My friend saw a poor horse die at roadside yesterday.

[giddyupalfie]

makes me sick! lets hope that the horse is in a better place now and that the rider doesnt get/have any other horses.

 

[jsr]

What I can't quite get my head around is why the child rider was so far behind the hunt that they weren't seen in the act Do people really just leave a child and pony to get further and further behind? I have never been on a hunt, but isn't there a "sweeper," or at least a rule in place that children hunt with a responsible adult in charge of them?

Exactly what I was thinking. I drag hunt but have never ever been on one where the kids are left unattended, they are led and followed and always monitored.

 

[riding_high]

i know it's not the norm to leave kids unattended and most have to have a responsible adult with them before they are allowed to hunt (depending on age). however i do know of one hunt that has the attitude that if you can't keep up then you shouldn't be hunting with them.

 

[abina]

Ludo, if your friend knows which hunt it was perhaps they might want to think about emailing the secretary to complain. Horses do get heart attacks sadly, but to kick a horse that has collapsed is absolutely unacceptable, and damages the reputation of hunting. Someone really needs to have a word with this rider and their parents and clear this up for them!

Ditto - Don't sit back and be upset and do nothing ! The hunt will respond it is in their interest to do so. Shameful behaviour and totally unacceptable.

 

[Seahorse]

RIP horse at least you are away from that brat now

 

[Flicker]

Oh Get a grip, woman.

Oooh - bit harsh?

 

[Kenzo]

I feel very sorry for your friend having to witness that, I do hope something is said to the mother of this child if that is exactly what happened.

Even if it didn't have anything to do with the hunt so to speak, a few words from them wouldn't go a miss, if young riders have such lack of respect and and knowledge when a pony has collopased, what hope have they have in becoming a good horseman/women when they are older, besides that is what the pony club is all about, educating young riders, truely shocking.

 

[Damnation]

What an absolutely disgusting attitude to have. Can't blame the child if its been brought up to think that way.

I don't think vets etc are necisarry to be present on a hunt and I agree with AmyMay, the fittest horse can drop from a heart attack but is a bit of compassion a bit too much to ask?

Some people make my blood boil >;(

 

[Vizslak]

Exactly what I was thinking. I drag hunt but have never ever been on one where the kids are left unattended, they are led and followed and always monitored.

Sadly I won't hunt with one hunt around here because this is exactly what happens. The hunt I do hunt with always look out for younger hunters and all keep a close eye for any member of the field in trouble, especially young hunters. They are never left behind. The same hunt would be very very shocked at the actions of this child and come down on them like a tonne of bricks, the other hunt probably wouldnt give a fig. The hunt I wont hunt with (although have done a few times) make my blood boil, they are the exact image of rude and careless hunters that give a toss for no one. Wonder why they have fields of about 3 every week while the other hunt have 20+ everytime out?! They have the better country as well Just pointing out that sadly it does happen

 

[1stclassalan]

This is, of course, unforgiveable behavior - today.

Xenophon wrote down the beginnings of what we call horsemanship and what his methods really amount to is catch up a load of wild horses and work them half to death and the ones that survive will serve you well in a battle. Some folks look after animals with due respect while others are quite callous.

I didn't hunt when I was young but I'm trying to think back honestly to exactly what I would have done in the lad's circumstances - did he realise his mount was dying? Had he ever seen one die or even go down? As for the Mother - is she truely horsey or just there attending her child's interest - I have never referred to any animal by "it" but some folk use the term without insult and seeming remoteness can be reserve or another emotion.

So there's much to consider - I've no doubt that there are horrible people who hunt just as in many other walks of life but most have very high standards of behavior - especially today.

 

[jendie]

But with a mother like that what can you expect? RIP poor horse

 

[spotty_pony]

That is awful! I don't think I would have been able to stop myself from voicing my opinions to the boy and his mother if I had been there! They want banning from owning horses, how dare they treat a horse like that!

Poor horse, Rest in Peace. xxx

 

[titchy]

Poor horse, Rest in Peace

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

How sad, that poor horse, ignoramuses like that do not deserve animals

 

[JoBird]

Please please write to the hunt. Better in writing than verbal as they will take it more seriously. Kicking a horse while it is down is so despicable. The hunt needs to educate their young riders and this is something you could ask that they take seriously.

 

[Achinghips]

Are you sure you saw it right? Was the young rider trying to nudge the horse up with his foot? and was the mother too upset to go into a dialogue?

 

[Achinghips]

Oooh - bit harsh?

very harsh

 

[mymare]

Ludo, if your friend knows which hunt it was perhaps they might want to think about emailing the secretary to complain. Horses do get heart attacks sadly, but to kick a horse that has collapsed is absolutely unacceptable, and damages the reputation of hunting. Someone really needs to have a word with this rider and their parents and clear this up for them!

^^ this.

Little shite!

 

[Enfys]

umm so if a person out hunting started swearing at passer by or any other totally inappropriate behavior that has nothing to do with the hunt eh ?? i think you will find that most hunts would find this disturbing especially if it has upset members of the public! all complaints are looked into and dealt with accordingly!!

Oh, don't be so damn patronising.

Every single Hunt I have ever followed in the past 30 years keeps an eye out for children, and bad manners toward public, or bad horsemanship, by anyone, regardless of age, experience or gender, is noted, commented, and if necessary, acted upon, BUT, the Hunt does NOT have a responsibility to nanny younger followers, any followers for that matter.

Members of the field will naturally keep an eye on unattended youngsters or 'novice' followers, of course, doesn't that go without saying? I assume so, it certainly is NOT up to Hunt Staff (other than the FM, who cannot be everywhere at all times) to monitor them though, most are too busy actually hunting hounds.

The demise of this particular horse is sad to hear about of course, and very distressing for those concerned I am quite sure, but it isn't an unheard of occurence, even fit horses keel over, eventing, show jumping, racing, endurance. It happens, who knows what goes on unseen inside. I think some comments about whether the horse was fit or not are unnecessarily judgemental unless the horse and connections were personally known.

I refuse to comment on the reported behaviour because I didn't witness it personally. People do not always react rationally at times of shock or stress.