Oh shit, I guess I forgot about The Cart Before the Ponies. Yeah, that episode sucked, but it wasn't only Applejack's fault. As for Appleloosa's Most Wanted, I liked that episode. Yes, Applejack might have been a little overprotective, but at least she had a GOOD REASON for her behavior that time. If I had kids or if I was put in charge of kids, I sure as hell wouldn't let them take part in any activities that were known to be targeted by a notorious saboteur and I definitely wouldn't let them wander off by themselves. The Crusaders were extremely lucky that Trouble Shoes wasn't who everyone thought he was. I sort of agree with you that the Crusaders were punished somewhat unfairly, but I didn't let that ruin the episode for me. Anyway, I believe it's reasonable to assume that the ponies who misjudged Trouble Shoes DID apologize to him off-screen and thanked the Crusaders for letting them know he was innocent. Still, nothing changes the fact that the Crusaders disobeyed their caretaker and could have put themselves in great danger if they'd run into an actual criminal. I wouldn't call Applejack "abusive" for wanting to make sure the Crusaders won't wander off into unknown woods in the middle of the night in the future, and let's be honest, their punishment wasn't even that bad. They just had to clean up a fricking rodeo!