RE: [RC] What makes you do this? - Catfish Daniels
Hey Deb:
OK, I thought you were entitled to your
opinion as someone new to this discipline, or possibly new to any sport horse
discipline for that matter. But your last sentence was just not cool, to
re-direct any comments to another person – Howard in this case. It
just shows that for one, you appear to have a close mind and are not willing to
learn – not even to the point that you welcome ANY answers coming your
way.
Well, one would ask, “What would
make a person write an e-mail like yours and not welcome any feedback”???
You know, Deb, I feel that it would take more than an e-mail to answer your
questions. There are countless books out there that you can read about
Endurance, written by the best in the industry. That’s if you care
to learn. You might try going to the show-ring and watch a bunch of
pretty Arabs prance around if you think that this would suit a horse
better. Or, try going to a Grand Prix park. Oh wait, I’m sure
those horses don’t enjoy jumping over 7 foot fences either, right?
Let’s not even go to the race track.
Deb, most of the discussions, as I’m sure you’ve been lurking, has
to do with the very same subject that you are venting about – people not
identifying their horses’ limits and going beyond, and possibly hurting
or even killing their horse. If you have any constructive advice other
than going on a 25 mile trail ride instead, I’m all ears.
Horses aside, have you ever wondered why
people do an Ironman Triathlon? Have you seen them stumble across the
finish line? It’s sport!!!!! It’s Competition, and if
done the right way, it can be damned healthy – JUST LIKE IN ENDURANCE!!!
I’m sorry that the ride you attended
did not impress you, but I get the feeling that lots of it may have to do with
lack of knowledge about this sport or any other sport for that matter.
Being out of breath and having an elevated heart rate is definitely not a bad
thing to have after exercising – for humans and for horses!!!!! So,
here’s your answer from Catfish – striving to do a 100 before the
end of this year!
Catfish
-----Original Message----- From:
ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Debbie Buick Sent: Monday, December 15, 2003
7:31 PM To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [RC] What makes you do
this?
What is it that drives a person to
do a 50 or 100 mile ride on an animal they say they love? Do they think
the horse enjoys it? I volunteered at a ride this weekend, and believe
me, none of the horses appeared to enjoy it! And half the riders didn't
appear to enjoy it either??? What makes you want to put your beloved
animal through that, is it your ego? I've ridden a 25 miler in 4 hours,
and I think that wasn't bad, but question whether my horse or I would have
enjoyed any more. And I didn't really enjoy horses coming in with a high
heart rate, and the owners rushing to get through the P/R people and vet
line, to get back out there and abuse their horse some more. You love
your horse? Sounds more like an ego trip to me. I was impressed
with the calm people who took the time to take care of their mounts, went
slower, and came in with a 46 heart rate. And to those who's horses tied
up, how can you even put your horse through that if you love it? And the
lame horses, why trot that horse 10 times, the first time showed he was dead
lame, 9 more times isn't going to help. Did you want to get back on and
keep going, were you hoping he was just sort of "off" for the first
trot out? I really got my eyes opened volunteering, I'll say that.
And what makes a big fat person,
with boobs or belly flopping for 50 miles, enjoy that??? Why do you
expect your horse to be an athlete when you couldn't run 100 yards
yourself? Why don't you go and train to run a marathon, maybe with a 50
pound pack on your back, and see how long it would take you to get fit, and how
much you would enjoy it? Shouldn't people expecting their horse to
be an athlete, searching far and wide for the perfect horse that can go
the distance........don't you owe it to your horse to be somewhat fit
yourself??? Get out there and run a couple miles a day and get yourself
fit, and give your horse a break. If your horse was too fat you'd sure
put him on a regiment in a hurry. I'm not trying to be mean, just to give
you another perspective from a spectator, and what the animal rights people
might see also. The older I get the more I am on the side of the
horse. I don't like 2 year olds racing, or 3 for that matter. I
don't like the high level eventing and how tough it is on the horses. And
I don't like the jumping over fences and walls a horse can't even see over top
of. I think some of our so called "horse sports" are getting a
little out of hand, and the welfare of the horse is not a priority, or they
wouldn't keep making the courses tougher and tougher. Some are just down
right dangerous!
Send all flames to Howard, I think
he's used to it.
