One Thing
Apr 20 2010
Let’s have a bit of fun today:
You are now the Ruler of All That Is, and today you get to make ONE change about anything to the horse world. As in, you snap your fingers and the change is made. What is that ONE change?
I’m going to say: Mandatory Breeder Licensing. My MBL program involves taking a year long night school (or Saturdays, depending on your schedule) course during which you are educated on everything from horse care to conformation to genetic defects. If you do not receive a passing grade on the course, you cannot breed horses and if you are caught breeding horses, there is a whopper of a fine with the proceeds going toward subsidies for gelding and euthanasia. If you are already a knowledgeable breeder, you would have the option of testing out of having to take the class, just as you can test out of your basic classes in college. Â
Two purposes:
(1) No more use of the “but I didn’t knoooooooow” excuse for things like failing to get proper hoof care, failing to deworm, breeding HYPP positive horses, etc. Sorry, you did know, and we can prove it.Â
(2) It would be enough of a pain in the butt to get that only people who really had a drive to improve their breed and breed quality horses would go through the process – not people who wanted to have one foal and experience the “miracle of birth.” Like any other kind of professional licensing, it would help to make breeders professionals that were held to a standard. They could lose their license for things like an animal neglect conviction. You could look them up online like you can an accountant or an attorney to see if they have a valid license and if they have ever been disciplined.
All right – now you rule the world! What is your ONE change to the horse world? No, no top ten lists. Show a little self control. One change. 
Now, for those of you who have no self control, could someone please adopt this adorable Thoroughbred mare from Shiloh Horse Rescue in Nevada? She is screaming MY name and I do not need another horse. So I’m asking one of you to throw yourself on the bomb and take her home and send me a lot of pictures. I think that she is adorable, and would be super cute in the show ring!
282 comments to “One Thing”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment. Not a member? Registering is free, and you do it here!
I would make it so that anyone who wanted a horse (and had the knowledge to have one!) was able to have one. It bothers me so much reading stories about people who have 438765399 horses and just don’t care about them, when I can’t afford to have 1 and I DO care about them! These prospective horse owners would have to take a basic test to show they do actually know and understand how to care for a horse: A basic riding test (you wouldn’t have to be a super star grand prix level rider, but you should be able to control the horse and NOT hang on its mouth, etc), knowledge of basic health problems and how to treat minor ones like cuts, be able to recognize signs of colic and know when to call the vet, that sort of thing. If you passed the test, you would be able to have a horse, regardless of cost and funds.
It’s annoying. I don’t have a horse because I know I can’t afford one, yet I know more about caring for a horse than many of the people that do have them!
Well, I hope some smart horse owner is already giving you horses to ride and care for while you’re on a budget, and if they’re not, post your location and let’s get you hooked up!
If you were close I would say come trail ride with me because nobody else goes as much as I do!
I am indeed very lucky: I have a friend who lets me ride two of her horses (a 15-year-old and a 24-year old, both Arabian mares) whenever I want. (Her third one is only 4, so I don’t get to ride her…but I might get to later this year or early next year). Better yet, she’s a vet, so I have learned so much about basic care too! And of course I know exactly who to call if one of them gets hurt. She doesn’t ask anything of me in return, so of course I try to at least help out and pick up some poop/fill the water trough/etc when I have time or notice it needs done. (She also keeps them at her house, so she’s not trying to pay for board. That probably helps). They are both really well trained competitive trail horses, so my “job” is to keep them in shape.
While I love these two horses dearly, I look forward to the day I have the money to have my own horse. I already know what I want…I’m excited to see if my mind changes about that by the time I actually buy a horse!
Thanks everyone for your support! I’m so glad I’m not alone.
If you happen to be in my area of Georgia I have 1 you can ride
And if you’re not, if anyone is in the Perry, GA area, looking for a horse to ride, is welcome to give me a holler freedomtreeless@yahoo.com I have a 19yo arab mare, she was my 1st horse, who rarely gets ridden, because I am too busy with my competitive trail horse and my 4yo gelding that’s in the process of being saddle broke. She’s a great trail horse and very well trained, we actually made it to 2nd regionally in NATRC competitive trail in 2005. I’d love to find someone who’d like to spend some time with her.
Keep in mind this is an offer I’d consider making to an adult, or maybe a very responsible older teen (say 16+ with their own transportation) and I’d look for something in return- help with barn chores, or barn-sitting help when I go on vacation, or a part-lease, etc.
Melissa
OMG I could not agree more! It is so upsetting that so many kids my age have horses and don’t appreciate them, yet I would be sooo grateful to have my own, or even lease! I’ve only been able to get into horses the last year, but then my mom got breast cancer a while ago, and now we can’t afford it. :/ I don’t know how I’ll ever get to work with horses when I’m older because I’ll be starting soooo late compared to everyone. I can only hope to end up like you, Fugs. You’re living the life
at least in my eyes.
It’s a shame horses are so expensive but I know that it is good in some cases. I think the breeding license would be brilliant because it would help control the horse population, which would benefit so many aspects of the horse world (well, for the horses at least).
Don’t give up hope kid. If I can keep two healthy horses, just about anyone can. Aside from working hard, budgeting, and making sacrifices, the most important aspect to horse ownership on a low income is developing strong relationships with the right people; my vet, my boarding ranch … they understand my situation and know that while my payments may be late at times, they WILL get paid (my vet would never hesitate to operate or float teeth for me). I make balance sheets for them, in which I keep track of every cent I owe. I pay them whatever I can, whenever I can, even if it’s a few pathetic dollars. If I can, I’ll pay over their tabs to get ahead. Also, learning how to trim hooves saves a lot of money–in fact, I’ve gotten so good at trimming my horse’s hooves, people are paying me to do theirs as well. Horse.com and Ebay offer great bargains on tack and supplies if you know where to look–it helps to buy a bunch of stuff at once to save on shipping. Last, but not least, because I’m working so hard and can’t be with my horses every day (sometimes up to two weeks at a time in winter), they stay happily in a big pasture, under the watchful eye of someone knowledgable.
Sounds hard, but I can’t imagine life without those two pills. I don’t regret having them and plan on keeping them until they croak of old age.
Like it was said earlier, Pandora, don’t give up hope…and the comment about starting late…my SO started when he was 53 y.o. and now, 5 years later…and 4 horses later… I am envious of his ability and how he works his horses.
If you were in the Cincinnati, OH area I would let you ride mine in a heartbeat! With full-time school and work I don’t get to spend nearly enough time with them. The two things that keep me going are that my mom has recently taken a serious interest in them and spends time with them while I can’t, and the knowledge that once I graduate college and get a decent job I will be in a position to go to the barn much more than I currently do. I would love to have someone like you around. Keep looking, there are people like me out there that would appreciate someone like you so much! I hope you find them.
Aerlind, I am SO reading your email.
I too can’t afford a horse and despair of ever being able to afford once since I am now on the dark side of 45. Actually, I could afford a horse if I stopped contributing to my RRSP (Cdn retirement fund), my son’s RESP (Cdn education savings fun), my general “disaster strikes” fund (like for the $2,300 I had to fork out yesterday for my 7 yr old Honda’s “scheduled repairs”), and my just plain rainy day buffer fund.
My dog, my cat, and my parrot are all rescues (oh yeah, add that to the above list of things I could stop, like contributing to their food & vet care). My dream is to adopt a TB from a very great rescue in my province, but there’s not a chance in hell that I am going to commit to anything while not being absolutely positive that I can provide a forever home. Am heartbroken every day – but grateful for the fact that I’m healthy, have a gorgeous son, and can do things like volunteer at shelters, therapy riding, etc.
As a college student I am SO with you on that. I worked at barns at home for lessons (been riding for the past 8 years, working for lessons for about the past two), and a friend let me ride her horse (actually, her mother watched me ride when said friend invited me over, and goes “You’re welcome to come ride any time you want, since ___(my friend)____ is too lazy to exercise them.” Unfortunately for this summer that welcome is no longer extended (she thinks I’m the one who put tack away dirty and slopped all over the tack room all the time, it was actually her daughter… I even went out and soaped all their saddles one day when I didn’t feel like going home… When she told me I was no longer welcome was incredibly embarrassing, because I don’t leave things at the barn messy, and I know I don’t.)).
I didn’t make our equestrian team when I came up here, so it’s been the hardest year I’ve ever experienced – the longest time I’ve gone without riding since I was 10. No dogs, no cats, no horses… It’s nuts. Next semester I’m definitely heading down to our local animal shelter just to volunteer and have SOME animal contact.
This summer I definitely can’t afford lessons, and I’ll be taking summer classes so working at the barn will be a long shot… I’m going to have to try and convince my trainer to let me do odd jobs (paint jumps, clean tack, etc) on my own time in exchange for saddle time.
So I’m with you – horses for everyone that can prove to be able to care for one! Too bad it’ll never happen.
I wish there was a switch I could flip, not only in horse people, but everyone: that EVERYONE accepts personal accountability for their actions. Everyone takes responsibility for what they do, whether it be breeding, training, selling, taking care of an old horse after it has given everything to its owner and asked for nothing in return.
That is my biggest beef with humanity in general, is the very human nature to take the easy way out. It is easy to dodge responsibility to the fugly weanlings a breeder pumps out, easy to dodge making sure an oldster gets a deserving end to his career. It’s easy to take a training short-cut to get quick results and let someone else deal with the mentally-fried aftermath. I wish more people would take themselves to task for their f***-ups. It’s hard, it usually makes one deal with aspects about themselves they don’t like and would rather deny.
That is my change: I want people to accept responsibility for their actions, and how their actions affect the lives of the horses they deal with. It hurts, its ugly, its not fun or easy. No one ever said the right way is the easy way.
I really like your idea – after all, it wouldn’t just help horses. Imagine how much it would help children! And the economy!
Not interested in a breeders license, it is unenforceable.
The idea of me having to go to a course that I am qualified to run is laughable anyway, and there must be thousands of good breeders in exactly the same position.
KISS.
Make people accountable for their actions.
ANY actions.
Enforce the laws that already exist.
Ah, but you’d test out. That’s why I put that in there. If you’ve been doing this for 20 years and you really DO know what you’re doing, you can test out.
The problem I see with that is that ability to pass tests doesn’t make someone a good candidate to be a breeder! I am pretty sure that from my reading and research I could pass a test like that- but that doesn’t mean I know anywhere near what I would need to to breed horses. (Which I have no desire to do, but I’m making a point here.) There’s also the problem of who writes the tests, who grades them, how they’re evaluated, etc. It’s the same argument I have about dog breeder licensing if it’s test based. The practical care knowlege is important, but the breed specific stuff about health is SO crucial and SO not something you can learn from a textbook, you need the breed community.
MY one rule would be permanent ID and permanent responsibility for all animals produced. Kind of like the animal ID act. You breed a horse (or a dog or a cat), your breeder ID is on the mandatory microchip or the tattoo, along with the owners. Ownership changes get recorded through every sales point- whether it’s direct to the individual owner, indirect through a trainer or auction, or whatever- and the transfer fee is minimal. That animal ever ends up neglected? Everyone along the chain contributes to paying the costs of that animal being sheltered until one of them steps up to take responsibility, with the percentages weighted so that the breeder, longest-time owner of record, and owner who sold it to the idiot who neglected the animal bear the heaviest burden as incentive to screen homes and follow up and provide care if needed. Breeder ID could be tracked tracked, with minimal contact information, and for folks with a legitimate interest (this part is fuzzy, but I’d like it to NOT be usable by folks on anti-breeder witch hunts and this is the biggest drawbackto this kind of system that I see) you could also track all the animals that the breeder is producing.
Coincidentally, this would also let breeders who had multiple animals end up in bad places get censured and forced to pay up for their lack of screening- and it’d provide a safety net for breeders who were responsible, since they could access the information about where an animal ended up if an owner bailed on them. It’d also let us get really good stats on where animals of all species in shelters are originating- big breeders, small breeders, strays/ferals, mills, etc.
It’s got problems- the witch hunt problem mentioned above is a big one, especially with non-horses where youv’e got zoning issues and increasingly punitive anti-breeder legislation that is affecting dog and cat breeders so they are flying under the radar (which isn’t ideal but is understandable.)
I agree totally: My Magic Wand would make Everyone Responsible.
If children were taught from an early age to CARE for things, even if it is just their toys, what a change we would see!! As it is today, if a toy breaks, Oh well, we’ll get a new one. Puppy screws up or isn’t cute anymore, Oh well, we’ll get a new one. Horse screws up or isn’t cute anymore, Oh well, we’ll get a new one. Husband screws up or isn’t cute anymore (hehehe), Oh well, we’ll get a new one.
We live in SUCH a throw-away society. We should be recycling/ retraining/ reusing EVERY thing— from animals to buildings— rather than making new ones. It’s just easier to be irresponsible, throw it away, and get something new. ERGH. Rant over.
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, YES!!!!! Even as a liberal Canadian who believes wholeheartedly in universal health care, among other “socialist” ideas, I am sick to death of people who don’t accept personal responsibility. I am with you MTVAE.
Golly, what keeps you Canadians from getting into serious trouble with all of your extra money? If I didn’t have to send $1600 per month* to Blue Cross, God knows how much trouble I’d be in, rescuing animals, giving to charity, paying a trainer, having someone for a horseless friend to ride, taking vacations…
*You read that right, $1600/month. $150 more than our mortgage. For *2*healthy*people.
As someone who has lived in Canada, let me tell you where their extra money is going:
SALES TAX
It’s nearly double what it is anywhere in the U.S. You have two sales taxes, local and national, on every freaking thing you buy.
Folks, you don’t get something for nothing. Not ever. The money comes from somewhere and the somewhere is ALWAYS you, as the taxpayer.
Valid point. But I’m overpaying by at least $800/month*, not to mention deductibles, etc. If sales tax in my county increased by 10% I would have to buy $8000 worth of stuff per month for that argument to be valid. Granted, if I had an extra $400-500 per month I would be buying more stuff and paying more in sales taxes but I would also be stimulating the economy instead of padding some suit’s pocket! I don’t want something for nothing, but I would like to feel less like an oversqueezed turnip, if you know what I mean.
*because they can. Because we have a small business and can’t get group rates at this time. Hooray for the health care bill.
Good idea, Fugs. That’s something I’d like to see.
Hmm…. one thing I’d change. I’d have to say forcing an age restriction on the race tracks. No horses under 5. Of all the things I can think of that I’d like to change that’s the one I always go back to. So many track injuries are preventable if they’d just let those babies grow up before they run them like that. Their bodies aren’t ready to handle that kind of strain yet…
My gut and common sense tells me racing horses beyond three would be a disaster for the horses.
First, a young horse can heal better. At age two, the horse is comparable to a person about 14-16: almost full height, but with a lot of filling out to do (pretty much the age of an Olympic gymnast, or figure skater). At five or six, a horse is comparable to a 21-25 year old human: the body has stopped producing the dynamic growth hormone and is on the long, slow process of decay. I read somewhere that horses started in the gate at five (Arabians, I believe) not only had the same amount of racing injuries as horses started at 2, but were less likely to recover from those injuries than the younger horses. I don’t know about you, but I’m all for horses healing up while they’re young, and then being able to go on to dressage or jumping after their track career!
Second, the way a horse’s bones permanently develop is directly connected to what they do before they mature. There is an interesting article on The Horse about that. It makes perfect sense to me. Seriously. People would never think about holding back their kids and having them do ‘their own thing’ in a field until they’re 21. No. It’s track, and wrestling, and football, and dance so they can have a good athletic foundation in life. Develop stronger bones. Yet so many people insist horses should do nothing until they’re grown.
Don’t get me wrong. I hate seeing fat hicks oozing over tiny babies on Craigslist just as much as the next person here does. And I certainly think there are sports that favor an older age (jumping, endurance), just as there are human sports that favor an older age (distance running, body building). And I believe pushing a young horse into long, hard, repetitive work is definitely detrimental to the horse–just as it is with young human athletes. But asking them to do nothing until they’re fully grown? Doesn’t seem fair to the horse.
