Replies

To: HairOfTheDog

Well, then I don't understand why people do it...any more then I understand bronc riders, and bull riders...

And I also know that jumping is hard on a horse, usually breaks them down before they would if they weren't jumping.

Just don't get it.

Becky

The above quote is a start.

As for your remark about name dropping, you will note that I said up front that I never met George Morris.

Therefore, it is not name dropping to refer to his teaching methods.

No more than if I were to quote a line from one of his many books and articles.

If I wanted to impress you with name dropping, I am quite sure I could. You might be surprised at the names of persons who I do know.

But all of that is beside the point.

It is a disservice to a very large part of our horse world to say that it causes horses damage, when it fact it does so only when and if abused and that is a totally different matter.

As for not understanding why people want to jump horses, the best answer is what has already been given. It is a rush. It is like down hill skiing, which I do not do but I with which I can emphasize.

No matter how many fences you have jumped, the next one is as big a thrill as the first one you jumped 66 years ago.

Each jump is an exercise in timing, coordination and cooperation between the horse and the rider. Move your hands or shift your weight at the wrong time, even in the most imperceptible manner, and you either throw the horse's timing off, or his balance, or signal to him that you are nervous, and you get either a bad jump or a refusal.

There is also the willpower and self control involved in getting forward when your own instinct for self preservation tells you to sit back or "brace".

Very few go through what it takes to be a good jump rider believing they are ruining the horse.

By the way, good jumpers bring big money. $25,000....$250,000...whatever.

I have a good friend that once sold a jumper for $1,000,000.

I am not in close touch with that end of the horse business now so I have no idea what the record is now.

But the point is that kind of horse gets treated like a baby, or a movie star.

It is a disservice to a very large part of our horse world to say that it causes horses damage, when it fact it does so only when and if abused and that is a totally different matter.

I don't care what it's a disservice to, it's my opinion. High impact sports is hard on joints, jumping is high impact....Jumping for the thrill it gives the rider is selfish at best. JMO.

y the way, good jumpers bring big money. $25,000....$250,000...whatever. I have a good friend that once sold a jumper for $1,000,000.

Which proves there is a fool born every day:) IMO.

Give me a break lady. I stated my opinion, you disagree...but you have given absolutely no facts to change my opinion, you've just spouted off opinions. That's fine, that's what this forum is for.

Becky

But the point is that kind of horse gets treated like a baby, or a movie star.

No, he's treated as a star athlete. He gets the best money can buy for as long as he stays sound. If he doesn't, he gets sold down the river.

That's not a value judgment, really, just the truth. Horses of that caliber aren't pets, they're a means to an end, and that end is sport. If they don't match the pace needed, a horse will be found that will.

Becky gave two opinions... one... that she doesn't get the mindset of those who would want to do it. So what? And jumping does break down horses before they would if they weren't jumping. I don't know anyone in the sport who wouldn't acknowledge it carries quite a bit of risk of injury, both short and long term. Any hard athletic endeavor does.