ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: [endurance] Self-carriage

Re: [endurance] Self-carriage

Wendy Milner (wendy@nsmdserv.cnd.hp.com)
Wed, 27 Mar 96 10:10:46 MST

>On the other hand, I recently found a quote from Lady Wentworth, an
>importer of Arabs from North Africa to England. "An Arabian that
>doesn't shy at everything that moves close by or in the near distance
>isn't a good Arabian. He should shy at the movement of a butterfly.
>He's been bred to carry his rider in safety day and night: to do
>this, his eyes must scan the horizon for the approach of danger."
>

I think that the Arabian to be a true Arabian needs to be aware of
the butterfly and then in true Arabian fashion decide if the rider
needs to be made aware of the butterfly as well. If the rider fails
to notice, only then should the Arabian shy.

There is some truth in this. The Arabians were used to warn the
tribe of anyone coming over the horizon. Never knew when an attack
would come. Thus, those big eyes and alert ears were always on the
look out for trouble.

Another part of the Arabian heritage is that water is not something
to be stepped in. When the tribe came to the watering hole, the last
thing they wanted was the horses to stir up dirt and make the water
undrinkable. So, any horse that dared to step in the water might just
get shot. At the least, it would not be used for breeding stock.
So, fear of water has been breed into them. We just have to teach
them they won't melt if their feet hit the water.

--
Wendy


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