I guess if I was going to ask for one change in the horse world (after abolishing slaughter, and after breeding regulation), it would be unbiased and various studies on the affects of training on the young horse. I think there is so much misinformation and emotion that gets passed along on that topic, without enough hard science to support it.
I get what you’re saying, but did you read the very last line in the article you posted? Speculation is great, but both sides of the fence still lack a lot of research.
What I said echoes that last line: research must be done. We know too much too soon is bad, but too little too late could be bad as well. I would love to get to the truth on this matter!
I suppose what makes me question what so many here don’t dare, is that I live in deep cow country, where they typically start them young and gently at two. By the time these horses are four, they are basic beginner cow horses, and look better-develeped than their peers who have been sitting in the field. I might add futurities are not held in these parts, and have little influence on training around here. So I haven’t seen much of that over-the-top pressure, but rather slow, steady training. Anyhow, these horses are not toys. They’re work horses, and being reliably sound is crucial to their owners. And for the most part, these horses ARE sound, doing miles everyday that would have our ‘pets’ plop over dead. And they are expected to work like this well into their twenties. So is it the age of starting that causes problems, or the method? Because I recall this local arab farm, where the owner was religious about starting colts very late (she was European), yet it seemed like one of her six year olds was standing in ice water every time I was there–they just couldn’t take sudden work after a lifetime of inactivity!
I do agree with some of your points – the young do heal better and activity at a young age is essential to proper development. I am a big fan of horse racing and OTTBs, but my love is not blind. The industry is fraught with issues, just not the issues that most people assume. Its one thing to place a 6 year old child in little league and let him or her run around and chase a ball – its fun for them and allows them to develop essential muscles and skills. It’s another thing to take that same 6 year old and put him or her in “training” – forcing them to run sprints and drills, lifting weights, etc. This is essentially what we do to young thoroughbreds. As yearlings, when they should be out running and developing muscle and skill with other yearlings, we pull them out and put them in training. Many start their racing careers when they are technically not even two full years old. When they should be enjoying little league we are asking them for a varsity performance!
My own OTTB provides an interesting example. Foaled in April of 1989, he ran his first race in July of 1991, so he was a full 2 yr. old. There is nothing spectacular about his racing career except the longevity of it. After 120 lifetime starts, he finally retired from the track in 1999. Yes, he was 10 years old. The research I have done into his pedigree shows that there are not a lot of real champions in it. There are quite a few who enjoyed long careers. I choose to believe that his dam was matched with his sire for this very reason, and have been trying to track down his breeder to confirm this.
Sorry Fugs – got way OT here. Can’t say that I could name just one thing I would change, but since your readership has done a good job of covering the others I could think of I will limit mine to racing:
1) Encourage responsible breeding . I.e. breeding for good bone structure, solid hooves, and health as opposed to just speed and stamina. Breed true champions! (I will never understand how the general population can follow other athletes for years – changing team allegiances even – and yet if a Derby winner looses the Preakness he is all but forgotten.)
2) Stop offering races for 2 yr. olds; racing should begin at 4. (I wonder if putting a cap on foal sales might not help this? Maybe if people were not investing a million plus dollars on babies they would not expect such a quick return on those investments.)
3) Limit the number of races any horse can run in a year. While my guy is sound and happy at 21 despite his career, no horse should have to work THAT hard to earn his keep!
Well, I think your one rule is a splendid one, Fugly. I can’t think of a better suggestion myself, except perhaps to include a “virtues of the mule” segment in your recommended course.
http://www.BraysOfOurLives.com
http://www.facebook.com/FenwayBartholomule
I say NO MORE INDUSTRY Horses will be used for pleasure only, not for profit. Breeding vets will be put out of business, they will need to find something else to do. Race courses will have to be used for organic community gardens, the stalls will be filled with happily retired race horses and the parking lots will be turned into PLUSH turn outs for them. Trainers will have to go to work taking real care of their retirees. Broodmares will become children’s school masters, after the trainers really TAKE THE TIME to ride them, teaching them what they will need to know, like wtc in a forward manner and of course, solid brakes. The feed, bedding & supply companies will be fine, selling lots of horse cookies, clean shavings and pink sleazies for all to wear. There will be no showing for money or prestige, just fun. The happiest horse will get the blue ribbon.
My One Thing would be turnout for every horse in safe paddocks with good footing, shade, shelter, water, hay/grass and friends.
That would be amazing. I feel bad for the wonderfully cared for show horses where I work because even though all other aspects of their lives are great, they will not be turned out with other horses until they go up to the retiree barn. Living without companionship is not fair for herd animals.
Wow! Ruler of All That Is sounds much better and more far-reaching than Queen for a Day!
Beginning immediately: All equine wanderers on the earth shall now and forever more have shelter, food, vet/farrier care and their own Special Someone (i.e., Ideal Conditions) until their time here is done. You know: the Ideal Life. That is my edict from on high. Woe betide any non-compliant subjects.
btw, I think you’d probably look very good on Miss Broadway at the shows. I was wondering what all that noise was; it was her hollering for you. You know what they say about Broadway: neon lights are bright, there’s always magic in the air…..hum along with me, now.
She is so freaking cute…
I cannot have another horse. Unless of course someone would like to adopt a teenaged mare built like Donald Duck in front that is squirrelly about mounting or a humongous three year old gelding with an old radial nerve injury he is prone to re-injuring by destroying things with his hoofies when he’s bored. I know there is a line a MILE long waiting for those two…needless to say I will probably not be adding to the family anytime soon!
Hi Fugly,
I have two teenage horses (15 & 17) and if I were near you, I would take on your mare who is interesting to mount. Then you could have Broadway and we would both be happy. Perhaps there is someone near you who would want her. Don’t write off her chances of another home yet.
It is just hard to place some of those glitches. This mare is nervous about mounting but she also has limited sight on that side so I think that is an issue. She will ride around nicely for an experienced rider once that person is up, but you can see how she is scared about the whole mounting process. You never know what they’ve been through – this was an auction mare and we can’t read the tattoo. She’s not lame, legs are actually very clean, but just a hard placement given she’s 16, has a quirk and isn’t a beauty queen.
Hi Fugly,
As I am in Australia and a bit strapped for cash, I will have to settle for trying to cheer you up. One of my current horses I took on when he was lame, underweight and with serious behaviour issues and actually paid money for him too. He was also very seriously scarred after having had a fight with a fence that the fence won. Admittedly he is a very good looking horse. I find him to be very loving and sweet. He is NOT a horse for just anyone and never will be. You had better have buckets of patience and kindness, good hands and a quiet and secure seat in the saddle.
So if he can find a loving home with me, I am quite sure that there must be a loving home out there for your mare. I can seriously understand your concerns, as I would never re-home my horse. However I can assure you that your mare is a walk in the park compared to my horse and therefore I believe that the right person is out there for her.
Hey I know you must have tried but what about mounting from the right? OK I have an OTT that believes handlers on the right side are SPAWN OF SATAN, but unfortunately it is not his call!!! He will just have to get over THAT.
So….You have definitely tried mounting your horse from the right, correct? Because, as I’m sure you know, it’s very impractical to have a horse that can only be mounted from one side. It’s also good for their back to mount them from both sides equally.
Hi Fugs,
I am one of the riders at Shiloh, and the one riding Broadway in the vids. I absolutely love riding and working with Broadway. She’s definitely a Thoroughbred’s Thoroughbred, so to speak! I love the TB’s.
She loves to work, and is very easy to get along with, if you like the TB personality. I would love to see her go to someone that wants to work and show. She’s ready to go do training level in dressage right now, we are working on doing a little 1st level stuff, leg yields, lengthenings. She’s so easy to school and train. Very forward thinking horse that always tries for you.
I know you are up to your eyeballs in TB mares, but she is sound and ready to go!
Thanks!
She is just so cute…but something else would have to adopt out first. I am so glad to know she is safe and well fed with Tony and Jill!
And thank YOU for riding the horses – it really helps to have competent people showing off the rescue horses. You are doing wonderful things for those horses by showing people what they can do!
Just one? Can my vote go to shooting all the idiots who buy/own horses without learning how to properly care for them first? (Or, I suppose, shooting anyone who decides to breed a horse without passing Fugly’s licensing exam…)
Why is it so hard for people to understand that a horse is not a dog. They are a lot more expensive to feed and complicated to care for, and there are so many things you need to know about to care for one correctly. You cannot just stick it in a small pen in the back yard and feed it table scraps! (Not that I think anyone should do that to a dog, either).
If we cannot shoot them, then let’s at least make the laws tougher and give animal control better funding and more authority to do something about it when horses are in bad shape.
How about we put them on an island similar to Alkatraz? And include convicted animal abusers/neglecters as well, so only they suffer from their stupidity and perhaps do each other in?
All horses have to be licensed, just like dogs are in most municipalities. And fertile horses (male or female) will cost more to license than geldings. Stallions would cost the most, mares less but still more than fixed mares or geldings.
The license fees would go to equine animal control enforcement, so that we don’t have to hear anymore that neglect laws can’t be enforced because there is no $$ for keeping the seized animals.
If it cost more money to keep fugly stallions in tact, and I mean a LOT, like several hundred dollars a year, then it wouldn’t make economic sense to keep around ungelded colts that no one in their right mind should be breeding anyway. If you couldn’t sell the baby, the cost of not getting brain surgery for colts would be felt by the lazy owner/breeders. It seems to be the case that many backyard breedings aren’t even planned — they just happen (‘oops!) when lazy owners turn them all out together, thinking that they can sell the babies, and fence is expensive, and so on. So make it expensive to keep stallions. I’m fuzzy on spaying mares, it’s an expensive surgery, etc. But definitely a license fee for horses. If licensing dogs makes sense, why not horses?
LOVE this one. I SO agree!
I totally see where you’re coming from… but unfortunately the vast majority of horses are out in the country, and are rarely found “roaming” free. That’s how unlicensed dogs are found, and how people have to pay up. If you head out to the country, you’ll find a large number of people who do not license their dogs and/or cats. The reason is, they’re rarely caught not having that license.
Maybe if there was some system, like everyone had to have the “tags” placed on their front gate or something, so ANYONE driving by who can see horses, can tell if they’re licensed… that might work. But then, how to keep them from getting stolen? I don’t know, unfortunately, I don’t think this work work. But I get your point…
Fugly I would want to add to yours.. that people needed to be recertified every few years. AND their facility must bass a USDA or State inspector, inspection.
The one thing I would change about the horse world…
All stallions must be inspected, approved, and have a winning show record in order to be allowed to stand stud.
OR that each state have a “State owned Stud” like they have in Europe.
All mares must be inspected and approved as well.
No more agricultural exemptions for breeding! Exemptions for gelding, exemptions for training horses, for giving lessons, etc etc. Promote the horse industry in other ways other than making more horses. I know of people who breed three mares a year to keep their exemption. If you depend on tax exemptions to stay afloat you probably should not be breeding horses!
Amen. A big problem is that you have all these tax breaks for MAKING horses and NO tax breaks for DOING SOMETHING CONSTRUCTIVE WITH THEM!
Check your local tax codes. I have a horse breeding farm that stopped breeding when the market slowed, and I began accepting “unwanted” horses and training them for sale. I checked before I did this, and my property will maintain it’s ag exemption. The Tax appraisal person I talked to (can’t remember the proper name of the position) was “pretty sure” that horse boarding would also get an exemption, but didn’t verify that as my exemption was already maintained.
I would reclassify horses as ‘working animals’. In order to get a tax break for breeding working animals, you would have to prove that you were also involved in ‘the training and preparation of working animals for their designated job’ and/or ‘the training and preparation of humans to work with working animals’. So, you would have to demonstrate that you trained your young horses, trained your broodmares, and could also get benefit for properly educating your workers. This would also mean that lesson barns and professional trainers got the same tax breaks as breeders.
Oh, and I’d also give a tax break for ‘providing a suitable home for a working animal that is no longer fit to perform its designated job’. So, you’d also get something for KEEPING your old guys.
I would add this registration fee to the annual coggins process. You don’t pay your license, you don’t get a coggins and you can’t show or ship anywhere.
1) For your one wish Cathy I put in a request for online classes/testing!
2) Assuming I can do ANYTHING with this wish, not just make a rule, either (a) cure HYPP or (b) bring prenatal screening for genetic defects to an affordable price for the average person.
Online is cool! I’m a fan of online education!
I would change breed registries. Make them maintain a breed standard which was true to a breed type and good horse conformation. I like the Friesian breed Keurings. Stallions go through alot of testing to be approved to breed. X-Rays, must be taken of knee joints and reveal the bones as sound; Semen analysis, must be performed and meet minimum motility standards; Blood typing, must be performed on the stallion and on his dam. Stallions will be rated in each of the following areas: walk, trot, canter, performance under saddle, performance as a driving horse to demonstrate obedience, performance pulling a sledge, performance as a carriage show horse to demonstrate action, character and temperament ,stable manners, and training manners.
And after they are approved they are judged annually based on the offspring they produce. All Studbook Stallions with Approved Breeding Privileges must be judged annually. They are also informally evaluated on the basis of their offspring every year. A decline in the quality of offspring or the discovery of hereditary faults may result in the withdrawal of Approved Breeding Privileges from any Studbook Stallion at any time. In addition, stallion owners must comply with all FHANA and FPS requirements in order to maintain their stallions’ breeding approval status.
Part of Stallon approvial is based on the quality of his dam line. So mares are an important part of testing.
By carefully controlling friesian breeding, FPS (the dutch breed association) has produced a horse that certainly keeps its value. FPS Friesians don’t show up in auctions or rescues.
We should look to this existing successful example for guidance.
Of course, all bets are off for part-bred horses who are not under the auspices of the Friesian registry.
I would like to see what I have worked tirelessly for over four decades and that is much stronger (that would be MUCH STRONGER) anti-cruelty laws with severe and dire consequences for those convicted and the money granted by legislatures to really get enforcement going.
But you see what we are up against? The US Supreme Court just ruled that videos depicting graphic violence against animals are protected by “free speech.” IMHO that is breathtakingly BOGUS reasoning and I have to say I am deeply shocked that such an august body as the Supreme Court did not consider the long-term consequences of such a ruling – especially when a previous Supreme Court outlawed other types of explicit material. Unbelievable, and unbelievably portentious of what will come next.
If you read the text though – I AGREE with their decision.
The reason? It wasn’t defined well enough. I do not want it made illegal for me to put up “videos depicting graphic violence against animals” – aka slaughterhouse videos and other things I put up to EXPOSE and EDUCATE.
It was the right decision. You gotta read the whole thing, not the sound bites.
Thank you very much Fugly but I do get the concept of original source material. Not only have I read the decision and Justice Alioto’s dissent but also the excellent legal analysis on a website you should be familiar with: http://www.animallawcoalition.com/animal-cruelty/article/558. And I have also read the law in question as well as various analyses of said law. You are apparently not realizing that the material you defend was already exempt under the underlying law. I am sorry you support the Supreme Court’s decision. Your humane society cohorts would not agree with you.
Respectfully, in these things to get a better idea of what is really going on, you (once again) need to “follow the money.” One acronym is completely descriptive of what is really going on. That acronym is “NRA.”
I don’t see filming as the problem, any more than I see a true crime novel that discusses a crime as a cause of crime. The problem IS the crime. Attack that.
I like the idea of documentation, EVEN IF it was produced for an evil, greedy purpose, because it helps law enforcement prove their cases. I mean, the dog fighting magazines for sale in Los Angeles make me nauseous BUT I will bet law enforcement get tips from them all the time!
Comitting violence against animals should be illegal. Filming it should NOT be illegal.
OOOOH let the punishment fit the crime????
Horses should live as they were intended to live: outside and not locked in a stall or tiny run. I’d make sure horses had at least an acre of turnout for a minimum of 12 hours each day. They should have grass to eat and room to run. And no packing 10 head on that acre. Maybe the limit should be one horse per acre, so if you have a 9 acre farm you could keep 9 horses on it. When you start putting 20, 30 or 40 horses on a property that size the ground becomes ruined and you’ll never have grass for very long.
