1964-Voice Of The Tennessee Walking Horse 1964 January Voice | Page 36

TElJjE^^wjlUlING H0BSE
JANUARY
a good horse. Before buying a
horse, the amateur should enlist
the help of a competent horse­
man.
How to Select a Horse;
Horse Sense New Year Resolutions
Each New Year, privately or
publicly, most of us make New
Year’s resolutions. We resolve to
do certain things better in the
twelve months ahead. This prompts
me to suggest that some horse
owners might well include horses
in their list of good intentions for
1964. After all, with the domestica­
tion and confinement of horses,
man assumed responsibility for
their well being. He entered into
sort of an unwritten pact to care
for them in exchange for their loss
of freedom. Some horsemen have
fallen down on their end of the
bargain. To avoid the latter hap­
penstance, I submit the following
check list of New Year’s Resolu­
tions for horsemen:
1. I shall feed a balanced ration
based on sound, scientific facts
rather than a concoction based on
fads, foibles, and trade secrets.
2. I shall recognize that “like
begets like”, and that the most ap­
proved mating, gestating, and foal­
ing considerations should be
observed.
3. I shall follow a program de­
signed to protect the health of my
horses.
4. I shall groom all stabled
horses daily; I shall groom all
horses that are worked or exer­
cised, both before and after using;
and I shall brush all pastured
horses at least once per week.
5. I shall keep my horse’s feet
clean, prevent them from drying
out, trim them so that they retain
proper shape and length, and shoe
all horses that are used on hard
surfaces.
6. I shall train foals early in life,
using patience, gentleness and
firmness.
7. I shall provide regular and
proper exercise either (1) on pas­
ture or (2) under saddle, in harness,
or by leading or longeing.
8. I shall assure proper stable
rest and sanitation through provid­
ing a soft, comfortable bed, which
I shall work over daily.
9. I shall (1) remove the top
layer of clay floors yearly and re­
place it with fresh clay which I
shall level and tamp (2) keep stalls
well lighted (3) use suitable feed
containers and keep them clean (4)
provide proper ventilation, and (5)
keep stables in repair at all times.
10. I shall transport horses with
care.
11. I shall conduct my business
dealings with complete honesty
and integrity.
12. I shall with dignity and in
good taste promote increased use
of horses for recreation and sport.
13. I shall recognize that a good
horse is a good horse, regardless of
any breed preference that I may
possess.
14. I shall win without bragging
and lose without squealing in any
show, race or other sporting event
in which I participate.
15. I shall interest more juniors
in horses in recognition that (1)
boys and girls are our best pro­
ducts, and (2) youngsters who have
and take care of horses seldom get
into trouble.
Selecting and Judging Horses
Relatively few horses are in­
spected and evaluated by experi­
enced judges. Most of them are
bought by persons who lack experi­
ence in judging but who have a
parctical, need for the animal and
take pride in selecting and owning
Selecting on the basis of indivi­
dual excellence of body conforma­
tion and performance is the best
single method of obtaining a good
using horse. Of course, when ani­
mals are selected for breeding pur­
poses certain additional criteria
(pedigree, record of both the indivi­
dual and of near relatives, progeny
if the animal is old enough and has
reproduced, family name, etc.)
should be taken into consideration.
Also, show-ring winnings may be
helpful. The person making the
selection should:
1. Know the parts of a horse —
This consists of mastering the
language that describes and locates
the different parts of a horse
In addition, it is necessary to
know which parts are of major
importance; that is, what com­
parative evaluation to give to the
different parts.
2. Know what you want — Have
clearly in mind the ideal for which
you are looking, recognizing full
well that few animals meet this
high standard and that you may
have to settle for less.
3. Follow a logical procedure in
examining — When looking over a
horse, follow a logical procedure.
In this way, nothing will be over­
looked; and it wih 02 easier to re­
tain observations r hey are made.
In succession, ge,
front view, a
rear view, and a side view; then
examine for soul
sses, blemi­
shes, and see him ir; action.
Where several animals are being
inspected, keep at a distance so as
to obtain a panoramic view and
make comparisons.
4. Arrive at a decision — Evalu­
ate the animal on each point, keep­
ing in mind the ideal type and
common faults. Then weigh and
evaluate the relative importance
of the various good and bad fea­
tures, and come to a logical deci­
sion. Do you want him and at what
price?
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