( I have a ton of Skowronek myself here in my horses!)
And there is also the matter of a good Arab being able to DISCRIMINATE
between DANGER and NO danger. I like having Arabs with this ability- I have
had more than one person get over their dislike of Arabs because of this
"flightiness" that everyone seems to assume they have. Mine don't tend to
carry it once they figure out what is safe! And therefor ethey are PLEASANT
to ride, one doesn't have to go around with a death grip ( you know, the
"spook" stance so you don't accidentally come off!) :)
I agree with the rest of what you say. I ride mine like that (or at least I
think I do!)
Gwen
>Obviously a horse isn't going to go down the trial in the same frame
>as in the schooling session. However, I think certain principals
>apply that allow the horse to travel in a balanced, relaxed frame
>that's comfortable for lots of miles--and has a lot to do with
>maintaining soundness over the years. It can't be forced. Light
>contact with the reins; control with legs and seat. If the head and
>neck are allowed to relax, drop and stretch down, the back can only
>come up and the hind legs will reach further underneath the horse,
>lengthening the stride. It's not rocket science, but it can't be
>forced.
>
>A horse in pain, in the back, neck, shoulders, hind end, won't do
>this. And lots of other things play a part, especially the rider. A
>tense unbalanced rider creates a self-perpetuating problem of a tense,
>spooky horse with the usual result being head in the air and back
>hollowed out.
>
>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."
>
>Can't do this if he's rolling peanuts. To find the balance is the
>quest . . .
>Gail in New Hampshire glawson@lr.net
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Gwen Dluehosh ***!!!OPEN HOUSE JUNE 22, 1996!!!***
Desert Storm Arabians (|^|) "Pretty enough to show,
2249 Mount Tabor Rd / \--__--_ tough enough to RIDE!"
Blacksburg, VA 24060 (= +++ =)\__---__
540/953-1792 \ + / \_-__--- Featuring our stallions,
Endurance, racing, | + | \-__---_ mares, and foals, some
halter stock available ()+() \___--- for sale or lease!
\_/
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