[Adam Helmer]

ksubuck,

Welcome to the Forum; I had not seen your post before on sites I frequent.

You have lots of horse sense. I agree with what you say. My uncle Harrison (deceased) was in the USMC Cavalry after he enlisted in 1939. The Marines knew their horses and I never saw a horse he could not handle. It sometimes took a bit of time to get everyone "on the same page" and then it was all ok.

I agree, "some horses do not get over their first experience." I would expand that to dogs as well. Many "gun shy" dogs were ruined by a bad experience. My Golden was, and my current dog is, my "range officer" as I shoot on the backyard range. Lori lays in the shade of a nearby tree and watches me shoot any gun I choose.

Adam