Just What Does Constitute 'Cruelty'?

[PapaFrita]

Oooh, what an interesting and complicated question: It's all a bit relative isn't it? I mean, to some people, we're cruel if we ride our horses, let alone jump them

In the case of horses at our yard, they don't want for food or water, but they're not shod or wormed regularly (which is either apathy or (false) economy- not sure which I find more objectionable) then the owners turn up once a week, gallop their horses around with no warm-up until they're dripping with sweat, then chuck 'em in a stable (or left in paddock). THAT really annoys me; the treatment of a horse as a machine.

 

[Fairynuff]

My idea of cruelty is...if I wouldnt be happy with the same treatment then it is wrong to expect the animal to put up with it. Then there is CRUELTY pure and simple wether due to evilness, indifference or ignorance. M.