Dreadful Handing at Arab Show

[JFTDWS]

The horses are being given sharp yanks on the lead rope to make them react. They are also threatened with whips and respond excessively compared to what most horses would do which indicated they have been prepared by ACTUAL hitting with the whips. I could waft a whip in front of any of the horses noses at my yard and they would hardly blink. These horses on the clip have obviously been abused with whips.

The video is so blurry I can neither see whips clearly (odd shots where you can see them waving about) nor determine exactly how they're being used. The "yanking" is something I commonly see in in hand classes and on yards where people have issues bringing in from the field so don't actually find it that shocking. Or rather, no more so than I find it elsewhere. I don't actually agree that they have necessarily been abused with whips - they have been conditioned to respond in that manner (the same as yours are conditioned not to react). I could poke mine in the face with a schooling whip while I am riding and get no reaction, or poke him with a crop while standing in front of him while he's loose in the field with no response - he's conditioned not to respond to those cues. If I stood in front of him with a schooling whip, he would behave differently - backing up sharply if I pointed it at him and rearing up if I raise it. He's never been hit, but he IS trained to react in that manner (and I bet I get a slating for that, but he's my horse, my business!).

eta - Faracat, that does put the tugging in a different light - but is it any worse than a NH halter? I have one (left on my yard when I started renting it) which has a similar action. I've seen horses on yards yanked about in those too.

 

[Kenzo]

Some of the tugs they give on the videos posted (notice how I said some) are not as harsh as it appears (still enough to make a horse flinch of course) but it's clear the horses know what's coming and no doubt the tugging or what ever the term for it is, is done much drastically out of the ring be it at home etc.

Who can we write to about this? if everyone has bothered to repy to this post or just read it and agree, surely it's worth all the letters, emails from us all being sent to the right people, groups, societies etc?

Any suggestions?

 

[PixieWS]

If this is what goes on in the public eye what on earth goes on at home. Its a disgrace. No other word for it.

 

[StuartH]

What can you not see??

Look again!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jW_kWUip7TQ

 

[Wagtail]

Some of the tugs they give on the videos posted (notice how I said some) are not as harsh as it appears (still enough to make a horse flinch of course) but it's clear the horses know what's coming and no doubt the tugging or what ever the term for it is, is done much drastically out of the ring be it at home etc.

Who can we write to about this? if everyone has bothered to repy to this post or just read it and agree, surely it's worth all the letters, emails from us all being sent to the right people, groups, societies etc?

Any suggestions?

Good idea. I would certainly write if I knew who to, or sign a petition.

 

[PixieWS]

Quote................The video is so blurry I can neither see whips clearly (odd shots where you can see them waving about) nor determine exactly how they're being used..........Unquote

Without meaning to attack you...... perhaps a visit to you opticians is in order.

 

[PixieWS]

What can you not see??

Look again!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jW_kWUip7TQ

Clearly that person is a "blindey"

 

[AmyMay]

JFTD, this isn't the best photo, but it demonstrates how the arab show halter with chain is fitted.

It is very harsh (and surely very painful) if tugged on in the violent manner demonstrated in the video. Someone on AL states that their arab has damage to the lower jaw that can be seen on X-rays that was caused by the mis-use of such a show halter and chain.

Essentially a stallion chain by any other name, and to be used with caution.

 

[JFTDWS]

Without meaning to attack you...... perhaps a visit to you opticians is in order.

More likely my computer is screwed HOWEVER, I don't think the posters complaining about this are claiming that the horses are being hit, they are suggesting that they are scared of the whips as they have been hit at home, making this somewhat irrelevant.

 

[Kenzo]

The video is so blurry I can neither see whips clearly (odd shots where you can see them waving about) nor determine exactly how they're being used. The "yanking" is something I commonly see in in hand classes and on yards where people have issues bringing in from the field so don't actually find it that shocking.(

I agree the video is too blurry to judge every handler, I've watched it a few times and without sound, to be fair a clearer footage would be better.

But I've never seen anyone yank their horses like that at horse shows, maybe the odd one telling a stallion or colt to back off and listen when getting bolshy, but certainly not as method to show their horse off in front of the judge and spectators.

NH halter (not that I've got one) works on pressure and release, it shouldn't be yanked on and I cringe when I see people using them to lunge and tie up with, so yes it is quite different surely?

