Committment...

From Jim: Equines live a long time by "pet" standards. They are "useful" for a limited time during their life-if unrestricted riding is the measure. They take years to mature, months and months to train, constant care all of the time, and additional care when asked to work rigorously. They age out of hard work, like all of us, and, eventually, need to be completely retired. The least committed owners want the best years of a horse's life, then that animal is discarded for another prime critter, and so on and so on. This applies to all the riding disciplines from racing, to eventing, to rodeo, to recreational, to breeding, to showing, to any equine activity. These owners, in my opinion, are completely irresponsible and are, in no way, horsemen or women. They are users and verge on being abusers. The true horse person knows they have assumed a life time obligation for the animal. They understand the realities and limitations that, as living things, horses have. Colts can't be hurried in their growth and development. Training is time and talent and money consuming. Responsible use always puts the animal's welfare first. Retirement, from lightened work to full "out to pasture" time is part of the deal. 25, 35, or more years is a long road. That's what having a horse is about. If you're not up for that, try gerbils!