idx
Well-Known Member
Someone had helpfully posted contact details to complain to in the thread about cruelty in arab showing. So I emailed and below is the response...
"I am glad that there is a large outcry about horse abuse in showing. I must point out that this is NOT a rare thing - I was recently at the Egyptian Event in Kentucky, USA, and it was as bad if not worse there. This does not EXCUSE what happened in Aachen, and it was many of the same handlers, but we all need to realise that it is a widespread syndrome - so much so that it has almost become a norm. Judges comment on relaxed horses not being "tense enough",... handlers say they are pampered and well fed - as if constant stress and not knowing where or WHY the next blow will fall does not outweigh good feed and a nice stall, or at least offset it to the detriment of the creature's well being.
ECAHO can set rules, but they are only as strong as those who enforce them. Many are scared to, or not supported by the organisers. The bottom line is that judges reward these methods, so handlers will keep doing it, to win. Many owners are ignorant or dont care, or think a smack or shank is not SOO bad... AWARENESS is what is needed. PRESSURE on handlers and owners and judges is needed. Please do address these entities. You could also address the ETHA (European Trainers and Handlers Association), a new group, largely of the handlers in the video, who want to represent handlers within ECAHO and who dont see these actions as wrong, or deny they even happen.
With thanks for your concern, and please feel free to share your views, we all need to act and keep pressure on for change for the better, God Willing,
Sincerely,
Alia Al Hussein
ECAHO Office
Gudrun Waiditschka, Exec. Sec.
Entenstrasse 20
D-73765 Neuhausen a.d.F.
Germany
ph.: 0049 / (0)7158 / 67141
fax: 0049 / (0)7158 / 65152
e-mail: g.waiditschka@ecaho.org
www.ecaho.org
I would urge anyone who felt strongly about the cruelty displayed in the video clips to also take action and write/email. With enough pressure something might change.
"I am glad that there is a large outcry about horse abuse in showing. I must point out that this is NOT a rare thing - I was recently at the Egyptian Event in Kentucky, USA, and it was as bad if not worse there. This does not EXCUSE what happened in Aachen, and it was many of the same handlers, but we all need to realise that it is a widespread syndrome - so much so that it has almost become a norm. Judges comment on relaxed horses not being "tense enough",... handlers say they are pampered and well fed - as if constant stress and not knowing where or WHY the next blow will fall does not outweigh good feed and a nice stall, or at least offset it to the detriment of the creature's well being.
ECAHO can set rules, but they are only as strong as those who enforce them. Many are scared to, or not supported by the organisers. The bottom line is that judges reward these methods, so handlers will keep doing it, to win. Many owners are ignorant or dont care, or think a smack or shank is not SOO bad... AWARENESS is what is needed. PRESSURE on handlers and owners and judges is needed. Please do address these entities. You could also address the ETHA (European Trainers and Handlers Association), a new group, largely of the handlers in the video, who want to represent handlers within ECAHO and who dont see these actions as wrong, or deny they even happen.
With thanks for your concern, and please feel free to share your views, we all need to act and keep pressure on for change for the better, God Willing,
Sincerely,
Alia Al Hussein
ECAHO Office
Gudrun Waiditschka, Exec. Sec.
Entenstrasse 20
D-73765 Neuhausen a.d.F.
Germany
ph.: 0049 / (0)7158 / 67141
fax: 0049 / (0)7158 / 65152
e-mail: g.waiditschka@ecaho.org
www.ecaho.org
I would urge anyone who felt strongly about the cruelty displayed in the video clips to also take action and write/email. With enough pressure something might change.
Who polices the Judges then. Who enforces the rules then?