 

[AmyMay]

NH halter (not that I've got one) works on pressure and release, it shouldn't be yanked on and I cringe when I see people using them to lunge and tie up with, so yes it is quite different surely?

Even yanking a NH halter wouldn't have the same result as the Arab halter, because the metal chain obviously has a far more brutal affect.

 

[JFTDWS]

NH halter (not that I've got one) works on pressure and release, it shouldn't be yanked on and I cringe when I see people using them to lunge and tie up with, so yes it is quite different surely?

Hm, your point would be that if they are used correctly and NH halter is less dangerous than a stallion chain used incorrectly? Can't disagree with that! I'm really lamenting the number of people who don't use them correctly (rather than those who don't use them as a means of applying a forceful tug). Possibly not really relevant - it doesn't excuse either case, merely an observation that similar sorts of equipment are abused on a wider scale than arab showing classes... As I say, more of an observation than anything.

 

[Jesstickle]

Well BH is always led with a chain. You can see his headcollar in my siggy in fact. Other wise he naffs off constantly. I don't yank on it but he occasionally runs into it when he is being rude. He doesn't seem too traumatised by it frankly

 

[JFTDWS]

Well BH is always led with a chain. You can see his headcollar in my siggy in fact. Other wise he naffs off constantly. I don't yank on it but he occasionally runs into it when he is being rude. He doesn't seem too traumatised by it frankly

Runs over the front of his nose though, not tightening under the jaw, so the action is somewhat different? I've used a chain like that on my 5 y/old when he was on livery and being an ill mannered git...

 

[Jesstickle]

Runs over the front of his nose though, not tightening under the jaw, so the action is somewhat different? I've used a chain like that on my 5 y/old when he was on livery and being an ill mannered git...

Sort of but it does run all the way round the back so tightens front and back. If he really pulls he cops it front and back as it isn't anchored in anyway and can tighten on itself indefinitely.

 

[JFTDWS]

Sort of but it does run all the way round the back so tightens front and back. If he really pulls he cops it front and back as it isn't anchored in anyway and can tighten on itself indefinitely.

Oh well, you're probably evil and heartless and yank on it just for fun, I bet

 

[Kenzo]

Hm, your point would be that if they are used correctly and NH halter is less dangerous than a stallion chain used incorrectly? Can't disagree with that! I'm really lamenting the number of people who don't use them correctly (rather than those who don't use them as a means of applying a forceful tug). Possibly not really relevant - it doesn't excuse either case, merely an observation that similar sorts of equipment are abused on a wider scale than arab showing classes... As I say, more of an observation than anything.

No I know what your saying, I agree all are abused at times, you only have to see people abusing a horse with a bit when they start yanking them in the mouths when they loose their patience etc.

My point was I can justify someone giving a yank if its really needed (never used a chain or NH halter myself but have no issues with who people do and need to thats fair enough) but yanking continually for showing purposes to show them off, it's totally un called for, which is why so many people find it shocking to see.

 

[Kenzo]

Even yanking a NH halter wouldn't have the same result as the Arab halter, because the metal chain obviously has a far more brutal affect.

Absolutely.

 

[Jesstickle]

Oh well, you're probably evil and heartless and yank on it just for fun, I bet

O yeah. Both of mine are totally abused

Do you know what upsets me more than the way these arabs are being shown? People sawing their horses gobs to get them in an 'outline'. At least this is a sharp tug and then a release. I've watched people ride a whole dressage test sawing away and leaning into it too. Imagine how awful that must be for the poor horse. Yuck!

 

[JFTDWS]

O yeah. Both of mine are totally abused

Do you know what upsets me more than the way these arabs are being shown? People sawing their horses gobs to get them in an 'outline'. At least this is a sharp tug and then a release. I've watched people ride a whole dressage test sawing away and leaning into it too. Imagine how awful that must be for the poor horse. Yuck!

