Before I get into this month's column, I would like to respond to some other local horse people who wrote letters to the editor about some issues they had with my mare column. I would like to let first time, or non-horse people know, that because I said, "a gelding may be a better choice than a mare," in no way did I mean that you do NOT have to worry about being hurt, or that you do NOT have to learn how to communicate with him. A horse, be it a gelding or a mare, can hurt you in a nanosecond.

There was also concern that I used the word "dominant" to explain the role we should take with our horses. There is always a pecking order among horses. We need to learn the right way to communicate to them that we are like the lead (dominant) horse, that it benefits them to follow us, and that being with us is a safe place to be. I would never condone abuse in any way, shape, or form. We want to build a partnership with them. It is our job as horse owners to go to clinics, read books, watch training DVDs or learn from experienced horse owners, the proper way to communicate and handle our horses. I stand behind what I said that mares can be, let's just say, more "temperamental." That is my opinion and I am sticking to it. I hope this clears up any confusion others had that inexperienced horse people would misunderstand my intentions. Moving on.

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