk/reward ratio, whether the responsible adult is riding right next to him snapping photographs or not.
Children don't seem to know alot about moderation or excess...they need their folks to help them with that.
The AERC needs to address this issue, have a non-emotive dialogue regarding it and perhaps allow the membership to decide.
The membership, with children or without children, have a vested interest, legal and otherwise.
That's how I feel about it,
Frank Solano
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