Re: My Broken Jaw & Arabian Stereotypes

["S.N." <nikstai@qis.net>]

Had a run-in with the ol' stereotype monster today. I don't think I was as
polite as you :)

My colt is 3 years old and was due for his second-ever set of shoes today.
He's in a new barn with a new farrier, after a recent move.

Now, this colt is probably the kindest thing you've ever to see. One or two
of the folks on the list know him. Anyhow, he's neither scared (maybe a bit
nervous) nor aggressive, he's just a bit fidgety. Easy to keep under
control, doesn't "lose it" - just fidgets...after all, this is only the
second time he's to get shod. In short, one of the best damn 3 year old -
second-time-stand-for-farrier Arabs I've seen.

So he pulls his foot away. Tries to walk forward, tries to walk back - each
time, he's moved back to the right spot and work resumes, with a slight
reprimand to stay put. Farrier begins conversation about how he shod a few
Arabs "back when he started", and swore never to do it again.

Colt fidgets a few more times....nothing more than having to retrieve a foot
. Farrier suggests a chain over nose. I ask him if he's trying to get the
colt to *really* object to the proceedings.

Colt removes foot again from farrier's grasp. Farrier socks colt hard on the
barrel, colt rears and becomes bug-eyed. I frown. Farrier insists on putting
chain on colt. Wants it to go across his GUMS. Takes horse out of my hands
and puts the chain on - colt is getting more bug-eyed.

I flip. Now, I don't get mad too easily. But I was furious. I didn't just
lose my temper, I gave it all to this guy.  Had the colt been behaving
dangerously, kicking, rearing, biting, or otherwise being extremely stupid,
I would have settled for a chain (but not on the GUMS!) and agreed that the
colt needed a lesson in who's running the show. But he was fidgeting.
Nothing more - and really on the "low-end" of the fidget scale. Having had a
few "good farriers" in the past, who work through the youngsters, and have
what I guess could be called "firm patience", maybe I'm spoiled.

He made the excuse that if he or I got hurt while shoeing, it'd be his fault
and that's why he wanted a chain, to "protect us and others in the barn".
I'd have spit at him if there weren't others present, at that.... I kinda
figured that a chain is gonna increase the risks of injury, as horses do
tend to react a bit strongly to a chain if they aren't used to it.

He proceeds to tell me that this is how he handles all his young horses or
any that give him problems - he puts a chain over their gums, and has
someone hold it TIGHT at all times. Maybe I'm confused, but the idea of
training seems to me to be that pressure of any sort is to be removed when
the horse is doing "right". Guess the constant pain is how he gets'em to
stand still...they're too busy concerned with the pain in their mouths to
fidget.

At that point I figured I'd best just call up some other farrier to finish
the job. He was half done, and his rear hooves have been bare for some time
now - I figure they'll just stay that way for awhile longer. At least till I
can find someone who isn't terrified of "those damn Arabs". *sigh*

Of course, this "damn Arab" has taught my nieces (who'd never been around
horses before) to longe, lead, they clean his hooves, and can generally do
any ground work with him. They fuss over his mane, brush him, and sometimes
do silly things, as kids will do, none of which fazes him.

Ahh well. Anyone know a good farrier in Maryland, near Frederick/Mt
Airy/Carroll County?  Seems I'm in need of one :)





----- Original Message -----
From: Cheryl <mskit@utec.net>
To: <Ridecamp@endurance.net>; <horseman@orednet.org>
Sent: Saturday, June 16, 2001 4:07 AM
Subject: RC: My Broken Jaw & Arabian Stereotypes


Hi All -

I had a slight mishap on Dani Thursday morning. She spooked, I fell off  and
broke my jaw, loosened a couple teeth, and hurt a few ribs. Thankfully we
were only a quarter mile out, and I was able to walk back.  Even more
thankfully, I was wearing my helmet (which now must be replaced). BTW, best
$50 five year insurance policy I've ever purchased.

Anyway, went to the hospital, got patched up, etc. Then went to the
drugstore to fill my scrip. As I waited, I struck up a conversation (if
that's what it could be called) with a lady there who used to ride. First
thing she said was "was it an Arabian?". She then launched into a diatribe
about how she had heard that they're unreliable, wild and maybe I should
have a Quarter Horse, as they're safer.  She was a bit taken aback to hear
that Dani is a Quarter Horse, and that when I was giving lessons to little
kids, I used all Arabians and Half-Arabians, and I also nonchalantly
mentioned that I ride my Arabian (Bobby) in a rope halter, and that he
hasn't worn a bit for four years, now.

In closing, I in a roundabout way stated that I have found over the years
that people who show breed predjudice like that that are usually poor
horsemen to begin with (which I very firmly believe, anyway), no matter what
the breed. But I waited 'till she had handed me my meds, first!

Oh well, no riding or work for me this weekend, so I'm going to the Myler
bitting clinic at my favorite tackstore, and buying my new helmet. I'll be
the one holding the icepack, hiding my hideously swelled-up black and blue
face, enviously watching people eat hamburgers...


Ride Safe (safer than me, anyway!) -

Cheryl in WNY
Horse kids Kit, Bobby & Dani