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Didn't mean to offend you, Lynn. Heidi's response was pretty strong that 
people who have signed have not yet been in the position to "realize 
that we can't achieve the public support through advertising until we 
have the products we claim to have."
I believe that we already have enough of these "products" and my 
experience with the Arabian substantiates that for me.
That is the part of Heidi's response to which you alluded and that is 
the reason for my response. Didn't realize the word "boycott" had such a 
valence for you--- it was merely a term other than "decision not to 
sign-- whatever"
(shorter) not meant to be an indictment. Signing or not signing does not 
reflect on me; I would have sent it with only my own signature if no one 
had signed. I am just amazed that so many so-called show people are 
endorsing something that also addresses the needs of distance riders. I 
think that it is very cool that many of us are together on these issues. 
No one said that this letter was meant to be a solution to a problem 
that has been around for a long time--- just another effort to address 
some of the issues involved-- the issues that AHA can do something 
about. So far as the breeding is concerned, again, I think the problem 
lies mainly in the handling and what is expected of Arabians in the show 
ring. Have you seen the English Pleasure classes lately--- they are the 
Park classes of years ago and the Park classes have Arabs who look like 
hackneys (And are they??....)
These unrealistic demands are likely to fry any horse's brain-- 
particularly smart and sensitive ones. These are the horses that many 
times are the public's first look at the Arabian. I'm in favor of 
providing a more Arabian-friendly view. Now the trainer problem-- that 
is a whole other issue and I believe if the horses were not expected to 
perform in such a crazy manner in the show ring (nose touching the 
ground,,, head pulled into the chest so they cannot see what is in front 
of them, looking crazed in English pleasure and halter, etc)-- then the 
trainers would not train them in this fashion. It is a start, that's 
all. I am also not a fan of the working with a horse two hours in the 
round pen and then expecting him to be dead broke (aka Montie Roberts 
style) fads --- that is an equally dangerous practice eroding that 
started with Quarter horses and now seeping into the Arabian sector. 
there are many issues that need addressing. A journey of 1000 miles 
begins....
Bette and Bunny who has never been used as a weapon, only as an example 
of the Arabian heart and spirit and the efforts of a community including 
ridecamp

Lynne Glazer wrote:

> Bette
> I completely discard your assumption that I did not read the whole 
> letter.  Forgive me for being terse in my reply, and not addressing 
> the point by point items with which I disagree.
>
> Please do not beat me over the head with the story of Bunny.   Please 
> do not assume that my experience with Arabians has been the crazy 
> ones.  Nothing could be further from the truth.
>
> Claiming that there is a "boycott" of your letter does you a 
> disservice.  As if something has been organized.  People are just 
> making CHOICES.  You made a choice to post the letter and invite 
> people to sign.  Don't get yourself all worked up because people don't 
> agree with you!
>
> There has already been revision recently as regards distance riding 
> awards within AHA.  They are making progress.  Now they need to 
> address the sane breeding of classic Arabian horses.
>
> >>The breeders themselves have to learn what constitutes a good riding
> horse, and select breeding stock accordingly.  It does us no good to put
> the image of the classic sane and athletic Arabian horse on the 
> marquee if
> the product behind the advertising is still a flighty, spooky critter 
> that
> a doting dad would not consider buying for his horse-crazy daughter to
> ride.<<
>
> That's what Heidi said.  That's what I stand behind.
>
> And >>The good news is that riders ARE becoming more educated to the 
> fact that
> just being a purebred Arab isn't enough--the horse also has to actually
> POSSESS the qualities that made the Arab desirable as a riding and
> distance horse in the first place.  And they ARE learning to shop for
> those qualities.  Furthermore, those same riders are also not apt to sign
> a petition that suggests that the only problem is the marketing arm--they
> know better, because they've experienced the difference.  But I am not at
> all surprised that those from outside the endurance community are 
> happy to
> endorse such a petition--they have likely not yet found themselves in the
> position to realize that we can't achieve the public support through
> advertising until we have the products we claim to have.<<
>
> That, too.



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