Buying a purebred or registered horse for trail riding might seem like a luxury at a time when the other costs of horse ownership - such as feed, fuel, and board - are rising.
And, due to the dismal economy, the number of unwanted horses is increasing, making it easy for bargain-hunters to find a great horse for pleasure riding. I don't support breeding unregistered or less-than-top-notch purebred horses. But there are many fine unregistered and registered animals available from which to choose.
That said, after years of owning registered horses, I happen to prefer them. Here, I'll explain why I spend the extra money for a horse registered with a breed association.
The important characteristics in a trail horse are a great temperament, athleticism, and good conformation. Although you certainly can find these in a grade horse, your chances of finding a horse with the gaits, traits, and temperament you require increase when you purchase a purebred known for those characteristics.
You know a registered horse's lineage. The higher cost of the animal reflects the care that a breeder takes to pair dams and sires with the desirable traits and gaits characteristic of the breed.
When you visit the breeder, you can often see the "proof in the pudding" by checking out your prospective horse's siblings, sire, and dam. Do they seem easy-going or "hot"? Friendly or aloof? You also have access to their veterinary histories.
When you own a registered horse, you can belong to a breed association. Breed associations are useful to trail riders, because they encourage horse owners to organize group trail rides and horsemanship clinics.
Also, they're effective national advocates for the creation and preservation of trails and parks, because they represent large groups of horse owners.
Paso Fino Horse Association - Pasos for Pleasure
Description: Pasos for Pleasure members use official log forms to record their hours spent riding or driving on the trail or elsewhere; hours in the show ring or spent in show preparation do not qualify. Other trail-riding award programs are also available, including Ticket to Ride, which awards points for participating in organized rides and PFHA-sanctioned trail rides, and programs pegged to pleasure long-distance rides, endurance rides, and competitive trail rides.
Eligibility: Participants must be a current member of the PFHA and ride (but don't need to own) a PFHA-registered horse. Special forms must be completed for participating in organized or sanctioned rides. Pasos for Pleasure applicants pay a one-time fee of $25; the Ticket to Ride program is free. The other programs carry a fee of $10 per ride entry.
Awards: Pasos for Pleasure participants receive awards upon reaching hours-ridden milestones, starting at 50 hours. Awards include patches, mugs, clothing, and gift certificates. Ticket to Ride awards are determined by an annual drawing. The other programs allow members to accumulate points toward an annual Horse of the Year in each category, as well as lifetime recognition awards.
Contact: PFHA, (813) 719-7777; www.pfha.org/includes/html/infoseek.forms.asp.
The Paso Fino
I own Paso Fino Horses and belong to the Paso Fino Horse Association. The Paso Fino has its foundation in the Andalusians, Barbs, and gaited Jennets, bred in Spain. Hundreds of years ago, the Spanish conquistadors brought these horses to the Caribbean area.
Paso Finos were bred to be versatile mounts with great stamina for working on the ranches and plantations of Colombia, Venezuela, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. Pasos have a rapid, smooth gait that's natural to the breed.
Unfortunately, the PFHA's efforts seem to be concentrated on showing, in particular how the horses gait. As a member who doesn't participate in shows or attend meetings, I've suggested improvements. I'm an advocate for calm mounts; natural-horsemanship techniques using a snaffle bit; natural, balanced trimming (instead of shoeing, when possible); natural, unaltered tails; and healthy horse management.
In a time when there are huge numbers of unwanted horses, I believe every breed association should encourage its members to breed only the very best mares and stallions, but in small numbers.
My fundamental concern with breed associations is that they treat horses as a business commodity, while I value horses for the pleasure they give me as a pet and riding partner.
Pasos for Pleasure
The PFHA is doing some good things for pleasure riders. The board of directors recently formed a Recreational Rider Committee and invited a prominent natural horse trainer to demonstrate his techniques at an association meeting.
Paso Fino Horse World has started to feature more Paso Fino horses that excel at competitive trail riding, working with cattle, and pleasure riding.
The PFHA activity in which I actively participate and really enjoy is the Pasos for Pleasure program.
Since enrolling in the program several years ago, I've accumulated more than 3,000 riding hours. As one of the top-ten achievers in the national program, I'm very proud of my accomplishment, especially given the fact that I work full-time.
I hope that the PFHA and all other breed associations will actively seek ways to increase their coverage of trail riding - balancing that with the interests of those association members who love to show horses - and encourage natural horsemanship and healthy horse management.
If you own a registered horse, I encourage you to participate in your breed's pleasure-riding activities and speak up on behalf of trail riders.
Those of you who don't own registered horses shouldn't feel left out; you have plenty of other organizations to join, including local riding clubs, the Equestrian Land Conservation Resource, and natural-horsemanship training associations
