RelentlessMinis
Active Member
Hey there,
First off I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Kelbi, I am 17 years old and from Texas. I currently have shown AMHA, Pinto, and Open show circuits this year, at the World and local level, and would like to take the opportunity to voice my opinion on AMHA/AMHR and their way of running.
First off, I should state my "horse" background, as I think it's a big reflection on my personal views. I have been in the horse industry for about ten years now. Starting out with roping and rodeo, then later transferring over to the hunter/jumper world, then in to the pleasure/quarter horse disciplines eventually after that. I have spent summers working 9-5 under professional colt starters, reining trainers, and natural horsemanship specialists. I am only 17, but I have had a good taste of a few different associations and industries for my age and I feel like I have definitely gained something from each, good or bad. I train all of my own miniatures. I have never had one of my horses professionally trained. I have broken multiple horses to drive, and my horses truly excell in the halter/driving/showmanship/obstacle classes at the open shows and AMHA show level.
I have heard so much lately on how AMHA is going downhill, or people being unhappy with the registry in general. It makes me wonder if part of the reason there are so many issues is because of the standard of how the horses are shown, and the "goals" people have for their horses. A big problem I see from outside the ring is the "average joe" exhibitors having trouble "getting ears" or "getting a good neck stretch" and their horse looking "too relaxed" while on the other end there is the trainer with his/her horse all flared up, eyes wide open, horse looking like it is about to explode. I personally think the root of this is from the fact that a trainer does not get "personal" with their horses in training. They want their horses to be on fire in the ring, I've heard trainers say they want their horse "scared of them." While on the other hand, the average joes gives their horse lots of attention and training, to try and excel in the show ring, causing their horse to become "relaxed" while showing and end up getting the gate.
I personally can not stand this. To me, I see no joy in my animal fearing me. I've witnessed people "hyping up" their horses before they go in the ring. I think that if I have to do that to my show horse, then I have no desire to show. Its funny to me how big names in the mini world are so popular, when in reality they aren't true horseman if they punish a horse for becoming ok and relaxed with them. Where'd the true horsemanship go? Isn't the goal of training an animal to have it become familiar and accept you and your commands with a positive, willing attitude?
This also brings me to the point of AMHA lacking in local show entries. Do they not realize that people take their horse to one, maybe two shows to get it qualified, then stick it in the barn all year to make sure it isn't "dull" or "used to showing" by Worlds??? Hmmm... Maybe if the horses weren't shown how they are, then people wouldn't just go to one show and stop. Just a thought.
I guess you can say I am more of a Quarter Horse style person. I love the way their horses are so relaxed in their job, and go with such ease in the halter classes and performance, and can show successfully in to their teen years.
Why is it that it was decided that minis should be shown in such a way that they are now a days? I find it sickening how a horse can be given a world champion title, after it bucked, kicked, and reared its way in to the ring. Imagine a 16hh Quarter Horse halter stallion doing that? It's not acceptable, and extremely dangerous. However, it's desired in the small horses. I don't understand. I feel as if minis being as small as they are makes people unethical. I don't think that they should be treated differently than a large horse, just because they are smaller.
I wish there was a registery in which we could show our horses like the AQHA does so. I'd sure spend my money there!! You'd think with AQHA being as large as it is and so successful, that the mini registries would try to mimic some of their ways. I just think it would be neat to aim for a horse that showed at ease in driving, halter, etc. I feel like it is pointless to spend $15,000+ on an AMHA/AMHR yearling or two year old when it only truly has two years to be able to be competitive. I could definitely see myself spending that money on a horse that I could consistently show for 5 years or so, much more worth the money, and many more years to go for a big title!
Sorry for such a long post. I was just dying to get my opinion out there as well! I am not trying to slam or bash a certain trainer, or any horse/person for that madder. Just speaking out in an up front kind of way. Please feel free to post a response, I'd gladly love to talk to you on your opinions too. I am aware I am extremely young and inexperienced compared to most of you, but I do thank the creators of this forum for allowing people like me to speak out on topics that spark their interest. After all, I'm truly just a horse-crazy kid trying to do my best in the show world!
