Hot or Not? I AM, But They’re Not ! I’m hot. And it is not the weather, tho, we did have a record breaking summer here in Alabama. No, I’m hot because I see the Appendix horse getting a bad wrap. We’ve all heard it, over and over thru the years. “Thoroughbred and thoroughbred crosses are “hot”. But, I wonder, (once again, I am wondering out loud), if it is the horse as much as it is the training that most of these horses get into. Because they are fast, they are usually used in running events and many are pushed to the extreme by trainers and owners who want nothing more than a big fat payback. Now, I’ll not play dumb here and not acknowledge that there are some crazy horses in all breeds. But, I’ve seen plenty of Appendix horses that are not hot, and “hyper” as some would have you believe. Seen more that aren’t, than ones that are, actually. I have also seen some in other breeds that are. So, let’s not lay that title on just the Thoroughbred and the crosses, when we are meaning it in a negative way. I think what a lot of people are basing their opinion on is the “blown up” horses that they see come off the track and out of the barrel racing industry. And it is true that most of these horses have TB blood in them. But, it’s not the blood as much as the strenuous schedule and intense (and sometimes bad) training they have been victim to. You’ve seen them at shows; barrel horses that are nearly crazy, and plum (“plum” is a word in Alabama, means “really-really”) dangerous, being jerked around with harsh bits, and whipped at each barrel. I wouldn’t want to go in the ring either, if I knew I was going to get beaten the entire time! Not only is it inhumane, it is just plain wrong. And it has the same effect on any breed that is exposed to it. I have a Foundation QH mare that will literally climb the walls, if you stall her, and don’t let her out, at least, every other day to stretch her legs. Some people would call that “hot” if she were a Thoroughbred or Appendix! But, since she is Foundation, she just “needs to get out more”, or I “need to cut back on her feed”. No, she is just a feel good mare, who is healthy and ready to go, and doesn’t like to be stalled up. Let’s not confuse healthy, and a willingness to get up and go, with being hotheaded. We see roping horses winning rodeos, and they have TB in them. We see barrel horses winning titles, and so do they. Cow horses that work all week on the ranch, and rodeo on the weekend, with TB blood in them. What’s the excuse for these horses? Shouldn’t they be acting “hot”, too? They’re not. Maybe they were trained right, fed right, and treated right. Reckon ????? It’s time to dispel the myth that all Appendix horses are “hot”. They are not. I’m not the only Breeder that is tired of hearing it. When someone comes to my place and has never ridden a horse before, I’m bringing out a horse I can trust, no matter what the bloodline is, and it will probably be a TB or Appendix. But then, mine have not been mistreated and pushed beyond their limit of mentality. The next time I hear someone say, “but a Thoroughbred or Thoroughbred cross is hot”, I just might get a little hot, too. ‘Cause they will have pushed me to my limit, just like so many good horses have been pushed! The American Appendix Horse - Not The “Other” Breed anymore ! R L Weaver
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