tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152826429049460534.post5809446591613800880..comments2023-10-31T06:31:15.796-04:00Comments on Shame in the Horse Show Ring: Drugging, it's not just for racehorses anymore!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152826429049460534.post-4654426718300785782011-01-25T11:38:38.274-05:002011-01-25T11:38:38.274-05:00I agree that the stock world breeds poor horses. I...I agree that the stock world breeds poor horses. I am a college student and was lied to about two young APHA horses I purchased. I had in writing that both parents tested negative for HYPP, and "magic" I have two NH horses. One has to be regulated with acetazolamide and just the medication is costing over 200 a month for one horse. I made the best of my situation and my 4 year old is successfully showing at the APHA level; but in showing, she HAS to have her acetazolamide. If she was without it, she would likely fall over dead. If she even misses a dose, eats some grass hay that is a trace bit higher in potassium, or gets stressed out, it is immediately an emergency situation where her life IS actually in danger.<br /><br />I will never sell my mare unless I spay her first; a fine show career would be just the excuse for some dip**** to breed her and produce more sick babies.<br /><br /> Something needs to be done at the level of the breeders to phase this disease out; It is the 21st century and we are supposed to care about our animals more than this. Of course I also agree that people ride stock too young, work them too hard, which increases the need for drugs.<br /><br />But, I think the issue with drugs is a bit more complicated than you are implying. There are, in fact several sides to the story. In some cases, down the line a kind soul will pick up some of these broken horses in an attempt to make them useful. If its impossible to use theraputic drugs to keep these horses going at show level, think about where they end up? There is just a shortage of homes that is willing to take on a horse as a pasture ornament. A useless horse often ends up either in the slaughter pipeline or bumping through trader lots. In an ideal world, drugs should be prohibited, but what would be the cost?<br /><br />Bad breeders, trainers, and owners will always find something to do with broken horses. If there is no way to market or keep a horse going in this way, their future is not too bright.<br /><br />Great post, by the way! :)Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01480355414682685119noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152826429049460534.post-91266196487289935182010-12-06T15:15:36.448-05:002010-12-06T15:15:36.448-05:00Nikki is right.. last time i checked none of those...Nikki is right.. last time i checked none of those drugs were legal in AQHA... you should really do more research before you rant on about how these associations are all full of drugs and cant get through showing without it, not true.reinerluverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18143261401964679637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152826429049460534.post-33287846074690815072010-10-20T14:42:40.198-04:002010-10-20T14:42:40.198-04:00hey...i love this blog...i was gunna copy and past...hey...i love this blog...i was gunna copy and paste and use some of your words as a quote for a drugging horses awareness speech im giving and cite you but I got your pop up...LOL funny but i agree. And i definitely agree with this blog this is ridculous! A horse is just as beautiful and grand without all these drugs...I have a beautiful paint horse (APHA) and he's amazing in all ways and has never had any drug other than his shots...ridiculous.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09409548437639311855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152826429049460534.post-82083073409017379692010-02-19T12:44:58.346-05:002010-02-19T12:44:58.346-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.NollieBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10471657373493851769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152826429049460534.post-28617702769756358232010-02-19T12:43:02.892-05:002010-02-19T12:43:02.892-05:00If you read the AQHA and APHA rule books they have...If you read the AQHA and APHA rule books they have tight restrictions on these drugs. They drug test at any big show, and only allow the drugs that you mentioned in a very specific quantity, time period, or under certain conditions that you need a vet's prescription for.NollieBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10471657373493851769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152826429049460534.post-70181894574041564902009-04-05T02:58:00.000-04:002009-04-05T02:58:00.000-04:00Hi, I stumbled on to this site and read the commen...Hi, I stumbled on to this site and read the comments with interest. I purchased a horse for my daughter paid $1500 vet check which vet said he had a few issues but were workable. He has thin soles and contracted heels and poor circulation. Obviously I am a novice because I bought him! My local vet said he needed wide rimmed aluminum shoes, isoxoprene to increase