I have had horses all of my life, up until a few years ago. I was involved in showing at the National level and I've "owned" several world champions. They were my total life,love and passion, along with my dogs. But, when I started showing at these higher levels I became very disheartened with the cruelty that other horse people inflicted on their horses. There were still some, not many, who did it for the love and were not cruel, but there were many more who just plain did it for the glory of winning and being the best at whatever they did. One horse in particular that I had as a teenager, was a Cdn National Halter Champion, and I got into soooo much trouble from his breeder for NOT keeping a sheet/blanket on him 365 days a year to protect his markings. I rebelled big time since I felt his freedom from stalls and apparatus was more important, so I essentially "ruined" him in the breeders eyes.I know some people will criticize me for having them and riding them at all, and I too wish that in a perfect world all creatures could be wild and free. But, I did the best I could to show them love and affection and spoil them rotten, and I figure that someone in the world will "own" my horse, and I'd rather it were me and not them, since I cannot control what others do. As long as humans will continue to own/guardian any living creatures, we can only do our very best and take some comfort that at least our animals are so loved and adored.