musing of the day - second chances...

How many horses are never given a chance to show what they can be? I
have known many horses that will never be more than a slightly nutty
nag, along with a few crazies and unsound, unfit for riding or breeding
types. Unless they are lucky enough to have someone to love and care for
them, I am sadly accepting of the fact that these horses usually end up
at the slaughterhouse at some point. This does upset me, but it seems a
little easier to swallow than allowing the population of "useless"
horses being starved in dirt paddocks to grow.

But what about the gems of horses that meet the same fate, who, if
plucked out of that situation by someone equipped to train/feed up and
rehome them, could have a second chance at a happy and useful future?

Whether they are a quiet gentleman suited to a novice rider, or a
phenomenal mare born to event - there are so many that have either the
temperament or talent to become a rider's new best friend or superstar.

I keep telling myself I'll never buy "another bloody racehorse!" but the
truth is...I enjoy it. I enjoy riding hot horses and giving the
unnoticed diamond in the rough a second chance. I could save a lot of
money in the long run by outlaying a small amount for a nice but average
warmblood...or I could spend "meat money" on the racehorse that doesn't
look like much, YET. I've picked option B four times so far, and each
time have ended up with a horse I never could have afforded to purchase
had it been of warmblood breeding. Fingers crossed Miss Ziggy will bloom
into something special like the others did - but that isn't the point.
The point is, that by being open minded and looking past nice topline,
fat, and a shiny coat, I have found some exceptional horses that would
have gone unnoticed and quite likely to a sad fate had I chosen not to
look past their condition or lack of training.

So next time you're in the market...don't look past the cheapies that
need work if you're equipped to deal with the challenge they present, be
that financial, time wise, or in their training. Many are duds, but the
nice ones are worth the effort and often have the potential to eclipse
their high-price-tag, warmblooded competition in the future. In four
words, ALWAYS BE OPEN MINDED!