circulation. and bute which is 3/4 tsp daily, and exercise him to give him better circulation. I asked my vet about medication and showing. He said in small amounts he didn't see a problem with it and that he himself takes NSAID before a show. I took my daughter to a local show where she did a little walk jog western pleasure thing (he's not western pleasure) and then an equitation class. Only her riding skills were judged in the equitation. In the equitation portion if she were on a horse that was on no medication but she took NSAID because she had some back pain should she not have been in the show ring? We are slowly decreasing the meds and expect he will be free of all meds in the future, but I will probably always have the wide rimmed shoes on him as he would be sore with out them. I'm sure there are lots of horses in the show ring that would be sore with out shoes... Please don't blast me.. I just feel a small amount for a horse is no different than for a person. If a horse is dead lame I don't think 3/4 tsp bute will make him sound...maybe 3 tsp would be needed and that is way over the limit if I remember correctly. Also, because of his thin hoof walls I am supplementing him with farrier's formula, flax seed, I have just added gelatine and am thinking about kelp. I am open to suggestions on how to build his hooves. Thanks!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02995356161084091638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152826429049460534.post-13507612333065468992009-02-28T18:21:00.000-05:002009-02-28T18:21:00.000-05:00Oh how scintillating. Such stereotypical comments!...Oh how scintillating. Such stereotypical comments! Such lack of wit. No wonder the Wrench keeps you around as her watch dog, you're ever so much more clever than she is.<BR/>Both wannabes without an original thought in your heads.<BR/><BR/>JeanShameintheHorseShowRinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16101707810114180216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152826429049460534.post-90054763492447776002009-02-18T21:35:00.000-05:002009-02-18T21:35:00.000-05:00Roanhorse,You really are a moron. You're trying to...Roanhorse,<BR/><BR/>You really are a moron. You're trying to come off as Simon Cowell and only succeeding to stupid wannabee. <BR/>You trolled over here because your puppet master got her strings yanked and you haven't provided any productive commentary.<BR/>You're not hip, you're not with it, you're not in the know. You're basically a bottom feeding ignoramus that doesn't have the following or knowledge to start your only blog. Those that can't do, teach. Those that can't blog, troll.<BR/><BR/>If you're such a winner then use your real name when you sign your posts. Looks like you're more of a loser that frantically watches The Soup, trying to score catchy phrases to try out on your slope headed family. Perhaps if you hadn't ingested so much Slo-Pro you could string two sentences together that didn't sound like a bad pick-up line at a bar. And calling women "babe" in order to seem like a macho man tells me that the only thing you're doing with your hand is racing the one eyed pony.Buck Hunterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01544990751192328454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152826429049460534.post-57092931854241318982009-02-18T14:13:00.000-05:002009-02-18T14:13:00.000-05:00Tuffy babe...none of your published material has a...Tuffy babe...none of your published material has appeared in a weighted magazine...I don't know where you hang out but apparently you're the one setting IV lines on horses at horse shows, huh? <BR/><BR/>Abuse complaints are dealt with swiftly at any of our shows... where where the hell have you been you elementary dweeb. No doubt stuck at some irrelevant high tailers barn. <BR/><BR/>I could give a rip that you're the "director" of any stock horse association; if that were true, you'd say who it is... or are you afraid of a little followup? I love to oblige and let them know of your nasty attitude and rotten behavior.<BR/> <BR/>Most of the directors I personally know, both emeritus and those currently holding their positions, act in a professional manner in their deportment and attitude...you share none of that...just a nasty, mouthy little camel driver. Yah, I'll remember you. If you had any class at all you wouldn't be trolling around here looking for support from your fellow ignoramuses. <BR/><BR/>Thank god individuals smarter than you'll ever be govern our association. Keep your reactive self in the back room where you belong. <BR/><BR/>My "lack of show ring knowledge" includes multiple wins at our World Show. It also includes working directly with our Board of Directors and Judges committee on our Regional shows.<BR/><BR/>Don't give me any of your sanctimonious remarks about "how I should know this or that"...you're one to talk.