ridecamp@endurance.net: [endurance] re: range horses, jeebies
[endurance] re: range horses, jeebies
navion@lightspeed.net
Thu, 07 Dec 1995 21:48:23 PST
>This horse is really a mystery. On one hand, he is in great physical shape
>and looks well taken care of, but he really needs his teeth floated bad! And
>his hoofs are worn down and so small, that it is really painful to watch him
>walk. I guess it is possible that people turn their horses out and only
>check on them a couple times a month. It gives me the jeebies to think that,
>but that must be the case with this horse.
>
>Thanks
>Patti
>psmoto@lascruces.com
>
I've debated about responding to this but here goes.
My family has kept horses and mules at a 1000 acre ranch 1.5 hours from where I
live since the 1930's. I grew up with range horses that I only rode a couple
times a month but didn't think anything of it. The ultimate reponsibility of
the animals was my grandfathers and then my fathers. Five years ago I started
taking responsibilty for this ranch and the horses. I've learned more about
keeping such horses since then and would like to offer the benefits vs. the
jeebies. Obviously my current endurance horse is in town where I can train and
ride him more often. The horses at the ranch are excess to my daily needs right
now. Currently there are 2. One is a slightly arthritic 14 yr old arab mare and
the other is a 5 yr old Appalosa x mare that was a mistake. (Opps the stallion
got loose) The owner gave her to us at 6 months to avoid board bills and an
unknown future.
These horses live very close to the life they evolved to live. The only
exception being a stallion and babies. However we don't need more horses. The
BLM pens are full of them. I check on them every 7 days. They come in because I
give them sweet grain. When I was a kid we didn't do that and sometimes it
would take 2 days to round them up. In between then they have to survive on
their own. (Just like they evolved). Horses kept out there develop confidence
and common sense. There feet stay as nature intended with rare trimmings. They
do not walk sore footed and have only had sore feet if ridden too hard or too
much. And when I call them, they come flying across the fields with tails up
and manes flying. Their coats glistening and their eyes bright. When I see that
sight I know it's not the wrong choice.
Not all is wonderful on a range. Some horses don't do well and I have had to
pull some horses off and sell them. Big horses or nervous horses burn too many
calories during the lean months of late summer and early fall. Pen raised
horses get hurt until they learn the dangers and some learn faster than others.
Older horses also have a harder time. However the horses my grandfather raised
out there all lived past 25 and stayed healthy untill near the end.
We have all seen horses standing in the mud in outside pens, maybe let out
once a week, maybe once a month. Cribbing, weaving, sad eyes.
Well anyway, I at least wanted to explain the reasoning behind some turned
out horses.
Jim Mitchell
navion@bak2.lightspeed.net
Bakersfield, Calif.