1965-Voice Of The Tennessee Walking Horse 1965 March Voice | Page 8

EQUINE INDUSTRY
(Continued from Page 6)
WHY THE HORSE BOOM?
Obviously, we are in the midst of a horse boom.
Here are the reasons back of it:
1. Horses have become a status symbol. In the mid­
dle ages, the rich man rode a horse and the poor
man walked. When I was a boy, the rich man
rode in a horseless carriage and the poor man had
a horse. Today, the rich man has a horse and the
poor man has a car.
2. There are more and more race tracks, and these
have stimulated horse production.
3. More leisure time and more emphasis on physi­
cal fitness and the outdoors have accentuated in­
terest in horses.
4. More parents and others are coming to recognize
that horses are wonderful companions for boys
and girls; they shower their love and affection
on horses, the animals occupy their time, and the
youngsters don't get into trouble.
5. Many older folks associate horses with hot, dirty
work — I’m referring to draft horses and mules,
of course. However, in the thinking of the
younger generation, horses are fun. Today’s
youngsters never followed a “foot burner” (walk­
ing plow), and few of them would know how to
harness a draft horse.
LIKE TOPSY
Like topsy, the light horse industry grew, with­
out the benefit of any overall, central planning or
guidance. With the passing of the draft horse, a big
void was left when (1) the Horse and Mule Associa­
tion of America was inactivated. (2) the Army Re­
mount Service was stilled, and (3) those great draft
horse specialists of the U. S. Department of Agricul­
ture and our Land Grant Colleges retired in the
thirties and forties and were not replaced. Certainly,
many associations, organizations, and individuals
serving the industry are rendering yeoman service;
but their uncoordinated efforts are like so many pop
guns in an arsenal. There is a crying, but unfilled,
need for an overall organization, serving all horse­
men and all horse organizations and associations.
And time is of the essence of bringing this about.
Basically, most of the problems plaguing the
rapidly growing light horse industry stem from (1)
the inexperience of many of those entering it (but
far be it from most of them ever to admit that they're
amateurs), (2) the breeding and using of more horses
in suburban areas, rather than on farms and ranches,
(3) the cost-price squeeze, which is affecting all in­
dustries, and (4) tax authorities who fail to recognize
that much of the light horse industry is a legitimate
business with a profit potential — and not a hobby.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT
Specifically, what are the needs of the light
horse industry, and what action should be taken to
meet them? Here they are:
We Need More Enlightened and
Progressive Leadership
8
I am much more concerned about some of the
folks currently in positions of leadership in the light
horse industry than I am about their horses. The
areas giving me cause for anxiety are pointed up in
the challenges which follow:
I CHALLENGE HORSE BREED REGISTRIES
Most horse breed registries are doing a good
job. Generally speaking, they are staffed by dedi­
cated men and women who give unselfishly of their
time and talents for the good of the breed. In my
judgment, however, their programs would be
strengthened were they to—
1. Have their field staffs or paid representatives, openly
and with announced intention, to represent the buyer
rather than the seller. This is logical because they are
interested in establishing new breeders, and the latter
generally need help. This proposed innovation also
takes cognizance of the fact that “no man can serve
two masters.”
2. Make greater use of open registries; that is, register
certain animals even though both parents are not re­
corded. Set rigid stipulations and introduce needed
genes, openly and with benefit, to the breed. Usually
this is accomplished through an Appendix Registry
or a Tentative Registry, but with provisions to ad­
vance to foundation status. Currently, some such open
registry provision applies to the following breeds:
American Albino, Appaloosa, Connemara Pony, Mo­
rocco Spotted Horse, Palomino, Pinto, Pony of the
Americas, Quarter Horse, Standardbred and Tennessee
Walking Horse.
3. Make increased use of artificial insemination. Of the
light horse registries, only three accept foals produced
through A.I. without requiring either reinforcement by
natural service, use of non-frozen semen, or use of
semen on owner's place.
4. Channel more of their revenue into research and edu­
cation.
I CHALLENGE HORSE AUCTIONS
The old time central horse and mule markets of
the draft horse era have passed into oblivion. Oc­
casionally, unscrupulous traders plied their trade
tricks in these auctions. But, generally speaking,
those in charge of central horse markets prided
themselves on honesty and integrity.
Today, altogether too many horse auctions have
reverted to public gathering places where unsuspect­
ing buyers get fleeced by fast horse traders. It’s
time for a change. Otherwise, horse auctions will not
survive. As evidence of this statement, if any evi­
dence is needed, note (1) scarcity of buyers actually
remaining in the bleachers at the end of most horse
auctions, and (2) the number of high priced horses
that are not taken to new homes following many
sales.
I CHALLENGE HORSE SHOWS
The rule books — AHSA, state, and/or local
pretty much spell out the regulations governing the
classes; and the numerous details relative to adver­
tising, stabling, tickets, parking, concessions, etc.,
are much alike.
The keys to successful horse shows are:
1. Manager—He must know and have a flare for horse
shows, and he must operate as a benevolent dictator —
reach decisions and move.
2. Organization—The manager should prepare an organ­
ization chart and job descriptions; then select respon­
sible people, delegate responsibility, and correlate the
event.
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VOICE of The Tennessee Walking Horse