So, basically, this has really been bugging me lately just in general not because I've had any horrible experiences with it but because I know it exists and I know that it affects too many horse owners in one way or another, whether they realize it or not.
I just think that there are way too many judgments based on horse breed. Agree with me or not, challenge my opinions, whatever you want to do. But I'm personally sick of how people base prestige off a horse's registry (or lack thereof), and a horse's worth is based off their receipt rather than talent.
Of course, I think that there are some valid parts to such generalizations. When one thinks barrel racing, statistically one would probably lean towards a quarter horse, whereas dressage lends another hand towards warmbloods. But who is to judge which sport is most prestigious, and which breed has the most worth?
BEAUTY IS SUBJECTIVE. It extends beyond what the horse "market" has to say. While one may prefer the tall sleek thoroughbred, another may prefer the miniature horse, another may prefer the stockier strong quarter horse. Who is to judge and who is to say?
Yes. Of course price of a horse often has deeper significance due to factors such as training, pedigree, etc... clearly, or at least most likely, a horse with a broken/inbred pedigree with a chronic health condition will not be sold for as much as a Triple Crown winning racehorse. But in God's eyes, or in the eyes of the earth (whether or not you're religious, this conversation does not regard religion), does that really make a horse worth more? Do our opinions really change what things are realistically?
I think it's a shame that many horse-people (I consider myself a horse-person obviously) have consciously or even subconsciously defined their breed stereotypes and opinions in their head and make no effort to conquer those generalizations, maybe because we think they're actually valid.
Quarters horses DO dressage, DO race on the track. Thoroughbreds DO dressage, DO western. A warmblood could barrel race. Yeah, it might sound weird because it isn't something we are used to...
And for anyone who tells me you can't get a good horse for less than a few thousands dollars, heck with that statement. You can get an amazing and incredible horse for free.
Like I said, you don't have to agree with me, but this is how I feel. I'm open to *respectful* argumentation and dialogue regarding my opinions and I hope you'll consider my perspective on this quite valid issue.
I just think that there are way too many judgments based on horse breed. Agree with me or not, challenge my opinions, whatever you want to do. But I'm personally sick of how people base prestige off a horse's registry (or lack thereof), and a horse's worth is based off their receipt rather than talent.
Of course, I think that there are some valid parts to such generalizations. When one thinks barrel racing, statistically one would probably lean towards a quarter horse, whereas dressage lends another hand towards warmbloods. But who is to judge which sport is most prestigious, and which breed has the most worth?
BEAUTY IS SUBJECTIVE. It extends beyond what the horse "market" has to say. While one may prefer the tall sleek thoroughbred, another may prefer the miniature horse, another may prefer the stockier strong quarter horse. Who is to judge and who is to say?
Yes. Of course price of a horse often has deeper significance due to factors such as training, pedigree, etc... clearly, or at least most likely, a horse with a broken/inbred pedigree with a chronic health condition will not be sold for as much as a Triple Crown winning racehorse. But in God's eyes, or in the eyes of the earth (whether or not you're religious, this conversation does not regard religion), does that really make a horse worth more? Do our opinions really change what things are realistically?
I think it's a shame that many horse-people (I consider myself a horse-person obviously) have consciously or even subconsciously defined their breed stereotypes and opinions in their head and make no effort to conquer those generalizations, maybe because we think they're actually valid.
Quarters horses DO dressage, DO race on the track. Thoroughbreds DO dressage, DO western. A warmblood could barrel race. Yeah, it might sound weird because it isn't something we are used to...
And for anyone who tells me you can't get a good horse for less than a few thousands dollars, heck with that statement. You can get an amazing and incredible horse for free.
Like I said, you don't have to agree with me, but this is how I feel. I'm open to *respectful* argumentation and dialogue regarding my opinions and I hope you'll consider my perspective on this quite valid issue.