Fw: Fw: bits

["superpat" <superpat@gateway.net>]

I am sharing this letter which was sent by a young friend of mine. I do so
in the hope that her response will be taken to heart by those who would be
tempted to resort to gadgets or whips to short cut proper time and training.
Pat
Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2000 8:14 PM
Subject: Re: Fw: bits


>From one who rides a horse that would be
> totally uncontrollable at the
> > > beginning of a ride, here is what I do
> that works.
> > > 1.  German martingale.  Don't leave home
> without it!  Not a standing,
> not
> > a
> > > running.  Gotta keep that head down.
> > > 2.  Next step, twisted wire snaffle.
> > > 3.  A CROP!  Yes, I use it  when he won't
> STOP, not GO!
> > > Louise Burton
> > > Firedance Farms Endurance Arabians
> > > Oklahoma
>
> Dear Louise,
>     I don't know you, but I read your letter
> that you wrote (see above) about all the
> 'artificial aids' that you sugest to use.
> I've seen a lot of horses mistreated, and
> almost always some patient training would
> make things better for the horse and rider.
> I'm only 16 but I've been riding for about 10
> years and throughout my life the best days
> have been when i feel that true harmony
> between my horse and i. This can't be
> accomplished by twisted wire snaffles and
> tyiong your horses head down--- and crops are
> for reinforcing the leg and seat aids for
> impulsion-- not as a diciplining 'weapon'. I
> have ridden in quite a few endurance rides on
> my hot little Arab- but when I can't control
> him at the biginning of a ride I take it
> personally that I haven't trained my horse to
> listen to me. Starting about 15 minutes after
> everyone else also saves a lot of energy on
> both your parts and takes away the stress if
> your horse is young or just can't control
> themselves in such a tense environment.
>     I wrote to you because it makes me very
> sad to see people using all these quick fixes
> to get top ten or even just ride. i know that
> your business is selling endurance horses
> that are well broke-- but, personally, i
> would want a horse that had been trained- not
> broken down with german martingales and
> whipping. I know that many people use horses
> as livestock-- but with anm endurance horse,
> and many other performance diciplines- your
> horse is half of the team-- your partner and
> hopefully your friend. Please consider using
> gentler and more natural training methods on
> your fine horses-- they deserve it!! I should
> also say that i am sure that you don't abuse,
> abuse your horses- but from what I could
> gather from your letter it doesn't sound like
> you are being completely fair to the animals
> that carry you 50-100 miles and give their
> hearts to finish!
>
> thank you!
> sincerely,
(name withheld by Pat..".to protect the innocent"