Yeah and you really do create a worm breeding farm when you do that.
Cos Minis really need an acre per head…
See, you cannot generalise like that.
Not all I probably not any) law makers are horse people, and if you, who are, can make a mistake like that, what hope is there for us??
I know people that manage more than adequately with two large horses on half an acre.
I would like to give them an award.
Their horses are well cared for, get every day turnout and are exercised every day, whatever the weather.
Because they understand that horses need company, they also have a little mini gelding that baby sits the big horse if one is left behind whilst the other goes out for a ride.
They are caring, well informed people.
So, you want to penalise them?
When someone with one horse, alone and ungelded, will get away with it because they have three acres??
Not on my watch!
I would like to see so many things…..
How about more extensive drug testing in western pleasure divisions. I know lots of BNTs in the arab circuits that are more like drug lords or chemists, and often abuse drugs to help get the performance they want… and I don’t like it! So, more extensive testing, testing for more drugs, electrolyte imbalances, and more frequent testing.
lol well welcome to Nazi America! Thank You for crashing the economies of multiple areas of the Nazi states. When breeding horses became a huge crime with extreme requirements before you could breed, many just quit and gave it up…but it wasnt the little breeders only, it was those that make their living in the horse industry, those that breed for the world shows, the futurities and derbys. It was well over half of those breeders that pump millions into local economies such as Oklahoma, Texas, Ohio, California etc etc etc. Already facing hard times due to the current horse markets they threw in the towel. And now that they are no longer breeding, after the current generation of horses have passed on, there will be no replacements for an average horse lover to afford. With any demand and a big shortage a quality horse will be priced out of average Joe’s price range. But so be it if thats what it takes to get the irresponsible breeder out of the game. But meanwhile…out in the sticks where not much law exists…the hoarder is still breeding horses because Laws such as that mean nothing to them. They dont follow the laws we have now, so why would the passing of this law cause them any concern…
The long term affects of such a law are black and white. Have to look past the emotion’s and see any repercussions that will happen in the years to come. Thank You but I will pass.
Are you serious? No one is saying they want breeding to be a crime. Read for meaning. We want breeders NOT to overbreed undesirable animals that end up at meat auctions. We want people who think that they can breed as a business to bear the costs to society of the process. It costs society an insane amount of money to enforce large animal cruelty and neglect cases. And mostly, it’s because of cost and ignorance that these laws go unenforced and untold cruelty results. Tax money that rural areas don’t have. We see animals that should NEVER be bred because they can’t do anything, have terrible conformation, and are completely untrained unhandled, bred in the uneducated hope of making money. Instead of rescue organizations and the general public (via taxes) cleaning up the mess created by these unrealistic decisions, we are saying, if you breed it, you better have a plan for making it a viable salable horse so that you can pay your bills.
I agree that regulating breeding is a slippery slope.
My suggestion doesn’t regulate breeding per se. It just makes it expensive to keep stallions around. If it was less expensive to have a gelded horse than an ungelded one, fewer people would own stallions, since we all know of stallion owners who only have stallions because they can’t be bothered to geld, then end up with pregnant mares (oops!) that they didn’t want or plan. If just that element of bad /irresponsible breeding were eliminated, there would be a lot less work to do seizing hoarded neglected horses.
I don’t want to regulate breeding mainly because it’s too expensive and labor intensive. Just make coggins test results cost $500 a year for stallions, and then strictly enforce the requirement for a coggins for transport, showing, etc. If it costs $500 a year to keep a stallion, there will be a healthful outbreak of gelding across the country, as people are forced to REALISTICALLY assess if they should or want to breed their weedy little geldings.
Nobody shows or transports their “weedy little stallions” so those stallions would not get Coggins papers and thus no lisence/fees for owning them.
Yeah, because taking a simple online test (or taking a class in order to PASS said test) to prove that you are competent will certainly discourage many professional, knowledgeable breeders and will completely destroy the economy as we know it. Yes, that was sarcasm. Just to clear that up for those who don’t read for comprehension.
And, to address your other (somewhat incoherent) argument, let me Barney-style this for you: reducing the number of horse being bred will NOT reduce the number of horses that are “affordable to average horse owners,” it will reduce the number of horses bing slaughtered or neglected. The only way for horse welfare to improve is when supply EQUALS demand and right now, it exceeds it. When supply EXCEEDS demand, THAT’s when the horse economy sucks. Economics 101.
I guess the reading comprehension must have skipped your class to eh?? I didnt see any suggestion of a simple online test. I will quote what I read
“’m going to say: Mandatory Breeder Licensing. My MBL program involves taking a year long night school (or Saturdays, depending on your schedule) course during which you are educated on everything from horse care to conformation to genetic defects. ”
says YEAR LONG… year long night school to me does not mean simple online test…
Try reading the whole blog entry. I bet you can do it!
I read it, if it were reality it would still catch up many many people who would just throw in the towel. I know many many local trainers who are on the brink. slap one more assinine requirement on them and they will be done. Of course its my opinion and my view, such as the permit is your view. I think it would do more harm than good and cost an already messed up country more than its worth. same with licenses, people dont license their dogs even though the law says they must. Honest law abiding people do, but those you want to license do not.
I would like for every single person in the world to have to tell the truth for one day. from start to finish they would have to tell the ugly truth about themselves to their friends, family and peers. just for one day…
The law also requires that you don’t starve your animals but yet you defended a backyard breeder/hoarder that was starving her horses to death!!! A little education and oversight might have gone a long way on that one!!! If a little education is going to put a breeder out of business it is most likely best for the horses anyway!!!
Thank you-froma life member of AQHA. Obviously you understand higher math:)
Mmm hmm… I would just like to say two things.
1) Horse breeding is not a right.
2) If people can’t afford to pony up, oh, a thousand dollars for a horse how do they expect to feed and care for it?
Just sayin’.
Does it have to be realistic?
I wish anyone who abused a horse in any way would immediately die a slow and painful death on the spot.
Nope, it doesn’t have to be realistic. I understand those wishes!
This is a good one! Can we add cats and other animals to it as well? A slow painful death for anyone who neglects or abuses animals.
And humans, while we’re at it. I know several people that I wouldn’t trust with a goldfish, let alone a child.
“immediately die a slow and painful death on the spot”
hmmm… I agree with your idea if not your grammar
A slow and painful death should take weeks, just like it would for an abused or neglecetd animal. Lock them up in a stall or kennel to rot in their own feces while they die slowly of starvation or thirst or untreated wounds. THAT would be a deterrent!
I have always been a fan of old-testament-style eye-for-an-eye punishment for most crimes.
Yes, I vote for the eye for an eye punishment. Let the abusers, feel the same treatment their animals suffered by.
Glad I read the replies… as I was going to add “all animals and children” to the list. Yes, adults should be added as well. But animals and children are especially heinous in my books.
Gah, that just makes me think of serial killers hunting women down. Them too. Yep. Any abuser / torturer / murderer. Done.
My ONE thing would be that I would hire Horse Inspectors that would visit all horse farms and horse owners once per year to ensure that all horses are well cared for: dewormed, vaccinated, trimmed feet, good weight, teeth, healthy. I would also give them ultimate control and permission to have a colt or stallion gelded on the spot if his conformation is not exceptional and stallion worthy. These people would also control to which mare the stallions can be bred to and ensure there is a demand for such foals. In this case, breeding fees would be eliminated and the profit from the sale of the foal woudl be split between stallion owner and mare owner. All horses would be wanted and looking awesome!
I hate to say this, but I love the Shiloh horses to rescue… Here, in Canada, we hardly ever get a good rescue. I am tentatively looking for a new horse to ride and it is impossible to find one that is trained and under $2,500 in my area. If you buy anything under that, it is an untrained horse (3 to 5 years old) or a foal (or yearling) and you might not have gone under $900. I love that mare! I have a thing for blacks!
Well it is actually quite easy to bring a horse to Canada. I’ve done it. Not a lot of paperwork!
Here ya go
http://www.longrunretirement.com/
If you’re close enough to Alberta, the lady that runs Bar N K Rescue has some nice OTTB’s available and she usually knows of other horses in need of a good home (most are priced well below $2500). I think her number is somewhere on her website http://www.barnkrescue.com/ottbs.cfm
I bought my AQHA/APHA mare from a rescue in southern Alberta (that rescue closed last year), she had a few months of training and I paid $1200 for her. She is covered in scars from “accidents” with previous owners BUT they’re only cosmetic. There is a pic of her here http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/genuine+lee+peppy
I agree with you. We just had a woman in Santa Rosa County, lost her job a few years ago, had 6 horses. Of course, the thing to do is breed more so you can make money when you are out of work. She now has over 20 horses that need to be re-homed. Of course, most are not trained; however, all are fed and in good condition.
>>Of course, the thing to do is breed more so you can make money when you are out of work. < <
EVERY time I see this happen, and I mean EVERY time, I feel like my head will explode. THIS MAKES ME CRAZY!
No job = STOP BREEDING!
Maturities instead of futurities. The big money should be in competitions for 10 years and older, and the biggest championship money of all goes to horses who score well in halter, a rail class, and a working class (anything from cutting to dressage, take your pick). Plus a vet check – lameness, signs of abuse, or a pissy attitude gets the horse pulled immediately. If I become fabulously rich (ha!), I’ll set up the first $100,000 prize for it.
Another GREAT idea….I’ve moderated 3 comments and 3 wins in a row here…
Yes! Fantastic idea. I’m also with the person who suggested no horse racing before age 5! My hero at the track was the old timer who at least wouldn’t run them until they were 4.
Totally support this for any breed/discipline including racing (some recent good blogs on this in TB bloggers). It is a critical concept in terms of selection principles for sound breeding programs.
In my world, Mexican Rodeo is now ILLEGAL. Anyone who is caught doing it will have to be subjected to the same treatment themselves (running around while randomly having their legs jerked out from underneath them, this should be done with their hands tied behind their backs so that there is nothing but their face to break the fall). Then, they are promptly deported if they are not legal citizens or placed into jail if they are. I take a “zero tolerance” policy if you didn’t guess!
Have to say I’m right behind you on that one!
Hmmmm…..if I could change one thing. Probably that I would make it that any pain or suffering you inflicted upon a horse you would also feel. A.K.A, you starve your horse, you starve as well. You like big lick horses??….well pick your feet up too baby!! Nasty bits? Hope you have a good dentist!
Ooooh…I like your creative mind. That’s a good one!
Yup, it would certainly eliminate a lot of suffering ASAP!! Can you imagine all those big lick guys and galls with crippled, sore feet, not to mention the dressage people who now have a pain in the neck instead of being a pain in the neck?!?
I like this one, but oh man… Have fun trying to convince men that they should geld after that one comes into effect. Bwahahahaha! They can hardly think about it right now, let alone after a rule saying “if you cause any suffering, you have to feel the same”. I mean, it isn’t really horrible to geld, but you have to admit there is a small amount of suffering for a few days. Teehee. But a good rule nevertheless.
Hah! Yeah, let’s leave an exception for legitimate medical procedures and honest accidents. That is a hilarious mental image, though.
Yes – agree! For example, would LOVE to see the people who tortured a mule to death with the complicity of local law enforcement in the area where I lived several years ago undergo the same thing they did to this mule: ritualistic shooting and systematically hitting every body part over the course of about 45 minutes including shooting a foreleg almost completely off. When the mule was down but still struggling feebly they scooped him up in their tractor bucket and dumped him in a grave at the back of their property not viewable from the road but easily seen by neighboring watchers. To this day I believe that mule was alive when they buried him though sure after what he endured that he wasn’t alive for much longer. The people who did this not only knew they were being watched but were arrogantly defiant about it and praded around brandishing their numerous handguns, marching a pattern around the mule, shooting, then marching some more. When Sheriff was called while the murdering was in progress, the Sheriff’s office actuallly in so many words ordered the caller “not to watch.” The local animal control (county agency) tried to help, but was told by the Sheriff’s office that there were “no records of any 911 call” of the incident and that “if” the mule died it “was just somebody putting down an old one.”
I abhor violence and until that incident I never believed in “eye for an eye.” But that incident changed my mind forever. I say, make the abusers suffer what they meted out to the animal. I believe that only in that way will sufficient deterrents build up to deflect wannabes. I’ve worked for years to try to get better laws and better enforcement. While in some areas there are better laws, enforcement is still sadly lacking. So – eye for an eye as punishment following a conviction and NO PLEA BARGAINING!!!
There would be some other consequences to that that I don’t think you were referring to…like what would happen to someone who gelded a horse, or euthanized (for legitimate reason) a horse…
My comment was supposed to go after Old Coyote’s. Guess there was a glitch.
Get rid of HYPP positive horses, like this one who is HH: http://www.cmshowhorses.com/main.html This stallion’s mother is deceased, she was NH. She was bred to NH stallions, as it seems the other NH mares they have are also bred to NH stallions…because APHA doesn’t care if the horses that they register are positive or not…
Thats one nasty looking horse. HYPP and KOLOR in one package…. *barf*. Why do we need a tobiano specialty breeder? Don’t we have enough of them already?
You got that right!! I still own the very first APHA gelding that I got when I was 16 and he was a yearling, he is now 26 years old. I showed him in halter and in color (he even got his ROM in color!! yeah!!), cause it was fun. He was no halter horse, but we won some ribbons and it kept me out of trouble as a teenager. I broke him to ride and have ridden him all over the place. I admit I love a pretty colored horse, but I want it to also be healthy and happy. I intended to make my gelding a show horse, he didn’t want to be a show horse. He either wanted to be a trail horse or a broodmare (He LOVES babies!! He will let a baby nurse on him and he will nurture it like it was his very own)…I chose trail horse:) and he has been a pretty happy boy all of his life, and he doesn’t have any crazy inherent disease…
That’s awesome! It’s a (long shot) dream of mine to someday be able to rescue a few nurse mare foals and have a some “maternal” horses that would help raise the babies and teach them to be horses. Yours sounds like he would make a perfect adoptive parent for an orphaned foal.
Eew, he looks more like a 4-H beef cow and less like a horse. I guess that sells better for the meat buyers…
Hey, my suggestion is still awaiting moderation. ?????
If I could change one thing it would be to make the punishment fit the crime or an eye for an eye. Starve your horse and leave him in the cold? Same thing happens to the owner. Beat your horse almost to death? Poison her? Have a good time doing it to the owner.
You can give people all the education in the world, license them, what ever, it doesn’t promise good horses. What I think is nice, the next guy might think its the most Fugly horse in the world. We would still have a bunch of crap horses.
But have a few public floggings and I’ll bet you will see a little more hay in front of horses! Hell, if we are going to license people to breed horses, we should make them have a licnese to have children!
Mine would be that no Thoroughbred could race before the age of 5 and in conjunction with that no yearling ridden until they had reached full growth and their bones had fused. Enough of this selling “trained” 2 years old that are family safe!!! Let them be horses first and then start their training.
All new horse acquisitions will have to be approved for compatibility.
Soft-hearted rescuers will have to have the knowledge (and resources) necessary to care for their special needs horses. Inexperienced riders will have to have the support system to ensure their horse gets proper care as well as the right temperament in their horse. Breeders won’t get to have new babies unless they have plans for fair treatment if the horse doesn’t turn out as hoped and resources to keep the babies and give them proper training in a down market. Jumpers will get horses who are sound and WANT to jump. Western pleasure riders will get horses who want to go slowly, and western pleasure horses won’t get riders who want to yank their heads off… etc. I think all the ills of the horse world would be fixed with proper matches – assuming those matches also included owners who would be responsible and take care of their horses even if unplanned tragedies happen on either horse or owner’s side of the equation.
My biggest one is not so much on the horses themselves, but parents that allow their children to ride without saftey precautions, or allow their kids to handle horses that are too much for them…. say a 7 year old with a 2 year old stallion? More than anything else, that is what makes my blood pressure go up.
