“Is it a need or a want?”
The horse show world is well, competitive. One needs to be well mounted and well turned-out to be a player. Off-balance, however, the consumer falls into Consumerism – use it and replace it.
When I began judging horse shows, I was struck by how little influence fashion trends had on my scorecard compared to performance and penalties.
After spending many years in the show ring, many hours attending to grooming details and many dollars on tack and turnout, I’m more inclined to ask “Is it a need or a want?” Will this influence the judges or impress only those outside the show ring?
Humans show pain through facial expressions. These have been coded and used to assess the discomfort of patients who can’t communicate their suffering in other ways. Now the Horse Grimace Scale has been developed. Help to guide trainers, owners and vets in the determination of equine pain and its care…
Refusing to go over a jump or into the ring.. Head shaking. A canter that just feels “flat”.
Is it me or my horse?
Is it pain or a behaviour issue? Here are some of the questions I ask when I’m faced with a horse puzzle…