Ardly,

I think you totally missed the point I was trying to make and that is: don't "pick" on one breed regarding "inhumane" show practices because they are happening everywhere!  If the government is going to check horses at horse shows, then let them check all breeds!! 

As for "my mantle" just for your information I happen to have 2 very talented (naturally) flat shod show horses and I take offense to your indicating that I have "cheated" to win, which is far from the truth.  And, just so you know, I lay my head down and sleep at night knowing I have two happy and healthy show horses.

You can't make a silk purse out a sow's ear and I think that if more people bought more talented horses in the first place there would be far less "soring" going on and that is a fact.  Just like you can't make a child run faster or throw farther, every animal has physical limits and owners need to understand that, even with trail horses.  I know several people, as I'm sure many do, that don't ride all week (or two) and then take their horses on a grueling 8 hour ride!

I think we all have beat the crap out of this subject..........but you brought up another type of abuse which I think should be addressed.

What  "IS" it with horse people that don't ride on a regular basis, then go out and ride for 8 hours straight?  I've met horse people that hadn't gotten on the backs of their horses for 10 months and then will  take them on a long grueling trail ride in the blistering heat!  Then can't figure out "why their horse" tied-up. They are abusers with backwoods mentalities.  They make me want to yank them off their horses and give em What-Fur!  It even surprises me that people will admit something like that.

Hey, I can't change the world, but if I get this message out to one person and they learn from it, then it's one less horse being abused.

Of course the husband is always on alert...........(poor guy).

It's October, and Quarter Horse Congress time. Talk about abuse, especially in the "pleasure horse" classes. My question for the board - When did things change to the current abysmal state of affairs? I showed Western PLeasure and Trail in the 60's, and clearly remember the terminology of the jog being describe as "ground covering" and that you were to "move out" at the walk. The lope was a natural gait, head level. Heck, we even had to extend the lope and hand gallop in a tightly contested class. In the trail class, you received 20% of your score for "appointments," which included a slicker, rope, optional hobbles, and chaps. Gee, sounds so practical! Now it is all about bling! bling! bling! Silver on the saddles, riding outfits you would never really ride in, etc., etc. It would be great to have a "retro" movement to real pleasure horses, with riders that ride other than in a circle. We even had to compete at times in a flat area without the benefit of a ring if there were 2 judges, and a slow moving show. I personally loved that, because many horses didn't know what to do without a rail. Besides the small cadre (as far as interests of the AQHA endeavors are concerned, per their survey) of show folks who market and show these horses, what is the point? We visit the West each summer and ride ranch horses. Their demeanor, way of going, legs, feet, etc., in no way resemble what you see in a AQHA show ring. When did things change, and why? Thanks for your patience on a sentimental journey and philosophical questions!

Thanks!

Brenda

I'm glad that you have perfectly sound horses that are perfectly happy! Nonetheless,Your post certainly implies that You'd stand behind inhumane treatment rather than have government intervention. As I have stated,I also feel  that government itervention would do little good and likely make things worse than they are in some/most aspects of the issue. At the same time I would certainly not rally behind the TWHBEA or any other breed association for that matter for the sake of high-browing the government into letting them(breed association)do as they please(self govern!). Personally,
I don't believe, myself, the government nor or the breed associations will stop this type of treatment,but nonetheless, if the USDA causes them(the inhumane owners,trainers,exibitors) some(alot) of discomfort($) for at least a little while then it just makes me feel better! Maybe that is disagreeable to You, maybe You think that we should just let them be and maybe You think that my way of seeing this issue is self serving. I just don't personally believe that rallying behind a wrong cause(TWHBEA) for the sake of it might get the government involved is the humane thing to do.

                                    ,Ardly

p.s. Unless I read Your post incorrectly, You did speak of no one wanting a sore horse, but nowhere in your first posting did You say that if there gonna get involved(the government), then they need to do it in all the different breed associations. Actually,I read it to say the contrary, Stand behind the TWH so as to keep them(the government) out of our business and our little league parents games.Maybe I read it incorrectly,maybe You wrote it incorrectly, But thats the way it reads to me!

Ardly,

First of all, so there's no misunderstanding here, my point is if the government is checking horses, they need to check them all!  I have no problems with them checking my walking horses but I also feel that we are being discriminated against.  Regulations should be across the board, in all breeds.

Secondly,  you would be hard pressed to find many WH owners rallying behind the TWHBEA.  They are fast on their way out, for several reasons.

I'm not denying any instances of "soring" or inhumane treatment that is taking place.  But, everyone needs to wakeup and realize it is not only happening in the WH industry!

Okay lets look at it this way........I don't think it is discrimination if  "show officials"  or the  "Government" have to step-up their scrutiny of a particular breed of show horse (or race horse) if the largest degree of abuse or infractions have been occurring within that particular breed.  Basically it seems like the problems that have been brought to light in the WH industry are due to the breed registry and show officials who have allowed the infractions to go on for so long.  If owners, breeders and trainers are not reprimanded for these practices then there is no limit to what unscrupulous people will do to win.

Also this is hard on the honest owners, breeders and trainers that are following the rules and not abusing or harming their horses to win......they either quit and give up the shows or they jump on the bandwagon and learn what it takes.

If the WH breed association would recognize that they have a problem and would step up and self-regulate their shows with stronger enforcement of the rules then the Government wouldn't have to. 

If the WH breed is beening harmed by this controversy, then take responsibility, step up to the plate and change it!   You won't get much sympathy from me or anyone else if all you're doing is jumping around throwing a tantrum and whining about "discrimination" .  You owe it to your breed of horse to recognize you have a problem and take positive steps to change and improve the breed's image and welfare.

HWBar,

Amen, I say!  Let's just all have fun with our horses.  People are going to think what they want and do what they want to.  You'll like this:  I was at a gaited show and had a lady standing next to me with her cocker spaniel.  She said to me "I think it's terrible that they (SBs) cut their tails to make them like that" and I said to her "lady, at least we don't cut their tails off like you did"!!!

People need to take a closer look at a breed or a sport and make an effort to become informed before forming an opinion.  Have fun roping!