Closely behind would be mandatory genetics testing for every horse, and wouldn’t it be nice if a federal law gets passed that states that if the horse is a carrier of anything like OWLS, HYPP, Herda, etc; that horse is put on a national list, along with names of the breeders, trainers, and anyone else that had a hand in creating/breeding that animal, so that the general public can access the info for free. I know it wouldn’t stop everyone from breeding, but its more of a real-world solution to a problem that with each year grows more and more out of hand.
That would be mine: horses would be bred with an emphasis on health, good conformation (hooves and legs!) that promote long term soundess and functioning over looks and color. That would mean that breeders must test genetically like you said, but must also have a basic understanding of genetics too. I would love to see registries keep detailed health records of all registered horses so that recessive gene problems can be identified and averted before they become major problems. This might mean that registries open themselves to cross breeding programs for the sake of genetic diversity and therefore health of the breed.
Breeding is inherently risky. Creating a horse (or dog!) that will suffer because inherited illness is just as cruel, IMO, as abuse.
I’ve thought about this one before. For Saddlebred saddleseat showing, I would make all Country Pleasure classes (the plain shod horses without tail sets) amateur-owner-trainer-rider. It would encourage more participation in the shows by people who are horse savvy but can’t afford a top trainer (like me) and showcase how family friendly the breed really is. There are plenty of other divisions for professionally trained horses.
I am with you on the licence to breed. Add an inspection of the brood mare to that list , and a limit to how many they can breed (make)…as in 5 total. ( I dont know how effective that would be in stopping the crapy breeding , but i hate to see brood mares prego year after year without a break. For some of you that wished an inspection of property and space…turnout, that already exists here in Switzerland. I have 3 acres and 3 miniature horses and a donkey. I had to get permission from my vet, and an inspection before I purchased my 4th mini , and it stops here. I like the idea of licencing and taxing people with horses, if you opt to NOT pay the taxes then you must go to a 1500 hour program on horsekeeping and routine inspections unannounced.
How about just making sure people can AFFORD to keep a horse fed, vetted, trained and housed before they get one? In this day and age, horses are not a life requirement – they are lovely time and finance-sucking luxuries.
I agree with this one too. If you get ANY public assistance, that means ANY, then you cannot have even one horse. I know several people that are on assistance, no jobs, they sure can work too, and have sevral horses and are even breeding and have horses in training with expensive trainers! Yes, that is where your tax money is going, to fund someone’s show horse! Stop the madness!
Yeah I have seen that too. One reason I make so many snarky comments about our tax dollars at work!
And this is my pet peeve with legislating behavior (not to throw a monkey wrench into today’s fun topic). There are so many exceptions and it would be so costly just to ENFORCE these rules never mind figure out when the exception should prevail. OK, I admit it, I have more than a handful of horses and I rather abruptly lost my job in 2009. I sold three (though one came back to me) but wasn’t going to dump either. I used a good deal of my retirement savings but was also on unemployment. 25+ years of paying into the system I figured they could support me AND my horses for a few months. I really don’t think the state/country/world needed my horses to become a burden on the rescues/sanctuaries that are already overloaded and would be come much much more so with this type of legislation. I am now working again — if I hadn’t gotten a job after a certain point I would have had to go to Plan B which might have meant selling more horses, or perhaps not. I am quite happy that with all my other worries I didn’t have to worry about someone showing up with a rulebook and a trailer.
I totally agree-there is a girl at my school who’s family has been on assistance for as long as I’ve known her(about 8yrs) and she has three beautiful, registered horses: a flashy bay Arabian stallion named Spirit, a flaxen sorrel Saddlebred mare named Belle, and a black blanket Appaloosa mare named Firelight. They are in horrible conditions(2 strand barbed wire fence, small muddy pasture, no shelter, etc)and guess what: SHE BREEDS THEM!!! when the foals grow up they go to auction. It makes me mad just thinking about it. So our tax dollars are paying to make more fuglies…JUST FANTASTIC!!!! I’ve tried to report them more than once, but no luck there. I get so mad that she has these horses in such poor condition and out taxes are paying for them to make horses for the kill buyers…..
That’s a little bit unfair. I am on welfare and own two horses. They are at a horse retirement farm and their care and health is excellent. It’s not their fault that a crazy person has made my life a living hell and caused me to collapse in an emotional heap. I know that once I can get this crazy off my case and not have them phoning and harassing the people in my life (such as employers), and spreading malicious gossip that is so nasty that people mistreat me (verbally and physically), I will get a job. In the meantime, I am on welfare. I don’t have a car and sometimes the food that I eat is not so nice.
Get a restraining order against the harasser and anyone else who dares to raise a hand to you. It’s 2010, people DON’T get to attack you physically! The Court will waive the fees if you are unable to pay and there are many resources to help you find a safe place to live/hide if that is what is needed.
Then, change what you have to in order to avoid this person’s harassment. I know it can feel like it when someone is out to make your life miserable, but no one controls the world. If you’re in a tiny town, you may have to move or drive further to find employers they can’t influence. Get some letters of reference from employers you had before the harassment started. If this is a domestic case, get some advice from the many free counseling services set up to help in cases like that. Make sure that you are not the one telling prospective employers about the situation. Never mention it in an interview. Be upbeat, positive and together. It’s called “fake it til you make it.” You don’t have to FEEL upbeat, positive and together. You just have to act it and then you have to decide that every single day, you are going to move forward with your life. Oh, and if you are in ANY way, shape or form communicating with this person, STOP. If you share children, refuse to communicate except through third parties. Just from your very short post, I can see that someone has WAY too much control over your life in that they have made you feel like they can ruin your life. They can’t. Only you can ruin your life and yes, to a certain point, it is a CHOICE whether or not to collapse in an emotional heap. I’m not full of shit, really. Other women here will tell you the same thing.
I agree that there could possibly be some exceptions to this rule…
But I also agree with FHOTD… If you don’t stand up for yourself, who will?
You don’t deserve to be treated badly by anyone, especially by someone who is operating based on rumors. The truth will set you free! Never give up!
Good luck!
Hi Fugly,
It’s been happening since November 2004 and I cannot get anything done in court as she stopped directly harassing me in early 2005. As she now influences other people to harass me, I don’t have a legal leg to stand on. What hurts the most is that people who knew me for many years could so easily be persuaded to believe such nasty things and change the way that they treat me. Because I sent the horses to a retirement farm, I had to put up with people insisting that I had sent my horses off to be killed because that is what they had been told. When I said that they were alive, they would ask how could I be sure as the horses are too far for me to visit easily. Even though I knew the horses are fine, that kind of behaviour can really eat away at a person. I saw the horses last week and they look great. Here is an article about what she is doing. http://tinyurl.com/yyqtrgr
If I could get a case together, I might be able to go after her for slander, but without witnesses it is not possible.
You know, you just have to remember it is a big world out there. Not everybody knows this person. It just feels that way when you are frustrated. You really just need to step outside your current box and start networking with new groups of people which will help you find a job and improve your state of mind. The #1 rule is that the new people are NEW. You do not talk about any of this to them. Old life, new life. Draw a real line in the sand. Break off contact with the “old life” people if they believe this person’s lies over your truth. It is a HUGE world out there and you can always start fresh with new people who do not have any preconceived ideas about you or any contact with this individual.
The same thing happened to me and I bought another property and gave my old house back to the bank, because I couldn’t sell it in the cruddy market, to get away from this person. I destroyed my credit and will probably end up owing almost $100K on the old house but I have my sanity and I don’t have to ever see this person again if I don’t want to. I endured nearly 7 years of psychological abuse at the hands of this person, and through their spouse and children. What goes around comes around! This person is reaping what they have sown.
I feel for you. Several people (myself included) have been harmed by a prominent person in a certain breed community. My husband had to declare bankruptcy to escape lawsuit harassment by a sociopath. But those people are still miserable and living well is the best revenge
“But those people are still miserable and living well is the best revenge”
My life philosophy, right there!
For Kippen:
the person being harrassed…. look up VIVA….they might be able to help you. You dont have to accept that someone is ruining your life and wait for it to go away. Take control, so you can be happy again and love on your ponies all the more!!!
OMG! I think that we know the same person! This one is on disability yet works under the table, has all of the kids on free health and dental, and of course food stamps. OF COURSE, she has several horses and breeds the backyard horses and dogs. As in: turns the mare out with a friend’s stallion, then waits to see if she happens upon a baby one day in spring. The real kicker is that this type of person never has a single problem while those of us who do everything by the book will have red-bags, breeches, retained placentas, etc.
I forgot to mention that they all have spots. SHOCKING
My law pertains to horse training, and implementing a similar licensing plan that Kathy suggested for anyone who wishes to make a living as a trainer. Regardless of discipline, there would be a set of core courses required, then additional courses for any particular specialty. Regular testing and continuing education would be required to maintain your license. The program would be implemented nationally in partnership with local universities. Skills must be demonstrated live/in person. No videos of training sent in for validation/testing purposes. Think that’s harsh? Would you want a doctor or vet working on a beloved family member or animal who got an online/video degree? Would you want a teacher with no hands on, only online/video learning in a classroom teaching your kids?
Didn’t think so!
I didn’t read all the posts, but my wish would be madatory breeder inspections AND field trials – conformation and performance – before attaining your breeder’s permit to breed that horse. The higher the score, the better the grade/level,so everyone will strive for breeding only the very best. If this was done, it would weed out all the posty hocks, genetic issues, horses that are only breed to be halter horses and nothing more, too small feet, bad temperaments, etc. Each breed would have it’s own inspections, which would be paid for by each breeder wanting their horses inspected. The horse must prove itself worthy, not just be stood up in front of a panel of judges to look pretty. He has to also pass a tough field trial that really tests him. This would also rule out any unproven horses being bred. The Registry would not issue papers to foals of non-tested horses. Wish fuglies could more easily and less expensively rendened sterile, so no opps or BYB producing more fuglies. I wish the world would flock to USA to buy the very best of horses and breeding stock since we have such high standards and testing of our horses.
Slaughter of horses for human consumption is illegal already, but I would want to stop transportation of horses to foriegn slaugher houses for human consumption.
People always argue that slaughter is helping to control the horse population, and is a good quick end for neglected horses. They are the same people who argue that slaughter is a quick painless death and a better end that starving in a field.
I agree that it’s quicker and, depending on the case, less painful than starving, but those are two different issues entirely. Using slaughter as a cure for the overpopulation problem is like putting a band-aid on a broken leg. It might help with a symptom, but it doens’t fix the problem.
This may sound harsh, but since we don’t eat horses in this country, then our horses shouldn’t be use for human consumption. If other countries want to slaughter and eat horses, then they can use their own. Leave our horses alone.
So.. no more American horses being sold/slaughtered for human consumption.
Of course, slaughter of horses in this country is perfectly legal. Of the two states that recently had it, IL banned it and TX decided to enforce laws already on the books. Last year Montana passed a bill allowing it and this year so far WY and MO have passed bills allowing slaughter of horses in their states. KY, TN and CO are currently considering such bills. Slaughter of horses is neither quick or painless go here: http://www.defendhorsescanada.org/ChambersofCarnage.htm
Hooray for Animal’s Angels! This is from their latest press release: “Belgian and Dutch consumers were shocked to learn of widespread horse slaughter-related cruelty in North and South America. Undercover video footage aired on three major news programs showed horses designated for slaughter are routinely starved, dehydrated, injured and abused.” Read the rest here: http://forums.delphiforums.com/alexbrown/messages?msg=47521.1
“This may sound harsh, but since we don’t eat horses in this country, then our horses shouldn’t be use for human consumption. If other countries want to slaughter and eat horses, then they can use their own. Leave our horses alone.” I agree with you here!!
Here is the link to the English version of the Belgian news repost. Some of the video is horrific! But at the same time, it’s powerful. Apparently Belgian consumers are horrified and starting to call for action and bans on North and South American imports.
http://www.youtube.com/user/GAIAforanimalrights#p/u/0/DyaF65cPqQU
Mine would be mandatory retirement of aged horses. Not sure what age but maybe mid-twenties. Not that they couldn’t work or do light riding but NO MORE ADS ON CRAIGSLIST FOR 30 YEAR OLD HORSES!!! I have to say this makes me more angry than practically anything else. Take care of your old horses!! And if you get caught trying to get rid of your old horse guess what: no nursing home/retirement home for you. Hope your family is up to changing your diapers when you are 95.
Yeah I always personally hope that those who dump their 30 yr. old on CL wind up living in a box in an alley when THEY are that age (in human years). Karma, baby!
While I agree that people who dump their oldies on CL suck, I think a mandatory retirement age doesn’t make sense. Horses are just too individual and some get rather depressed without work. We had an old arab school pony at a stable I used to work at. The owners tried to retire him to pasture when he was 32 and getting creaky. Totally ideal scenario – same property, same buddies, still came in at night, he just wasn’t used in lessons anymore. Everything was great for about 2 weeks, until he realized it wasn’t just a vacation. Then he stopped eating and instead spent all his time pacing the fenceline and calling, especially when lessons were going on. He lost a ton of weight, until the owners started using him for walk/trot lessons and ponyrides for the little kids again. Last I heard, he was 36 and still happy to be working. I know that one is a bit of an exception, but I’ve heard of enough stories like it to think we shouldn’t put a set upper limit on their usefulness. And while I suppose the ponyrides etc do fit with your idea, he was still teaching students to jump at 30, and was quite happy and eager to do it!
Yeah, I do not support any mandatory retirement age. If they are sound, there is no reason to stop riding. Just keep the work within reasonable limits. Shuffleboard instead of running marathons
I firmly believe that horses are happier, healthier and live longer if kept in work as long as possible. Naturally, I’m not going to expect a 32 year old to run a cross country course (Although we did have a 30+ horse finishing endurance riders…but that’s an outlier).
Twenty somethings are great for packing around beginners
.
I should clarify, I didn’t mean mandatory retirement age as in all horses at such and such age get put out to pasture, I just mean that people should be required to take care of/be responsible for their old horses however that needs to be done. If you have an oldie who likes to work and is maybe a great babysitter for kids, great, lease him to a kid who will love him. Just don’t dump them at the auction or give them away on CL to any Tom, Dick or Harry whom you know nothing about. THAT is what drives me nuts and if I were Queen of horseland all such people would not be allowed medicaid or any kind of government funded retirement. Families would have to care for such people and I think it would be great if they put an ad in CL: “Free to good home, 96 year old man needs retirement. He’s trained and still mostly house-broke, plenty of miles left. You could even try to use him for breeding but no guarantees at his age.”
Live inspections for all registration applications on horses. Mandatory inspections for any horse listed as stallion and mandatory gelding for any ‘stallion’ that is not up to par as to the breed’s standards or failed certain blood testing. Or at least inability to register offspring of a stallion that did not make the cut. Heh… Make the cut
Bad pun.
Adult 4-H
It would be nice for the magic wand wishes to be doable. All the eye for an eye stuff is emotionally satisfying to write, but this idea is not unrealistic.
And in my years of horse experience, the one thing that we could reasonably do to help horses of all flavors is EDUCATION. The more educated horse owners we have, the better for the horses. So… Adult 4-H or similar to it.
WHo to implement this? Responsible breed associations, local horse clubs, anyone with an interest in doing more to improve equine welfare than just holler about it online. IF AQHA and APHA and USEF each spent $20,000 to design a non-denominational joint curriculum on basic horse care, available to anyone who wanted to use it online or in a face-to-face setting, we could begin to improve things… if even 5% of those shouting loudest about equine welfare issues would commit to presenting such a program to the public.
Of course, lots of the willfully ignorant would never avail themselves of this learning, but SOME would. It’s a lot cheaper to educate than legislate and punish after the fact. When America was more rural, there were more animal-savvy folks floating around, and that was probably good for the animals (leaving out animals as beasts of burden issues, which seem to have been considerable.) At least more people understood that if you didn’t take some care of your farm animals, they tended to die and become a liability rather than an asset.
That rural ‘horse-sense’ has about disappeared, and those of us that have it should, I think, make more of an effort to share it than to condemn those who lack it. Sure, they could educate themselves (many of us did) but every effort we make to educate via personal entreaty and commitment is more effective than passive education options or complaining to the choir about ignorant horse owners.