<BR/><BR/>Oh, what else have you done other than "troll around here with your head up the Condom's butt"? You really believe you'll make a difference on this blog? Jesus how totally stupid. <BR/><BR/>By the way, we'll be looking for you as you peddle drugs from the trunk of your car. Ride your stick horse into the sunset, please. What a crashing bore.roanhorsehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09885708780873123062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152826429049460534.post-70952021100607816982009-02-18T12:56:00.000-05:002009-02-18T12:56:00.000-05:00roan horse,Again, you show your complete lack of s...roan horse,<BR/><BR/>Again, you show your complete lack of show ring knowledge. Playing Let's Ride and Barbie Riding Club does not make you an expert. For the record the managment at the OKC fairgrounds and the Will Rogers Equestrian Center, two of the biggest show facilities in the US, have sent out memos regarding the abundance of syringes and drug paraphanalia found in the dumpsters and manure carts after big shows. You must be so out of the loop that you don't hear the complaints from the stall managers at the shows.<BR/>You must stay very secluded under your rock because you haven't seen the comments about walking through the show barns and seeing horses attached to IV bags.<BR/><BR/><BR/>I've been published in Minature Horse World Showcase, Trail Rider magazine, Lippett Morgan Review, The Rocky Mountain Horse, DeQuarter, and many others. <BR/><BR/>I'm also a director of one of the big three stock breed organizations. I voted AGAINST the change in the drug rules that allowed 13 more drugs onto the approved list. I've worked to improve humane treatment of the showhorse through introducing rules and policies. The BOD minutes reflect the efforts I've made to help the industry.<BR/><BR/>What have you done beside troll around here and spend your days with your head up the Wrench's butt?<BR/><BR/>Tracy MTuffy Horsehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15916816453349272092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152826429049460534.post-58994236264249251772009-02-18T03:47:00.000-05:002009-02-18T03:47:00.000-05:00Ohh Tuffy babes, grow a pair. If the drug use is ...Ohh Tuffy babes, grow a pair. If the drug use is as pronounced as you say it is than perhaps a undercover drug unit from the local Sheriff's department or local police department could give the folks on the show grounds a quick visit, since drugs are so OPENLY sold to exhibitors and trainers according to you. (Since the "designated, qualified people" aren't doing their jobs)I'd love to drop a dime on some of the guilty parties, and send an undercover unit over and tell them to check it out......peddling drugs is peddling drugs....no doubt a few should get hooked up and hauled. <BR/><BR/>I SERIOUSLY doubt the drug activity is limited to equine consumption. If you say horses are the only ones affected by illicit drugs at these shows then you're the 'effing retard of the year.<BR/><BR/>No doubt the exhibitors aren't feeling any pain either. Perhaps you should set up your "Anti Drug" tent and pamphlets on the show grounds.<BR/><BR/>Apparently vet techs have the worst rep for providing illicit drugs to trainers and exhibitors according to "The Horse". Bite me.<BR/><BR/>I could give a shit that you've researched mouse turds let along drug activity. A vet tech, big effing deal...You've decided to burn the rest of the dope pushers(vet techs), and trainers/exhibitors. If you've done all of this bona fide research then why hasn't it been published in a national equine magazine...hmmm? Why haven't you shared the article name and magazine name if it has been published????? Justa lot of blabba blabba.<BR/><BR/>No doubt you can't quantify it and you've yet to sell to an editor. <BR/><BR/>The "Quarter Horse Journal" runs a suspended person's list every month and lists the cause of the suspension be it drugs or otherwise. That ain't news.<BR/><BR/>Now, pull your head or whatever out of your ass and get over your hysterical whining. You and the Trojan Condom are two of a pair.<BR/><BR/>You've yet to change a dam thing with your supercilious babble ... keep strokin' it though..PETA loves you. Maybe the guns at the AQHA might take notice of you if you weren't such a authoritative stricken twit relegated to a back room; nothing more than a big gob of a mouth and shit for brains running around calling "foul ball". The only thing "foul" is you. On second thought, volunteer your services at the next big AQHA circuit..do something constructive with your time instead of whining full blast on this crock of crap blog. Maybe a little "ginger" under your tail would get you moving...does wonders for ASB's. Talk's cheap. Be something other than a pencil pusher or bean counter. You remind me of "Chicken Little", "the sky's falling, the sky's falling".......yup, it dam sure is.<BR/><BR/>You wanna make a difference? Then get the hell busy. Get off your dam chair and get out there and make some contacts with the powers that be in the show world. Share your concerns with them and your statistics. Like they don't know. What? They won't listen to you? I wonder why. <BR/><BR/>I don't know "anything" about the show world? You're great for a laugh..thanks. More ignorant drivel. I wouldn't expect anything more or less of an ignoramus. Enough of this nonsense. You and the Condom are a total waste of time. Just keep whining and pushing that pencil. Adios.roanhorsehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09885708780873123062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152826429049460534.post-64691777241451971802009-02-18T00:58:00.000-05:002009-02-18T00:58:00.000-05:00roanhorse,It's obvious that you do not know anythi...roanhorse,<BR/><BR/>It's obvious that you do not know anything about the show world and the prolific drug use. And YES vets do custom mix drug combos for the BNTs. What the hell do you think Slo-Pro was? Or did you not hear about the miracle WP drug while living under your rock?