Appleby Horse Fair - anyone want to go/going??

Z

zoeshiloh

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I have decided that this year I will definately go - I am planning on heading up Friday night and staying until Sunday (4th-6th June) although might go for shorter/longer - at the moment I am undecided.

So, as OH is non horsey, does anyone want to go with me? No fuel contribution necessary (company car, fuel paid for) I would just like some company. Over 18's only please - I don't want to be responsible for a minor, lol! I am in Bury St Edmunds, so am happy to pick someone up from around there, or collect someone on the way up.

If any other HHO-ers are making their own way there, perhaps we could have a get together as well?
 
im def going love it :}
we go as a family though and make a long weekend of it , as its a great place with lots to do.
i think your oh would enjoy himself too its not just for horsey people its a real eye opener
and fantastic scenery etc
 
I don't think the OP asked who didn't want to go??!!

Just checked my calendar and it's my OH's Dad's wedding. Soooo do NOT want to go (he doesn't see him much and I hardly know them) but I guess I have to do my girlfriendly duties! :(
 
Fransurrey said:
Quite. I can't think why horse-lovers would want to go there and see so much abuse in the flesh, sorry. :(
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Plenty of reasons.

Sure, there are some sad sights at Appleby, and the traveller horse culture is very different to our own, but I have been twice now and both times the majority of horses looked happy and in great condition- well covered healthy looking animals. It's not the horse-abuse-fest people make it out to be. There are some fantastic displays of horsemanship on display at Appleby, for those able to cast aside their prejudices and open their minds enough to appreciate them.

It's a really interesting day out, and yes, I very much consider myself a horse lover, I should imagine most travellers do too.

Interestingly, last year there was a team of vets etc there working together with the travelling community through the fair to help educate and support people there. They had a base set up which seemed to be very well recieved given how busy they were.
 
That is such a mean thing to ask ive always wanted to go to appleby and i live really really close to bury. But there wouldnt be any one to look after my thug so not fair
 
Lzt, You've just said it yourself- last year there was a team of vets there, to "educate" them, I'm not surprised the vets were kept busy.
 
Jambo said:
Lzt, You've just said it yourself- last year there was a team of vets there, to "educate" them, I'm not surprised the vets were kept busy.
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...and here was me thinking that it was a positive thing that these people were keen to improve their knowledge in order to better care for their horses.

I certainly don't condone cruelty at Appleby but there is good and bad on show at pretty much every equestrian event out there, I have seen pretty appalling treatment of horses and ponies even at local shows! If people like yourself are determined just to see the bad then I guess that's your choice.
 
I wonder how many people anti Appleby have actually been? I went to Watton a few yrs ago and was told it was barbaric but to be honest I saw a lot of very well cared for and prized horses and ponies. Yes there was some things that made me angry/sad but not as bad as people had made out. With regards to Appleby I am going with an open mind. It will happen regardless of if horse lovers go and in my eyes the more people there the leas they can get away with.
 
I would love to go :) think it would certainly be an experiance, i live as far as way from you as poss (scotland) but the drive is do able for a day trip for me so could meet up (as i would be on my lonesome doubt anyone i know would want to come)!!
 
lzt said:
Interestingly, last year there was a team of vets etc there working together with the travelling community through the fair to help educate and support people there. They had a base set up which seemed to be very well recieved given how busy they were.
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I wish they would send teams of vets out to more shows to educate people on horse care.

Watching some of the show horse that are so grotesquely obese I wonder if the owners realise the cruelty they are inflicting on their 'beloved' show horse.

Or in the dressage warm up area when some of the horse's are going round with their chin strapped to their chest.

Or the showjumping warm up with the odd horse that can't track up due to obvious back pain.

Or the race track where the odd horse falls and breaks it's neck.

But no the vets only appear at Appleby...I just can't figure that out.
 
I'd happily go again!
Went a few years ago and didn't notice any glaringly obvious neglect or cruelty - nothing worse than you'd see at the average horse show anyway! See the odd ribby horse (but don't recall anything 'starved') and the odd prat showing off, but nothing that was quite as major as seems to be thought?! And they do have vets etc. practically everywhere these days keeping an eye on everything.
Was amazed at some of the horsemanship and generally how chilled and happy the horses looked. A good day out!
 
Silverspring said:
I wish they would send teams of vets out to more shows to educate people on horse care.

Watching some of the show horse that are so grotesquely obese I wonder if the owners realise the cruelty they are inflicting on their 'beloved' show horse.

Or in the dressage warm up area when some of the horse's are going round with their chin strapped to their chest.

Or the showjumping warm up with the odd horse that can't track up due to obvious back pain.

Or the race track where the odd horse falls and breaks it's neck.

But no the vets only appear at Appleby...I just can't figure that out.
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Well said! And I would add the truly nasty abuse I have seen at major international Arab horse shows...
 
I've seen ponies beaten, sworn at, kicked and hit at a local show, by children. Appleby/Watton etc are by no means the worst places for horses to gather. I believe a horse died last year? How many horses died at Cheltenham this year (not anti-racing by any means but lets put it into perspective hey?)
 
I went a number of years back I saw alot of well cared for ponies, but I also saw a dead trotter dumped in a road trench, a yearling being ridden it still had a foals tail so may of been younger wearing home made shoes.
I saw a 30in approx shettie pulling a cart with 5 men in it up the main appleby street which fell to its knees, that year a palomino pony drown in the river.
Yes the RSPCA are there but they don,t see it all, and these people do not need educating by the vets they know the difference between right and wrong.
But having said the above I hope you enjoy your trips but I would never go again.
 
I live just outside Appleby and have to drive through each day when the fair is on. It breaks my heart to see these 2 year olds and sometimes they are younger, thrashed up and down the street with terror in their eyes and their mouths wide open. These are not the traditional vanner horses but part bred trotters ridden and driven by louts. Each year as many as 5 or 6 horses are put down due to exhaustion, broken legs or pelvis and colic. Not that this is advertised to the public. They abandon their dogs when they leave, our local dog charity is full to bursting after the fair. The police are armed which is not hidden from the public each year someone is shot or stabbed. Last year they were carrying machetes hence the armed police. There were 250,000 people at Cheltenham last week and as far as I know nobody was shotor stabbed! They defacate anywhere and all the shops are closed or have to have guards. These are the majority not the exeption. They Romanies stay on their own and they are fine. I do know as I have witnessed this for 20 years. Yes the RSPCA are there but have no jurastiction, 2 years ago they stood and watched a man drown his horse in the river Eden.
 
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