I own a boarding stable and remain stunned at the well-meaning but ignorant that walk up our driveway. I buy used copies of ‘Horses for Dummies’ on Amazon and hand them out, for free of course, with our business card attached to anyone who comes by that needs a guidebook. I spent about $500 on books I gave away last year (and argue with the book if you want but it’s current and pretty useful.)
Also started an area equestrian club and have been disappointed in the lack of interest from equestrians in our area to get off their butts and learn, help, have fun. Lots of talk, very little commitment and action. But a few of us plug on and have made some progress.
Will continue to chip away at horsey ignorance but it’s slow work. If we had a nice curriculum to offer a community program would be very helpful.
Lots of great ideas here, mine is just one that I already try to implement in a limited way and have seen progress from it when an inquiry at our place turns into a lesson student turns into, in several cases, a fairly competent horse owner.
I wish that the passion of horsemen to condemn others that do not keep horses the exact same way they do could be turned to a more inclusive, less judgmental, use.
Like teaching adult 4-H for those with a any interest in horses.
“I own a boarding stable and remain stunned at the well-meaning but ignorant that walk up our driveway. I buy used copies of ‘Horses for Dummies’ on Amazon and hand them out, for free of course, with our business card attached to anyone who comes by that needs a guidebook. I spent about $500 on books I gave away last year (and argue with the book if you want but it’s current and pretty useful.) ”
AWESOME! Now there is a valuable donation. That has probably prevented SO much suffering that it’s not even funny.
I want to second adult 4-H! I actually just told my husband last week that I wish there was an adult equivalent to 4-H, for those of us that never had the opportunity as a kid (though I was thinking the entire program, not just the horse-related portions).
I’m an adult who wants to own a couple horses someday, and who’s main experiences with horses were a couple of trail rides as a kid. Trying to learn the basics as an adult is somewhat overwhelming. Taking riding lessons is all well and good, but that doesn’t cover much of the care and keeping aspects, and there doesn’t seem to be anything out there to fill in those areas. I fully agree that a person should have experience before owning horses, I’m just baffled how to get that experience (particularly as an adult) without… well, owning horses!
I’m in the same boat as you. I’ve always loved horses and wished I could have them, but did not have the opportunity as a kid, and my family didn’t have the money to get me lessons. Now as an adult with renewed interest, I am doing the best to educate myself via book and internet before saving up the money and getting a horse. I would love the opportunity for a supportive learning environment for adult beginners, as there are not a lot of options for lessons in my area.
I’ve never been a huge fan of 4H, but I wish all the time there was an adult pony club! It would be so much fun, and I would learn a lot.
And even though I’m not a big fan of 4H, I’d still probably enroll in your program. There are no adult education programs out here in regards to horses. I really wish there were.
My wish is inspired by what I had to do last week. My wish is that it be illegal to start horses under saddle if they are less than 3 years old. Last week I had to put down my 13 year old daughters best friend. Rocky and Lexi have been insperable for 10 years. He was her first horse. He had to be put down at only 15 years old because his joints were destroyed. He had terrible damage and arthritis in his front knees. I bought him as a 5 year old from a kids horse camp. He was perfect in every way. (He was a loyal horse and he and Lexi were an instant hit. He would take such good care of her. When we were trail riding and she had to go pee, she would jump off, unhook his reins and go hide in the woods to go pee, and if she took too long, he would start walking the same path she took and go find her and stand beside her and wait.)
About 2 years ago, he developed a limp and his left knee started swelling. It was then we found out he was broke as a yearling by a kid at the camp. The kid weighed 200 lbs and this horse was maybe 14.2hh and 800lbs soaking wet, full grown, so you know he was just a little shit as a yearling. The vet diagnosed him with joint damage and arthritis. We did the injections, suppliments and pain meds for 2 years and this spring the vet and I decided it was time. Although my daughter understood, she was devastated. This completely broke her heart which in turn broke mine. This was the hardest thing I have ever done. Lexi’s promise to Rocky before she let him go, was she will never ride a horse that is less than 3.
So that is my wish.
My wish is that everyone who thinks it is ok to ride baby horses had to hear your story and watch Rocky being put to sleep. I’m so sorry for your loss. Your poor daughter.
He should have had 15 more years.
Yes, he should have had much longer. He would have been such a great old geezer too. He was a very personable horse and loved kids. I think people that ride yearlings should have to feel the pain my daughter felt last week. It is one thing to put them down at 30 years old and knowing they lived a long full life, but at only 15, and having to make that decision knowing it will hurt so bad, was the hardest thing I have ever done.
IT SUCKED! No other way to say it. Those are the words of a 13 year old and they could not be more appropriate.
This is weird for me. I love my horse but I’m not 100% against eating horsemeat. Although I am a vegetarian, and don’t eat any myself obviously. But I AM against slaughter in mass slaughterhouses because I just don’t think it is humane. I lived on a little island off the coast of france for a year, and there were no cars. We used carriages to take the tourists around, and all the horses were well cared for and loved. Now this is a small island with limited resources, and one of the horses got old and wasn’t able to work any more due to pain (arthritis in the hocks / and something else I can’t remember). They gave her one last good year on pasture and no work (obviously), and then put her down humanely and sold the meat.
A good life, no fear, and no suffering beyond the aches of her being old, put down before it got too painful for her to enjoy life anymore. I don’t think I could personally butcher any horse of mine, but horses are a huge amount of food value. When you live somewhere with limited resources, it makes sense to make use of them. Also since burying her would have taken up too much space on a 6 km2 island where every inch of land is used in agriculture…
Now killing young useful horses really irks me. Maybe the meat is tastier or something, but it isn’t NECESSARY. That is just greedy. They aren’t raised here like livestock intended for meat.
No more FAT ASSES riding (or trying to ride) horses. I consider it a form of animal abuse/torture whenever I see a fat bloated pig sitting on a horse’s back, plus it looks GROSSSSS!!!!!!!
OK I’ll publish your comment…but I’m not going to tell people not to have at you, either!
For the record: I have no problem with people of most sizes riding as long as they are riding an appropriately sized/conformed/sound horse. OK, if you’re in the Brookhaven Obesity Clinic, you’re too big. But for most people, there is a horse out there that will not have a problem carrying them. It’s not about the height of the horse. You have to look for a short back, good bone, good big feet, and a broad chest to carry some extra rider weight.
I don’t give a rat’s ass what people think of my opinion. Those who whine are the ones I’m referring to…you know who you are.
200-500 lb human beach balls with inflated stubs for legs don’t belong on horses.
Hmm. My good friend s looking for an appropriately sized horse for himself. He’s 250lbs. But he’s also 6’6″ and in the Coast Guard and not obese by any means.
I should tell him he’s a fat beach ball and he can’t have a horse.
I’m so sorry that you have such low self-esteem, yourself.
P.S. Her friend is soooo freakin’ hot. If you have a tall, quiet horse and are single, LOL, you should totally meet.
LOL I know! I have yet to SEE him on a horse, but I bet he’s sexy! Well, maybe not very sexy when he’s trying to arrange his long limbs on a horse that’s too small for him in a saddle that’s too small for him…. LOL.
He’s coming to visit the first week of May and wants to go riding… I can’t decide if he’d be too big for Biff. What do you think?
No, he’s not. Biff has very good bone. He can carry a bigger guy.
Assuming you are NOT just a troll — the entire world full of animal abuse horrors and health/care problems and THIS is what you come up with? Shallow, much?
I have previously weighed 200lbs and rode a horse built to carry that kind of weight. There is a reason why there are heavy-weight hunters and weight carrying cobs. It is so people who are heavier can ride. The idea of 200lbs being too heavy, would also stop a lot of healthy weight men from riding.
You are inconsiderate and clearly haven’t given this idea any rational thought.
I agree that 200 lbs is a ridiculous cut off considering there are tons of tall, slim athletic men over 200 lbs and there are also plenty of horses capable of carrying that kind of weight. I think it’s great that people who are overweight would be motivated to go out and learn to ride because it’s a great way to learn to be active and get exercise. I have a much higher opinion of overweight people who go take lessons on a horse that’s an appropriate size and build for them than overweight people who spends their whole day on the couch and consider 5 minutes playing with a wii fit exercise. I’m a medical student and have had quite a few lecture on obesity and it is tough to lose the weight and keep it off, not just mentally, but from a metabolic perspective as well. It’s too bad people can’t be more supportive and encouraging of people who are making an effort to be active and healthier and finding a passion that will help motivate them.
I agree with the OP that 200 pounds is excessive, even for a man. Okay, maybe a 7 footer could be that heavy, but he shouldn’t be riding anything but a draft at that weight.
My Turkish hubby is 5′ 10″ and weighs 150, a typical size in Turkey. In fact, that’s a typical size for men all over the world… except America. I’ve lived abroad for years, and every time I come back, I find it absolutely grotesque, the size of most Americans. Just getting on the plane and seeing the fat spilling over from one seat to another is gross. To a foreigner, most Americans look just like the tubby spaceship people in the movie WALL-E.
I was slightly overweight myself for a couple of years (BMI of 25), but wouldn’t dream of getting on a horse at that size. I wanted to take lessons, so I went to Weight Watchers and lost 20 pounds first. Only when I hit 142 pounds did I subject a horse to carrying me.
Seriously people. You can’t just arbitrarily assign a weight and say all people who weigh this much are overweight. If I did that anyone 125 lbs or over would be fat in my world b/c I am only 5 feet tall. My husband is 5’9″ and weighs around 185LBS. He is also in the Army and runs 3-5 miles a day, 3-5 days a week. He also lifts 5 days a week. Yeah, if you look at his “ideal” weight for his height he is overweight. But I assure you he has never been flagged for being overweight b/c he isn’t. He has a lot of muscle and muscle weighs more than fat. There are all kinds of factors that go into what a person weighs and not all of them have to do with fat.
I can easily agree that horses should never be forced to carry more weight than they are comfortably and safely capable but that amount of weight will vary from horse to horse and has absolutely nothing to do with whether a person is fat or not. In fact, according to the 200LB rule, I could be completely obese and yet still an acceptable weight for a horse to carry. Running around saying all people over 200LBS are fat or saying that “most Americans look just like the tubby spaceship people in the movie WALL-E.” really does nothing more than produce anger and resentment which was perhaps the whole idea in the first place, I think.
By the way, for the record, I only weigh around 100LBS the most I’ve ever weighed was when I was 9 MOS pregnant and weighed a whopping 128LBS. (I have a strong urge to stick my tongue out at my computer, lol.)
No kidding!! Muscle weighs more than fat. A random weight assignment is just silly. I am 5’4″ and i usually swim in a size 0. I weigh about 125 pounds, though. People are always shocked at my weight because I look skinny in my barn clothes. of course, 125 pounds is not heavy, but the point is that I appear about 25 pounds thinner than I am because I enjoy working out and staying fit. The scale is very deceptive.
So 200lbs is too much to weigh, huh? I have several personal experiences for you then…
My husband is 6’1″ or 2″ (doesn’t stand well for the stick! lol), weighs about 190lbs right now and is in great shape. He practices parkour (and desires to continue that for as long as possible) so he keeps a rigorous exercise schedule that includes cross-training, running, gymnastics and now, weight-lifting. He’ll probably gain a bit more muscle mass because of the weights (something he is pleased about) and it’s quite possible that he’ll weigh more than 200lbs in a few months.
My father-in-law is 6’3″, runs 3-4 miles every day and does strengthening/flexibility exercises. He weighs just over 200lbs and is in excellent shape.
My own father is 5’10″, 205lbs and works out consistently. As a side note, for his profession he is required to take a series of stringent physical exams every year and every year he passes with flying colors AND his doctors are always impressed with his physical condition.
My best friend in college was female, over 6′ tall and was of Scandinavian/Norweigian heritage. She always weighed around 200lbs and again, she was very physically active. (Though she did enjoy weight-lifting, so that probably influenced her weight, though she never had anything approaching a body-builder physique).
I have/had numerous male friends that were in great physical shape and weighed over 200lbs. Why, you ask? They were all over 6′ and in the military and/or very involved in martial arts.
One of my husband’s friends is a 5’9″ male gymnast that weighs nearly 200lbs – that guy is built like a brick wall.
I think your comment was arrogant and very silly. None of the people I used here as examples have blubber spilling out of their clothes and they are all very athletic/trim looking. I would much rather put any of them on a horse than a 110lbs but completely out-of-shape beginner.
200 lbs. is fat? REALLY?? my friend is almost 6 feet tall, a woman, and weighs a little over 200 lbs. She rides a tall TB hunter-type horse, and they match perfectly! and she is NOT fat. She’s been approached to be featured in magazines as a model. What the heck are we breeding all these huge horses for, if it isn’t for tall people? I don’t know about you, but i think calling someone fat without meeting them, knowing their life’s situations, or even looking at them is just wrong. I have another friend who is overweight, yes. She rides a muscly cob-type, and he adores her. The reason she’s overweight? She had CANCER that destroyed her thyroid, and therefore her metabolism. This woman runs at LEAST 8 miles a day as well as rides, but there’s nothing she can do about her weight. So if you’re going to be judgmental, please get some facts. Or at least some common sense and a view of the world outside your narrow view.
thank you! my thyroid was destroyed also and i am a chunk! those little replacement pills cannot take over the job of the missing gland. i get far more exercise than average people, i ride stout “old style” morgan horses and am careful how i ride and mount. anyone who dislikes my stubby legs and gross body doesn’t have to look, and frankly, likely needs to pay more attention to their own riding than to my ass. good luck cheri, there is karma, and life has a way of making us eat our words, there was a time when i had snotty things to say about fat people too.
Please check your dosages. I’m hypothyroid, from a parents who were hyper- and hypo-thyroid. All of us have been on meds since we were teens. According to blood tests, I should take 175 mcg/day. I did this for 15 years, but it did not help any symptoms. I got one doctor to let me up the dosage until the symptoms disappeared. I’ve been on my final dosage of 225 for years now, and feel great. My blood tests show I’m taking way too much, but my pulse is normal and I have zero symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Also, when I got to that level, dieting and exercise actually caused me to lose weight, and I’ve been BMI of 21-22 for years now.
THAT is what properly bred draft crosses are for…carrying big riders.
I’ll confess. I actually wiegh 150 pounds. By BMI I’m overweight…but I weight lift and its all muscle. I do think about what I ride, but I have no problems getting on a stocky, short backed pony down to about 13.2….ponies CAN and DO carry quite a lot more weight than horses in proportion to their size. But that’s for no more than an hour and being pretty gentle on them. If I was going to BUY, though, I’d want about 15h-15.2 if it was a baroque style horse, 15.2-16 if it was a leaner type…but then, I’m flexible. I just don’t like 17h giants…I like to be able to reach to saddle without a step stool, thank you very much.
Note that a good rider can be heavier in proportion to the horse than a beginner. All beginners are sacks of potatoes and basically dead weight for the poor horse.
I have a fact…a horse can carry approximately 1/4 of it’s weight…that means that a typical 1200 lb. horse can carry a 300 lb. load comfortably if it is in good physical shape.
There is always some clown that has to ruin the party by pissin’ in the punch bowl.
I was 205 in that picture. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
I would make it mandatory for all potential new horse owners to have a horse ownership/responsibility class. I would make it at least a minimum of 6 months to a year depending on skill level & common sense of student. It would include the fall, winter & spring seasons. It would include everything horse related from picking feet to mucking stalls, fence repair and basic vet care. It would also include proper feeding & nutrition classes with special emphasis on senior horses and their care. A mandatory prerequisite would be home visits from qualified instructors for at least 3 years. Dont like that too damn bad dont enter the program, horses that fall below good health requirements get pulled from the home. I think every wanna be cowboy/cowgirl that thinks horses are “cute” and are the current popular trend need to take this course.
I would love to tweek your program so I think it would be more feasible. First you cannot inspect everyones property would cost to much, but if you had a roaming inspector that could pull up horse info by address like a national data bank make sure only the horses registered were actually there. If there are new horses, foals then they better be registered or big fines. Each foal has to be registered with the national data bank and has to come from a registered dam and Sire or big fines.