<BR/><BR/>I vet teched for 16 years. I have seen vets dispense things that would surely get someone banned from the showring, if it was tested for. Don't even get me started on the anabolic steroids used in the halter industry.<BR/><BR/>It's very apparent that you really don't know anything. You're blathering here, and on the Wrench blog, and spouting nothing but ignorance. <BR/><BR/>So the AQHA has a statement about performance enhacing drugs. Big deal. So does every major sport. Doesn't stop all those baseball, football and basketball players from using. Doesn't stop the Olympic level riders from getting busted.<BR/><BR/>If you seriously don't think there is drug abuse in the horse industry then you must live in a paper sack. I have researched and written about equine drug abuse for decades. I have witness acounts and interviews. There is a long list of people in every organization that have been suspended for illegal drug use, some multiple times.<BR/><BR/>Why don't you pull your head out and go look at the links to the suspension lists. Most of those people were busted for show ring abuses.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Tracy MTuffy Horsehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15916816453349272092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152826429049460534.post-53423543449293301472009-02-17T18:42:00.000-05:002009-02-17T18:42:00.000-05:00http://209.85.173.132/search?q=cache:fGkwy8PNEgEJ:...http://209.85.173.132/search?q=cache:fGkwy8PNEgEJ:www.aqha.com/association/registration/pdf/policystatement_08.pdf+percentage+of+reining+horses+being+shown+on+drugs&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=3&gl=us#2<BR/><BR/>The AQHA position on performance enhancing drugs.....roanhorsehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09885708780873123062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152826429049460534.post-80286188464081681182009-02-17T15:27:00.000-05:002009-02-17T15:27:00.000-05:00Trojan dear...vets do not pass drugs around like ...Trojan dear...vets do not pass drugs around like candy...you really believe their State Vet Boards would overlook this activity? Particularly if those vets are reported numerous times...jesus you're stupid...would you bet your career on not getting caught..no doubt you would but a bona fide practicing vet wouldn't risk it.roanhorsehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09885708780873123062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152826429049460534.post-47466708648360108262009-02-17T15:02:00.000-05:002009-02-17T15:02:00.000-05:00Well, hey, Trojan ..where the hell have you been? ...Well, hey, Trojan ..where the hell have you been? If you're totally convinced that reiners and cowhorses can do their jobs with 10fold of drugs on board then you're as dumb as I initially thought you were. The reiners now are competing at FEI events and you must be truly convinced that FEI officials endorse the use of drugs, etc. What a nitwit, moron. There really are no words to describe you naivete. No doubt you're still convinced the sun rises and sets on your ass and you thought process. <BR/><BR/>Thankfully smarter individuals than you are overseeing the events that reiners and cowhorses participate in. Vets don't "recommend" showing a horse that's under a massive drug load. You're a liar. And you mislead people. There's no excuse for that. <BR/><BR/>Take your dog and pony show somewhere else preferably down the yellow brick road.roanhorsehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09885708780873123062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152826429049460534.post-17852342179778362932009-02-13T01:17:00.000-05:002009-02-13T01:17:00.000-05:00roan horse,If ignorance is bliss you must be orgas...roan horse,<BR/><BR/>If ignorance is bliss you must be orgasmic.<BR/><BR/>If you don't think reiners are drugged then you have missed the huge debate NRHA has been having about imposing drug rules that meet FEI requirements. The general membership of NRHA has fought this for over two years.<BR/><BR/>A vet's recommendation to show a horse while it is drugged is just so much bullshit and shows how corrupt even that field has become. Drugged horses need to stay home, and like you they should not be taken out in public or left unsupervised.