Do you think horse eventing is detrimental to the horse?

What is your opionion on the horses welfare in horse eventing?

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sarahjappy

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I am working on a college project about the welfare side of eventing and would like to know your opinions. Please could you tell me whether you believe that horse eventing is good or bad for the horse and why. Please could you also tell me where abouts in the world you live.
Thank you! :)
 
Hi,

This is a tricky one because my opinion doesn't sit within the categories. Could you organize some kind of forum or discussion group and where we can provide some more qualitative answers?
Or perhaps have more of a sliding scale so we can rate the statements you have put above as to how much we agree?
 
Sarah, I live not very far from you and I guess you might be studying at Reaseheath or Northop, in which case I am horrified and disappointed that you can be expected to carry out a study and devise a poll which is so vague. Perhaps think about the type of information that you need to get some real specific examples in your study and put some effort into the poll questions it will make for a better report all round.
FWIW in the context you are asking the question there is no definitive answer, riding is detrimental to most horses as they were not primarily designed for it...............
 
Baggybreeches said:
Sarah, I live not very far from you and I guess you might be studying at Reaseheath or Northop, in which case I am horrified and disappointed that you can be expected to carry out a study and devise a poll which is so vague. Perhaps think about the type of information that you need to get some real specific examples in your study and put some effort into the poll questions it will make for a better report all round.
FWIW in the context you are asking the question there is no definitive answer, riding is detrimental to most horses as they were not primarily designed for it...............
Click to expand...

A tad harsh perhaps! You could have suggested changes without being so shocked or disappointed. She only sounds young and we don't know how in depth her research has to be..

My answer doesn't really fit into a box, but very generally speaking, I don't personally think eventing is detremental if the horses are properly fittened and cometing at an appropriate level. I also think that it is pretty well managed by BE with its watch lists etc.
 
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i can't tick any of those boxes either. your questions are too vague and the basic premise (if there is one) isn't clear or well-thought-out imho.
Horses frequently manage to injure and kill themselves out in the field. Also in the stable. It's the nature of the beast, unfortunately. I've had worse injuries with horses out in the field than eventing, ever - and nothing to do with bad fencing or anything. had a good horse fracture his pedal bone irreparably in a perfectly flat field, on his own, for example. he'd never hurt himself eventing.
I think modern short-format eventing is far less detrimental to the horse's welfare, especially long-term, than long-format was. the proof of this is that there are a LOT more horses eventing at top level into their late teens nowadays. years ago it was pretty much unheard of, i remember one of Matt Ryan's still doing big stuff at 17ish some years ago, and it was a real shock, since most top horses were retired at 14, 15 ish, even if still at the top of their game. of course the vet advances have to be considered too - nowadays joints can be medicated etc to keep older horses sound for longer.
the horses recover more quickly after the xc phase of a 3-day (CCI) than they used to, because the Roads and Tracks and Steeplechase, phases A B and C, have all been phased out. The steeplechase particularly used to contribute to horses breaking down imho, unless you were on a pure t.b. you had to get a real wiggle on to get the time, and running a horse at full speed is always more dangerous to it (higher chance of breakdown etc) than running at, say, 3/4 speed or less.
proof - much better show-jumping rounds on Day 3 of a 3 day event, nowadays, imho, because they recover faster.
Racing is the prime example of the effect of horses being taken at maximum speed - the percentage of horses that break down is far higher than in eventing imho.
a few points for you to consider anyway, i hope. good luck with it!
 
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Baggybreeches said:
Sarah, I live not very far from you and I guess you might be studying at Reaseheath or Northop, in which case I am horrified and disappointed that you can be expected to carry out a study and devise a poll which is so vague. Perhaps think about the type of information that you need to get some real specific examples in your study and put some effort into the poll questions it will make for a better report all round.
FWIW in the context you are asking the question there is no definitive answer, riding is detrimental to most horses as they were not primarily designed for it...............
Click to expand...

Am inclined to agree with this. This poll is far too vague, and none of them represent what I think either :) sorry.
I think that yes generally horse sports are quite often going to detrimental to the horse, as baggy breeches said they are not designed for the sport. But if they enjoy it and people are willing to continue to push horses to the limits of their evolution and capabilities, then it will continue. We just need good enough methods of controlling injuries as best we can
 
I don't think eventing is detrimental to horses, I mean they definitely enjoy it. But I always think there is room for improvement in anything really, especially if its relating to welfare or safety. You never know what new invention might be on the market next year :)

I think you can set up free surveys through survey monkey, which might allow you to do a more in depth survey - but pick questions carefully, it can be hard to choose the right ones sometimes :)
 
I didn't nessessarily need a poll but when I was setting up the forum they suggested doing a poll.
I have put the answers so vague because I only need to know the basis of your opinion so I dont see why you are 'horrified' not like you were made to answer me. Your not my teacher so thanks for the arsy message.

Thanks to other people who have showed your opinion I appriciate it.
 
Sarah take a moment to think. The posters who have asked you to present this differently are helping you big time. The eventual grade for your work will be far higher than for vague waffle.
 
sarahjappy said:
I didn't nessessarily need a poll but when I was setting up the forum they suggested doing a poll.
I have put the answers so vague because I only need to know the basis of your opinion so I dont see why you are 'horrified' not like you were made to answer me. Your not my teacher so thanks for the arsy message.

Thanks to other people who have showed your opinion I appriciate it.
Click to expand...

Actually, I agree with Baggybreeches. Your poll is far too vague.
As for being 'Arsey'.... I'd like to remind you that YOU came on the forum looking for the help, opinions and advice of some very knowledgeable and experienced people. Essentially that DOES make them your teachers, and you would do well to accept their opinions with a tiny bit less of your 'attitude'.
Here endeth ANY interest I had in you or your poll.
 
What course are you doing, OP?

The poll is useless. Kerilli's reply is interesting and useful, but you're unlikely to get anything quantitative or constructive unless you massively re-think your attitude towards what is essentially a piece of scientific (albeit fluffy social science-y) research.

You might also consider revisiting to rules of grammar.
 
I don’t mean to have an ‘attitude’ but I don’t see why everyone is being so funny with the situation I only need simple answers for my research as this poll is not a big part to my study. I created a vague poll for a reason. At the end of the day it is them answers I need and there is an option to say that none of those apply to you.

And also I know I don't know everything and I never will, hense why I have created a poll.

Thank you.
 
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