1963-Voice Of The Tennessee Walking Horse 1963 August Voice | Page 12

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
10 August , 1963
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
By Virginia Lamb
Q — Are there any pleasure breeders in your area with horses of good quality at a reasonable price ? If so , can you ' tell me where they are located and would it be possible to visit them ? 1 will be in your area sometime during August .
A — I do not know what you mean by " reasonable ”, but I will say definitely yes , we do have breeders with good quality horses in the immediate area . You can visit any one of the following breeders : Allan T . Olson , Sr ., and you can reach him at the Brighton Sand and Gravel Co . Box 7001 , Perkins Branch , Sacramento , California or call EMpire 3-2603 . You can also call Lester or Helen Porter at YUkon 8-2851 or visit them at 6444 Hickory , Orangevale , California . You might also contact Ken and Cynthia Morris at Route # 2 , Box 2828 , Loomis , California . Their number is Oliver 2-73-15 . I am sure any one of these fine people would be happy to help you in any way possible and welcome you for just a visit if you so desire .
Q — I read with interest all of your articles and would like to know the following : Do you ever take in outside horses for training ? Do you train show slock ? What kind of facilities do you have if you train for outsiders ? Try as I might , I find I was not cut out to train my own horses and I need HELP !
A — Yes , I do take in outside horses for training . No , 1 do not train show stock at all , just western pleasure and trail horses ( some English pleasure ). I use a training barn with an indoor training area during bad weather , but have several miles of training trails across the road , and the use of a ring when needed . Most of the horses are taken on actual rides before being returned to the individual owners , making sure they are ‘ ready ’ for the new rider .
Q — I am trying to find out about what it would cost me to have a horse trained for the show ring . Is it expensive ? My folks say I shouldn ’ t even think of such a thing . I am sixteen years old . Please tell me what you think .
A — This is a common question . I think , and I use the word think because I do not know your finances , that it may be wise to listen to your parents . I cannot give you actual figures because I am not familiar with the actual training price all over the state , but I can give you what is a possible average . One , it would cost an average of 3100-00 a month to have the horse trained and kept in training . Keep this in mind , a show horse has to be kept in a constant state of training so that he does not slip . Two , it costs an average of 325.00 to have the horse re-shod every six weeks ( depending on the horse ) and about $ 10.00 to have the horses shoes re-set , which is quite often ( here again it depends upon the horse ). Three , The entrance fees may run anywhere from $ 5-00 to 325.00 or more for one class , then there is the stall rent , about § 12.00 , plus incidentals too numerous to mention . You have to take into consideration the cost of transportation to and from the shows which may vary according to the distance . If you have to rent a trailer , it will cost you approximately 56.00 a day for the trailer . If you can actually afford to own and exhibit a show horse , then full speed ahead . It ’ s a wonderful sport , a lot of fun and truly show good sportsmanship . You are at a good age for showing these horses , and if you are really interested , it may prove to be worth your effort . If you cannot afford it , and be honest with yourself , then listen to your mom and dad and wait until you have a good job and can go it on your own .
Q — I own a young stallion and hate to think of having him altered , but I want to use him as a pleasure horse . I am not particularly interested in using him lor breeding . I feel I am getting too old for that sort of thing and I definitely do no want to sell him since I owned his mother during most of her living years . What do you think ?
A — Owning a stallion is fine if , ( 1 ) he has top bloodlines , ( 2 ) is good enough to remain a stallion , ( 3 ) you are planning on using him for breeding purposes , ( 4 ) have the proper facilities for maintaining a stallion and ( 5 ) do not leave him a stallion just for the sake of ‘ owning a stallion ’. I am going to leave myself wide open for comment here by saying that we already have too many stallions and only a very few really worth remaining such . If you have a good horse but do not intend to use him as a stallion , then by all means have him altered ] then he will make you a truly good pleasure horse . If you have ever thought of using him for anything other than pleasure , then be sure he is absolutely the right kind to remain a stallion , but do not ever base your decision for not cutting him because he is ‘ just too pretty ’ or ' I can ’ t stand the thought ’ or ‘ I ’ ve always wanted to own a stallion ’ or possibly a hundred other unsound reasons . A stallion never makes the perfect pleasure horse , so my advice is " Don ’ t own one just for the sake of owning one .”
Q — Help ! 1 have a horse that paces most of the time . 1 was lead to believe that nil Walking Horses have a natural walk . Is this true ? If so , why does mine pace ? He is papered and I have been told he has good breeding . I am quite new at this sort of thing .
A — If you are quite new at the game as you state , then my first advice to you is to purchase the Biography of the Tennessee Walking Horse and learn of their history and background . In this book you will find that their pedigree includes some of the most famous pacing Standardbreds in history . You often find a Walker can trot , too , although this is not near as common as pacing . It is nothing to be ashamed of , and with the proper handling , the horse can be led into the proper walk that the famous Walking Horse is noted for . Sometimes you can do this yourself , and sometimes not , but sound reasoning , after knowing the history of the Walker , you will find that many of these fine horses will pace until they are ‘ helped ’ into the gait they were bred for . 1 hope this helps you to understand the reason why some of these horses pace .
Q — This may be a strange question , but since we live in a small town and there are no near Walking Horse owners or showmen , in the vicinity , ( my family and I have lived here for two months ) would you consent to putting on an exhibition here with your horse , or would you know of anyone who would ? We would like to establish more interest in the breed here .
A — I would be happy to exhibit my horse if possible in order to promote the Walking Horse in areas where they are ‘ unknown ’ to build up the interest in them . If I could not do it , I am quite sure there are many others around here who could and would for the same reason . I am sure we could exhibit ’ the Walker in all of their many uses .
Q — I would very much like to learn more about the Walking Horse , but I am afraid I am a straight , dyed-inthe-wool Westerner , and want to know if these horses are rugged enough for the way of go I am used to ? I know that I will have to be schooled on these horses , and my main question
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