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Caol Ila

Caol Ila

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An old dressage trainer of mine from the US, who has gone a bit "alternative," shall we say, posted this link on her Facebook page: http://hoofwoman.wordpress.com/2013/07/20/hell-is-paved-with-good-intentions/

Read and discuss. ;)

My view is that there is quite a lot of truth to what she says, but then she takes her argument a step or two further than I think most horse people are prepared to go. Reductio ad absurdem.
 
well, haven't read past the first line yet, but I believe the saying is 'the road to hell is paved with good intentions' :p
 
I think she has a point to a degree, but generally I think it's a load of fluffy nonsense.

How lovely that she keeps horses as pets. But most people cannot do that, and don't want to either. A horse having a job doesn't mean they are unhappy or caused huge amounts of pain, as she suggests.
 
I really didn't know where she was going with the arguments against the spurs and the bit and I was convinced she was going to say something terribly profound.....but she just said 'so I keep them as pets'. It was a bit of an anti-climax. I do try to buy horses that I think will make nice pets if anything goes wrong or doesn't really work out, but the majority of horses I have known have enjoyed work of some description and I know a lot of horses that perk up a lot more out hacking than they ever do in their dull old field.
 
xspiralx said:
How lovely that she keeps horses as pets. But most people cannot do that, and don't want to either. A horse having a job doesn't mean they are unhappy or caused huge amounts of pain, as she suggests.
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This!

Caol Ila; I think you have hit the nail on the head. There is a lot of sense and truth in it but it just goes that step too far.

I think as decent horse owners we try (or at least the majority of us do) to do the very best for our animals but it is by means of working with what we've got, be that fitting in our hobby amongst a hectic lifestyle or counting the pennies and working on a budget when winter feels like it will never end!

My big youngster only got turned out from about 10.30am until 3.30pm during winter, due to a lack of suitable turnout. I do wish he could've been out longer but I was working with what was available to me (and heck, some horses are lucky to get out much at all over winter). I felt sorry for the poor chap as he longed to be out in the field with the others but it doesn't mean I was purposely being cruel, locking him away in his own personal prison.

A lot of situations within the horse world aren't ideal, but we do what we can. I am a strong believer of once your horse is no longer 'fit for purpose', you owe it to them to secure their future BUT not everyone can or wants to do that, it doesn't mean I judge them for it. Say someone competes and their horse sustains an injury meaning it has to be semi-retired, I do not judge that person for then passing that horse on to a loving home who just wants a light hack.

As we know, horse ownership is a major responsibility. I admit that I do struggle at times but I try to give the horses the best lifestyle I can. They aren't worked into the ground and I still own my first pony who is now a retired pet (he won't be going anywhere). Just because I choose to ride the horses that are fit and able, I don't believe I am being a 'bad owner'. All are ridden in correctly fitted tack, see the dentist, physio and vet when needs be.

I'm sure we'd all love to win the lottery, own a beautiful yard and spend our days looking out of the kitchen window, admiring our herd but it's just not reality for most.

If she is happy with her setup of having them as pets only, then that's fine and great. I'm sure her horses are living the life of Riley. Though that does not mean all horse owners that do wish to ride should be subsequently judged.

I love my horses and I wouldn't be without them but they are hard work and at times, physically, emotionally and financially draining. I do not class myself as a bad owner, should I want to ride for my pleasure. After all, I don't think it's the worst thing to expect to be able to enjoy these animals in which you invest so much time and energy.
 
Aye, I was agreeing with her when she was making assertions along the lines of riding schools teaching kids to use "more force" as a first response when the horse doesn't cooperate. I have certainly seen that happening and don't agree with it. I too thought she would then have a more profound conclusion, but instead segwayed into, "So therefore you shouldn't ride horses and you should have them out in pastures as pets."

I also laughed when she described stables as "Alcatraz." She clearly hasn't brought my horse into the stall on a day when it's p*ssing with rain or the cleggs are biting. It's a bit like water skiing.
 
I also agree to a point. Especially about the spurs (I don't like them one bit and I will never use them)
However, I agree with others, it is a step too far.

I now see that some horses just get bored out in a field all day long. I can see it in Ned's eyes. I'm sure he doesn't LIVE for being ridden or anything, but it at least gives him something to do to break up his day.

It's a horses job, to be ridden or worked and without it...apart from a few pets...I think they would simply be meat animals.
 
Nice sentiment but a bit blinkered for me.
I do believe there are horses out there who really enjoy their job, i know all of mine did except 1 which was down to djd and he was retired immediately after unsuccessful treatment .My wee tb lit up at the start of a xc, and it was obvious to all and sundry she was loving it .Not all owners and riders are whip weilding, spur kicking, mouth hauling heavy bouncing idiots, and not all instructors, coaches teach this :confused: Agree with Caol Ila, in the horizontal rain with freezing winds my guys are quite happy to get into their stables.
I cant affect how others care for their horses, but im happy with what i do with mine, my horses come to the gate if i shout them and look happy to spend time with me, there will always be people out there who abuse for results, but not everyone.
 
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And indeed, Equus Caballus as we know it would not exist if it were not for domestication. All horses would look like Przewalski's horses, or be extinct (as most species of wild equids are and Przewalski's nearly were).

One thing about the effect of domestication is that when mustangs, feral horses, descendants of colonist's escapee horses in the American West, are caught and tamed, for the most part they reintegrate into human society pretty easily and can be awesome riding horses. Unlike a truly wild animal, like a wolf, which makes a really lousy pet.
 
Can someone define "keeping horses as pets" for me please?? I was once described as keeping my horses as "pets" as neither of them had a specific job to do ie: hunting, showing etc., both of them were hacked regularly and had plenty of turnout and stables when needed.
 
Jaycee said:
Can someone define "keeping horses as pets" for me please?? I was once described as keeping my horses as "pets" as neither of them had a specific job to do ie: hunting, showing etc., both of them were hacked regularly and had plenty of turnout and stables when needed.
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To me personally, a pet horse is one who doesn't have a job. Maybe one you just groom and fuss rather than ride or work in any way :)
 
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