BACK in the saddle & fads

Well, I've been lazy in a lot of ways this winter. First, I didn't write at all - I actually forgot I started a blog (woops). Second, I have NOT been riding at all. Since show season (however meager it may be for me) is just around the corner, I must start working Bobby atleast twice a week. I live about an hour and a half from the barn he's at, soooo it takes a bit of motivation. Regardless, I was out there Sunday and began working him on the lunge line. I want to start slow and begin getting his hind end under him as well as some nice flexing in the poll area. (We're doing the Morgan western pleasure thing). Anyway, it went well - Bobby's not a Spring Chicken anymore (12 years this spring), so he kind of knows the drill.

I actually used my show saddle (it's a used Circle Y equitation) saddle, I love it - it's not dripping in silver, but it's got just enough and the tooling is nice. I'm all for a nice saddle, but some of these show saddles are a bit much. It's about the horse, NOT the tack neccesarily! I've also been naughty, I've splurged and have a GORGEOUS Vogt show bit on layaway - I can't wait - I'm definately a flashy one when it comes to the bits. I like a lower port and have very soft hands - so no need to wonder about that.

I've been thinking alot lately about horse shows. Now, I LOVE me a horse show and try and make it to atleast 2 Morgan shows a year. I know that there are some breeds and disciplines of riding that get quite a bad reputation from some of the people who are involved.

For instance, Tennessee Walking Horses and the whole Soring issue. Yes, this is something I know occurs. In fact, growing up, my best friend Laura showed TWH's in plantation Pleasure classes and won at the Celebration in Tennessee in the Equitation division. Her family did not sore horses nor did they show the "big Lick" horses. The shows were definately intersting. The horses were always inspected by a "DQP" before and after the classes, but whether they actually legitamately turned anyone in, I don't know. It seemed to me that most of the TWH crowd, atleast in Michigan, did NOT use abusive soring tactics on their horses. I find it very sad that one, soring occurs at all, and two, those who do it really give the TWH show crowd a bad name.

I've also been wondering about the AQHA community. I've never liked the QH show look much, with the extreme head set and very VERY slow gaits. I cannot fathom who it was that decided that unfuntional droopy head was attractive. It's sad to see, I admire the functional QH, you know, the athletic reining, cutting, barrel useable QHorses? I do like QH's, please don't get me wrong - this is just my humble opinion! Also, what IS UP with QH tails? They don't move - not even lifted a little. They are pressed against their rumps and that's where they stay. I swear there is something up with that. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate Quarter Horses, they can be so nice - it's just strange what's becoming of them in the show ring.

hmmm....

Lovely Morgans - I'm definitely biased!!! So pretty :)

Reminder - these are just MY personal opinions.