<BR/><BR/>JeanShameintheHorseShowRinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16101707810114180216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152826429049460534.post-90331023700253578952009-02-12T19:28:00.000-05:002009-02-12T19:28:00.000-05:00"Shame" Your screaming ignorance is just amazing....."Shame" Your screaming ignorance is just amazing.....best laugh I've had all day. <BR/><BR/>Back your truck up and get yourself aligned with those in the know instead of blasting this bullshit around on your "blog" i.e. toilet. LMAO <BR/><BR/>Working cow horses, today, are a far far cry from the overstuffed halter horses of yesteryear. We no longer have an all around horse, AQHA; they're specialized. We have animals who are in fact very well conformed to do their jobs in the working cow horse field..they are in fact, longer muscled, lighter and are in fact, tremendously athletic.<BR/><BR/>The Reiners are now competing at FEI levels and have been warmly received by members of USET and FEI committees. <BR/><BR/>NO they're not drugged..imagine taking a steer down the fence, going all out, and stopping and turning that steer to the center of the pen and circling it once in each direction.....show me a drugged horse that can do that and while their at it, pass the drug inspection, and providing a urine sample at the out gate....WON'T happen. Yes, there are "masking" drugs out there but show vets are also up on many of these that may be used. <BR/><BR/>Those horses that have LEGAL meds on board prescribed by a vet must have that declaration, a script, provided by the owner to the show secretary and manager. The owners must carry that script with them at all times while on the show grounds and be willing to provide proof of same when questioned by any member of the show committe or show veterinarian. <BR/> <BR/>There are in here a very few responses, individuals that know more than you do...they're the ones that should have your blog. You're welcome.roanhorsehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09885708780873123062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152826429049460534.post-48856317626015086572009-02-12T16:35:00.000-05:002009-02-12T16:35:00.000-05:00Jessie,>Um... If you're "needling up&q...Jessie,<BR/><BR/>>Um... If you're "needling up" phenylbutazone (bute) or diclofenac (Surpass), you're doing it wrong.<BR/><BR/>Uh no. Ask any vet tech. You can get bute in tablets, paste or liquid. <BR/><BR/>You can get diclofenac in liquid or gel form.<BR/><BR/><BR/>>This has far, far more to due with types muscle fibers than anything else. Slow twitch type fibers are long and lean, and used for endurance. Fast twitch type fibers are used for sprinting/heavy lifting. They also tend to be bulky - like stock horses.<BR/><BR/><BR/>This is another myth in the stock horse industry. Seriously, the only super bulky horses are the halter horses. Have you REALLY looked at the WP horses lately? They are thinner, rangy and long legged. Pictures here on the blog show it. Most of them have very refined necks and heads. I've seen several that I know are papered AQHA that look like anglo arabs. 3/4's of the Qh's in the show ring today have 1/2 or more percentage of TB blood. TBs do NOT have slow twitch muscling.<BR/>The same holds true in the reiners and cutters. They are NOT huge bulky horses. They have thinner necks and longer stringier muscles. They are nervy and refined. <BR/>I used to buy a shitload of appendix AQHA horses each year to turn into polo ponies. They can canter for 45 minutes at a time and trot for another 25. These are NOT slow twitch, feeder calf, bulk muscled horses. They are performance animals. So don't assign the heavy halter QH industry standard to all QHs.<BR/><BR/><BR/>>Your points are valid, but poorly defended. <BR/><BR/><BR/>I think they make a lot of sense, but then again I was a vet tech for 16 years and I've ridden, trained and shown all the different stock horse breeds as well as switched over and done dressage and three day eventing. There is a huge variety in every breed, but the breeds I see doing less and less are the ones using drugs more and more.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Tracy MTuffy Horsehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15916816453349272092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152826429049460534.post-13820479099019082402009-02-12T14:51:00.000-05:002009-02-12T14:51:00.000-05:00Correcting my first post.No wonder the "show world...Correcting my first post.<BR/>No wonder the "show world" is so screwed up.<BR/><BR/>Sorry, I can see everyone fixating on it, wanted to clarify.<BR/>Not that anyone will listen..<BR/><BR/>Drugs for Medical reasons, are completely fine. They are part of Horse Health 101. Keep him happy, healthy, comfortable.<BR/><BR/>For SHOW??<BR/>Um, no.GoLightlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18283690734019490983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152826429049460534.post-89313148853605099842009-02-12T13:45:00.000-05:002009-02-12T13:45:00.000-05:00because i totally used dexamethasone for the horri...because i totally used dexamethasone for the horrible horrible reason of treating my horse's allergic reaction to some plant in her field.evelynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13596051843279087547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152826429049460534.post-69266398552026508632009-02-12T00:00:00.000-05:002009-02-12T00:00:00.000-05:00Needling up - Surpass, no. But Bute exists in a li...Needling up - Surpass, no. But Bute exists in a liquid formulation that is designed for IV usage.