09/02/2024
So often people speak of the Great horses as the ones with the accolades - the championship ribbon, trophy, money earnings - and often forget about the ones that start our journey for us, and that takes a different kind of greatness.
I have a mentor that once spoke candidly about the reality of the Equine Industry and its future as a whole. Speaking of the average citizen, and youth in the US, how are people able to experience horses, or be introduced to them in real life? Truthfully, at the time, I hadn't given it much thought.
The reality is, in daily life, the average person has no exposure to a live horse. Why is this significant? How is our industry meant to grow and continue if the average person, or youth, growing up in the city or suburbs has no access to live horses? Their experience with horses is that TV show, movie, video game, state fair or carriage horse in the city. Perhaps they are traveling with family and see them in a field while driving down the road and are struck by their particular kind of magic.
For those that are financially able horseback riding lessons are one of the only consistent ways for them to be introduced to horses. Horses that are โqualifiedโ as beginner lesson horses have one of the most difficult jobs, not because what they do is always physically difficult, but because not only must they be safe enough for a beginner to handle on the ground, they also must have an infinite amount of patience while a new rider develops balance, strength, timing and coordination to ride.
Not only must they be trained to know all the cues of what they should do, they must also know what unintentional signals they should not respond to, or what an appropriate response is in the event of incorrect cues. New riders can bounce, lean, and grip tightly with their hands and legs. As prey animals many horses will increase their own tension and be reactive instead of slowing, stopping, or otherwise helping an inexperienced rider. The best ones know how to help a new rider, yet challenge them enough as they advance to require the rider to work with increasing precision to get the desired maneuver from the horse.
Last week we unexpectedly had to make the heart wrenching decision to humanely euthanize one of our main lesson horses, Sasquatch. He was one of the great ones that understood his role no matter the rider or the job put in front of him. He was a joy to be around, a goofball and full of kindness, but challenged riders as they advanced, and made them step up to the plate. He only stepped into the show pen once, and handled it like an old pro. He rode out on the trail as well as he did in the arena, and never said no to a new job. Not many will carry anyone from 2 to 70 and keep them safe. I have lost count of the number of lives he has touched, he was well loved, and will be sorely missed for years to come. Thanks for the rides Bud.
โThe best horses in heaven have no tail. This is a rule they all know without fail. For when a new horse arrives with a short cut bob, they all know that this horse did a very good job.โ
Out of respect for those mourning, please keep comments to condolences only. Please PM me directly if Sasquatch had touched your life and you would like to know further details.
