If there were one thing I could wish for as far as people and "causes" are concerned, it would be that anyone who thinks they should support a particular so-called "worthy cause" would have to also see the reality of intentions, desires and motivations behind it, rather than just the facade presented for general consumption.

Someone says to a person: "support this, it's such a worthy cause"...and yet if the person could see into the minds, hearts and actual intentions of those moving in the dark shadows behind it, that person would see what is really going on, what they're lending their time, money, beliefs and energies to promote: and it is likely something they'd never agree to or with, if they saw it truly. They usually don't, don't want to or don't bother or just don't think it could be other than presented...and the result is a mass of "believers" working diligently to achieve what they think the desired result is, while those whose intentions are darker and much different advance their desired end slowly behind that public covering.

Within the last year, I read an article about a competition trainer who selects training prospects (partially) on willingness...and apparently rejects any horse who demonstrates resistance of any sort. While I can understand such a personal decision for someone who wants to maximize their available training time and is competing professionally in a high-dollar area where the faster the horse reaches competition level the better for the trainer/owner moneywise and as relates to "reputation," I don't know that I'd personally select by the same criteria. On the other hand, I also read articles about highly successful racing horses whose personalities seem to center around near-total dominance and, apparently, a natural disinclination for playing well with most others--whether human or animal. I don't generally (there are exceptions) go for those types either.

Where temperament and dominance are concerned, I tend to view extremes of any sort on an individual basis, and generally will prefer horses who aren't either extremely passive or extremely "mean." Very good, competitive horses don't have to be either completely submissive to humans nor tempermentally dominant/abusive to others. Just like humans, extremely dominant types can excell in areas compatible with their abilities...but some people may find they may not be worth the personal dedication and effort required or may be beyond one's individual capabilities to work with safely and well. Passive types can also display highly desirable competitive ability when trained and seasoned, but many will lack the necessary motivation or physical potential required to excell in competition or particular types of work. In the end...it comes down to the individual involved, human or equine.

One thing to consider in a horse is whether a characteristic is primarily inborn or more acquired as a side-effect of experiences/environment. Another is how much the horse likes/dislikes others (individually or in general) and how much any human involved commits to the horse and desires to achieve given results with them. I've met horses that didn't care for me, and vice versa, who were someone else's idea of a "perfect" horse for themselves just the way they are. I've met horses I liked, but who didn't inspire me with the desire to own or work with them. I've loved and worked well with some horses who would make many other humans shake their heads and walk away. Sometimes a "challenge" is well worth the effort involved...sometimes, one may prefer to pass on some challenges and concentrate on others that appeal more, are more personally rewarding. And, always, what is a distinct challenge for one may prove to be relatively simple and easy to another. Some personalities work well together, some conflict, and each relationship should be considered on an individual and personal basis.

I don't know who put this together, but it struck my funny-bone! It came without provenance, so if you know who to credit, let me know! Lol, I'll add one of my own devising on the end. And for those very-serious-people, please don't take the breed commentary personally--if you've known a lot of horses, you could probably replace breed names with names of individual horses you've known, too!

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How many horses does it take to change a light bulb?

Thoroughbred: Who ME?? Do WHAT? I'm scared of light bulbs! I'm outta here!

Arabian: I changed it an hour ago. C'mon you guys - catch up!

Quarter Horse: Put all the bulbs in a pen and tell me which one you want.

Standardbred: Oh for Pete's Sake, give me the darn bulb and let's be done with it.

Shetland: Give it to me. I'll kill it and we won't have to worry about it anymore.

Friesian: I would, but I can't see where I'm going from behind all this mane.

Belgian: Put the Shetland on my back, maybe he can reach it then.

Warmblood: Is the 2nd Level Instruction Packet in English? Doesn't anyone realize that I was sold for $75K as a yearling, but only because my hocks are bad, otherwise I would be worth $100K? I am NOT changing light bulbs. Make the TB get back here and do it.

Morgan: Me! Me! Me! Pleeease let me! I wanna do it! I'm gonna do it! I know how, really I do! Just watch! I'll rewire the barn after, too.

Appaloosa: Ya'll are a bunch of losers. We don't need to change the light bulb, I ain't scared of the dark. And someone make that darn Morgan stop jumping up and down before I double barrel him.

Haflinger: That thing I ate was a light bulb?

Mustang: Light bulb? Let's go on a trail ride, instead. And camp. Out in the open like REAL horses.

Lipizzaner: Hah, amateurs. I will change the light bulb. Not only that, but I will do it while standing on my hind legs and balancing it on my nose, after which I will perform seven flying lead changes in a row and a capriole. Can you do that? Huh? Huh? Didn't think so.

Miniature: I bet you think I can't do it just cause I'm small. You know what that is? It's sizeism!

Akhal Teke: I will only change it if it's my owner's light bulb and no one else has ever touched it.

Andalusian: I will delegate the changing of the light bulb to my personal groom after he finishes shampooing my mane and cleaning my saddle, but only on the condition that it is changed for a soft blue or green bulb, which reflects better off my coat while I exhibit my astonishing gaits.

Cleveland Bay: I'm busy. Make the whipper-in and the hounds do it.

Saddlebred: My ears are up already, please, please get the light bulb away from me! I'm ready to show, really, I promise I'll win!

Paint: Put all the light bulbs in a pen, tell me which one you want, and my owner will bet you twenty bucks I can get it before the quarter horse.

POA: I'm not changing it. I'm the one who kicked the old one and broke it in the first place, remember? Now, excuse me, I have a grain room to break into.

Grade Horse: Guys? Um, guys? I hope you don't mind, but I went ahead and changed it while you were all arguing.

Brood Mare: Oh my god, it's light in here, it's supposed to be dark at this time in December, shit, now I'm in heat again.

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Foal: Momma! Momma! It's all dark here! Where'd the light go? Why did the light go away? Did the darkness eat it all up? Will it stay dark or will the light come back and eat up the dark again? Can you fix it? Can you have Daddy fix it?...

Kid Pony: Who wants the light on anyway? Just leave it off or that young human may come back and want to go for another ride--its dark out and I'm trying to sleep. The sun **will** come up in the morning, you know! Jeez! Didn't your parents teach you other horses anything??