WHAT WE DO AFFECTS EVERYTHING

I’m passionate about horses. I own Arabian horses and have bred them for forty years. Horses led me to two other passions. They are people’s life choices and as a result, my writing. More than anything, I’ve always loved sharing what I know with others. What could be better than assisting others to fulfil THEIR passion?

It’s a wonderful thing to be involved with horses. The freedom that riding gives you and the sharing of the constant highs and lows teaches you humility when this huge animal puts such trust in you and agrees to all the demands placed upon him. You can find yourself swept away in awe living and working with horses.

But, these days hardly a week goes by without someone voicing their concerns for the horse industry in Australia and elsewhere. It doesn’t appear to be in great shape. When you think about the industries that involve horses you realise why there’s concern. There are more than enough horses to fill the requirements needed for things like primary production, sports and recreational interests. For purely pleasure breeds such as Arabian horses times are indeed difficult but it is all man made.

In saying this, I must mention that the advent of the baby-boomer generation deciding to scale back or stop breeding has had a profound effect on breed groups. It’s not only the Arabian breed that’s affected, I’ve discussed this point with thoroughbred breeders as well. Mind you this was no lily-livered generation. They were the fuel that pushed the Arabian breed forward during the 1970’s, 80’s and 90,s. Thanks should go to these breeders who assisted in paving the road to success internationally. Today the Australian Arabian is recognised as a superior individual worldwide.

It’s well known that Thoroughbred breeding and racing are the largest contributors to the Australian equine economy but we should note that other breeds make important economic and social contributions. These include camp drafting, rodeo, polocrosse, pony club, endurance riding, equestrian federation activities, pleasure and leisure riding.  In the last few years Arabian Racing is growing in popularity, offering breeders an incredible opportunity.

When you think about it, the horse industry draws like-minded people together. With the introduction of the Internet it doesn’t matter where you live or what country you’re from horse people are passionate and active in their respective breeds and disciplines.

With this in mind isn’t it time for us all to take responsibility for the horses we breed. Take the time to inform and share the many ways potential friends and clients could experience owning a horse. This became our motto for the people who came to our stud. I vowed to share my knowledge once I acquired information worth sharing. When we purchased our first Arabian horses knowledge was not shared. You know the movie with the line, ‘give me the money’ that is my earliest recollection of Arabian horse people. Not a great recommendation but we were not to be put off; we paved our own road and decided to manage our stud our way even if it was different to others.

Later with our visitors we learned to channel the ideas and ideals enjoying some fabulous discussions. It became second nature to spend hours night after night on the telephone. When people came to stay they could witness far more than a stylised version of owning horses. They saw the reality.

Can I let you in on a little secret? I can count on one hand the number of times we ever had to advertise a specific horse for sale in the forty years we bred Arabian horses. Most were sold as youngsters and yes, we had a short list of people asking for specific horses should we ever wish to sell them. If we decided to sell we rang them and the horse was sold. I accredit this to the time we spent with people so they knew we could be trusted. Granted we were not a stud that bred lots of foals, usually what we could manage ourselves. At most we bred four, but mostly we bred two foals per season. That was our choice but one that served us well in any economic climate. And yes, we always thought ahead, constantly asking where we wanted to be in five years …

At present in Australia there are more horses being bred than are needed. This has happened before and in the Arabian world it’s usually around every ten years or so. Breed, breed, breed, oversupply, prices fall, sell at any cost or give away. I won’t go into the great number of unwanted.
Where has our common sense gone? Have breeders been so motivated and focused on themselves they forget the consequences of their actions? If you’re nodding yes, you have already realised we live in a very self-absorbed society.

One thing breeders need to remember is that everyone has to buy from someone and if a breeder hasn’t put forth any effort to share their passion, a positive outlook combined with knowledge of the past and an honest optimism for the future why would their horses be chosen. When was the last time someone who didn’t know anything about horses come to meet your horses?

Do you know if EVERY horse owner  introduced their horses to one new, interested person the number of people who would return or in time buy a horse could probably double? These people may ride and want a horse that is friendly and broken to saddle. So now I ask, do you break in your horses?

Now here’s another secret and one that could make a funny story, so don’t laugh but I broke in our first horses, two part bred fillies purchased back in 1973 using Tom Roberts’s amazing books. If I can do it why can’t you?

Again, think about if we double the number of people who are in the process of deciding they would now love to own a horse. What do you do about it? Hard sell, harass them with phone calls? I like another way.

I once wrote – ‘How many breeders have stood beside their horses closed their eyes and looked at them through their fingertips? Tracing the small pointed ears, sliding down the broad forehead into the slight indent above the eye cage, cupping the eye and feeling it slowly close relaxed as eyelashes tickle your palm. Slide your fingertips around the large jowl then across and down the structure of the tear bone onto the velvet soft muzzle and finally around the nostrils.’
I’ve done this with visitors and the expression on their face shows an instant connection with the horse. Everyone knows the power of touch and smell.

Earlier in the year I had a person from the local supermarket come out to buy a copy of my book Tails Carried High. She asked to see the horses so I took her down the hill to visit with Sarah, Shaina, Sima and Sorsha. Sarah remained standing beside the woman as the others wandered back up the paddock; she somehow connected with this woman who was overwhelmed when the dear old mare lifted her muzzle and blew lightly into the woman’s face. I told her to blow gently back into Sarah’s nostril who again blew onto her cheek. They spoke their own language. The action made this woman’s visit very special. Every time I see this dear lady in supermarket she asks me if I would sell her Sarah and when can she come again. Yes, she’s been back and no, my darling Sarah is with us forever!

I encourage everyone to invite someone who is interested in horses to their farm and have them enjoy the experience of seeing your horses through their fingertips. Then allow your friendliest horse to blow on their face. I guarantee they will love it. Children become hysterical with laugher. I’m sure I don’t need to tell anyone about the importance of introducing the next generation to our horses?

So now I’m back where I began. I’m passionate about horses. I own Arabian horses and have bred them for forty years. Horses led me to two other passions. The first is a fascination in people’s life choices and as a result my writing. More than anything I’ve always loved sharing what I know with others. What could be better than sharing a passion? It’s time to become a glass half-full type of person. The past has shown us the fragility of the passion we all enjoy. Shouldn’t we learn from the past and travel every conceivable pathway  to a place where we do better for the horses we love. Be generous; share your passion with newcomers and never forget that those passion filled encounters might help save an industry. Your own industry.