Enjoy the Horse!
There is no doubt that
horses will exist as long as the human race,
and that is well,
for we still have so much to find out about them.
~ C. William Beebe (1877-1962)
Buying a horse or pony
There should be no thought of
buying a horse or pony unless some member of the family knows how to ride and
look after it. There should also be somewhere suitable to keep the animal.
Before buying, the beginner should decide what type of horse
or pony suits his needs best. In this respect, expert advice will help you
to decide what bad points can be ignored, and provide the essential vetting to
ensure the soundness of your buy.
Some horses and ponies are allergic to hay and appear
"broken-winded"; others may have "broken" knees, which may be due to the rider's
carelessness, or possibly because the animal is grossly overweight, rather than
to a propensity to stumble. These are extreme examples on which only a vet
could advise, but if the animal were otherwise intact and reliable, it could be
the reasonable buy you are looking for. Sickle hocks are technical
malformations, but seldom cause trouble. So unless you want a show animal,
there are some minor physical defects that matter less than a good temperament.
Aged, docile ponies that have short legs are suitable for
small children. Mercurial types, often with too much "spirit," are usually
unsuitable for beginners--but so are kickalong "slugs." Novice adults
might consider Fell or Highland ponies and Welsh Cobs. A nicely mannered
Cleveland Bay could be right for a heavy man, while "lightweights" may find a
Morgan or Arabian more suitable. Before you decide however, it should be
remembered that horses cost more than ponies, both to buy and to keep.
A high price paid for a show horse or pony, is no guarantee
of its being an instant winner. So much depends on knowledgeable
presentation in the ring, and on the rider's showing or jumping ability.
Even an experienced show-jumping pony bought for the novice child is unlikely to
be "in the money" until mutual confidence and understanding have been built up--and that takes time.
Ponies that just fit their riders are soon outgrown.
Larger ponies can, however, be schooled by adults, but riding snobbery sometimes
makes adults buy horses when cobs or good-sized ponies might suit their purposes
better.
Once the required type of horse or pony is decided upon, the
question is where to buy it. The horse magazines and local papers are full
of advertisements. These are worth studying as long as they give adequate
details in professional language. A "keen ride" can mean
"pulls
like a train"; no one inserts "unsuitable for a novice" unless it is very true.
If you are inexperienced, take a good horseman to try the
animal or, better still, arrange for a week's trial. During this time do
not expect too much; the animal may find you, and everything else, very
strange. But the horse or pony should be easy to catch, quiet in the
stable and easy to saddle and bridle. He should stand still when mounted
and be amenable to picking up his feet. He must also be undisturbed by
traffic, willing to go where asked at any speed and easy to stop. He
should jump small obstacles happily, without too much excitement, but unless a
potential show-jumper, a refusal at a large, painted fence can be excused.
Horses are sold in sales with a warranty for soundness of
wind, limb and eyes--but buying like this is an expert's job. Various
country regions hold sales, and there are bargains to be had for those with
"know-how." Now pony, even if it is broken properly, is fit for riding, by
physique or temperament, until it is at least approaching four--by which
time it will be outgrown or unwanted. Friends' horses or ponies can be
good buys, but they seldom measure up to their owner's estimation. Even a
novice can spot major irregularities. Look the horse over carefully for
obvious defects. Pay particular attention to the condition of the eyes and
view from the rear how the horse carries himself. His feet should be
placed straight ahead of him without any apparent diversion to the side.
A reputable dealer will do his best to meet your
requirements, especially if you do not pretend to have knowledge you do not
possess. Ask for a reasonable trial, have the animal vetted, and if it is
a pony, measured as well.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Riding Vacations
There are various kinds of
riding vacations; some teach special skills, such as show jumping or dressage,
and others cater for people who just want to go horseback riding in the
country. Before you go on one, you should have several riding
lessons. You can find out about riding vacations by looking through pony
and horse magazines and the travel section of a large newspaper, or by visiting
a travel agency.
You don't need a great deal of experience if you want to
vacation at a dude ranch or camp. You will be given a horse (or pony) to
ride and you may have to feed and groom it yourself. Some ranches or camps
give riding instructions. Some offer whole- or half-day trips and
occasionally overnight pack trips as well.
There are many riding schools throughout North America that
offer programs lasting from 3 months to two years (and sometimes longer).
The students usually live at the school and pay room and board as well as
tuition. Most of these schools cover riding, training and stable
management. It is a good idea to visit the school first to make certain
that it has a high standard. If you are interested in a Bachelor of
Science degree some colleges and universities now offer programs in equine
(horse) science.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Literature
The Donkey
When fishes flew and
forests walked
And figs grew upon thorn,
Some moment when the moon was blood
Then surely I was born.
With monstrous head and
sickening cry
And ears like errant wings,
The devil's walking parody
On all four-footed things.
The tattered outlaw of the
earth,
Of ancient crooked will;
Starve, scourge, deride me: I am dumb,
I keep my secret still.
Fools! For I also
had my hour;
One far fierce hour and sweet:
There was a shout about my ears,
And palms before my feet.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Trivia
A "war horse" is the term given to someone who has lived through many hardships and can always be relied upon.
In the state of Arizona, it is illegal for cowboys to walk through a hotel lobby wearing their spurs.
At one time it was a Japanese custom to hang the head of a horse at the entrance to a farmhouse to act as a good luck talisman.
When riding on roads it is a good idea to wear some form of reflective clothing.
"Don't lock the stable door after the horse has bolted" is an old saying meaning that once the damage has been done it is too late to take precautions against it.
Japan has restaurants that specialize in horse meat. When this delicacy is served raw, it is called "cherry blossom."
An interesting fact that I discovered in The Empire of Equus: Horses of the "leopard-spotted" type used to be known in England as Chubarries or Blagdons; in France as Tigres; in Denmark as Knabstruppers; in Argentina as Pintados; and by the Nez Perce of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, as Appaloosas.