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05249579922146183630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152826429049460534.post-43721041629426093862009-02-11T23:58:00.000-05:002009-02-11T23:58:00.000-05:00"In other words, you can needle up and don’t need ..."In other words, you can needle up and don’t need to notify anyone."<BR/><BR/>Um... If you're "needling up" phenylbutazone (bute) or diclofenac (Surpass), you're doing it wrong.<BR/><BR/>"Horses that canter slowly around the ring, maybe for 20 minutes during a class, get to use all kinds of drugs, but horses that work for 50 miles in all kinds of weather can’t even use bute. Could this be why Arabs, and not AQHAs, dominate NATRC? Could this be why the main stock horse breeds are not superior distance trail animals?"<BR/><BR/>This has far, far more to due with types muscle fibers than anything else. Slow twitch type fibers are long and lean, and used for endurance. Fast twitch type fibers are used for sprinting/heavy lifting. They also tend to be bulky - like stock horses.<BR/><BR/>Your points are valid, but poorly defended. <BR/><BR/>Also, I'm not entirely sure you realize that phenylbutazone is bute.Jesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15203611762503036829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152826429049460534.post-7786062780424438092009-02-11T23:22:00.000-05:002009-02-11T23:22:00.000-05:00Kris, I'm not ignoring you--I'll email you directl...Kris, I'm not ignoring you--I'll email you directly about your horses. But MUST tell you that I LOVE Generator's Gold Edition--one of the best stallions out there for natural gait!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152826429049460534.post-37905475181166284522009-02-11T11:05:00.000-05:002009-02-11T11:05:00.000-05:00Thank you for your well-researched information. T...Thank you for your well-researched information. The state of things is sad. <BR/><BR/>Christy Lee<BR/>*~Petals and Pine~*Christy Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07188573844644729926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152826429049460534.post-36656509934768114132009-02-11T00:17:00.000-05:002009-02-11T00:17:00.000-05:00kat (save myself a lot of trouble and just shorten...kat (save myself a lot of trouble and just shorten it, as i'm bound to slip again):<BR/><BR/>Not sure about NATRC either - I know theres a lot of QHs that do really well - the can handle the shorter distances especially at the low speeds.<BR/><BR/>I met someone today who thought endurance was all about the speed. That component is fun, but I never have the time to condition for it. I like the hell out of doing a 50 mile pleasure ride with some good friends (some may call that crazy!), and doing enough so that i place high at the end of the year. Two ways to place - speed or distance, and it's a hell of a lot easier (and safer for the horse) to train for the distance. I usually finish a 50 in about 7-8 hours - plenty of time to spare, and about 2-3 hours behind the winner. Lots of people in our region ride like that, so I get to share the trail and some interesting stories with some really great people. Best part about the sport.<BR/><BR/>I had a friend who was awarded a Youth Supreme Versatility title by TWHBEA when he was younger. Said he used to love taking his mare to barrel races - everyone would laugh at him on his little TWH.... until he got out in the arena and smoked them all. She had a *lot* of barrel points.<BR/><BR/>I always thought dressage on TWHs would be fun. One of my boys (by Generator's Gold Edition and out of a Pride's Generator daughter) I allow only to gait - he's incredibly sharp and a total clown, and rarely likes to play by my rules. His trot is big and not at all fun, and his pace is worse. He's one of my main mounts for endurance, and can hold an easy rack all day long, so that's what we do. <BR/><BR/>The other gelding (by Poison out of a Pride's Gold Coin mare) had a lot of soundness issues when I bought him. He loves endurance, but I have to pick my rides carefully, and I know he won't hold up to 50 milers forever, but we do them now because he loves them. Of course, no drugs - just some HA in his stifle and yearly hock injections to encourage their fusion, plus corrective shoeing for his disastrous front end. He's a gorgeous mover, and loves to jump - jumps like a TB, not like a TWH - he trots and gaits. Probably will consider some low level dressage or 3-day on him when he gets old enough to grow a brain :)<BR/><BR/>Driving - my Arab mare drives, so I thought I'd try that with the Gold Edition TWH gelding. Tried as a 2 year old to ground drive as part of his training, and lets just say he wasn't a fan. Gave him a few years and tried again. Never could get him to get the concept of it - kept trying to turn around and figure the whole mess out. Then he'd get really worried. Gave up - there's other things he enjoys much more. Maybe the other guy will take to it.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05249579922146183630noreply@blogger.com