Riders who had bad
experiences, and were afraid to ride again, were pleased to have someone
who cared --that they knew what they are doing. Instead, many riding
programs and stables:
a.) They pull a
horse out, already saddled.
b.) Riders mount
right away.
c.) Get in line
d.) Follow the
leader, perhaps an inexperienced trail guide.
Often there a poorly trained guide or
instructor, and riders are left to struggle with their fears, and a
horse that just wants to stay at the barn, or eat grass.
We worked with those fearful riders,
to gain confidence and some ability to enjoy a relaxed ride, and know
how to get a horse to go where they want to go, we sorrowfully could
not protect them when they rode at other riding establishments. Most
would never ride with anyone but us, because they felt ‘safe and cared
for’.
A poorly trained or a non-caring
trail guide can cause trauma or serious injury.
A TRUE STORY.
This particular
woman student of ours, with great concern for her difficult physical
issues, wanted to do something exciting with her husband. He wanted
to go on a wild goat-hunting trip to Alaska. They would ride horses
to the campsite. She never dreamed she could ever go with him, and
had great caution about joining our riding program. In fact, she
almost did not come back after the first class, due to her fears.
Somehow, she did continue, and gained her confidence, and the ability
to take care of riding issues with the horse. She also knew to
dismount if she had concerns for her safety.
Getting to the
campsite --all went well. They rode slow, and she was overjoyed she
could ride with her husband --a dream come true for her.
On the return
trip, her horse stalled at
a small creek, and she prepared to do what she knew was necessary to
cross. The impatient,
inconsiderate, trail guide, came back to her horse, grabbed the reins
from her hands, pulled them over the horses head, and actually pulled the horse over that creek.
This terrified
our rider, as the horse ‘leaped’ over that small creek. The rider
lost her balance and fell to the ground, due to such surprised
behavior. She was hurt quite badly, and will be unable to ride a
horse again.
Why did this
have to happen?
·
The impatient trail
guide?
·
The lack of concern for
the rider?
·
The anger at the
stalling horse?
·
Human control issues?
·
No respect for the
fears or caution of riders?
·
A time frame, because
of a business deadline?
·
Too tired to care?
·
Just get them home, so
we can get their money?
·
Just doing a job, get
them out and get them back!
It is our great concern for
riding facilities, that a respectable, well-run stable is available for safe
riding, happy horses, and satisfied joyous clients.
It is such a shame that
many
horses are used to just make money, without any respect for them,
or their riders, as warm-blooded caring beings.
TOO OFTEN
--the horses are
overworked and under-fed.
Horses wear
saddles all day, because grooms are too lazy to take them off, for a
refreshing
bucket of water, wipe-down, a flake of hay, and stall rest. This is
often neglected totally. Horses stand in the heat all day, without
any shade, flies, while they wait for the next rider.
Many stables
allow their horses to be overworked by aggressive, so-called
experienced riders. Inadequate stable managers just take the money,
and hire the horse out again, for the next dollar that comes in.!
Pretty horses
are often ridden the most, because riders like their color.
Sadly, horses
are used, abused and worn down, from spring through fall, then, sold to the
killers, so the stable managers do not have to feed or care for them
through the winter, saying:
“It just ain’t good
business" --so they say!
Such individuals should not have
horses! But --this is America, and some things still need to be
changed.
So what can we --DO ABOUT
THIS?
We can teach and Certify
our own:
1.) STQH
--Trail Riding Guides,
2.) STQH--Riding --Stable Managers.
We can begin a
program, where Resorts call us for a properly informed,
educated,
STQH Trail Riding Coach,
to manage their trail programs.
So, what
about the winter months?
As we get Coaches in many areas, we can provide winter homes for the
horses. They can also be available for very light duty, perhaps for
therapeutic purposes, to refresh them, after they have had their busy
time at work.
Our HH Horses
must be rotated by groups, so they do not get afraid or bored. They
deserve to be with their own horse-buddy friends, for a well-rounded
life, and receive proper care and attention to their health and
wellness, in mind-body emotions, and spirits.
STQH cares for
the well-being of the horse, just as we do for humans.
After all, we
were all put on this earth for a reason, and I would prefer it is to
love with compassion, not greed and need, or egotistical pride.
We intend to
change the Equine World, to help get everyone, horse and/or human in
mutual balance, with integrity, better perspectives, and inner wealth.
Feeling good on
the inside, shows the world that there is more in life than money
possessions, and prestige.
STQH will
exhibit: Peace, Joy,
Fair Justice, Equality, Integrity, Pure Faith, and Unconditional Love.
We will hold
people --responsible for their actions or non-actions, when riding, or
they will be forbidden to attend any of our facilities, unless it's
for a rehabilitation program, such as 'Fresh Start'.
Three-strikes and they are totally OUT!
We will teach, guide, and mentor
those who seek our understanding, of
8-2004
Rose M Foreman
Call 717-513--3366
for
training, possible work or referrals.
