This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi to those who really love and admire Fjords
Because we placed an ad for our Fjords in Horse Illustrated we checked the book store daily for 2 weeks and when the issue arrived we studied, read and re-read the articles.Our thoughts about the entire article had been developing for several days before Carol posted her concerns.We are very concerned about nearly all of Mike?s comments.Read the article several times until you absorb how Mike has portrayed Fjords.Now I do realize that journalists often misquote.Therefore, a full and complete reading is more necessary than focusing on just one quote from Mike. Absent the beautiful photographs.Absent some fine thoughts expressed by the author.Absent the pleasant quotes of Phil Odden, Anne Appleby and Gayle Ware.Mike?s flippant negative comments may have done more harm than good to the image of the modern Fjord horse in America.What were his comments? --This is a problem that many people have with the horses today,-- says Mike May, spokesman for the American-based Norwegian Fjord Horse Registry.--They can easily be overfed and get very fat if they are put on good pasture.I?ve seen some really fat Fjords!.-- --Whether they are ponies are horses is always an argument--, Mike says.--They can range from 13.2 to 14.2 hands high.There are some upward of 15 hands, too.Some breeders do try to get them a bit taller because there is more of a market for a taller horse.-- --they might gallop around in a pasture to play,-- Mike says, --You have to really push them into the canter, but they are natural three-gated horses.-- --Sometimes people say they train more like a mule.-- Mike says.-- Mike?s descriptions ofFjords is far more negative than positive: --Problem-easily overfed,some reallyfat Fjords-- --Some breeders try to get them a bit taller? more market for a taller horse-- --You really have to push them into a canter-- --they train like a mule-- I do not disagree with Beth that many folks love mules but I do believe that even more folks dislike mules.We pastured mules and horses before we got Fjords and I found the mules frightening.They loved to kick.We do not want our Fjords compared to mules.Just remember two very common phrases:Stubborn as a MULE and kicks like a MULE. What did Mike say that was positive???Not much.No superlatives.The closest Mike came to positive is that they can carry an adult with no problems.Big deal.Where is the praise for our Fjords?Mike of all people should be full of praise.Look at what the photos say apart from Mike?s comments.Charming face.Elegant under harness.Graceful over a jump.Cooperative and competitive in CDE driving.Pleasant for women to drive.Athletic for gymkana.Did Mike offer this type of praise???NO.He was flippant, cute, sarcastic and demeaning as though he thinks of our wonderful Fjords as fat, stubborn, too short, cute ponies.I am not too pleased and I think if the photos and comments from Phil, Gayle and Anne, had not negated Mike?s comments I would be even more angry. If Mike doesn?t absolutely love and admire Fjords why in the world does he even want to be CEO of our organization? Sylvia Riddle,Teddy Bear Fjords The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