If a breeder has any horses sold to slaughter (because all horses are registered no unknowns) they are fined and put on probation three or more incidents breeding privleges are revoked and all registered animals owned by the person are no longer allowed to breed. If a unregistered horse is sold at auction or any place else the seller will face a fine and jail time.
This would not cure genetic dieseases it would curb breeding. The problem I see with classes and inspections like the europeans have with stallions inpaticular is the politics involved. I have a friend that bred a top notch warmblood stallion, he has gone to the WEG very popular stud. But he did not think he would pass his breed inspection, due to his personality conflicts with the head judge. He instead had him inspected with another breed registry that he passed with flying colors. Anytime power is consolidated into the hands of a few you have issues.
Okay…mine isn’t going to be popular for those that think public education is about the three “R’s”.
Why not require a single semester of animal science in junior or high school? Instead of carrying around a fake crying baby, kids could carry around an “animal”.
1) Horses/ponies would colic if they forget to feed it or founders if they feed it too much.
2) Puppies/Dogs would make house messes if they didn’t walk them and destroy cell phones if they didn’t exercise them.
3) If it’s a cat they would have to clean a litter box.
For all animals, they would have to provide the “correct” environment (no temperature extremes), feed it on a proper/regular basis and they would have to take it for regular vet visits and insure their hooves, claws and coats are maintained. Exercise would be a requirement for the animal too.
I don’t know about this one… call me cynical, but I think we’d have a lot sick, mishandled animals… I think that forcing animals upon people is a disaster waiting to happen. If a kid squishes their bag of flour or fake baby in their locker, oh well. If the kid squishes a kitten or founders a pony, different story.
I think she meant fake ones, like the fake babies they give the girls.
oh, hahaha! You’d think by now I’d know better than to respond to comments after a looooooong day at work
Ha, but the part about chewing up the I-phone should be real!
Ok, the one thing I would change can be a total fantasy, right?
When foals are born, colts are automatically born as geldings. When they are 4 years old, you can send them to the vet for a really expensive operation to turn them into stallions.
LOVE It! i took 12 semesters of animal science in my 4 years in high school. How you ask? I doubled up and was not only taking the advanced classes like I was suppose to, I signed up for the intro classes so I could help the newbies with the horses cows and pigs so nobody got hurt and I got more face time with my horse. I learned how to recognize many types of illnesses and injuries and how to treat them. i give all my animals their vaccinations myself (all the ones i can legally administer anyways). I don’t think everyone should necesarily be REQUIRED to take them, but I do think they should be readily available to those who want to take them.
I would take the breeding license one step further to include horse ownership (well, the breeding licence can be separate. Or in addition to. Like a driver’s license, and then getting a commercial driver’s license). I mean, we have to have a license to drive cars. We have to have a food-handler’s license to even be a cook at McDonald’s. We have to have a business license to open a hot dog stand. Hell, we have to have a cosmetology license to give people manicures. We should have to have a license to own horses. If you can just take the test and pass, great. If you can’t, then there are classes and handbooks available for you to learn so you CAN pass the test. It’s not unattainable. Like a drivers license.
The test for the license becomes a legal document to help prosecute abuse and neglect offenders. So now the “My horse is skinny because he’s old!” argument doesn’t work, because in court the prosecutors can pull out your licensing test and say, “But on question 25 of your ownership license test, you answered correctly that senior horses can and should maintain the same body condition scores as younger horses if properly cared for…?”
And all of the money for the license fees and renewals goes towards animal control officers, funding euthanasia clinics, emergency hay banks, etc.
“The test for the license becomes a legal document to help prosecute abuse and neglect offenders. So now the “My horse is skinny because he’s old!†argument doesn’t work, because in court the prosecutors can pull out your licensing test and say, “But on question 25 of your ownership license test, you answered correctly that senior horses can and should maintain the same body condition scores as younger horses if properly cared for…?†”
Exactly…that’s what I want. Proof that you did know better to pull out in court.
Your other examples are good also. MANY things are licensed but every time you mention it around horsepeople, everybody whines and cries. Well, just like we can’t afford to have drunks on the roads, we can’t afford to have idiots breeding horses. Do YOU want to clean up any more of the mess they create? We don’t have an endless fountain of money for rescue and rehab, and every time I say hey we might have to euth a bunch, everybody has hysterics. OK, that leaves controlling production. We NEED to control production. Something’s gotta give and that’s the root cause of the issue – overproduction.
You know, I read this and had a thought… this goes pretty neatly with another of your recommendations. Mainly, government funded euth for horses. Euthing horses is a lot more expensive than small animals and it makes sense that it would HAVE to go hand in hand with stopping idiots from breeding them. Really, how else could the government begin to afford it?
This was going to be my suggestion! 100% agree. I would be TOTALLY willing to take a test and get licensed for horse ownership, if it meant all the idiots out there had to take one, too! (Might even be open to a new career as Horse Ownership Licensing Instructor, hehe)
and I like a professional trainer certification, too! Whoever said that… i just skimmed down the comments… but I agree!
My magic wand would grant all physically and mentally challenged children access to therapeutic riding. I observed a lesson last night that was so wonderful I still can’t stop smiling. Picture an adorable yet frail 14 year old girl on a beautiful palomino (his day job is as a pick-up horse at Rodeo’s) she had 3 helpers but had her “own” reins in hand….and her eyes had more sparkle than you can imagine. When she was telling that horse to “whoa” and “walk-on” her voice was so quiet but said with such joy and pride that all of us knew we were privileged to observe her transformation from weak to strong.
If I had never-ending funds I would have horse crematoriums located throughout the country. I would accept, at a nominal fee, horses that needed to be put down for physical and/or dangerous reasons. They would spend their last days eating yummy food, before being humanely euthanized and cremated.
Breeders of all horses would need to be licensed and required to have all age-appropriate handling completed on their stock prior to sale. If they fail to complete the required training, the buyer could sue the breeder in small claims court (no attorneys required) for the cost of having to complete the training.
Breeders would be limited on the amount of stock they produce each year. Prior years sales statistics would be used to determine how “wanted” their stock is in the marketplace and would be used tp set the number of mares bred each year.
I like the idea of a breeding course, but the option to take the test without doing the course is good. I want to breed my mare at some point in her life (won’t be for a few years at least) but even now I’m reading and learning so that I’m as well prepared as I can be when I get round to doing it.
I think the biggest thing I would like to do would be to end the practice of having horses permanently stabled with no turnout. Most stallions get kept stabled all the time which generally is what causes a lot of the behaviour problems – if they had turnout they would be so much happier. One yard I was at for a few months last winter was mental that way – we moved there because we were having problems reaching the fields at the previous place due to the state of the track; we specifically said this is why we wanted to move. Once we had been there a few days we discovered their idea of turnout was half an hour in the indoor school with nothing to do! After a while our youngsters (3 and 4 years old at the time) weren’t even allowed in the larger school because they chewed the jumps because they were bored. Ours were only exercised because we were DIY liveries, most of the horses at that yard were full liveries and they didn’t even get time in the school – they quite literally came out the stable, were tied up while they were mucked out and then put back in their box. That was it! What sort of life is that for a horse – they didn’t even get ridden and in the 3 months we were there I never saw the owners of these horses. What’s the point of owning a horse, paying £80 a week livery plus the rest to not even go and see it? I go quite mental if I don’t see my girl almost every day – the odd day off is nice, but otherwise part of the enjoyment of having a horse is looking after it and getting to know your horse.
“Most stallions get kept stabled all the time which generally is what causes a lot of the behaviour problems – if they had turnout they would be so much happier.”
Exactly. Mine goes out every day and has pretty much zero behavioral problems. Doesn’t nip, doesn’t scream at mares, not a knucklehead, doesn’t need a chain to be led, rides bareback in a halter.
I hate it but i’m one of those who spends $500 a month for boarding and training and lives three hours away and barely gets to see my horse! Not everyone does that by choice….I know my horse better than anyone but I’m pregnant and in college and don’t have time for her at the moment….she is at that barn because the trainer there is the only person in the world I would trust with her care as much as myself and I know they treat her the way I want her to be treated. She is well cared for, ridden regularly, has turn out on days she is not ridden, and is in fantastic condition and I call weekly to check up on her and visit at least once a month….not everyone who doesn’t see their horse very often does that by choice nor is everyone who does that an irresponsible owner! She is VERY happy and very healthy and I would bring her down here in a second if I thought she was receiving anything less than stellar care!
I love that you have your horse somewhere where she gets the proper care and time she needs – I understand that sort of situation, I was unable to look after mine for 4 months after badly breaking both ankles and had someone else looking after him then. The sort of thing I’m talking about is people having a horse somewhere with no exercise at all and never bothering to check on the horse. The horses at that yard never had any training or walked more that 5 steps outside their stables from about October to April/May.
Public humiliation for anyone irresponsibly breeding, abusing, hoarding, neglecting or showing any other sort of ass-hattish behavior towards horses. This would include gimmick trainers that ruin horses, crappy instructors and even ditzy little know-it-all teenyboppers too. There would be no age restriction on the punishment I would mete out if I were Queen of the Horse World, and I would rule with an iron fist.
I would make the macho-man trainers such as Cleve Wells and his ilk wear frilly pink tu-tus and spandex leotards for the rest of their lives embroidered with the phrase “I beat horses”.
All the hoarders and neglecters would be rounded up and moved to the most crime-ridden parts of the inner-city ghettos, all their assets confiscated and sold to fund the animal shelters they would be forced to work in (under very strict supervision). Limited contact with the animals of course, I’m thinking they could spend most of their time scrubbing cages and picking up poo. They would wear shirts that say “I caused this mess I am now being forced to clean up”.
Backyard breeders would have all their animals taken from them and then be forced to become surrogate mothers for deserving childless couples (for free). They would never get a year off, spending their lives forever pregnant. They would wear shirts that say “Now I’m breeding stock”. When they are beyond breeding age maybe they could help the hoarders and neglecters pick up poo. Not sure what I would do with the men in this case, maybe castration to get breeding off their mind and training to be nannies for the couples after they get their babies.
Abusers would be forced to fight, Ultimate Fighting style, purely for our entertainment. They would fight in the same pink tu-tus that Cleve Wells has to wear. No need for a special shirt, we would all know why they are there. After the fights they would be locked in small cages and fed moldy bread and stagnant water. If they die, who cares.
Gimmick trainers would be shipped to tourist destinations and made to dance on street corners for spare change in funny outfits. The crappy riding instructors would be standing right next to them grinding the organ.
As for all the spoiled little smart-mouth know-it-all kids yanking on their horses’ mouths and over-applying the crop, I would give them a chance to change. They would be forced to wear only clothes from Goodwill and the Salvation Army and volunteer as grooms for the deserving kids. There big fancy horses and show saddles would be taken away and given to hard-working children that deserve and appreciate them. When they prove that they have learned a little humility and compassion they would be allowed to start from the ground up learning proper and humane horsemanship techniques. There parents would be sterilized so they don’t raise anymore self-entitled brats like them.
This game is FUN!!! I’m picturing Cleve Wells in his tu-tu now!
My Hero! Amen, Sister.
Laughed so hard I nearly peed myself!
I would add one more category. Losers that (knowingly) sell their horses to the meat man would have to spend the remainder of their days riding back and forth across country in buses packed like cord wood with no food or bathroom breaks. Assuming they survive the trip, they get off the bus and are unpaid labor cleaning up at a cattle yard, chicken processing plant or other slaughter facility… then it’s back on the bus for them
Love, love, love all your ideas!! Especially the T-shirts. Public humiliation in the same vein as the Scarlet Letter. I think you have a beautiful mind!
OT but I have to give kudos to the people at Klutz Press. We had a book fair at school this week and there were quite a few horse books aimed at horse crazy little girls. The Klutz book had a list of things you should do starting with 1) Learn all you can about horses by reading, reading, reading. 2) Watch horses in the pasture. You can learn a lot from just watching how they behave with each other. 3) Find a trainer and follow him/her around, ask questions and take notes. 4) Take lessons before getting a horse of your own. Maybe my rule/law/ supreme edict would be to follow this list before being allowed to own a horse. I know my horse wouldn’t have had to put up with so much beginner stuff if I’d had the list.
I agree with you 100% Fugly! I also think that people should be required to pass a test to be able to own a horse. The test would be about basic care and management. The money required to take the test would go to gelding and euth. clinics, and horse rescues.
another thing (if i could have 2 wishes haha) would be if horses were made more affordable for people who know their stuff and would make smart and responsible horse owners. I know people who are on assistance but own three horses that live in horrid conditions, and those people even breed(and not horses able to be registered…fuglies-yea!!!) I makes me furious that people who don’t know squat about horses are able to own them using taxpayer’s money, while my hardworking family isn’t able to afford one because we’re busy paying for people like that’s horses. My family loves horses and, better yet-actually knows about care for horses. Heck, I could talk for days on proper care and management, and yet another week on breeds, illnesses, gentic defects, etc.
For a class speech, we’re supposed to talk about one law we would want to add or change. I’m doing Fugly’s idea
Hmmm this is where I will have to pick just one choice from the ever-so-long list. I’m with Rockin RC Ranch: no horses should be started under the age of 3 yrs old. I don’t care how ‘bombproof’ ‘gentle’ ‘sweet’ ‘willing’ ‘awesome’ they are: THEY ARE TOO YOUNG! I would bet my paycheck that if they are all those wonderful things now, they will still be all those wonderful things when they are 3.
My thoughts on the topic exactly.
definatly – I’m currently looking after a stallion for a friend, one of his other’s he aquired as a 6 month old. He bought it cause he felt really sorry for it – it was in harness and pulling a cart at 6 months old! He turned it out till it was grown and it’s now one of his best horses.
I’d want an infertility ray! I’d rove the country searching, using CL as my guide
N/H stallion being bred to anything and everything? *infertility ray*
Broodmare bred until it is really effecting her health? *infertility ray*
Krazy Kolor Breeder? *infertility ray entire herd*
And maybe take time off and ray a few humans
That is freakin’ awesome! I got a visual of you tromping across the country- Mars Attacks style- with crazy breeders running everywhere screaming and trying to protect their doomed herds. You even looked like one of the little green martians!
yeahhh! ack ack ack!
HAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHA i like that picture
Fugs I second your Idea and put it to the board for a nationwide vote
The Mare in the video is an absolute CUTIE!!! She looks so willing and eager to do and please. I sure hope she finds her girl to give her a forever home. She never flinched or jumped even with the people sitting on the ground and the dog/goat thing walking all around the ring. If youre in the market for a nice pony scoop her up!!
20 year old, Paint-Draft-Moose cross carrying 220 lb. hubby on trail rides for 4 days last year on vacation. “Thor” is the largest/stoutest horse the resort has available and they have a 285 lb. limit for him.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RuuHZNYX2lw/S84OhVkkFGI/AAAAAAAAAHU/_psIhElpQR8/s1600/thor.jpg
Do your research Cheri! (you could start here http://ezinearticles.com/?How-Much-Weight-Can-a-Horse-Carry?&id=341252)
That horse makes your husband look positively frail! From that photo I would have guessed he was 5’8″ and 150lbs tops. When did they start crossing paints with water buffalo?
Thor is so ugly he’s handsome. He looks like he’s half camel and half warhorse. What a guy!
My man is working really hard to lose weight so that he can one day ride a horse of his own. 50 pounds lost so far in 2010!!
Sign me up for the Thor Fan Club!! I think he’s darling! …Does he have a full sibling who is for sale?
Send your man a high-five from me! Since I started riding again last year, I’ve gotten back in the gym and started paying more attention to caloric intake–nearly 25 pounds gone, and with my stronger legs and core those lazy schoolies have to wake up and work!
It’s funny because my boyfriend had never even PETTED a horse until I got one last September. I never expected him to like horses, just to put up with mine
But now he is desperately wanting to learn to ride. However, he is too heavy for anything but a 2000 lb draft horse. So while he works on getting the weight off, he is learning all about horse care and ground work from me. He LOVES to groom!
