ARABIAN HORSES – What we do affects everything (Round 2)

written by Carmel Rowley

*Salah Sihr (dec) straight Egyptian stallion imported from the US by D&C Rowley

Painting ‘Morning Run’ by David Lloyd Collins UK

These days there’s no way to get around the fact that I’m no longer young. Though I’m still young at heart and thoroughly enjoy mixing and talking to all ages. So if I take the time to think about where I am in my life, I’m pretty happy. Yes life has tossed me a few curve balls this year but I know many others are either suffering the same situation or facing worse.

I’ve always been up for a challenge, you have to be in order to stick at and breed Arabian horses for forty years. It was horses that led me to two other passions, which includes why people make specific life choices and, 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 the demands you place upon him. It’s easy to 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 we are at a critical turning point because the baby boomers who are the 5.5 million people born between 1946 and 1965 – have begun to turn upwards of 65 years of age. The advent of the baby-boomer generation deciding to scale back or to stop breeding has had a profound effect on breed groups. It’s not only the Arabian breed that’s affected,
I’ve also discussed this point with thoroughbred breeders. Mind it’s worth a mention that the baby-boomers are no lily-livered generation. They were the fuel that pushed the Arabian breed forward during the 1960’s 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s.

Pearsons Vogue by David Lloyd Collins

People now in their fifties will be bringing to later life a range of life experiences and expectations that are profoundly different from those of previous generations. There’s much to learn about patience and dedication from the baby boomers. New breeders should look to them for advice. They are the first generation to face an expectation of a decade or two of relatively healthy life after retirement.

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 is a massive contributor 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 should they decide to think outside the square and take the opportunity. But now it’s time for Generation X to make their mark. (birth dates ranging from the early 1960s to the early 1980s).

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 regardless of when you were born isn’t it time to take responsibility for the horses we breed. Take the time to inform and share the many ways that potential friends and clients could experience owning an Arabian horse. I know this became our motto for the people who visited 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’s my earliest recollection of Arabian horse people. Not a great recommendation but that’s life and it could be why horse people have such a terrible reputation in the wider community.

We weren’t put off by people’s opinion of what we were doing because WE KNEW what we wanted, done lots of homework and paved our own road. We decided to manage our stud our way even if it was different to others.

Later with our visitors we learned to channel all our ideas and ideals into 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.

Simeon Sarah by David Lloyd Collins

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, the popular look until there’s an oversupply, prices fall, and 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 or simply wish for a horse that’s friendly and broken to saddle.

So now I ask, do you break in your horses? I’ve heard, I can’t do that so many times I can’t keep count.

Now here’s another secret and one that could make a funny story, it’s fine you can laugh – but I broke in our first horses, two part bred fillies 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 love to own a horse. What do you do about it? Hard sell, harass them with phone calls? I like another way.

I encourage everyone to invite someone who is interested in horses to their farm and have them enjoy the experience of seeing your horses not only with their eyes but through their fingertips, touch. Then allow your friendliest horse to blow on their face. I guarantee they will love it. Children become hysterical with delight.

Surely 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 Arabian horses 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.