A Cowboy’s Perspective – This same kind of evolution has taken place in our Arabian Horse Association

by Michael Damianos

This bit is a traditional design in vaquero history. Vaqueros were the cowboys of the most western part of the United States. Spain sent soldiers to this area starting in the 16th century. Many of these vaquero horsemen were the descendants of Spanish military officers and the indigenous people of the time. They had a specific heritage of horsemanship which included beautiful tack. The crescent moon shank was a common motif as their art was influenced by Moorish images from Spain. The horned steer relief on the concho is appropriate as the vaqueros raised a lot of Corriente cattle which was a Spanish breed with horns. The port is called a San Joaquin mouthpiece which is also very traditional to this genre. The bit is marked “D Bar M” which is a great old tack store in Reno, Nevada, and one of the last bastions of this kind of equipment. Today, I still use this bit occasionally on horses I show in the ranch division.

This photograph serves as a reminder of another way of doing things in a long-ago era. Training for modern horse show arenas is much different than training a horse for ranch life on the California land grants. The Vaqueros had very tried and true methods of training that modern western trainers commonly draw on today. The Greek philosopher Heraclitus said, “There is nothing permanent except change”. The architecture of western horse training has changed, but the foundation — not so much.

The Arabian Horse community has reached a fork in the road and the delegates have chosen a new path of governance for the Arabian Horse Association. This restructuring resolution required a two-thirds affirmative vote by the delegates as it entails changes in the AHA by-laws.

This same kind of evolution has taken place in our Association. The Arabian Horse community has reached a fork in the road and the delegates have chosen a new path of governance for the Arabian Horse Association. This restructuring resolution required a two-thirds affirmative vote by the delegates as it entails changes in the AHA by-laws. Obviously, a large group of informed members saw that change was vital if our association was to thrive again.

Weekend shows are generally small, registrations pale in comparison to their levels in prior decades, animal welfare activists are an increasing problem, there is less incentive for young potential trainers to see a future here, and our umbrella organization continues to burden us with additional regulations. It is clear what worked once does no longer. We cannot keep doing the same thing hoping for a better result and the proponents of the restructure were the only ones I heard suggesting a new path. I think few believe our sport is headed to a bright future on the current trajectory. C.S. Lewis wrote, “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”

Are the best business decisions always the best answers for the Arabian horse?

It is now up to the proponents of the restructure to make good on their assurances that if we change how we administer our organization and turn the reins over to dedicated business-minded individuals, the association can grow and prosper. I have no question as to the sincerity or the qualifications of the those that will guide the Arabian Horse Association. Where apprehension remains is in the current lack of details of the new map. They say they will analyze, assess, and then act appropriately. Are the best business decisions always the best answers for the Arabian horse? The answer to that question requires a crystal ball. No question the road ahead will not always be smooth, but we will have to be patient. The movie director Woody Allen once said, “If you are not failing every now and again, you are not doing anything very innovative.” It will take an innovative approach to find solutions to the issues that face our association.

Hindsight is 20/20. Time will tell if the restructure resolution was a good idea. For now, we need to give the new governance a chance to succeed, be supportive. and be ready to help. Socrates said, “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” We face challenges to our market, shows, and lifestyle that are unique to the current time and adapting is paramount to survival. The faithful need to stick around and figure it out. Author and social activist, Bryant McGill, said very succinctly, “The ignoramus crowd of llove it or leave it, omits other viable options, such as staying and changing it.” And that brings us back to the vaqueros versus good modern horsemen. Good horsemen still draw on old proven methods. Time requires us to adjust, but adjustment doesn’t require abandonment of the approaches that work. I pray not all changes will be for change’s sake. For now, those who opposed the restructure please remember what outgoing President George W. Bush said to Barack Obama in the White House with all the living presidents present, “And one message that I have and I think we all share is that we want you to succeed.” We need to cautiously hold the same sentiment.

For now, we need to give the new governance a chance to succeed ...

Finally, if these words of possible wisdom are not enough, do not forget Arabian horses whooped the crusaders, conquered Spain, survived two world wars, carried Napoleon home from his ass-whipping in Russia, and have been a source of bloodstock and improvement for other breeds for centuries. Even if the restructure fails, the Arabian horse isn’t going anywhere.