Meanwhile, we are keeping an eye out for a well broke gentle giant who can carry a 250-285 pound rider at a walk, maybe a trot for short periods of time. It will probably be at least a year until Mike is ready to ride… CALL ME IF THOR BECOMES AVAILABLE lol
Check out Gentle Giants Draft Horse rescue, they have big sweeties there all the time!
My wish for the horse world would be “no more AQHA or NSBA shows.” Too many narcissists enabling cruel ‘training’ to satisfy their lust for ego gratification at the expense of the animals.
Simple.
Make it illegal to:
1. Show or compete under saddle
2. Race
3. Hire out or loan out for another person to ride…
…any horse that has not reached and passed its fourth birthday. Actual birthday, no January 1 crap. If the animal’s birth date is unknown for any reason, then the date would be July 1 of the year in which the animal would turn 4. Clause 3 would cover all rental stables of any kind and lesson barns. The breed associations would just have to give the futurity money to four year olds. (Of course, they’d probably just give more money to halter in some cases
)
(You said I could only have one…drat).
I know it’s supposed to be a happy day, but I’m sure an article about a certain idiot ending up in jail is appropriate, right?
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2011648641_apwabestialityarrest1stldwritethru.html
The article is about Doug Spink trafficking cocaine, but the most true statement is at the end:
“”Who puts stickers on their cars – even covertly – saying you’re into bestiality?” he asked.”
LOLOLOL I shouldn’t laugh but NO KIDDING!
Just slightly off topic:
Here’s the link to an article that really spells out clearly WHY the slaughter houses in the U.S. were closed down:
http://cs.thehorse.com/blogs/horses-and-the-law/archive/2010/04/20/the-economics-of-slaughter.aspx
I’m so tired of hearing people say, “slaughtering horses for human consumption is illegal.” It’s NOT! Whether you are going to support slaughter or vehemently oppose slaughter – PLEASE get your facts straight so that you don’t sound like an idiot.
Thanks.
Humane slaughter.
Clean, properly designed and competently staffed processing facility for horses. Facility needs to include adequate pasturage/feed & staff to allow for de-contamination and evaluation for re-homing. Funded both by market price of the meat and fees charged to the owner of the horse.
No matter how much the Nazi’s take over horse breeding, there will always be horses that are old or lame or crazy or in some way not useful!
Call the vet and humanely euthanize; why does that never seem to be an option for those espousing slaughter? There is no humane slaughterhouse–no matter how many rainbows or rays of sunshine used to pretty it up.
Yep. If you can’t afford to humanely euthanize then you can’t afford to own a horse… cost of monthly care and feeding is comparable to cost of euthanization/disposal. No more excuses!
I agree with the whole waiting until a racehorse is older….at least 3 or 4 to ride and at least 4 to race! I worked at a racing barn last summer and I saw 15 month olds being broke to ride…..I could hardly stand it!!!!!! I don’t even know of any show horse people that break them out THAT young! And racing is far more physically demanding! I could just imagine their little legs snapping being asked to carry all that weight when they’re so little…UGH disgusting!!!
Today I was very disappointed in a breeder. I recently purchased a Paint gelding who has become quite a handful and is what I would consider to be dangerous. I’m looking to sell him to a knowledgeable person but I would hate to know he ended up out of our borders. So, I contacted his breeder letting them know I would return him to his sire’s home free of charge. I got a very swift, short email stating, “Sir Sorry. But we have tooooo many horses to take on anymore.
Thank you Mark” One thing genious, IM A GIRL!
I would outlaw halter classes that did not base winning on a horse’s ability to be used for another discpline (I can’t spell I’m sorry!).
There are a lot of serious things I would like to do if I had god-like powers, such as eye-for-an-eye to people who starve their horses and such, but there is something else I’ve thought of many times before…
If I became a goddess I would like to wave my wand and make every friesian in existence Ee. Then I would like to sit back with a bowl of popcorn and snicker over the chaos that ensued next foaling season as the breed organization was faced with the utter horror of chestnut foals.
Nice! Friesians are gorgeous as they are, but the Friesian conformation/type would look gorgeous in all the other colors, too. It’s a shame they bred all that out.
Remember “Lost in Space” if i could change one thing it would be suspended animation tubes for horses. Going through a rough spot, financial problems, owner health disability issue- ( I done them all ) no problem- your healthy 6 year old horse takes a little nap until you recover enough to resume your responsible horse ownership and don’t have rehome a horse you deparately love and worry about everything that can go wrong once you have no control. 3 years later you are recovered and your horse is still in their prime years.
Love that – I wish!!!
this can work for the abusers too – hoarders who LUUUUUUUUV their victims , I mean beloved pets would not have them taken to a rehab at once but into a nice safe tube for some much needed peaceful and painless sleep just as they are found at rescue. Then months or years later when the jury finally hears the case the actual horror of what has been done to an innocent trusting animal would be right in front of them living and breathing – not all prettied up by the amazing recoveries some horses can incredibly make. The trial might last for a month and they can see how much that old horse can change in a month with somebody who FEEDS it that is. That would sure help at sentencing.
Mine would be kinda weird…but I would want everyone to be anti slaughter/anti breeding…unless they had nice enough stock…I think people make excuses for “their special mare”…and say Oh I will keep it…but it still makes one more horse!
As for canceling AQHA…I think that would suck…but some of the classes could be changed…or the trainers would actually get PUNISHED if they beat their horses…
Mandatory age limit on children owning horses. 14-minimum. I have seen wayyyyyyyy too many horses fall into neglect because of their uneducated, presumably bratty child owner who can not so much as keep the horse in decent working condition.
Or harder punishment for abusers (and that includes ignorant people and hoarders). 5 years minimum in jail and a $20,000 dollar fine per horse abused. That would cut out a lot of crap and make people think twice.
That’s parent failure. Which of course is a blog I should write…not just parent failure as far as putting the child in danger, but about parental failure to SUPERVISE which results in a LOT of train wrecks.
But then there is the element of the kid wanting a horse, and then six months later when dear Mommy tries to get Baruka to ride pony, Baruka gets that nasty “I don’t want to” attitude. If the kid truly wants the horse, they will do whatever they have to to care for it. Probably the reason I am so bitter about this is because a very similar story happened at my farm and I and my friend ended up being the only ones to ride the poor horse. And now he is being sold and I, so selfishly, am going to miss him.
I totally understand. We have one of those at our barn. Our entire family is involved with our horse’s care and I think that makes all the difference.
I agree it’s a parent issue. My daughter is 12 and is amazingly responsible with horses. Although she is is always supervised no job is too small or too yucky. As evidenced by this blog, age is frequently not a factor.
I can’t pick just one.
Mandatory trainer licensing.
End the horse racing industry.. or at least ban running of horses under 5 years old
Your breeding license idea
Put an end to the Arabian halter scene as we know it today
OK, I’m in charge and I snapped my fingers. Everyone that owns a horse (or any other animal for that matter) is suddenly stricken with the realization that this is a living, breathing, feeling animal and NOT A FREAKIN’ USED CAR!
Nothing pisses me off more than the people that dump their horses because the horse is too old, the horse is lame, the owner is pregnant, the boyfriend/husband does not like the horse, the owner lost interest, the kids lost interest, they “outgrew” the horse, the horse is not fast enough, the horse is not slow enough, the beginning rider toppled off off the horse, the horse does not behave, etc…
Economic difficulties can happen to anyone and in that case I understand re-homing a horse. I don’t even really have a problem with flipping a horse, if it is getting trained, cleaned up, and likely to end up in a better place. But I don’t get the people that just dump a horse because it’s not fulfilling some horsey fantasy of theirs.
I got my first horse about a year and a half ago. Turns out my problems with riding (fear) are harder to overcome than I thought. Guess what? The horse is staying with me FOREVER. If I have to pay a 20-year old girl to ride him once a week or so for the rest of his life, so be it. I am perfectly content just going out to see him daily (and grooming him like he’s “My Pretty Pony), and I’m pretty sure he’s OK with it too (although I continue to work on the riding). And if my economic situation changes? I’ll eat Top Ramen before that poor horse suffers through another change of ownership (I’m his 6th or 7th owner and he is the sweetest horse EVER).
You know, I chose my current boarding stable because the BO has a 34-year old STB he has retired. He’s had the horse for over 25 years, and didn’t just dump him when he could not be ridden anymore.
I would make it required to have a license. Something similar to a dog license, but where they come and check your house (if your keeping it at home) and do a background check and make sure you have a high enough income for a horse. Yes, then it might become just a “rich people have horses” thing, but it would keep scumbags from using horses as a get-rich-quick scheme. Along with a test showing you know basic knowledge, so that you can see when your horse has colic, it isnt just being cute and trying to roll. Or no, those long shaggy coats are not as cute and rare as you think they are, you should get your horse tested for cushings.
random note: i met a lady who told me she was going to start a business breeding Portuguese water dogs. She said she was just going to breed a bunch of them and sell each dog for about $3000. Her idea was that people would buy them because obama has one, and that they are worth more because of obama. FAIL. no. Being a dog shower, I was repulsed, and tried to talk her out of it. Well, being only in high school, people dont always listen to you… I havent seen her since, but i sure hope she didnt do it. She knows NOTHING about dogs (doesnt even have one) nor the conformation or care for the breed.
People frustrate me…
The problem I would have with this is that it would exclude someone like myself who really struggles to pay for my horse but can’t imagine living without her – I work at my barn a couple of evenings a week to pay my board because I can’t afford to pay financially at the moment. My horse is my life and I quite literally have sold the house before the horse and I go without to ensure she is fed and well cared for, but someone outside looking at my finances would turn around and say I can’t have a horse because I can’t afford it. Against my doing absolutly everything I can to pay for my horse I know people who have all the money in the world but won’t care for the horse properly, for example there is someone on my yard who can’t be bothered to get up to the yard so the horse stands in it’s stall till lunchtime with no hay! I like the idea of a licence, possibly with a test to prove you have enough basic knowledge to care for a horse, but just because you are rich doesn’t mean you will or can care for a horse.
If I could change anything, it would be the opinion that horses are stupid, emotionless, soulless, and must bow down to the will of their owners at all costs. When you are shopping for a horse, it’s not like buying car…you’re adopting a new member of the family, and they deserve the same basic respect and rights of food, shelter, water, heath care, kindness, patience, dedication, and love.
I would make all shows “ribbon only shows”. It seems like as soon as big money is involved, the abuse skyrockets. It might not be the most important thing that needs changing and I have a feeling horses are abused to win in all levels of showing by some ignorant bastards, but it breaks my heart when horses are abused by people for the sake of winning money. It just makes me sick.
I do know that there is abuse that occurs with WP, Halter, and many other breed type association training/shows, but I am involved with reining/reined cowhorse/ versatility, etc. and I know there are also abuses that occur in general but it doesn’t seem to be as rampant. I am only going on what I have personally witnessed and have experienced for myself. I think the only rampant abuse, if you want to call it that, is the fact that the horses are started as long yearlings to make the futurities and from reading this forum I am seriously rethinking that part of my horse ownership. There are the derbies that start with 4 years old and run through 6 years old, and AQHA has Jr. horse/Sr. Horse, but for the most part horses of any age can compete, as in the NRHA the divisions are based on horse earnings/rider earnings, and rookie/amateur/non-pro/open status, so there is something for everyone. Truth be known, a lot of the older prominent stallions in these disciplines didn’t make the futurities and came along later. Just from my personal observation.
I have a 3-year-old I bought and saved from cutting training. She is LITTLE and petite but she has very good bone. My yearlings are taller than her. Based on one of those articles someone posted, I am too heavy to ride her but I am a muscular, petite, 5’4″ and weigh 118#. My tack probably weighs 35-40 lbs although I have never weighed it. Anyways, I round pen her for 5 minutes or so to knock the edge off and trail ride her for now. When she is 5 or 6, I may consider putting her back into training. I think by then she may mauture quite a bit just based on some of her siblings that blossomed around age 4-5. She looks just like Smart Little Lena, lacey facial white and all.
Can we take a lesson from the insect world? Some creatures are not intended to have any part in reproduction. They are only allowed to work, like worker bees. Others are capable of reproducing and caring for those who reproduce. Bees don’t allow creatures who can’t do a good job to participate in those kinds of jobs.
It would be great if we could test people at puberty and declare if they are capable of reproducing or doing work or even associating with living creatures that might depend on them. (If they don’t pass they could be reevaluated every few years if they would like.) If they don’t pass, then they can prepare for a life working with “stuff” not living things. They should not be allowed to reproduce, supervise other people or have any living creatures in their care. They could be great workers. They could be great accountants, mechanics, musicians, lab technicians, roofers… but not horse trainers, parents, doctors, nurses, animal welfare officers, teachers, breeders, veterinarians…
Kind of like what they do in Russia? No thanks!
No more riding babies.
As soon as you climb on top of that young horse, you blow up. I would also be helping to clean up the human gene pool. :>
But yeah, the other day I was currying my not-even-two-year-old filly, and my dad walked up ”You could ride her now”
Yes, she’s very well mannered, and can be very mature at times, but she still is very much a baby, and if not mentally, physically.
Simple:if you are on welfare or other government assistance, YOU CANNOT OWN HORSES. Food stamps are for your family. Don’t have a job, don’t own horses. (not talking about retirees unless you can’t afford your meds)
I will agreee with this to an extent. Locally, a man claimed his guide dog as a dependant because he can’t function safely without the dog. (I think the dog warns him of seizures and is a seeing eye dog.) The court denied it, he appealed and is now going to a higher court for decision.
This is way to cut and dry though – I’m currently out of work and on benefits but do absolutly everything I can to care for my horse, I wouldn’t take on another one while I’m in this situation because that would be irresponsible but why should I have to rehome my adored mare because I’m out of work!
Very cool update
Remember how two days ago I asked you guys to send some prayers or positive thoughts out to Kim, the Morgan horse breeder who had an aneurysm and was in critical condition? Kim had a FIVE PERCENT chance of survival. Here is today’s update:
“Lots going on today. We had the physical therapist, the speech therapist, and the occupational therapist all visit. She again walked around the nurses station and was able to sit in the chair for a few minutes. This was great as yesterday she was a little unsure and today she had to think twice about possibly making a second lap. The speech therapist helped her to swallow by giving her ice, apple sauce and juice. She was really happy with the results, they will do a video scope soon to make sure liquid is not going in her lungs.
She had a couple visitors today and was even able to attempt talking to them. She is doing great with some words but gets frustrated when she wants to make a sentence and we don’t understand her.
She has also rested really well when we have given her the chance. Hopefully she will sleep well tonight.
We will continue to find ways to communicate with her so she doesn’t need to get frustrated. ”
Never underestimate the power of positive thinking. Whether you are religious or not, I totally believe human beings can channel energy – for better or worse. So, thank you for thinking about Kim, sounds like she’s a terrific person and I hope to hear that she is back home with her family soon!
OT PLEASE HELP SAVE THIS 4 YR OLD TB MARE! She will ship to slaughter this weekend. She is at SHI in CA. $500 is needed to bail her. Please go here: http://forums.delphiforums.com/alexbrown/messages?msg=47487.1 to help!
Who is this rescue, though? I have never heard of them, so I don’t know anything good or bad, but of course the mare is way overpriced so I’m suspicious about that.
Kill price isn’t $500 or more.
If you read the post you would understand:
“Hello friends,
I have been alerted to a lovely 4 yr old bay TB mare on the feedlot. Thanks to one of my wonderful foster moms we have been able to arrange pick up and QT for this mare.
$400 needed for bail and $200 for QT.
$600 needed to secure this lovely mare. She will be picked up off that filthy feedlot just as soon as the funds are available.
My contact has been told that if the mare is not picked up this week she will go to auction this weekend. We can’t let that happen. Please help. No amount too small.
Tax deductible donations can be made via my website.
http://www.savinghorsesinc.com
Snail mail: 8840 Hunter Pass, Alpine, CA 91901″
As of last night $100 had been raised. People are a bit tapped out at ABR after saving a group of horses at the Camelot, NJ auction last week.
