Horse abuse - what should be done?

M

moosea

Well-Known Member
Joined
18 November 2010
Messages
833
Visit site
Continuing from other threads regarding blatant horse abuse by high level riders.
What can be done to stop this?
Is there anything that we can do to encourage the FEI to take harsher action?
Do we need to look at entry requirements for higher level competitors?
 
It is like FEI dressage judging. If the judges ACTUALLY FOLLWED the guidance set out by the FEI, modern dressage would look very different. Competitve riders are chasing the highest marks, and if a certain way of training is getting those high marks, that is what they will do.

It is the same in all the horse sports - if XYZ is what gets rewarded , then riders will train to produce XYZ.

I do think stronger, more consistent stewarding needs to be in place, and that can only happen with LOTS of support ( and training) for the stewards. They are not going want to or be able to challenge riders at the top level unless they know how to, and know they will be backed up. Proper sanctions need to be applied across the board, without any exceptions, and then eventually a higher welfare expectation should become the norm, and would filter down to aspiring riders and trainers.

I think the rules are mostly in place, but they just aren't being followed by officials at the top. The rules say one thing, but officials do another.
 
Unfortunately stuff like that happens when people project their competitive aspirations on to an animal.

You see the same with trainers at the top level of gundog competition.

There was widely shared video footage of a well known gundog trainer c-bombing and kicking a client's yelping spaniel about.

Cue widespread outrage amongst dog owners and trainers who train with kindness.

Yet many other top level triallers and of course the KC were happy for him to compete at the next championship he qualified for.
 
I was thinking about this the other day. What about having a presence at a few competitions (obviously not making it public knowledge beforehand which ones), like the RSPCA. They show up to events like appleby fair so why do they not feel the need to show up to other events like show jumping or dressage comps.

It would be very black and white to an RSPCA officer who didn't have a background in horses. Give them the rules and the gadgets/knowledge to check and test and away they go? No one turning a blind eye because its XXX or XXX

And make sure it's not just the rider who is prosecuted but the venue and organisers too (if they are not seen to be stepping in/asking people to leave) - hitting them financially should sharpen peoples focus.
 
Cut off the income. The money for top end dressage comes from marketing and sponsorship - as it does for all sport. Stop buying the stuff, stop watching it (live or on tv), the sport will die and breeding horses for it will end.

But people like buying all the trendy latest stuff and forking out to attend events in the VIP area and while that’s the case it - the sport with the endemic abuse - will continue.

*obviously not all top flight riders are bad, I know that, but the sport seems to be riven with rot.
 
I’ve always been confused about situations where there is clear, documented evidence of abuse, yet the individuals involved are not banned from keeping animals. If this were another species, such as a dog, proven abuse would typically result in a ban on animal ownership. However, in these cases, riders are sanctioned by being barred from competition, but are still free to treat their horses however they choose behind closed doors. Why don’t the same rules apply to horses?
 
Fullers1845 said:
Unfortunately stuff like that happens when people project their competitive aspirations on to an animal.

You see the same with trainers at the top level of gundog competition.

There was widely shared video footage of a well known gundog trainer c-bombing and kicking a client's yelping spaniel about.

Cue widespread outrage amongst dog owners and trainers who train with kindness.

Yet many other top level triallers and of course the KC were happy for him to compete at the next championship he qualified for.
Click to expand...
That makes me feel sick. Glad I haven't seen that. They try so hard for us, they try their best. Breaks my heart to think about how the poor pup was feeling.
 
Burnerbee said:
Cut off the income. The money for top end dressage comes from marketing and sponsorship - as it does for all sport. Stop buying the stuff, stop watching it (live or on tv), the sport will die and breeding horses for it will end.

But people like buying all the trendy latest stuff and forking out to attend events in the VIP area and while that’s the case it - the sport with the endemic abuse - will continue.

*obviously not all top flight riders are bad, I know that, but the sport seems to be riven with rot.
Click to expand...
It's this all day.

I've also said before but thing that it needs ditching from the Olympics. Or at least the very serious threat of it.
 
Burnerbee said:
Cut off the income. The money for top end dressage comes from marketing and sponsorship - as it does for all sport. Stop buying the stuff, stop watching it (live or on tv), the sport will die and breeding horses for it will end.

But people like buying all the trendy latest stuff and forking out to attend events in the VIP area and while that’s the case it - the sport with the endemic abuse - will continue.

*obviously not all top flight riders are bad, I know that, but the sport seems to be riven with rot.
Click to expand...
Be interesting to see if there's a crowd reaction to CDJ in London next month - and if there is, will it be a standing ovation, or people leaving their seats while she rides?
 
rextherobber said:
Be interesting to see if there's a crowd reaction to CDJ in London next month - and if there is, will it be a standing ovation, or people leaving their seats while she rides?
Click to expand...

Given the replies to Horse and Hound posts recently, I think she’ll be given a very warm reception.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top