I don’t think a riding horse has a bad life. I also think there are very few horses that have zero talent - just because a horse isn’t running A circuit or FEI doesn’t make them talentless or undeserving of support?
I’m certainly not the next Nobel Peace Prize winner but I don’t think I have zero talent…
If you’re replying to me I didn’t say a horse wasn’t deserving of support. My point is a talented horse that has a hard time being the sleepy time partner so many want will be more likely to be abused with drugs.
I actually think its the opposite. The really talented ones at least have that going for them. If they aren’t talented, they need a good demeanor.
You can’t improve talent. But if you’re willing to, you can improve demeanor…
I don’t understand your reasoning. If you have a not so talented with a not so good personality and you spend money on drugs to give them a better personality so you can plod around the course. What are you gaining? Saddle time? But a talented horse with a difficult personality that you drug up to have an easier personality will give you a lovely jump round with a quiet effort.
A talented horse with a difficult personality can still be valuable - without drugs. Many end up as pro horses or either talented ammys or juniors.
An untalented horse with a difficult personality is essentially worthless…unless you can improve the personality.
Sometimes I think those highly talented horses NEED their edge…it’s what makes them good. 
(And what makes them horses I could never personally ride.)
So basically you’re saying if they’re talented, drug them. If they’re not talented, drug them.
How do you get that out of those posts?
That’s not at all what I’m picking up from what @Rel6 is laying down and are terrible words to put in their mouth. They’re clearly explaining the logic of others, not their own practices.
I am not saying that.
You literally said “a talented horse with a difficult personality that you drug up to have an easier personality will give you a lovely jump round with a quiet effort.” Should I assume you speak from experience?
It’s apparent we’re talking on different levels, or you just want to give me a slap down. So I won’t try explaining further.
Probably for the best 
Anything that’s given to alter the horses state is technically illegal.
You haven’t met my stallions, then.
Not so much to me, and I’m speaking as someone who has a fair background in botanical medicine.
If you are using something as a “calming supplement” it doesn’t matter whether it’s passionflower, valerian, or something in a syringe.
You’re after the same general effect.
Some of the most potent pharmaceuticals in the world are derivatives of “natural substances”.
Would you consider opium to be an acceptable calming supplement?
I’m not saying all stallions are poorly behaved, but I’d guess that’s why most of them are gelded. If they are perfectly behaved all of the time regardless of their equipment, why put them through the surgery?
Why keep them entire unless you have a very strong feeling that you want to produce from them? I would think only maybe 1% are a good idea to keep entire. This has nothing to do with their manners, BTW, just why?
Agreed
Geldings can be turned out with other horses and enjoy a herd experience. In no way would I ever equate gelding to performance enhancing, it is QOL enhancing. Does it make them quieter and perhaps easier to handle? Well, for the most part, yes. But I wouldn’t do it if I had a potential (dating myself) Popeye K or Abdullah in the barn.
If I had a 4yo with a great jump and lovely movement that had some attitude but might make a nice junior/AO hunter? Yes, but the attitude adjustment would improve his whole life. It would not be because I was trying to adjust his performance. Junior/AOs don’t want a stallion anyway IMO.
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