At Corolla and Shackleford one finds strong, healthy colts, horses with impeccable hooves, no respiratory problems, and remarkably few health problems over all. Of course the horses are in such great shape, not in spite of the way they live, but because of the way they live.
From the ancient Greeks on, most European theology and philosophy has been based on the idea that nature is only there to be conquered and improved by man. That which is natural is per se inferior. That which is civilized is per se superior. Civilization is characterized by homes, farms, buildings and eventually towns carved out of the wilderness. Humans need homes not only for warmth, but also as proof of our sophistication and superiority to the beasts of the fields.
Therefor we expect, with out any thought or analysis, that our civilized horses need to live like civilized people and not like wild brutes. So we ignore the "vices" (stereotypical behaviors caused by being forced to spend time in an unnatural stable), respiratory problems, and lameness caused by standing on soft bedding instead of walking on firm soil. And if all of that is not bad enough we debilitate a horse's natural ability to regulate its body temperature by putting a blanket on it when it is allowed to ventured, ever so briefly, out in to the pasture. We then pat ourselves on the back for being such good horse owners. After all, we must be good owners because we spend a lot of money giving our horses this pampered, poisonous lifestyle.
One must really care about one's horses to provide them with the kind of natural horse care that they crave. It takes some guts to do so. All of the Mrs. Drysdales of the established horse world will sniff at how your poor horses are treated. Why you only have the vet out 2 or 3 times a year, they say, while they provide their horses with first rate vet care to treat their laminitis, recurring colic, aborted foals, arthritis, and ulcers.
On the other hand, the Ellie Mae Clampits of the world will notice right off the bat how happy and contented our herds are, how healthy they are, and how hard their hooves are.
But of course, we all must realize that Mrs. Drysdale loves her horses so much more than Ellie Mae ever will. I mean, yes, Ellie Mae, does spend every possible moment not only riding but just mingling with the herd, but Mrs. Drysdale proves her love in even more meaningful ways. She pays a fortune for their care. That proves love. Doesn't it?
(Pictured above are a pair of stunningly healthy Corolla colts who have spent their entire life in the wild, and who thank God every day that Mrs. Drysdale is not interested in adopting one of them. I mean, how can they be any good? They do not even cost a fortune)
1 comment:
The pictured horse looks much like my own Corolla. With a high spine and hips, a small but nice sized head and the short neck with the flowing mane and tail that touchs the ground. She has regualr groooming but hasn't been trimmed up and blanketed or suffered from any major health situations. I love her and I couldn't imagine giving her anything but the best care. That however does not mean I pamper her and give her the most expensive and top rate stuff. She doesn't need it. She is the toughest and most healthy horse I have. I owe it to natural horse care. I also owe it to Steve Edwards. Follow him and learn what your horses were made to do and what they can do. They were made to battle and survive nature long before man tried to conquered it
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