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We reserve the right to edit letters for length and in some cases to correct grammar, spelling, etc. Our apologies for any errors we may miss or fail to correct. Your Letters Canadian Connection Your "Publishers' Message: Life is good!" (Summer 2004) really put a smile on my face, as my family has seen the blessings of a life with horses. I had never really thought much about the advantages I had growing up with a horse, I knew I was lucky, but it never really dawned on me just what effect it has had on my life until recently. My father told me, not long ago, of a conversation he once had with one of his clients. My father had begun telling his client of my gaited Standardbred mare he had purchased for me back when she and I were both still "kids". He listed off the costs of owning a horse to his client and when the client expressed his disbelief at how crazy my father had to be for spending so much money on JUST a horse, my father said to him, "At least I always knew where she was, not on the streets, like most kids today, and away from much more costly It's not until now that I have grown up and can appreciate the kind of stress a parent must go through that I am beginning to understand the true luxury of a "horse-filled" life - and that is a GOOD life! Thanks for helping us all see what having a horse in our lives is all about. E. Pierce, Canada My spouse, who is just learning to ride, introduced me to your magazine. I enjoy reading it very much and have been impressed with the focus on respect and love for these horses and particularly the articles on how these horses heal us as much as we heal them ("Standardbred by Birth, Racking by Gait and Speed by the Grace of God!" Fall I own a Missouri Fox Trotter, which I had leased from a friend at Windgait Farms, Ontario (who was key to introducing gaited horses in the area) for long distance riding on the Niagara Escarpement in Ontario, Can. The escarpment is part of the cross Canada trail with wonderful biodiversity and challenging trails and terrain, an important aquifer for a region being decimated by encroaching urbanization. I picked my Missouri Fox Trotter above the other gaited horses because of his versatility. I have been a dressage rider all my life and he is now trained in basic dressage and jumping. His gait has not been ruined; in fact, it appears when he is softest and roundest. I do not care what other dressage riders think. I enjoy it and my back, which is aging like myself, appreciates it. I am 46. I would love to hear from other Fox Trotter owners who have used them for dressage and jumping. I know this goes against how most Fox Trotter s are ridden. My Fox Trotter is also used as a school horse. My spouse has severe back pain at times, yet riding my Fox Trotter has not aggravated this. I now reside outside Regina Beach, Saskatchewan, on beautiful acreage with sheep, chickens and my Fox Trotter and his wife Silouette, a little Quarter Horse. There is a breeder of Fox Trotters here! Erin Fletcher, Regina Beach, Sask, Canada Kid Connection I am 10 years old and have two Tennessee Walkers. They are fun to ride. I show in shows in New Mexico. We just got our second Tennessee Walker. His name is AMERICA'S GLORY OF BLAZE. He is only five years old. He is cool. He was born on the Fourth of July. My horse probably thinks the fireworks are about him. I live in Belen and I probably would show anywhere in New Mexico. I am in Novice showmanship. Soon I will be in Junior. I only have two more years to go, I hope it will be fun. also do barrels and poles. It's fun to go fast! Amber, Belen, NM Susie Inspires! I read about Susie Wright in The Gaited Horse magazine, (Fall 2004) and want to thank you for a wonderful article. I have Psoriatic Arthritis, similar to RA, and my hands, feet, hips etc. are affected. I use a specialized crutch or walker and have a wheelchair for extreme days. I love horses and had a big 'ol mare that was just too much for me o handle. Through a friend, I was able to get a small, but wonderful Spotted Saddle Horse. She helps me up and down hills and adjusts to the step so I can mount etc. Still, I was fearful of doing too much. I wanted to... but... Thank you so much for your inspiration. Becky Garland, Clarksville, TN Horse Share While the article "Horse Share, a Brazilian Take on the Horse Business" was interesting, there were major errors in the information that was provided. Most notably on the importing experience and the treatment of Piroplasmosis. All of the horses named as being directly imported by Mr. Mesquita were in fact imported directly by Regal Legacy Farms, in the U.S. (2001-2002) and exported by Mr. Ademar Magon in Brazil. Mr. Mesquite acted solely as an agent/tour guide and sold a couple of his horses to Regal Legacy. He has not directly exported horses to the U.S. In the spring of 2003, he sold horses to Cascade Marchadores, OR. They have yet to clear the treatment for Piroplasmosis in over a year, and therefore cannot be imported into the U.S. until they are clear. Readers must be made aware that some horses can fail treatment when they enter the U.S. We have just had this occur. The horse had to be shipped back at the breeder's xpense rather than be put down. Additional quarantine charges were also incurred. This resulted in a loss of a horse and thousands of dollars. It is advisable to work through an xperienced U.S. importer rather than go it alone. Linda Holst, registrar MMHAA (Mangalarga Marchador Horse Association of America) Share your thoughts! |