Monday, November 18, 2013

When we stop seeing the breed...

When I started riding Whisper, everyone saw the cute roan Arabian. Emphasis on the ARABIAN.

When we started getting beyond the 'wild Arabian' stage, people would tell me things like:
"I'm not typically a fan of Arabians, but I really like yours!"
or
"She has become so calm and relaxed! She doesn't even act like an Arabian anymore!"

But what does that mean, to "act like an Arabian"?
Shouldn't all horses be expected to act like model citizens? Why should one animals less-than-acceptable behavior be given a pass because 'he is just young' or 'she is a (plug your favorite breed here)'?

One day, my pony ceased to be the 'cute roan Arabian' and just became the 'cute jumper pony' or the 'cute dressage pony' (depending on who you talk to). She had learned her solid basics and how to relax and follow my lead. She is now a model citizen, and we no longer see her breed. Isn't that what we all strive for?

6 comments:

  1. Absolutely. I feel the same way about OTTBs, especially in the hunter ring. Unfortunately we're still working on the relaxation away from home, but it's getting there :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I learned to start taking horses as individuals and stop generalizing breeds when I was in my teens. The hardest question for me to answer (when asked) is "What breed of horse do you think would be best for me?"
      And I do get asked. It's so hard to know where to start, because you don't really ride the breed, and you certainly don't ride the papers. You ride the horse.
      I bet the more places you and Simon go, the better he gets about playing away from home! :)

      Delete
    2. Agree! At the last show, there where horses were blowing up, freaking out, losing their minds and running up our booty... in our of our flat classes and Henry was good as gold. I couldn't have been more proud!

      Delete
  2. I really don't like breed stereotyping. Any horse can be good or bad, regardless of the breed. I prefer looking at the horse as an individual. By the way, I'm American Girl. I just found your blog through contest and wanted to say hello!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for stopping in and joining the conversation!
      This is my first contest, and I'm very excited about it! I was having so much fun playing in everyone else's that Idecided I wanted to try it!

      Delete

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...