March 2020 Issue

EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN March 2020 Page 69 Go ahead...Ask da Mare By Malorie de la Mare Dear Mal… This may seem to be a really silly thing to worry about, or maybe not. I recently spent $150 to be part of a clinic at a nearby farm. The clinic featured a “famous” instructor who was supposed to provide participants feedback on their basic riding skills. So far, so good. I got my horse ready, warmed him up, bathed him, cleaned up the tack and took him to the clinic site. There were a lot of people who paid for this clinic, and the in- structor decided that the best way to proceed was for each horse/ rider pair to trot into the ring, do a figure eight, canter a circle and jump a small crossrail. Two hours into the clinic, my horse and I finally had our moment—and “moment” is not an exaggeration. After we had completed the fig- ure eight, the circle and the small jump, the instructor said this to me: “I don’t like that saddle on that horse.” I asked what he meant, and he pointed to the next rider in line and said “Next.” I was stunned, then angry. I com- plained to the farm manager, who told me she had no control over what the instructor was going to do. But then I worried about what the guy said about my saddle. He would not speak with me after he dismissed me from the ring, and I took my horse and went home, sad and feeling like I had just blown $150 for nothing. What should I do about the saddle? My horse doesn’t seem to mind it, and he seems comfortable when we’re riding. Should I get some- one to take a look at it? -Ripped Off Rider Dear Rider… What a miserable experience you had! I’m so sorry that this “famous” instructor was so ar- rogant and obnoxious. Both you and your horse deserved better, and the farm manager owes you and all the other people who paid for this “clinic” an apology. To begin, anyone who spends only a minute observing a horse and rider has no business criticizing the horse’s saddle— especially if he refuses to say precisely what is wrong with it. People who fit saddles for a living take a lot of time looking at the way a horse moves, feeling where the horse’s saddle fits, examining signs that point to an ill-fitting saddle, etc. The point is that these people truly care about how well your tack fits your horse. If you’re worried about your saddle, and you are working with an instructor, ask about it. Otherwise, you can check with your veterinarian the next time he or she visits your horse. But if you’ve not noticed anything in ‘Famous’ Clinician Rips Off Rider your horse’s behavior (you know him better than anyone), then relax and enjoy riding him. This instructor was obviously unpre- pared to do anything in the clinic other than accept his over-pay- ment for it. Sorry. Not sorry. Dear Mal… I saw a picture of a horse whose feet looked like he was wearing elf shoes. It was horrible, and the caption in the picture indicated the horse had not had any foot care from a farrier in months, if not years. The poor thing was barely able to walk, and I couldn’t imagine what his life must have been like before someone rescued him. It made me wonder about what happens to all the wild horses out west? Why don’t their feet get all dis- torted and misshapen? -Curious Dear Curious… A very good question, Curi- ous. Let’s think about the daily life of the horses we know well— our pampered (I hope they’re pampered!) equines. They live in nice barns, with easy access to fresh water. They get meals delivered—nutritious grain, sup- plemented with hay and possibly (if they’re very pampered) snacks like apples and carrots. They have the luxury of spending part of their time in the pasture just standing in the sun, enjoying life. Now let’s consider the life of the wild mustang, on the plains of Montana, North Dakota, etc. Since they don’t have free and regular delivery of food, they have to forage for it. And water? That too requires some travel. The wild mustangs spend their days roaming for miles, looking for food and water. Their feet are groomed by nature, shaped by their somewhat nomadic lives. You’ll often find pictures of the “perfect” feet of wild horses, with beautifully-rounded contours. What you won’t see are pictures of the horses whose feet are damaged to the point where they can’t keep up with their herds. That’s because they usually don’t survive. Unable to find food, or to escape from predators, these unfortunate horses face daunting challenges. The horses in our lives need regular foot care because—even if they’re out in the pasture all day long—they don’t put in as many miles as their counterparts on the Great Plains do. That doesn’t mean they need shoes. Lots of horses do very well shoeless, but with regular trimming and care. The horse whose picture you saw may be doing well now because someone rescued him. And rescuers are amazing heroes and heroines who deserve our praise, thanks and support. They confront heart- breaking situations, and summon the strength of will to get past the profound sorrow to take action. Have a question for Mal? Email her at PAEquest@aol. com.