ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: Vosals

Re: Vosals

Mike Sofen (miksof7@gte.net)
Thu, 7 Aug 1997 05:53:09 -0700

I'm not as black and white as Bob Morris is, but I agree with his
sentiments - many riders take horses out on trails that are one step away
from a minor or major disaster. I'd rather not hear after the fact, "I
wish I could've stopped him from a full gallop", after both horse and rider
got injured. And I have been on trails with other horse/riders that were
dangerous to be around.

I believe, as Bob appears to, that a complete set of basic training is a
required component of a "finished" horse. However, once I feel that my
horse has enough ground school to respond to emergency cues no matter what,
then I'll start the trail work, AND continue his ground schooling. But I
will not endanger my horse by placing him into a situation for which he is
unprepared. If I get hurt through my own stupidity, that's one thing - if
I hurt my horse, then I should get counceling and training.

Much of the world views horses as a replaceable commodity - I view them as
an irreplaceable treasure...

Mike Sofen
Seattle, WA

----------
From: Trishmare@aol.com
To: ridecamp@endurance.net
Subject: Re: Vosals
Date: Thursday, August 07, 1997 8:33 PM

In a message dated 97-08-07 11:45:30 EDT, you write:

<< The bridle is not a stopping device but a signaling device. If your
horse is not capable of being ridden on the trail in a halter it is not
ready to be ridden on the trail!!! >>

Huh? Well, in Michigan, if every horse that was not capable of being
ridden
on the trail IN A HALTER was eliminated, Michigan horse trails would be
mighty empty, let me tell you! I too, grit my teeth when I see some rider
in
a tug-of-war with a horse who is leaning, gap-mouthed, on a bit, but I
wouldnt ever go so far as to say any horse who can't be trail ridden in a
HALTER doesn't belong on the trail. Get real!

Trish & "pretty David" (who goes in an egg-butt snaffle, but thinks if mom
rode him in a halter we could do those trail rides WAY quicker--"hang on
mom!
and watch those turns!")

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