Does anyone else find this cruel

[Theresa_F]

I am fairly down to earth and a lot of the videos claiming mistreatment are not that bad, but I found this rather distressing.

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/397/283138.html

I have seen horseball which is a show of riding ability and the horses do seem to enjoy themselves, but these big lumps sitting where they are and hauling them around really left a bad taste in my mouth. The poor things do not look happy.

Perhaps Brook should look at welfare education in the case as well as the third world? This is as bad as the fat tourist videos they show.

 

[Taffster]

They are not allowed to pull on their ears tales or manes though so that makes it ok

 

[Lippyx]

they do get their come upance, as quite a few are being bucked off, and falling off! Is it me, or are they sitting on their rumps as apposed to their back?
And that looks like a basket ball court, is that not a bit slippery????

 

[Nailed]

They had horseball comps at college when i was there and I thought they were brillients, the horses enjoyed them self, the riders were godo at what they did and enjoyed them selfs...

Lou x

 

[tasel]

The weight issue might not be too nice, but it seems like relatively low impact thing really... I mean they walk most of the time. Not as bad as how some donkeys are treated in other places, I think. Ok, they yank the reins, but if anyone has watched the SJ part of the Modern Pentathlon during the Olympics.... I found that display a lot more horrific - as this was actually the Olympics not some stupid high school prank!!!

Thing is, apart from their use in less developed countries... I don't actually know what donkeys are used for in the developed countries??? Can anyone let me know what donkeys are used for in developed countries - other than tot rides and field ornaments??

 

[Nailed]

Ive just watched the vid.. No its not cruel.. Donkey are natural weight carriers, and as said.. they are hardly doing bloody galloping hair pin turns!

Lou x

 

[Silverspring]

I would say daft but not cruel. The donkey's look quite willing to do what is asked of them and when they don't want to do it they behave like all good donkey's should and dig their little heals in

 

[StarFell]

I've seen this before, I'm pretty sure PETA are trying to get it banned

 

[Persephone]

The donkeys appear to be well looked after and healthy. They do not however look happy.

So I guess it's where do you draw the line and call it cruel?

We all see underhorsed and unbalanced bad riders at times. OTT inapropriate tack jabbing spurs etc etc, not out and out cruelty but unpleasant.

I guess if a horse is healthy and well looked after then you have to look at what percentage of the animals life is spent being unhappy.

Didn't really answer anything there did I!

Personally I would have a hard time calling it cruel. Disrespectful yes. I would not have any animal of mine taking part thats for sure!

 

[MagicMelon]

I think its dumb TBH, it is slow paced which is good for the donkeys, but they are hauled around in the mouth too much which is nasty. What a pointless sport.

 

[Fairynuff]

that is positively pleasant

.You want to see the Italians play HorseBall-it is horrendous in every aspect

.You want to see the donkey races too, guess whats on the menu at lunch time?''''

 

[Flame_]

Naaa, its not too bad. The riders weren't taking it too seriously or getting cross with the donkeys, and it was all in walk. Someone should teach them to sit it the middle of the blooming donkey's though, if they don't want to get dumped on the floor.

 

[Theresa_F]

Maybe I am getting soft in my old age - I suppose it is not worse than some pony club games and I used to love doing them and I do agree that they look well .

Actually, my nana's evil old donkey would have been great - he used to buck you off and then chase you attempting to take chunk out of you. It was great fun to watch - the little kids ran screaming for their lives whilst big sister (me) sat wetting herself with laughter.

Mairi - if I could have eaten the bugger I would have willingly he was so horrible

 

[Silverspring]

[ QUOTE ]
I've seen this before, I'm pretty sure PETA are trying to get it banned

[/ QUOTE ]

PETA are trying to get the entire world banned from owning animals, I wouldn't put much steed by what they think.

 

[j1ffy]

Don't they generally ride donkeys on the rump in the US? I'm sure I read that somewhere.

TBH it just looks frustrating more than anything and I'm amazed the court owner allows it, it must ruin the (very slippery!) floor. I agree with other posters that the donkeys cope remarkably well and are quite prepared to dump their riders when the want to. The yanking on the reins is nasty but at least the riders aren't beating them or anything more unpleasant.

 

[lovecharles]

i don't think there's anthing wrong!
the donkeys are healthy, it's only for 16 mins, they are hardly ridden, and only at a slow trot! i'd find it quite amusing seeing the donkeys getting their own way!

"Kenny Schappacher from Buckeye said: "A lot of people don't like donkey ball, but it's just good old fun." "

well said, Kenny.

 

[flyingfeet]

[ QUOTE ]
... but they are hauled around in the mouth too much which is nasty.

[/ QUOTE ]
They are wearing headcollars not bridles, so not being pulled in the mouth???

Definitely no worse than PC games, although would think that would be bad for the sports centre floor - heck black trainers aren't allowed in most!!!

 

[Tnavas]

Donkeys have a natural way of humiliating people! I remember the donkey derbies of my youth - it was great fun to race bareback around the course! If yoou made it to the winning post without being bucked off a couple of times you were lucky.

 

[Donkeymad]

I am undecided about this. I think if the riders were to sit in the correct position, rather than over the loin, it is Ok in the small doses they do it, and provding they stick to lighter riders.

 

[merlinsquest]

QR so not sure if anyone else has said it...... But have seen much the same treatment of ponies in gymkhana games, and the show jumping (12 or 14 hh stuff at HOYS or Olympia, where ever it was.... not to mention polo)!!!

That said it just looked a bit pointless??