Is Carriage Driving Ethical?

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onei11

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It saddens me to type this I visited england and went to watch a carriage driving competition at Farleigh. I chatted to a few people who told me about the pony world chamionships.

It was mentioned that there was a vet check and I was pleased to hear of such precautions being taken for the animals to be taken abroad.

This was then tarnished when several people said it was a farce because a Horse had failed the Check up because it was lossing weight. This Horse would not eat when travelling or at shows. This horse and competitor later were selected for the championships in Denmark.

If this is true?

Would a horse be able to go without proper food for what I am guessing would be over a week?

Is it ethical to do this?

Is it fair on an animal to put it through that

Will it be able to compete at its best

I am confused!! Is this right.
 
I cant speak about that incodent as i have not heard the whole story, but in general Carrige Driving is more ethical than other sports IMO. Which vert check was it? What time in the competition was it? The horse presumably survived farleigh and it would have been there the best part of the week, it surly mast have eaten somthing?

Haz
 
This was something that seemed open knowledge at the event and was being discussed by people. My understanding was that the check was prior to the event starting and that the animal was deemed as under weight and was not allowed in the marathon.

I enjoyed my time at the event but I wouldn't like to watch a sport that I would see as giving a nation of animal lovers a bad name for being cruel to animals

Paul
 
I can not see that any one who quailified for denmark was eliminated for failing vetting. If i am missing something pleae PM or post me the part I am missing.

Haz
 
I would be interested to know about this as well, especially as my OH sponsors one of the members of the pony team.
 
This sounds like a rumour, rather than any fact. If the vets weren't happy with a horse's condition, they wouldn't have let him compete.
Many horses lose weight when competing, eventers, racehorses etc - it's only to be expected.
With a little TLC back home, I'm sure they will be fine.
S
smile.gif
 
I suspect it is someone with an axe to grind, as often happens on this forum. As you say, a lot of competition horses are picky about their food when they are travelling - it doesn't mean they don't eat anything at all whilst they are away.
 
What exactly are you moaning about? Someones horse failed a vet check and they weren't allowed to compete. How is that cruel? Just because a horse is selected for a competion in Denmark doesn't mean it will compete or pass the vet in Denmark.
 
What I am "moaning" about is that a horse is under weight and not allowed to compete after a journey of a few hours. What condition will the horse be in after 2 days.

You are right it may not pass the vet check in Denmark.

It might not compete.

But why should a horse be put in that position in the first place.

If you couldn't travel a few hours, how would you like to trave in a confined space for a couple of days.
 
DD, I think there is more to this than meets the eye - there is another post just put up this evening slating the selection of the pony driving teams. Of course, it might just be coincidence ....

By the way, I am 95% certain which pony this post is about and I can assure there is absolutely no way that competitor would put the animal at risk. She is a very experienced horsewoman with a genuine love of horses and the pony concerned is a much loved family pet. Sounds like a case of sour grapes to me.
 
It wasn't really clear from the first post what they were trying to get at. So the horse shouldn't go to Denmark because their friend didn't get selected? The standard of english improved dramatically between the 2 posts
 
Sounds like back-stabbing to me.
Just curious, how much weight CAN a horse lose in a few hours? Enough to make it underweight? I think not.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I can't eat when I'm excited/nervous. Does that mean I shouldn't go out and do exciting/nerve wracking things?

[/ QUOTE ] LOL - good point
grin.gif
 
I would like to put your mind at rest with a few facts.
The pony in question did not fail the Vet check, nor was it pulled from the marathon because of this.
The pony has actually gained weight during the season.
I have known the pony who thrives on competition for more than seven years.
I have competed against her at club level .
I have backstepped with her at FEI National events.
She is loved cherished and fed by all close to her.
I have travelled thousands of miles with her in those seven years.
She has been a consistant winner at all levels and continues to do so at the highest level.
I have witnessed many wins including "double clears " as recently as Hopetoun 2007.
I travelled the 1000 mile round trip with her to this event where she won the marathon and was second overall.
The driver of this pony is one of the most experienced and caring horsewomen you are ever likely to meet and is respected by the true sporting carriage drivers.
She continues to work hard passionate about promoting and supporting the sport.
It disappoints me that people who could not hold a candle to her feel it necessary to spread unfounded gossip, could it be they are not as successful?
As long as she is involved Carriage Driving will remain ethical.
Well done the selectors and good luck to Team GBR, most of us will be supporting you.
 
[ QUOTE ]
The driver of this pony is one of the most experienced and caring horsewomen you are ever likely to meet and is respected by the true sporting carriage drivers.
She continues to work hard passionate about promoting and supporting the sport.
It disappoints me that people who could not hold a candle to her feel it necessary to spread unfounded gossip, could it be they are not as successful?


[/ QUOTE ] Well said - I agree entirely.
 
I was a groom for many years for a competitor at national carriage driving trials, and TBH - it is the most ethical type of event I've ever seen!

You don't get kids in spurs and gags hauling and kicking ponies about, dodgy jumping training methods, rollkur, gadgets tying horses down, thrashing over jumps etc etc etc that you see at shows and events.

I can honestly say, the carriage driving lot are the nicest bunch of people I have ever come across, there are some stunning horses and ponies and they are very well looked after . I don't recall EVER seeing any horse/pony badly treated or underweight.

Its such an open set up at these events, everyone knows everyone as the driving lot are practically a community! There are always people walking round, the stabling on the horseboxes is open, grooms everywhere chatting as there are shared facilities... its really relaxed and the horses are really well looked after.

I really think this to me sounds like sour grapes and scandalmongering...

I can't see it for a minute.
 
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