The worst sin of halter classes is that they have created an obsession with conformation. What matters is the bond between horse and human, not where the horse's neck ties into its body.
Conformation obsession is fair neither to horse nor human. Most people are not capable of producing a grand child as pretty as mine. That does not mean that all of your poorly conformed little grandchildren are worthless.
You all do not want to sell your grandchildren just because mine (all three of them) would win blue ribbons in the ring, do you?
A good analogy.
ReplyDeleteSome folks have pictures of their kids in their phone..I have horses. And the kids on them.
I shudder to think of how many people out there who turn up their noses at the very idea of riding one of these little mutt mustangs.
Really? Sweet, trainable and strong, and evolved to be so, not bred to look like an equine sports car.
Or the big western horses..that thoroughbred head on a mustang body..so what? She is light fast and healthy as a...well. you know.
What about the crosses? Take Starfire for instance...yeah..you are not going to find a prettier example. or sweeter for that matter. Or Medicine Iron..smart, and strong, with an aristocratic bearing resembling that of a Greek war horse...
Annnd then there is Red Feather..if red Feather were a book, the title would be "Survival of the Fittest." Steve said in a post a few weeks ago, about a night ride, that I could find beauty in mud and mosquitos..yeah, I guess that is true, but these horses are so much more than mud or mosquitos, they are the stock on which this country was built. How far would the average Conquistadore have walked in that ridiculous looking armor without these little guys. Come to think of it, that is another testament to their strength and carrying capacity.
No, I really do not care how pretty the "perfectly" conformed six figure horse looks. I will take what works, and works well, I will dance with the one that brung me. Mustangs! -Lloyd
Steve, you are a hoot.
ReplyDeleteA young mare we bred, Isabella, participated in her first team penning this weekend, an event sponsored by the local Quarter Horse Club. She took to cows like a duck takes to water. Her rider remarked that it was like Isabella had just been waiting for a job like this, her whole life. Well, she has!
Cow work is in her blood -- these Spanish mustangs invented the job, a hundred years or more before the first QH was recognized. She can get it all done, barefoot and runty-sized (by comparison). Those big QH are just 400+ more (unnecessary) pounds to feed, and feet ruined by generations of human interference.
Yes, your granddaughter is adorable. And you are definitely a hoot.
Deb in California