| For example, the owner that only sees the horse as a | | | | 'show horse' horse and indifferent owner. The type |
| way to entertain them during their free time. There is | | | | where the horse is just a means to an end. This |
| no deep concern for the horses welfare and | | | | owner exerts no real effort into the details of the care |
| sometimes no concern for the horse at all. The owner | | | | of the horse, they have people for that, and by the |
| makes their semi-daily trek to the barn, saddles the | | | | way the horse is for sale. Much like the first |
| horse, rides them hard, puts them up and goes home | | | | relationship, the owner only cares to know how to ride |
| feeling refreshed. Meanwhile the horse stands sore | | | | the horse and only in such a way as to win, no matter |
| and tired until the next visit. These owners will even | | | | the cost. And if that horse can't pull magic out of the |
| stay gone for weeks and return one day and ride as if | | | | hat, sell it and buy a different one. Instead of investing |
| the horse had spent those weeks in the gym staying | | | | time, interest, and training they go through horses like |
| fit while the owner was away. | | | | toilet paper. |
| More common is the bizarre relationship where the | | | | When one truly considers all the horse allows humans |
| owner treats the horse as a lap dog or worse an | | | | to do to it for the love of money, status, and ego, it |
| equal to the human counterpart. They coo and fuss | | | | thrusts the horse into its own category of animal. An |
| over the horse as if it was a baby and then get angry | | | | animal that deserves respect, nurture, and our |
| when Poopsy grabs the treat, finger and all, or crushes | | | | consideration, not a vehicle that is used hard and |
| their foot when it gets spooked and jumps into them. | | | | parked in the garage, scolded for behaviors that have |
| Yet, even with the most severe injuries, these owners | | | | been allowed and even encouraged, or used like real |
| will explain away how Poopsy didn't mean to hurt | | | | estate for monetary gain. They are not motorcycles, |
| anyone and doesn't have a mean bone in its body | | | | lap dogs, or trophies so let's for what they are, horses. |
| (except the finger it grabbed with the treat). | | | | They deserve to be treated fairly and as the athletes |
| To me, one of the saddest relationships is that of the | | | | they are. |