Why are some folks getting so upset about all of this? It seems to me
that BLM is looking for ways to improve the chances of these horses going to
good homes. Those who came up with this idea are right on about endurance
folks being a logical choice. We have some of the best horseman in the
world and it takes a really good one to train a wild feral horse and make them
ride-able.
This is a good thing. It's called a partnership for a reason.
We benefit by aligning ourselves with BLM concerning trails, which, in case you
haven't noticed, are kind of necessary to put on an endurance ride. They
ask, from us, to try and place a few of their horses into good homes. Hey,
you don't have to buy a raffle ticket. And, if you win, you don't have to
actually take home a horse you do not want. If you're so against the
program then don't buy a ticket.
I'm a little wacky when it comes to horses. I feel that every horse
on earth deserves to live with someone who will take care of them.
Radical, I know, because there are those who think superior breeding is the
only thing that counts. I disagree. I think what is more important
is what is inside one's own heart, their love for horses and the desire to
put the needs of a fragile creature ahead of their own. If we, as
horse owners, don't take care of them, who will?
The thing is, why is it all about endurance anyway? Don't some of you
own horses that you would never consider entering in a 50 or 100 miler? I
own three that I would not run in endurance, ever. It doesn't have to be
entirely about the sport, does it? Can't it, for once, be about the
horse? Someone has to own these horses unless we plan on slaughtering all
of them. Why can't it be an endurance rider? No one is forcing you
to do anything here. We need to hook up with as many agencies as possible
to survive, and BLM is a good choice, no matter how you feel about their
program.
I think it's an interesting and courageous idea. Hey, if the riders
don't like it, it won't work. No one will buy a raffle ticket or take home
one of these horses. My guess is, some of these honorable creatures will
find homes. I've seen too much heart at our rides for it to turn out any
other way.
