Truthful Tuesday

 

I was talking to an older amateur at my barn yesterday about a couple of horses we both know. Both are thoroughbreds but they are two very different horses. One of them is beautiful, thick, decent mover, very well put together. He's also reactive, a little unpredictable, and wants to be dominant. The other is the lankier type TB, not a great mover, not the soundest horse you'll ever come across. But he is a real doer. Very kind, not at all spooky, wants nothing more than to do the right thing all the time. 

I had said if I was offered one of them to ride, I would choose the second one. But she said she would choose the first. What was interesting to me is that I thought I would lean toward the safer option because of my age, but after this conversation, I think it's really just because that's who I am as a person. And the more I thought about it, the more I realized that this is exactly why nearly every horse is marketable to someone. (Exception being one that is ugly, bad moving, unsound, unpredictable, and dominant. Ain't no one need one of those!) 

I think it's easy to be drawn to the pretty horse. We all want a pretty horse, right? I've obviously fallen for a pretty horse more than once... But often those pretty ones come with quirks. Or are just not the easiest horse in the barn. They're the ones that make us the better riders though. And if you show the hunters, their the ones that judges will notice. But I think I personally have reached a point in my life where I'd rather have something reliable. Maybe a little less pretty. Probably won't win a hack class. But one that's a doer. That wants to do the right thing for its person. 

What I find really funny (and works to my advantage) is that these horses are often the less expensive ones. Because pretty costs more. But you know what I think? I think a good brain and a ton of heart is invaluable. Horses that try and try and try are worth more to me (and probably most run of the mill amateurs) than any beautiful, hack winning hunter any day. 

So I'll keep shopping the horses in the clearance section. The rejects. The ones that aren't pretty enough. Because those giant hearts can't be beat. And yes, I'll also keep plugging along with my pretty horse, because he was also a clearance find. He's quirky, he's difficult, and boy can he make me feel like a failure. But he does have a big heart. And he's kind. And sometimes we have to work a little to get what we want. 

All that rambling to get to this confession: I put kindness and safety before flashy. I value work ethic over aesthetics. I think pretty is as pretty does. 

Just because that's what I want, doesn't mean that's what everyone wants or needs. So what about you guys? What would you list as your most important attributes in a horse for you?