Ride #2 on the new gaited mare

I still don't know what to expect when I get on my new gaited mare. For those who don't know, a few weeks ago I bought my first gaited horse, after a lifetime of riding those "trotters" (and I still have three Morgans in my barn so I am not giving up trotting)

But to keep up with the Jones, who are "gaiting out" down the trail and look like they could be holding a glass of wine (beer?) without spilling a drop.... well, I thought I'd give it a try. I mean the gaiting, not the wine.

So Callie and I rode in Mt. Sterling last weekend on an 800 acre farm belonging to friend Edith. Callie was totally nervous for the first 10 minutes, showing me some side passes and complicated dressage moves I didn't know she had. HA! As nervous as she was, she was happier out front than in back. "DON'T LEAVE ME BEHIND" was what her body language was saying. The other horses pretty much ignored her.

The first challenge was a creek crossing. I found out on ride #1 that she doesn't like crossing running water (puddles are OK). This creek crossing required a drop down a small bank and into the water. Her brakes went on. Edith came back (on her trusty mule) and Callie followed his butt down the bank and across the water.

Next, I learned lesson #1 about gaiting. It's smooth for a while then gets bumpy. I understand these gaited horses have a sweet spot where they are smooth as silk, but just as quickly they can fall into a rough spot, if they are going too fast, or if you don't have enough handle on their mouth. It's a touch you have to learn - hold back while putting on the leg.

Callie didn't need much leg on this ride. She was out ahead, gaiting when I'd let her, and seemed to be looking for something ahead. Was she just trying to find the way back ot the trailer, so the old lady could get off her back? Or was she just curious about what was over the next hill?

We had about four creek crossings on that ride, and the good news is that by the end of the ride, she was just a bit hesitant but not resisting badly. A little encouragement and she was stepping into the water like a pro. My pasture at home has a big creek in it (REALLY BIG with the rain we just had..) so Callie will get lots of chances to get her feet wet.

It was a gorgeous day, we watched two herds of deer bound away across the fields, a gaggle of wild turkeys, a few squirrels, and birds swooping overhead. Sun overhead, wildlife around, good friends and their horses... and my new gaited mare. What could be better?

Is It Just the Economy, Stupid?

There has been an on-going discussion among all of the equine experts (ie all of us, all horse people are experts, right?) whether or not the dismal state of the horse economy is just a matter of the national economy rub-off.

Those in racing know it is more than that, with the lack of competitiveness with other states due to no gaming in Kentucky.

But putting the gaming issue aside, the question is: When the economy recovers in the U.S. (and abroad), will the horse industry bounce back to former levels?

Two schools of thought:
1. YES. Horses take money (as do all forms of recreation), therefore more jobs = more money = more horse buyers and riders= more customers for equine professionals (and increased prices for horses)

2. NO. Horses have been on a slow downward slide as a recreational pursuit even prior to the recession, and will continue that downward slide unless something is done.

Honestly, I would prefer the first answer. If it was just a matter of the economy, that would take some of the responsibility off of all of our shoulders, wouldn't it. It would require just a "grin and bear it" attitude, waiting out the economy, and hoping someone somewhere (Washington DC? Frankfort KY? Hong Kong?) would solve the fiscal problems on behalf of all of the world's citizens, and then - bingo - we are back in business with horses.

But honestly, I am afraid the answer might be #2. I'm not a pessimist but a realist. So the question is: What can we do to ensure that "horses as recreation and business opportunities" bounce back when the economy comes back? Whatever it is we do, we need to work on it now, so we are ready to hit the road running.

I have always liked that phrase "Pull yourself up by your own bootstraps." Where are our bootstraps, and can we work together on getting them pulled?

What does the horse community need to do for itself....to capitalize on the fact that most people are attracted to the beauty and power of a horse?