Horses being sawed down into an outline which is so on the forehand that after a couple of years they're crippled with arthritis so bad their owners get their knees injected with steroids so they can go out and compete some more? Happened to a mare I used to school, I absolutely loved her, considered buying her but wasn't in a position. A few years down the line I saw her again like this

 

[fburton]

Not just in Aachen. Towerlands, Essex this year. Spot the grey horse with the sore mouth. Also watch what is going on in the background. Plus the noise is horrendous and so unecessary. I am sure I don't need to remind any of you that this is an animal of flight. Its just cruel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmG7NFQxzdk&feature=related

FFS, what's with all the whooping?! This isn't America! Why does it have to be so noisy??

 

[Crazydancer]

The bit that I find disturbing, although the yanking is bad enough, was towards the end, where the handler brings the butt-end of the whip slowly towards the horses muzzle..... the horse almost transfixed..... but at the point of contact the horse reacts like they have been shocked. If that is a 'trained response' then I dread to think of the training methods used.

 

[Hippona]

I think that if you have direct experience of professionally show trained Arabs, as I do, then you will never be able to watch these shows without wanting to weep. When you know the absolute truth of how these horses have been "trained" I don't think any horse lover can ever accept it.
The reason these horses can be like this in the ring and completely different out of it is obvious. They have very strong associations with the tools that are used and the way they are handled in the ring, and they don't have the same fear associated with what goes on away from the trainer and their tools. I have experienced this for myself. I have taken a calm and happy Arab into a field with other people and horses, holding a stick in my hand, and seen him change into a reactive and scared animal, desperately running round me and throwing out show poses in an attempt to appease me - just because I shifted my stick into my other hand.

My arab was shown successfully in hand before I owned him.

I don't do showing.....I've brought him on under saddle - I hack him and we have fun.

I can lunge him......but only without a whip.....with one, he is a total loony.

And bless him.....he tries his heart out for me.....and really worries if he doesn't get it right.

Know I know why.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Sorry, I should have put a better photo up, but I liked the way that that one showed how the chain runs under the chin.

ETA. I have used a leadrope with a chain with my filly. I find that with it, I need to use a teeny-tiny amount of pressure to steady her.

Knowing how little pressure is needed, makes me cringe when I see them being yanked on, especially when there is no reason to do so, ie, the horse isn't about to attack anyone.

 

[Changes]

The bit that I find disturbing, although the yanking is bad enough, was towards the end, where the handler brings the butt-end of the whip slowly towards the horses muzzle..... the horse almost transfixed..... but at the point of contact the horse reacts like they have been shocked. If that is a 'trained response' then I dread to think of the training methods used.

Me too. Just like watching a horse touch an electric fence by mistake with it's nose.........

I've heard from someone in the Arab showing world about the electric water trays, and minor plastic surgery to increase the size of the eyes, apparently, and liposuction to get the right shape - FFS .......

 

[fburton]

I've heard from someone in the Arab showing world about the electric water trays, and minor plastic surgery to increase the size of the eyes, apparently, and liposuction to get the right shape - FFS .......

This is just... WRONG! (like unfettered capitalism, but in this case horses are the exploited commodity)

 

[Amaranta]

The Arabian Showing scene as is....... has 'lost the plot' - highlighted by Aachen (All Nations)this year.
As we undergo our darkest hour - the move in the main from the U.K. AND Europe is to leave this practise and god willing many of the handlers and supporting Owners far,far, far behind us!

The time for change I hope is finally here....... as Arabian showing has become a joke........ a cruel one!!

I agree, I hate what the 'showing fraternity' has done to the Arab horse

 

[Wagtail]

Having never owned an arab or been part of the in hand horse showing world, I have been completely surprised by all this. Unbelievable.

 

[Damnation]

Its nt the whips I dislike.
Its the constantly checking the horses even though they are stood still and correctly. A small chain like that really pinches..

 

[Tinypony]

I think that the trend for this sort of showing started in the States and has spread into Europe and the UK? As Perissa said earlier, in the UK there are people fighting back against this and classes where Arabs can be shown more naturally.
My gelding was qualified for Aachen when I brought him, but showing has never been my thing. From when she was a foal I paid for my mare to take part in the Futurity class at Malvern when she was three. I went to suss it all out when she was two and what I saw there made me decide to scrap the whole idea. I'd spent all that time producing a nice horse there was no way I was going to take her into that ring to be scared witless by spectators or to have professionals wazzing up horses around us to put us off our game. Very sad.
It's very sad that so many people are put off showing their Arabs because of this sort of rubbish.