I have been experimenting with what is possible with Facebook, since the site refuses to link to my blog. Generally, I find the platform unwieldy and obstructive but I did manage to put together a group to discuss the bio-mechanics and genetics of the Square Horse. Moderating members in the group has been a bit of a blast from the past though, and not a pleasant one.
I ended up having to make an announcement in the group which I decided to post here as well, mostly as a CYA move.
I will be deleting all posts and comments that are blame-based.
I am also going to be really blunt while doing my very best to be courteous.
This announcement was provoked by the number of CS enthusiasts claiming there is no market for their horses.
It is time for CS horse enthusiasts to take responsibility for the behavior that continues to profoundly discredit the Colonial Spanish Barb Mustang in the public eye. Fifty years of infighting, backbiting and baseless accusations of impurity have profoundly discredited the Colonial Spanish Barb Mustang in the public eye. Making claims that are not supported by genotype, functional bio-mechanics or performance profoundly discredits the Colonial Spanish Barb Mustang in the public eye.
Continuing the blame game is not going to improve the reputation of, or the market for, horses registered with any of the Colonial Spanish Barb Mustang registries.
This ongoing behavior makes CS horses a very poor investment. Personally, I have watched so many CS horses be sidelined, badmouthed and even sent to slaughter by ‘purists’ over the decades that I am sickened. I am repulsed both by the loss of genetic diversity and by the callousness of those who justify discarding horses like trash.
Professionalism, evidence based claims and a supportive informative registry format shared by enthusiastic friendly competent individuals who do their best to act with transparency and integrity may, over time, begin to make inroads in the damage that has been done.
Meanwhile, the reality is that some 70 years after the Spanish Mustang Registry was founded, Colonial Spanish Barb Mustangs are on the endangered/extinct watch list.
Meanwhile, the reality is that Ruy D’Andrade began his preservation of the Iberian horses in Spain and Portugal in the 1920’s. Now the PRE is a world-renowned breed. Individual animals sell for thousands of dollars.
Meanwhile, the reality is that Return to Freedom, the wild horse non-profit ,is doing a better job of breeding, preserving and promoting the Colonial Spanish Barb Mustang than any of the fractured registries.
And that is why members who persist in posting blame-based comments or posts instead of constructive ideas and actions will be removed from this group.
Having the group self-regulate and the most unpleasant disruptive members remove themselves was a pleasant surprise.
sara annon 