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Lil Mamma and I were talking today about horses. Of course that is almost always what we talk about, but we have some new borders at our barn and to put it as nicely as possible, they stink on ice. Urp!! Wa-ht?
Well, I guess that isn't so nice after all, but first before you judge me, let me explain further. The new borders- and there are three- know very little about owning horses. One family is learning quickly. They ask questions, read books, watch video and are improving in leaps and bounds. The other two- not so much. One family- Family A - bought a horse that was totally unsuitable for them. He's a rope horse and he's only five. Family A only wants to ride on the trail, and they wanted him for their two girl teenagers- that do not know ANYTHING about a horse. Mom used to ride some, and she thinks she knows everything. Just watching her ride that poor horse is painful for me- the horse will soon be frustrated and ruined. AND of course I can't say anything, they wouldn't listen. They have asked questions, and have been given good answers and still they will not listen. I've offered lessons for all. No takers. And don't think it is just bitter lemons on my part- oh no! If they were learning from anybody it would be a blessing for that horse, and my pain would lessen.
Lil Momma says it is just because we care too much.
I have to agree. We do care. We care about the mental welfare of a horse that doesn't belong to us and its future use for anyone else. We care because the future of our Horseworld depends on new riders being able to enjoy their horses so they will stay in the sport, infusing it with money. We care because we are horsemen.
The other family is Family B. Her mother had a horse... once. She makes excuses about everything- the horse doesn't like to be led, poked, her feet picked up..etc...etc....She can't even steer the horse in a circle. Family B will never succeed because her excuses overshadow any advise or knowledge given to her.
I guess the bottom line is that it's not fair to their horses.
And it's frustrating because I want everyone to succeed. And I know that until those two families change their attitudes, they won't succeed, they will continue to be frustrated and ultimately the horses will be sold, probably to someone worse. And instead of taking the blame on themselves for the way their horses turned out -they will blame the poor horses.
And that stinks on ice.
