Re: [RC] Mustangs-Interesting thoughts - Heidi Smith
>From a previous post from Heidi (I do believe)>>" I am sorry
to say,the group I saw in Lakeport was a very sorry bunch. There was
not a one in the herd I was impressed with (granted, many were babies). I
also heard from some folks that they bring the "dregs" of the roundups to
these auctions. The best are adopted via internet, or go to the
training programs. often for a lot of $ (the Kigers' etc) "
No, this statement didn't come from me--I believe it came from Karen
Sullivan. But depending on the area where the horses come from, I've
likewise seen groups that could be described this way.
And yes, it does take a horseman to see the potential in a horse that is in
poor shape or not trained--but a horseman can also recognize the lack of
potential when it isn't there.
And again, I'm not among those who have expressed the concern about
gentling (although I think it is inappropriate to bring ones not already gentled
into the context of an endurance ride)--in fact, as part of my "day job" I deal
with kids in therapeutic riding, and three of the most reliable horses in
our local program are BLM mustangs. But quality horses, or
athletes? Hardly. They are well-trained, well-fed, and
well-cared-for--and are some of the poorest conformed horses I work with.
I'm not dissing the folks who have taken the time and effort to adopt and train
such horses, if that is what floats their boat. But I am vehemently
opposed to AERC becoming involved in the process.
