Re: endurance horse price

["Robert Morris" <bobmorris@rmci.net>]

Tommy:

Barb heritage horses are being bred here in Idaho and are supported by
extensive recorded lineage. I have been working with some of them. What
comes off the BLM is by no means close to the Barb Heritage, at least in
these parts. Yes, there are exceptions from the BLM herds but they are just
that, exceptions!

As for the cost of these BLM feral animals, the round up, adoption costs
are near $1200 a piece. Thus we are subsidizing at least $1075 for each
horse adopted and those not adopted cost us much more over their natural
life. 

Went to Iceland this summer and have to comment on their philosophy
regarding horses. The best are used for breeding, the next level for riding
the next for working and the remainder get eaten. No bleeding hearts there
just being practical. (realize the breed has been pure for almost 1000
years)


Bob Morris
Morris Endurance Enterprises
Boise, ID

----------
> From: Crockett Collection <crockett-collection@juno.com>
> To: ridecamp@endurance.net
> Subject: Re: endurance horse price
> Date: Thursday, September 17, 1998 11:43 AM
> 
> In a message Dr. Smith wrote:
> 
> In a message dated 98-09-17 04:58:59 EDT, maphh@cowland.com writes:
> 
> <<  IMHO the BLM is doing both the equine population and
>  the taxpayer a favor.  >>
> 
> note: let me preface this post with the fact that no adopted horse from
> the BLM is going to be a bargain. I have a nice little mare being prepped
> for the winter rides this season. Her development is much like that of an
> arab in terms of growth plate closing rates. This coming year is her
> first as a 6 year old and her time to be ridden in 50s. It has taken me
> significantly more time and effort to train this horse. $125.00 bucks
> really isn't much of a bargain. But what is? Barb heritage range horses
> are filled with stamina and desire. In the long run, perhaps dollar for
> dollar a domestic bred horse is a better deal. Still the accomplishment
> of training a range born horse is something of which to be most proud. 
> 
> >squeamishness about selling them for slaughter.  Not a good deal for the
> >taxpayer at all.  True, it would also not be a good deal to have them
> out
> >ruining other resources.  I have no objection to people buying these
> horses,
> >but the taxpayer would be far better served if the whole program was
> turned
> 
> Just to play devil's advocate. Ruining the resources for which group?
> Humans, cattle or local indigenous personnel and wildlife? I really
> haven't seen too much in the terms of EIRs that support the 20 plus
> thousand horses living in feral circumstances have that great an impact
> on the desert's balance. There was a time, but it seems the BLM is doing
> it's job. BTW, not that I've done much of a search of public records on
> cost breakdowns. 
> 
> >over to private enterprise (with proper monitoring for humane practices)
> and
> >the horses were sold for whatever they could get--that way the better
> ones go
> >to homes, the poorer ones go to slaughter, and there is no cost to the
> >taxpayer whatsoever.  It is certainly your perogative to not wish to eat
> meat,
> >but as a horse lover, I strenously object to prolonging the life of the
> >crippled, injured, old, or mentally unstable.  Their lives are
> miserable, and
> >it is criminal for us to make them continue to suffer because our egos
> are
> >served by prolonging their lives.
> 
> It's one opinion, no matter how well backed by education, that I
> personally don't feel is exactly on target. Certainly to a point, but
> ladled with a dose of possible personal viewpoint. BLM vet checks are
> notoriously quick and sometimes miss major factors. I'd once adopted a
> mare the BLM catalog listed as a two year old. When I was able to check
> her teeth it was obvious no vet had ever seen them or they couldn't have
> listed the age off by  a year. 
> 
> If an animal isn't adopted they eventually end up at the Horse sanctuary.
> The cost to the taxpayer is then small. Once there the horse fends for
> his/herself. We probably pay more to wash Air Force One in a year's time.
> 
> 
> There have been incidents of corruption within the BLM, but placing the
> system in private hands would spell the end of the feral range horse in
> North America. Most cattle -lease ranchers using BLM rights would
> heartily agree. And if history repeats itself, welcome such a program
> with open arms. 
> 
> Bottom line is that without the adoption program the Barb heritage
> mustang wouldn't find it's way to the endurance field. There never would
> have been Namoi Tyler and Mustang Lady shaking the endurance world to the
> roots on an international level. No Dennis and Sue racking up husband and
> wife points on formerly feral horses. Another top ten on a mustang at The
> '98 Tevis Cup and to continue I'd just be getting more boring then my
> post has already become. :)
> 
> I don't think that many unsound horses find their way off the range.
> Unfit out there and death is imminent.  Fail a Coggins test off the range
> and they'll be destroyed.  If estimations are correct almost a million of
> them were out there at the turn of the century. At between 20 and 30
> thousand at present it seems to me the system is working rather well. If
> saving public grazing land for the Bovine is more in the public interest.
> I haven't seen any GAO accounts, but I might guess the feds spend as much
> or more on  fish and dozens of other natural resource endeavors as well. 
> 
> 
> >Next time you wish to comment about grazing leases for pennies, come
> with me
> >to our family ranch and watch how hard these ranchers work to maintain
> those
> >resources for the good of us all.  
> 
> Okay, it's the viewpoint of the cattle people versus the bleeding hearts.
>  <VBG> I'm guessing it's another case of BLM grazing land for the cattle
> exclusively? I respect your viewpoint. I just don't concur. :)
> 
> 
> Tommy Crockett
> Owner-Operator of The Crockett Collection
> Fine Jewelry and Equine Designs
> Weeks-Ft. Churchill, Nevada USA
> 
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