The " Hoss Doctor” Rides Again!
Hand in hand with thehorseboom, the fabulous days of the " hoss doctor” returned! At least this is true in altogether too many cases. Fantastic stories of the wealth to be had caused a rush in the horse products business comparable to that of the forty-niners.
Like Topsy, the light horse industry just grew. There was precious little organized planning and responsible help. With the passing of the draft horse, the Horse and Mule Association of America was inactivated, the Army Remount Service was stilled, and those great horse specialists of the United States Department of Agriculture and our Land Grant Colleges retired and were not replaced. Certainly, many associations, organizations, and individuals serving the light horse industry are rendering yeoman service; but their uncoordinated efforts are like so many pop guns in an arsenal.
Conditions were ripe for " fast operators” to make a " quick buck.” Many folks with more money than animal knowledge owned horses, and the breeding and using of horses shifted from farms and ranches to suburban areas. As a result, " horse practitioners,” whose products and sales pitch were reminiscent of the " medicine man” of old, developed a flourishing business; pawning off on unsuspecting horsemen a myriad of potions, cure-alls, tonics, reconditioners, worm expellers, mineral mixes, vitamin mixes, and feeds of a kind. And they’ re still at it! Generally speaking, claims are made for increased growth, improved breeding, better development, more speed and increased stamina: and the feeding directions call for a cup or 3 or 4 tablespoonfuls per horse daily.
But such " horse practitioners” are not entirely to blame. Many owners insist on some kind of treatment. Like the ulcer patient who had to go to six different doctors before he could find one who would tell him that he could have a drink, they’ ll keep going until they get it. Especially when ahorse '' startsdown,” they’ ll grasp at straws. In such frantic moments, they’ ll buy and try almost any formula for which claims are made; completely oblivious to the facts that( 1) sterile water might do just as much good, and far less harm, and( 2) they are buying losing tickets with their eyes wide open.
Horsemen are also great imitators. They’ ll single out some great horse and, in one way or another, find out what he’ s getting. Then, they’ ll get some of the " same stuff’ and use it from then ' til doomsday. The writer has even seen them pay S50 for a gallon of a mysterious concoction, in a green jug, made in some little hamlet in Kentucky. Of course, the fallacy of such imitation— of feeding what the " great horse” got— is that the " name” horse might have been even greater had he been fed properly, and that there must be a reason why there are so few truly great horses. Also, the following searching question might well be asked: Why do many horses start trainingingreatphysical shape only to slow down, lose appetite, and be taken out of training for some rest? It’ s time for a change. Indeed, it’ s time for a change! There is no panacea in the horse business. Success cannot be achieved through witchcraft or old wives’ tales; some merely achieve it despite such handicaps. Instead, it calls for the combined best wit, wisdom and judgment of science, technology and practical experience.
We cannot feed the horse of today as we did yesterday and expect him to perform as the horse of tomorrow!
An Opportunity for Boys and Girls
Because boys and girls are our best products, I’ m always interested in new and ingenious opportunities for them. Here’ s one: during the month of July, each year, they can live and work on a small Montana horse-cattle ranch with a wonderful family. The owner is one of my former students, a top instructor in the Horse Science School, and on the staff of Montana State College. His wife is a graduate of Swathmore and Stanford. I refer to Mr. and Mrs. R. W. MILLER, Rocking M Ranch, Route 2, Bozeman, Montana. The Millers devote five weeks to this summer project, and acceptonly 5 boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 15; which is the age bracket of the Millers’ two boys and two girls. The guests live with the Miller family, and get an opportunity to help with cattle and horse work, haying, irrigating and fencing. Each one is assigned a horse, and given expert riding instruction. They even go on a five-day pack trip.
Mrs. Ensminger and I regret that this sort of thing wasn’ t available when our John was of this age. It’ s a real opportunity, and with a wonderful family. Because only 5 guests are accepted, you should book now for the summer of 1966, and in the years ahead. For rates and more information, write to the Millers at the address given above.
Western Boots
Western boots are more than a handsome trademark of the range. They’ re practical, too. The high heel is designed to give the wearer protection against losing his stirrups at critical moments; it prevents the foot from slipping through whenpressure is applied for quick stops and turns. The top protects the ankles and calves of the legs against inclement weather, brush, insects, and snakes. Modern western boots possess two added features, namely:( 1) comfort, and( 2) adaptation for walking, so that the wearer can walk without its being a painful experience.
28 VOICE of the Tennessee Walking Horse