http://www.ridingtoursblog.com/2007/05/22/how-human-intervention-much-is-too-much/ Horseback Riding Vacations and Equestrian Instruction Worldwide Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:42:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 http://www.ridingtoursblog.com/2007/05/22/how-human-intervention-much-is-too-much/#comment-515 Louisa Begg Tue, 02 Oct 2007 23:12:28 +0000 http://www.ridingtoursblog.com/2007/05/22/how-human-intervention-much-is-too-much/#comment-515 Even if we tried to keep an eye on our mares, no doubt they would pop their foals out whilst we were making the fourth cup of tea of the night! We just leave them to it, but do completely understand Kate´s point that if you have a significant amount of money invested you may wish to 'help'. Even if we tried to keep an eye on our mares, no doubt they would pop their foals out whilst we were making the fourth cup of tea of the night! We just leave them to it, but do completely understand Kate´s point that if you have a significant amount of money invested you may wish to ‘help’.

]]> http://www.ridingtoursblog.com/2007/05/22/how-human-intervention-much-is-too-much/#comment-455 Kate Sat, 23 Jun 2007 12:05:55 +0000 http://www.ridingtoursblog.com/2007/05/22/how-human-intervention-much-is-too-much/#comment-455 This is definitely an interesting perspective to mull over. In general, it's hard to argue that keeping a horse's life as "natural" as possible is not a good thing and that allowing the mother-foal bond to develop is not paramount (as it is). On the other hand, the degree of human interference prudent, in my mind, changes depending on the circumstances of the particular mare or operation. It's simply not tenable to not monitor (unobtrusively) a show mare who in foal to an expensive stud--the investment is too great. If a foal is breach and the mare isn't able to re-position it naturally, that's a problem, etc. Further, if the mare is foaling indoors there are a lot more things to worry about that humans can play a role in minimizing. That said, once you know a non-maiden broodmare well in the best scenario you can just keep an eye on her, make sure she's not in trouble, and let everything go to nature's plan--which is what I hope for! :) This is definitely an interesting perspective to mull over. In general, it’s hard to argue that keeping a horse’s life as “natural” as possible is not a good thing and that allowing the mother-foal bond to develop is not paramount (as it is). On the other hand, the degree of human interference prudent, in my mind, changes depending on the circumstances of the particular mare or operation. It’s simply not tenable to not monitor (unobtrusively) a show mare who in foal to an expensive stud–the investment is too great. If a foal is breach and the mare isn’t able to re-position it naturally, that’s a problem, etc. Further, if the mare is foaling indoors there are a lot more things to worry about that humans can play a role in minimizing. That said, once you know a non-maiden broodmare well in the best scenario you can just keep an eye on her, make sure she’s not in trouble, and let everything go to nature’s plan–which is what I hope for!

]]> http://www.ridingtoursblog.com/2007/05/22/how-human-intervention-much-is-too-much/#comment-448 heath Thu, 24 May 2007 01:22:55 +0000 http://www.ridingtoursblog.com/2007/05/22/how-human-intervention-much-is-too-much/#comment-448 Thank you. Although I believe that we all have our mares (all our horses, or other pets for that matter) safety in mind, with our intentions pure, it is often those very intentions that we trip over. Thank you.
Although I believe that we all have our mares (all our horses, or other pets for that matter) safety in mind, with our intentions pure, it is often those very intentions that we trip over.

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