Last weekend, while Jen and I attended the Girl Scouts “All About Animals” event, I had the pleasure of chatting with two members of the Albuquerque Police Department Horse Mounted Unit(HMU).
They were teaching me about some of the tactics they use to desensitize their horses to the crazy and unusual, and often dangerous, environments they work in. Of course I was fascinated.
We also talked about ACTHA and Competitive Trail Rides, and the NMSAR. It was a great conversation and they were very friendly and kind to spend so much time with Jen and I.
We also talked about how expensive gas prices are and how it would be great it we could somehow step back in time and start using horses for transportation and farm/yard work again. They told me it costs less than $5 a day to feed Officer Jake, that black Percheron on the right. And he can work all day policing the streets.
But it costs close to $5 for just one gallon of diesel. And we all know just how many miles we get with that measly little gallon, don’t we?
It’s kind of silly that most of us only use our horses for recreation purposes in this day and age, when we have the perfect low cost alternative to the high costs of fuel and pollution right in our own backyards.
Our government talks about electric and solar power for autos as an alternative and then spends money on more oil drilling. Why not spend some of that money on creating safe bridle paths to and from towns, so horse folks can do their errands by horseback?
Just the other day, while working at the Hug-a-Horse Thrift Store, I managed to capture a photo of one man riding his horse, trotting down the sidewalk, doing just that.
I’ve been seeing this more often over the past 6 months, people riding their horses into town to do their shopping and errands. It always makes me smile.
I’ve also noticed quite a few hitching posts in our town, too. Like this one in front of a shopping strip, beside the sidewalk (behind the horse and rider).
Even our Post Office has one right out front.
Have you ever considered saving money on gas and riding your horse into town to do your shopping?
16 comments :
I do have to wonder about the other costs of horse vs. car, though. Like vet visits, medications, farrier, tack, training...I'm sure you know the rest! Plus, of course, the need for fenced property bigger than a garage. When horses were transportation rather than pets, I'm betting there were a lot more miserable, neglected and abused ones too.
Not to rain on your parade! Yes, for those who already have (safely trained) horses, why not leave the car at home? In Amish country near where I grew up, the grocery stores had huge long hitching posts--it can be done. I'd much rather breathe the smell of dung than poisonous gas or diesel fumes.
And who's to argue with more bridle/bike/footpaths all over? I sort of cringe when I see horses having to trot on hard pavement; isn't it hard on their hooves and joints?
My, you certainly got quite a rant out of me! :)
I know lytha used to ride Baasha down to the local grocery store in Germany. I used to ride Story to town occasionally also.
My problem is safe parking. My mare(s) will stand quietly tied for hours while I go away and do stuff; however, I don't trust curious (clueless) city people not to do something stupid with my horse and get the horse or the person injured.
Sigh.
Oh what a wonderful thing it would be. I would do it, although they might not be as accepting here are they are there.
The ABQ mounted folks are great. If you remember I attended one of their spooking clinics a year or so ago.
Dan
I'm seeing it more and more out here. However it's 5 miles to a "convenience store" and 15 to a regular store. Plus, I'd need pack mules to get everything home :)
Love that Percheron. Mmmmm, he is gorgeous.
I would love to ride my horse to town, but its an hour drive, so it would take all day to get there on my pony. and we dont have any hitching post but it would be cool if we did.
I don't have a horse...but that is a great idea...we use hubbies motorcycle alot on the weekends...and now I have ladybug my bicycle with a basket on it...will be using her more...I know have a small car that does really good on gas....
I've considered riding to town, but most places I know of have outlawed it.
I plan on doing just that when I retire and we open the shop...now I have to get brave!
For most grocery runs you'd need more than just your saddlebags, so folks better start cart-training! I'd just be happy to have more bike paths between town and country.
Chuck has mentioned more than once that we need a horse and buggy to go town, just like the Amish. :)
P.S. My recipe post is up. :)
I used to ride my horse to Dollar General when I was a kid!! :)
When Chrome is old enough I'll definitely be riding him to the store/gas station not even half a mile from the house. Eventually maybe I'll work him up to the five to ten miles to town too. :) I love that your town has hitching posts. I worry about leaving them out front of a store though . . . especially with city kids running around.
That Percheron is gorgeous. The bay is too. That was really sweet of them to spend time talking to you. I wish we had a mounted police force. :) Heck I wish we had a K9 unit.
Pretty cool, I can imagine horse mounted troopers trying to pull over a semi..:-))
I would be afraid of rustlers. :)
I just chuckled imagining the bags and bags of groceries handing off my saddle. :) Fun.
our nearest grocery is 45 miles away, although heck, that's just an endurance ride! i'm more concerned with deciding who's the handsomest in the top photos, the 2- or 4-legged males.
- The Equestrian Vagabond
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