I understand that it’s some group I’ve never heard of, ever. I’d like to know who they are, what is their history rescuing and where horses are that they pulled off feedlots a year ago. How long have they been doing this, what is the plan, etc. Send them here to tell us. I don’t promote what I don’t know anything about. Right now a whole lot of people are sending money to someone who is a HUGE scam artist via their “kill pen rescue” Facebook. Not this one, but I need to have evidence they are different if you want to promote this here, otherwise the post comes down.
Here is her wiki page from ABR: http://www.alexbrownracing.com/wiki/index.php/Audreyd11
I do not know this person but she has raised money on ABR on several occasions to save horses. The moderators there have confidence in her. I understand your concern. The vast majority of the rescues on ABR come off very well and thousands of horses have found homes. I own a mare that was in a similar position last fall–owned by a broker who was about to send her to slaughter. A group called Another Chance for Horses works with the broker and puts photos and video of the horses on their web site and often find homes for them through ABR. The horse I got last fall was a four year old mare OTTB. I hate to see these horses go bad places. SHI, apparently is a similiar group. Since I am based on the east coast I have no way of knowing if they are legit. You could always look at her web, and wiki pages and make your own decision. A great deal of money was raised last week to save a bunch of horses that were at the Camelot, NJ auction and I think many people are tapped out and tend to pay more attention to the east coast horses. Of course several TBs in a feed lot in Louisiana were saved a couple of weeks ago, that’s not east coast. So anyway I thought if people from this web site were interested in helping actually save a horse or simply watching it happen, check out ABR and see for themselves. I thought maybe someone on here would even know who this group is and maybe interested in that mare. I have eight horses of my own, six are OTTBs four of which were headed for bad places if I had not bought them at auction or elsewhere. I hate to see any horse go to slaughter and I really hate to see the OTTBs go even more. My first horse was an OTTB. I have a series on my web site called, “Reschooling the Thoroughbred” about one of my horses. Go to: http://www.theexcellenthorse.com. You can always check out: http://www.alexbrownracing.com and make your own decisions. I am pretty sure you have been there before Fugs.
The money was raised last night and the mare is safe–purchased by the rescue from the broker. Whew!
Thank you, Fugs, for posting about Kim’s miraculous improvement. Slightly more info: The lady is Kim Shahon, whose hubby David often ringmasters at shows in Spanaway/Tacoma Unit #1, of Belle Ridge Morgans. Dave’s folks are longtime Morgan enthusiasts as well, and pres of Washington State Morgan Horse Club. Kim & Dave have two youngsters Jack and Sam. Thanks to everybody for their prayers. From a severe coma to walking around the nurse’s station—–life IS miraculous!!!!!
Licensing for all types of horse owners. You have to take a test for each license you want. Just want a riding/driving horse? You get the “basic” license after you take the test. Want to compete? Breed? Race? Each division will have its own test and license, and you have to pass them to get a license.
Or, better yet, what about an internship for each license, too? You apply for your license, take your internship ( I dunno- three months? Six?) then take your test afterward. Pass, you can have a horse. Fail, go back to start. Fail three times and you can never have a horse.
Here’s an idea for a future column Fugs. People who have a ‘spare’ horse they’d like to have ridden tell a little about the horse- where they are etc. Just not sure how to be able to hook up safely. Ideas???
I vote for this idea. It is excellent. My guys could really use more work than I can give them, with people who know what they’re about. My girl Lexie has really benefitted from being ridden by two other boarders at my barn who are excellent riders and whose horses are unrideable. Not only does she get work I can’t provide for her, but these ladies have even made up a chart to enter what they do with her, so one can continue what the other has done, and Lexie is making great progress.
OMG! Are those horses? Or aliens in horse-ish costumes? Seriously…someone bred them to look like that and they’re PROUD of it! Yikes!
OT- can comebody with access to the arab datasource please e-mail me at fishingirl89 @ yahoo. com (minus spaces) I am trying to find out if my mare is in fact already registered half arab, or if I need to. I believe she would be registered under ” autumn shampain” although I am not 100% on the spelling, I know it was spelled different than normal. Thanks so much to anyone who can help!
Let’s see, if I could change one thing, it would probably be how horses end up being sold from home to home.
My first, and only horse Ace, a grey 15 year old gelding was my closest friend growing up, and my parents sold him when we moved when I was 7 years old. Every time I find an old picture of him thrown into one of the boxes, I have to hold back tears, because I never know what happened to him after he left us. Was he sold at auction? Did he pass on peacefully at a ripe, old age? Did he put a smile on another little girls face? I’ll never be able to know that, and I know how much other horse owners must feel, and the lost feeling of not knowing what’s become of our beloved animals.
I would want a tracking resource to me set up for horses, one that kept a record of when the horses changed homes, and if they were sold, or if they passed away.
Previous owners could be alerted when the horse was up for sale, in the case that they would want to buy him back, and make sure he/she stayed safe.
People could even search a horse in the database to see it’s history of owners, and where the horse is now.
But I think I’m just dreaming big dreams. A large number of people wouldn’t update a database like that, and information would be unreliable, and outdated. It’s a nice idea, I suppose, but when I have to be realistic about it, I see it’s mostly fancy.
Boy, I miss that horse.
Aw Shea, I know just how you feel. My old pony took matters into her own hands and we had to euthanase her after a very bad bout of colic (a fatty lump on her intestines winding around and choking them) around the time I was growing out of her. My parents had ideas about selling her but I had slyly borrowed an old set of harness and was sneakily breaking her to drive.
I would rather have stopped riding and taken up driving for a few years rather than sell her on. Sure, she was full of energy and in very good shape for her age (best guess early 20s) but she could have ended up anywhere! No way was that going to happen. She was the around the 4th horse I had ever ridden and we bought her from our riding school when it closed down. I was 12 at the time – we moved to a new yard and I am sure my mum had a word with the yard owner who I caught checking her over every once in a while but she never had reason to complain! I had her for 5 years and looked after her myself and loved every minute of it – even those early mornings before school.
The day after she dies I went to school and when I told the teacher why I hadn’t been in class the day before she said ‘oh well – its just a horse’. I have never said a rude word to a teacher but I couldn’t take that. I exploded, dropped several ‘F’ bombs, told her where to stick her attitude and promptly marched myself off to the head teacher to complain. I got a formal apology but I never respected her after that.
On a similar note – I worked in Oz for a couple of years on a thoroughbred stud. I loved it – seeing a baby from when he/she drops out of mum through to parading your favourite baby proudly in the sale ring. But I suppose when I was there I never thought too far about what happened to them after. One of my favourite babies disappeared for a while and it started weighing on my mind so much that I started dreaming about it. I went to some lengths to try and find him – countless emails and several hours on the phone to the other side of the world and I have found him! So happy – he is ok and doing well (although he will never win a race) and soon I hope to find out what the future is for him. I loved my job but I am often wonder what happened to those little foals who I helped to suck for the first time. If I won the lottery the first thing I would do is go and find them and get them some forever homes.
So I second SheaThePanda’s idea (the UK passport system means you can track the past of your current horse which I suppose is something). Then no BYB could happily carry on imagining their horses in a lovely home – they would be told every time one went to the kill buyer! (Maybe we could put the head’s in their bed a la the Godfather?) Gruesome but effective i bet!
Sorry a bit long!
I’m so glad you got to find out what happened to that baby.
I wish there was a way to find out what happened to Ace, but all the pictures are blurry, and are taken towards the sun, and all of that nonsense, so there’s really no way to identify him.
Thinking about it makes me really want to get back into horses. I was offered a TB filly a couple of years ago, and I kick myself now for turning her down now. I’ve ridden with one of my friends who owns a couple, but I want to try and get into English now, and both her horses are purely western.
I think if I get another horse, i’ll want a tall, long-legged TB or TB cross. Draft crosses are lovely. Probably a gelding.
And i’m rambling again.
If the world was perfect?
I’d have high class training be affordable and realistic for everyone. That or I’d make sure everybody had a life time supply of sparkly pink star crops.
I would like to sort out the legislation we already have over here, the horse passports for example. Each horse needs a passport, unfortunately there are hundreds of organisations licenced to hand them out all with different systems. Someone like the BHS needs to be the one issuing the passports with a unique number then all the breed/dicipline reigistries use that number (with their own preffix/suffix if they like) to register the horse with them and they stamp the passport. Add a new addendum that no horse can be bred unless is is stamped as breeding quality by whatever breed society/dicipline society they are with (and the soc has to have a grading process for any breeding stamps to be given)
Then the NED would be much easier to run and maintain as each horse would have one number assigned to it for all its registrys so they wouldn’t end up inputted twice. The owner has to tansfer the passport when the horse is sold so the NED is updated as the passport is transfered……
If I could wave my magic wand, I would make it as easy to spay a filly as it is to geld a colt. I feel this would cut down on the sub-par mares that are used as incubators for sub-par foals. I have always felt that only exceptional colts should get to grow up to be stallions. I would love to have the same option to allow only the best fillies access to the gene pool.
Excellent idea
OK…. late to the party…..
Y’know, people talk about being “able” to afford horses, but I’ve seen a lot of horse people living hand to mouth, day-to-day, whose horses are FABULOUSLY cared for, everything up-to-date, including “extras” like chiro or acupuncture. I don’t know how they do it, but there’s always wheelin’ & dealin’ going on, and somehow it all works out – even when the horses need surgery or whatever. So I don’t worry as much about that.
What I would LOVE to see, at a practical level, is an emphasis on solid, knowledgeable, thoughtful, functional and stress-free horsemanship across the board. I would LOVE to see breeders, trainers, judges and riders focus on the true functionality and innate beauty of their chosen disciplines, whether it’s backcountry trail riding, upper-level dressage, show jumping, Western Pleasure, saddle seat, endurance or team penning. I’d like to see breed-blind quality judging at open shows, I’d like to see improved education for youth riders (I’d make ‘em all do homework!), I’d love to see the breed organizations emphasize soundness, sanity, disposition and conformation over numbers. I’d like to see “strip” classes instead of lead em & feed em halter classes. I’d like to see quality equine education and hands-on experiences in communities across the nation, where access to horses (and horse knowledge) is available to kids and adults regardless of experience level or income. I’d like to see more free-access trail networks, even in suburban areas, and more “equestrian communities” that are basically housing/condo developments attached to family-friendly boarding, lesson and training facilities. (It would be awesome, actually, to live in a maintenance-free condo or townhouse just blocks from horses. No yardwork, just horse time.)
Above all, I’d love to see EVERY horse in a loving, caring, safe home. That would be my one wish – that equine (and other animal) welfare was a priority in every corner of the world. If people were geared toward kindness and caring for their animals, by extension, they likely would be kinder toward their families and community members. Beyond that, I would hazard to guess that war and violence would be greatly reduced.
Yes…I meant stuffed toy animals.
lol…camel and warhorse! We thought paint-draft-moose because we saw moose while trail riding.
I agree with ALOT of the ideas here. Side note though…Is there an exception to being fined for owning a pregnant horse when it’s NOT your fault your horse got in foal? I’m NOT a breeder, but ended up…from the moment of conception… caring for my pregnant mare and foaling out and raising a foal. Why? Because the big AQHA breeder down the road had a well-bred stallion who got out and came a-visiting my hussy of a mare. I would have NEVER even considered breeding her….she’s just not “all-that” when it comes to conformation. She’s a plain ol’ Marsh Tacky…not registered, not even sure of her breeding…nothing spectacular to look at but a wonderful trail and 4H horse. My fence was in great condition…he was just a good jumper. Stallion owner sneered when told about it and suggested the foal get a bullet put into it’s head when it hit the ground since, “It can’t be registered and so is worthless.” She foaled a cute sorrel overo colt. The stud was AQHA registered palomino…mare is a red roan sabino…NOT a desireable color/markings in the Marsh Tacky breed so she had been “culled” from the breeder and sent to auction where a friend purchased her. A few years later I aquired her when friend passed away unexpectedly and her will stated I was to get the mare. Colt was handled from birth and at a year old there was absolutely no question about gelding him. He’s now a sweet, well behaved 6 year old gelding who goes english, western, does trail riding, and even drives. He’s used by my 15 year old daughter as her 4H horse. Worthless? I think not.
Well, what you could have done if you didn’t want a foal was had the vet out to give her Lutalyse and the stallion owner should have had to pay those expenses. There was another option.
However, in that case – all legal liability falls upon the stallion owner. So he would pay any licensing fees/charges. His fault for not containing his stud.
If we can license dogs, I’d think we could license horses. I’ve always wondered if this could be a revenue producing program that would provide an end of life alternative (euthenasia and disposal) or gelding program for horses.
I have not read all the suggestions, but I love most of them. My rule would be entirely selfish. Since I feel that my job drasticly interferes with my horse time, I would make work days only rainy days, and make double money, so that I could afford to keep the kids in the style to which I would like them to become accustomed, yet still be able to kiss and hug them whenever I needed to. Which is a lot
I need a telecommute job….
Well, I would create one abuse law for any animal, and enforce it as a criminal offense.
So anything that is detrimental to the health of the animal, whether it is training, riding, upkeep, whatever, from big lick shows to riding babies in futurities, to puppy mills, ANYTHING, serious jail time, period.
On the certification to own a horse, I have a good one. Anyone have to take the fake baby home while in school that was supposed to teach you about parenting? It cried at random times and you had a key attached to your wrist to comfort it and what not. How about adding a horse doll that monitors feeding and grooming?
That horse in the video is super adorable and looks like she is a pleasure to ride. I wish my off-track girlie had of come to me so well tuned (though she was free – patience is payment and I know she’ll get there.) If I wasn’t so far away I would be scooping her up – you just can’t find a horse of that quality everyday. Very feminine face, I want to spoil her with carrots. She’s so well behaved on mounting too – tells me that someone has been very thorough in instilling a good foundation. Nice expression, no overt tail swishing – I’m in love. sigh.
I decided to Blog my answer to this situation at http://www.HorsesDIY.com. Here is a portion of it:
I would have horse ownership strictly regulated just like owning a car or motorcycle. Nobody would be able to own a horse without proof that they took lessons, passed a basic test, and paid a license fee. The basic exam would have questions like these:
1. What is the normal body temperature of a horse?
2. What is the normal resting heart rate of a horse?
3. What is the normal resting respiration of a horse?
4. How many gallons of water does a normal horse drink each day?
5. How much exercise should a horse get to maintain health?
6. What are some of the “rules of the road” when you are riding on the trail or in an arena with other horses?
I would have questions on conformation and colic and manners and bits.
This test would be basic but lengthy, with the purpose of finding out if you are qualified even to have a horse in your care. If you could not pass the test you would not get a license. If you did pass the test then a Vet check would be mandatory and a certificate of health would have to furnished before the purchase could be made. Yes, breeding could be more controlled, but my solution would sure help the horses.
I realize that this would be impossible to implement but I can hope.
I think all breeds should come under the same breeding practices as those that are done with warmbloods. You can have a registered horse but that does not give you license to breed it. You must present your stallion in front of Judges for the registery you are applying with and have them not only judge your horse on conformation but on movement and free jumping. After this initial inspection you then need to show your horse at a certain level and win or you must present your horse for a 30 day, 70 day or 100 day test where they are judged on rideability and suitablility and also conformation. This is for the stallions. If you want to breed a mare you must present it with the proper bloodlines, but also present her before the judges to insure that she is of quality and has correct movement and conformation, generally mares are presented next to their foals so the judges may see what they produce. Mares are then put into the mare book and foals are registered. If foals grow up to be stallions or breeding mares they still go through the same process. This insures consistency and quality, and also takes considerable effort and money so the backyard breeder would be put out of business. I may be way off but I believe before we start ending the process of getting rid of unwanted/subpar horses (slaughter) we need to find a way to keep unwanted/subpar horses from being bred. Not that I am a fan of slaughter.
I don’t think you’re off at all. I mean, this is why you don’t see fugly Hanoverians in every kill pen.