TarrSteps
Well-Known Member
This is one of my general question topics (it has been pointed out to me recently that I may have lived most of my horsey life in a rarefied world. . .) . . . .
How much/little do you think it's possible/fair to "use" a horse with a known physical issue for limited competition and what do you mean by "limited"?
I commented recently on a horse that was clearly comfortable and capable at 90cm but looked to be struggling at 1m and, in fact, got into trouble. (Older horse, sucessful at a higher level in the past, recently returned from injury.) This did not strike me as odd - I know all sorts of horses in situations like this, leading perfectly happy and productive lives - but the owner was adamant that a) if the horse was comfortable to jump 90s he would jump 1m because horses can't tell what height a jump is (really??) and don't "know" enough to judge if they will be able to clear it comfortably before they leave the ground, and b) if the horse is not okay to jump 1m then he's not okay to jump, period.
Nothing to do with me as they have help and can make their own decisions but upon discussion I found this is not necessarily a rare view. Having spent years managing and working with older horses, great schoolmasters, who had VERY clear ideas on their limitations and also with "problem" horses whose physical issues often allowed them to do one job willingly while they balked strenuously at another, this was a different way of thinking than I'm used to.
Thoughts? Is this something you consider as your horses age, or when buying a new horse? Is it "all or nothing"? Or is it okay to ask a horse what it is capable enough and trust it knows its own body well enough to tell you?
How much/little do you think it's possible/fair to "use" a horse with a known physical issue for limited competition and what do you mean by "limited"?
I commented recently on a horse that was clearly comfortable and capable at 90cm but looked to be struggling at 1m and, in fact, got into trouble. (Older horse, sucessful at a higher level in the past, recently returned from injury.) This did not strike me as odd - I know all sorts of horses in situations like this, leading perfectly happy and productive lives - but the owner was adamant that a) if the horse was comfortable to jump 90s he would jump 1m because horses can't tell what height a jump is (really??) and don't "know" enough to judge if they will be able to clear it comfortably before they leave the ground, and b) if the horse is not okay to jump 1m then he's not okay to jump, period.
Nothing to do with me as they have help and can make their own decisions but upon discussion I found this is not necessarily a rare view. Having spent years managing and working with older horses, great schoolmasters, who had VERY clear ideas on their limitations and also with "problem" horses whose physical issues often allowed them to do one job willingly while they balked strenuously at another, this was a different way of thinking than I'm used to.
Thoughts? Is this something you consider as your horses age, or when buying a new horse? Is it "all or nothing"? Or is it okay to ask a horse what it is capable enough and trust it knows its own body well enough to tell you?