QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
10 August, 1963
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
By Virginia Lamb
Q— Are there any pleasure breeders in your area with horses of good quality at a reasonable price? If so, can you ' tell me where they are located and would it be possible to visit them? 1 will be in your area sometime during August.
A— I do not know what you mean by " reasonable”, but I will say definitely yes, we do have breeders with good quality horses in the immediate area. You can visit any one of the following breeders: Allan T. Olson, Sr., and you can reach him at the Brighton Sand and Gravel Co. Box 7001, Perkins Branch, Sacramento, California or call EMpire 3-2603. You can also call Lester or Helen Porter at YUkon 8-2851 or visit them at 6444 Hickory, Orangevale, California. You might also contact Ken and Cynthia Morris at Route # 2, Box 2828, Loomis, California. Their number is Oliver 2-73-15. I am sure any one of these fine people would be happy to help you in any way possible and welcome you for just a visit if you so desire.
Q— I read with interest all of your articles and would like to know the following: Do you ever take in outside horses for training? Do you train show slock? What kind of facilities do you have if you train for outsiders? Try as I might, I find I was not cut out to train my own horses and I need HELP!
A— Yes, I do take in outside horses for training. No, 1 do not train show stock at all, just western pleasure and trail horses( some English pleasure). I use a training barn with an indoor training area during bad weather, but have several miles of training trails across the road, and the use of a ring when needed. Most of the horses are taken on actual rides before being returned to the individual owners, making sure they are‘ ready’ for the new rider.
Q— I am trying to find out about what it would cost me to have a horse trained for the show ring. Is it expensive? My folks say I shouldn’ t even think of such a thing. I am sixteen years old. Please tell me what you think.
A— This is a common question. I think, and I use the word think because I do not know your finances, that it may be wise to listen to your parents. I cannot give you actual figures because I am not familiar with the actual training price all over the state, but I can give you what is a possible average. One, it would cost an average of 3100-00 a month to have the horse trained and kept in training. Keep this in mind, a show horse has to be kept in a constant state of training so that he does not slip. Two, it costs an average of 325.00 to have the horse re-shod every six weeks( depending on the horse) and about $ 10.00 to have the horses shoes re-set, which is quite often( here again it depends upon the horse). Three, The entrance fees may run anywhere from $ 5-00 to 325.00 or more for one class, then there is the stall rent, about § 12.00, plus incidentals too numerous to mention. You have to take into consideration the cost of transportation to and from the shows which may vary according to the distance. If you have to rent a trailer, it will cost you approximately 56.00 a day for the trailer. If you can actually afford to own and exhibit a show horse, then full speed ahead. It’ s a wonderful sport, a lot of fun and truly show good sportsmanship. You are at a good age for showing these horses, and if you are really interested, it may prove to be worth your effort. If you cannot afford it, and be honest with yourself, then listen to your mom and dad and wait until you have a good job and can go it on your own.
Q— I own a young stallion and hate to think of having him altered, but I want to use him as a pleasure horse. I am not particularly interested in using him lor breeding. I feel I am getting too old for that sort of thing and I definitely do no want to sell him since I owned his mother during most of her living years. What do you think?
A— Owning a stallion is fine if,( 1) he has top bloodlines,( 2) is good enough to remain a stallion,( 3) you are planning on using him for breeding purposes,( 4) have the proper facilities for maintaining a stallion and( 5) do not leave him a stallion just for the sake of‘ owning a stallion’. I am going to leave myself wide open for comment here by saying that we already have too many stallions and only a very few really worth remaining such. If you have a good horse but do not intend to use him as a stallion, then by all means have him altered ] then he will make you a truly good pleasure horse. If you have ever thought of using him for anything other than pleasure, then be sure he is absolutely the right kind to remain a stallion, but do not ever base your decision for not cutting him because he is‘ just too pretty’ or ' I can’ t stand the thought’ or‘ I’ ve always wanted to own a stallion’ or possibly a hundred other unsound reasons. A stallion never makes the perfect pleasure horse, so my advice is " Don’ t own one just for the sake of owning one.”
Q— Help! 1 have a horse that paces most of the time. 1 was lead to believe that nil Walking Horses have a natural walk. Is this true? If so, why does mine pace? He is papered and I have been told he has good breeding. I am quite new at this sort of thing.
A— If you are quite new at the game as you state, then my first advice to you is to purchase the Biography of the Tennessee Walking Horse and learn of their history and background. In this book you will find that their pedigree includes some of the most famous pacing Standardbreds in history. You often find a Walker can trot, too, although this is not near as common as pacing. It is nothing to be ashamed of, and with the proper handling, the horse can be led into the proper walk that the famous Walking Horse is noted for. Sometimes you can do this yourself, and sometimes not, but sound reasoning, after knowing the history of the Walker, you will find that many of these fine horses will pace until they are‘ helped’ into the gait they were bred for. 1 hope this helps you to understand the reason why some of these horses pace.
Q— This may be a strange question, but since we live in a small town and there are no near Walking Horse owners or showmen, in the vicinity,( my family and I have lived here for two months) would you consent to putting on an exhibition here with your horse, or would you know of anyone who would? We would like to establish more interest in the breed here.
A— I would be happy to exhibit my horse if possible in order to promote the Walking Horse in areas where they are‘ unknown’ to build up the interest in them. If I could not do it, I am quite sure there are many others around here who could and would for the same reason. I am sure we could exhibit’ the Walker in all of their many uses.
Q— I would very much like to learn more about the Walking Horse, but I am afraid I am a straight, dyed-inthe-wool Westerner, and want to know if these horses are rugged enough for the way of go I am used to? I know that I will have to be schooled on these horses, and my main question
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