Kelbi
First off I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Kelbi, I am 17 years old and from Texas. I currently have shown AMHA, Pinto, and Open show circuits this year, at the World and local level, and would like to take the opportunity to voice my opinion on AMHA/AMHR and their way of running.
First off, I should state my "horse" background, as I think it's a big reflection on my personal views. I have been in the horse industry for about ten years now. Starting out with roping and rodeo, then later transferring over to the hunter/jumper world, then in to the pleasure/quarter horse disciplines eventually after that. I have spent summers working 9-5 under professional colt starters, reining trainers, and natural horsemanship specialists. I am only 17, but I have had a good taste of a few different associations and industries for my age and I feel like I have definitely gained something from each, good or bad. I train all of my own miniatures. I have never had one of my horses professionally trained. I have broken multiple horses to drive, and my horses truly excell in the halter/driving/showmanship/obstacle classes at the open shows and AMHA show level.
I have heard so much lately on how AMHA is going downhill, or people being unhappy with the registry in general. It makes me wonder if part of the reason there are so many issues is because of the standard of how the horses are shown, and the "goals" people have for their horses. A big problem I see from outside the ring is the "average joe" exhibitors having trouble "getting ears" or "getting a good neck stretch" and their horse looking "too relaxed" while on the other end there is the trainer with his/her horse all flared up, eyes wide open, horse looking like it is about to explode. I personally think the root of this is from the fact that a trainer does not get "personal" with their horses in training. They want their horses to be on fire in the ring, I've heard trainers say they want their horse "scared of them." While on the other hand, the average joes gives their horse lots of attention and training, to try and excel in the show ring, causing their horse to become "relaxed" while showing and end up getting the gate.
I personally can not stand this. To me, I see no joy in my animal fearing me. I've witnessed people "hyping up" their horses before they go in the ring. I think that if I have to do that to my show horse, then I have no desire to show. Its funny to me how big names in the mini world are so popular, when in reality they aren't true horseman if they punish a horse for becoming ok and relaxed with them. Where'd the true horsemanship go? Isn't the goal of training an animal to have it become familiar and accept you and your commands with a positive, willing attitude?
This also brings me to the point of AMHA lacking in local show entries. Do they not realize that people take their horse to one, maybe two shows to get it qualified, then stick it in the barn all year to make sure it isn't "dull" or "used to showing" by Worlds??? Hmmm... Maybe if the horses weren't shown how they are, then people wouldn't just go to one show and stop. Just a thought.
I guess you can say I am more of a Quarter Horse style person. I love the way their horses are so relaxed in their job, and go with such ease in the halter classes and performance, and can show successfully in to their teen years.
Why is it that it was decided that minis should be shown in such a way that they are now a days? I find it sickening how a horse can be given a world champion title, after it bucked, kicked, and reared its way in to the ring. Imagine a 16hh Quarter Horse halter stallion doing that? It's not acceptable, and extremely dangerous. However, it's desired in the small horses. I don't understand. I feel as if minis being as small as they are makes people unethical. I don't think that they should be treated differently than a large horse, just because they are smaller.
I wish there was a registery in which we could show our horses like the AQHA does so. I'd sure spend my money there!! You'd think with AQHA being as large as it is and so successful, that the mini registries would try to mimic some of their ways. I just think it would be neat to aim for a horse that showed at ease in driving, halter, etc. I feel like it is pointless to spend $15,000+ on an AMHA/AMHR yearling or two year old when it only truly has two years to be able to be competitive. I could definitely see myself spending that money on a horse that I could consistently show for 5 years or so, much more worth the money, and many more years to go for a big title!
Sorry for such a long post. I was just dying to get my opinion out there as well! I am not trying to slam or bash a certain trainer, or any horse/person for that madder. Just speaking out in an up front kind of way. Please feel free to post a response, I'd gladly love to talk to you on your opinions too. I am aware I am extremely young and inexperienced compared to most of you, but I do thank the creators of this forum for allowing people like me to speak out on topics that spark their interest. After all, I'm truly just a horse-crazy kid trying to do my best in the show world!
Kelbi
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