Horse deaths during filming of The Hobbit

Maybe im naieve, but would you not think horses used in films are not your average Dobbin.By this i mean surely they are hired in by a specialist company who train horses for use in films. Therefore, surely their training ect makes these animals rather valuable, so why would the 'stunt horse company' allow thier animals (that they have bought, put a lot if time, effort and money, into their training) allow, or not know that somthing so awfull was going on ? Maybe im wrong but I cant help but think the media have used a bit of poetic liescence on this story ?
 
It used to be, until fairly recently I think, that if in , say a western, they needed a horse to go over a cliff then a horse was sent over a cliff !! Humanity is not very nice especially where profit is concerned.
 
I think its blown out of all proportion. it sounds like mistakes were made and accidents happened. But were all human and not infallable. Fencing etc was improved. Its basically a non story hyped up by PETA.
 
gemin1eye said:
i have read the article and i know what point its making. my point is, why get so wound up over this when there are so many animals dying every single day in so many worse ways. i just dont think.its an issue. normally i would say (to myself!) that one cruelty doesnt excuse another but this isnt even cruelty it was accidents or negligence IF the article and its sources are to be believed.
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If everyone had this attitude nothing anywhere would get done. People have to be made aware of what is going on and a forum is one of the ways to do it.
 
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/a...d=10848911

The vet used by Sir Peter and the owner of the farm issued statements of support last night.

"We were consulted promptly in cases of injury and illness. We were also consulted routinely about ongoing veterinary care and preventative medicine," said vet Julia Bryce.

"At no time were we concerned about the welfare and ongoing treatment of animals under our care."

Farm owner Joy Gray was "appalled" to hear about the claims.

"[We] saw nothing to make us uncomfortable or give us cause for concern. In fact, the animals were wonderfully looked after, being well fed, well housed, and well treated. The 60 horses, the cattle, oxen, sheep, goats, dogs, pigs, hens were given professional and humane treatment."
 
It pays to hold judgement untill the whole story comes out, media loves to create a stir then chase the facts afterwards.


http://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-hobbit/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503305&objectid=10849134

It has been revealed that after John Smythe was sacked from the production, crew members who worked alongside him gave written and signed statements about his "antisocial and threatening" behaviour towards them and some of the animals he was working with.

Mr Smythe worked on the farm where animals used inThe Hobbit were being housed but was dismissed last October. Earlier this year he alleged at least 26 animals died from mistreatment, which caught the attention of international rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals last week.
 
READ PETA letter!!
2 horse broke their necks, because they were paddocked with other horses and they beat them up and chase them down a slope / cliff

NOT during filming and caused by horse behaviour, and trying to keep them naturally

THEN PETA moan because a horse got colic after being stabled due to being removed to keep it safe / stop it bullying others

as said if you bring lots of horses together accidents happen. This was not for entertainment, the b*ggers were kicking the crap out of each other
 
We'll probably never know the full truth :rolleyes:

I've worked with film/tv trainers, and can only say that the standard of care recieved by their animals was very high.

However, IF the deaths were a result of poor management, then that is terrible. Yes suffering goes on every day with so many horses - but I don't expect it at all from a big-budget film, so yes, if it was preventable then why shouldn't PETA shout about it?

Still, of course, if it turns out to be a load of garbage then congrats PETA you're getting on everyones tits again :rolleyes::rolleyes:
 
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