I should not make assumptions when people ask for my advice on equine issues. For years now when people have asked if a Corolla can carry an adult I have explained that of course they can. I tell them about Tradewind, the wild Corolla stallion shown above. He was captured because he was absolutely crippled with founder. It took a year or two of good natural trimming to make his feet completely comfortable for him. In 2011 he carried me over 200 hours on trails with the vast majority of those hours being spent trotting, gaiting, or cantering. He had no problem and still does not.
I weigh over 200 pounds. In a few hours I will saddle him up for a nice two hour ride that will be at a more leisurely pace. He loves to get out and be ridden in the woods.
So of course, I have always explained that, yes a Corolla can carry adult riders with no problem.
Only this morning did it occur to me to put a very important caveat in that assessment. A Corolla who lives under conditions of natural horse care can carry an adult with no problem.
I am not suggesting that a Corolla who is forced to spend time in a stable, allowed to become overweight, forced to wear shoes, and fed horse feed or grain could do so.
Our horses live outside 24/7, eat hay and forage, never enter a stable and never wear shoes, and as a result they are startlingly healthy. I am not suggesting that a Corolla who was forced to live a life of stables, shoes and sugar would be any healthier than a modern horse who is forced into that lifestyle.
Im my online wonderings I come across this pretty regularly...some folks listen, some already know...a few grudingly accept rational explanation and empirical evidence...even if they do not like it. Sometimes an offer to match them in the woods makes them go away...lol
ReplyDeleteThe picture of Red Feather, Stitch, and I, has raised more than a few eyebrows, particularly when I point out how much I enjoy riding little 12 hand Red Feather, and how Stitch is an eight year old stallion under very early training...seems alot of folks think we are nuts. The really deep skepticism comes in when I offer that Red Feather, if he really loses it can pitch me across the pasture like a dart..."No Way! That little pony?" Yes way...and likely to land waaay over there. He is gentle and calm now, our little fuzzy pirate...don't let that fool you the little fellow is every inch explosive muscle....and he can carry a big load a long way, and not be ready to quit by the time you have had enough. He is only one example...we have hundreds of stories about these little horses of iron. -Lloyd
A very good point that had not occurred to me. The people who have Colonial Spanish horses generally take proper care of them - at least the ones I know.
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