Appleby Fair

I'm quite live and let live, but I just hate the welfare issues associated with the fair.

Must say most of the horses going past our way have been in good condition, maybe better than previous years, but it's the handling aspect that gets me.

That said, I was recently at the Feria del Caballo in Jerez, Spain, which is essentially a classier Appleby with Andalusians....however welfare issues there too - OH in particular was horrified to find that the in hand high school horses had toothed metal bars under their cavesson nosebands and horrible sores and nose disfigurements to show for...not very nice at all :(
 
my friend who is a photographer is there this week, he uploaded some photos last night to fb, might see if he is happy with me sharing them on here. There are some lovely ones, horses bright and alert, ears pricked, rider looking happy. There are a few horrendous ones where I feel sure if that kind of behaviour were demonstrated at any level of competition there would be a ban and a welfare issue raised.
 
RunToEarth said:
my friend who is a photographer is there this week, he uploaded some photos last night to fb, might see if he is happy with me sharing them on here. There are some lovely ones, horses bright and alert, ears pricked, rider looking happy. There are a few horrendous ones where I feel sure if that kind of behaviour were demonstrated at any level of competition there would be a ban and a welfare issue raised.
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Agreed RTE, there are some nice looking healthy horses there, from what I have seen of my friend's photos also on FB. As usual, it's the few that spoil it for the others.
 
I love that applebylover has mentioned hho on the facebook page! Coo-ee! *waves*

Would Applebylover have an opinion on Iraq as a safe holiday destination? Perhaps Afghanistan? After all, I doubt she has been.

I'm perfectly happy forming an opinion that I don't want to visit appleby based on what is reported in the media and on hho forums. Good and bad is reported and I think there will be both there, and I don't want to witness the stuff that is reported.

I do feel very sorry for those travellers who are genuine good horsrmen and are law abiding, it must be very difficult for them, too, with the louts ruining their reputation and fair. Hope any trouble this year is well contained and minimal.
 
ApplebyLover said:
I know, I know, - but they are like children. If nobody puts them right they will grow up to be nasty people....forgive them, for they know not what they do.
:)
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A few years ago I was speaking to a proper older traveller gentleman (I dont know if he is romany or not so I use the generic term traveller so as to avoid argument) I asked him about Appelby Fair and said how I would love to go and see all the horses his reply was stay away girl its not what it used to be you will only get upset.

I have taken this mans advice and never gone, he goes and sells a few and buys a few but to this day says stay away girl its not what you want to see.
 
I agree it's not what it used to be ( a place where little children could wander about safely until dark) but then where is nowadays?
The horse that was hit by a car was (according to my sister who is there!) was rammed by the car who pushed through the people and horses.
And if anyone would like me or my sister to justify our experience and horse care/welfare knowledge GO RIGHT AHEAD!
Calling all Appleby visitors is like saying all Muslims are bombers? Xenophobic much?
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...1324121556&type=1&theater&notif_t=photo_reply
 
Baggybreeches said:
I agree it's not what it used to be ( a place where little children could wander about safely until dark) but then where is nowadays?
The horse that was hit by a car was (according to my sister who is there!) was rammed by the car who pushed through the people and horses.
And if anyone would like me or my sister to justify our experience and horse care/welfare knowledge GO RIGHT AHEAD!
Calling all Appleby visitors is like saying all Muslims are bombers? Xenophobic much?
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...1324121556&type=1&theater&notif_t=photo_reply
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What planet are you on?
 
according to the facebook group guys we

"ent got a clu"

and are "snobs" ... funny how they ignore the video evidence ;)
 
pennyturner said:
I wouldn't judge gypsy society based on the more visible types described here. I'm sure you wouldn't want someone judging 'you and your kind' based on the aftermath of a west end football derby.

I had the pleasure of taking an elderly romany gentleman (lived locally for many years, and a friend) to Stow fair a few years ago. He was proper old school, and seemed to know everyone. For me it felt like giving the Queen a lift to Ascott. These fairs originate as marriage and trade events, where deals are done, and friendships/kinships kept alive. They're essential for nomadic people.

I drive carriages, so have dealings with both irish and romany types quite regularly, and have found them honest and decent. I'm sure many of them are as pissed off with the out of control element as everyone else.
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Wise words PT
 
Baggybreeches said:
I agree it's not what it used to be ( a place where little children could wander about safely until dark) but then where is nowadays?
The horse that was hit by a car was (according to my sister who is there!) was rammed by the car who pushed through the people and horses.
And if anyone would like me or my sister to justify our experience and horse care/welfare knowledge GO RIGHT AHEAD!
Calling all Appleby visitors is like saying all Muslims are bombers? Xenophobic much?
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...1324121556&type=1&theater&notif_t=photo_reply
Click to expand...

Faceache link says "content currently unavailable"
 
tessybear said:
according to the facebook group guys we

"ent got a clu"

and are "snobs" ... funny how they ignore the video evidence ;)
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The video evidence I have seen is ANIMAL AID propaganda, these people believe it is immoral to ride horses full stop, so please continue with your hypocrisy based on ignorance, either you are in AA's camp or not?
 
Was that another horse hurt at the fair then? The foal that i spoke about wasn't at the fair, it was no where near crowds, but on a busy A road where the travellers stay on their way or sometimes during the fair ( we still have loads on the roadside now). I should also say I have since found out it wasn't this morning that it happened - i heard the news from a friend whose GP husband hadnt told her til this morning - it was hit a day or so ago.
 
Pennyturner, that is just what I was thinking.
I'm appalled at some of the generalising on this thread.
 
pootleperkin said:
Was that another horse hurt at the fair then? The foal that i spoke about wasn't at the fair, it was no where near crowds, but on a busy A road where the travellers stay on their way or sometimes during the fair ( we still have loads on the roadside now). I should also say I have since found out it wasn't this morning that it happened - i heard the news from a friend whose GP husband hadnt told her til this morning - it was hit a day or so ago.
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According to my sister (who again is there and although a tad dramatic (as small sisters are) is usually accurate). There was a car that ploughed through the crowds and hit people and a pony :(
 
Apologies if it is the same incident - I live very close to where it happened and was quite upset to hear about it given that OH and others had moved the foals off the road previously - why wasn't it sorted out?
 
Baggybreeches said:
Tessybear if it wasn't for travellers and their way of life you wouldn't have/have had the coloured cob in your profile picture (and as it is they are no really my cup of tea, but each to their own as the non-judgemental amongst us would say!)
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Hey hey ! I don't have much against travellers, i dont like the way SOME treat their horses, like i dont like the way SOME non travellers treat their horses.

It's fine you don't have to own her nor would i expect everyone to love her, she is my horse ;)

And in regards to your above comment, Frankly i don't give two
 
Baggybreeches said:
The video evidence I have seen is ANIMAL AID propaganda, these people believe it is immoral to ride horses full stop, so please continue with your hypocrisy based on ignorance, either you are in AA's camp or not?
Click to expand...

I agree with you Bb, Animal Aid is not normally my friend and they have waited to get the unpleasant side of the chaos at Appleby. But you can not be under any illusion that it never happens, it is on film. I can assure you I am neither hypocritical or ignorant. I live here among it and you just visit.
 
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