Riding/driving foals..thoughts please

[vennessa]

There is currently no legislation as to the age a horse can be ridden or driven. Foals as young as 5 months are ridden and driven. Your views please.
It is one of our up and comeing campains.

 

[Eira]

one word IMHO

CRUEL

 

[nikkiportia]

Foals being ridden and driven? Absolutely disgusting.
Would like to see some kind of legal age restriction. Not too sure how easy it would be to monitor though? Some idiots will do anything, legal or otherwise!

 

[Ezme]

You only have to look through a few posts on fugly horse of the day to see 15stone men sat on yearlings and younger... of course they don't buck or rear so their safe, right? disgussting

 

[vennessa]

[ QUOTE ]
Foals being ridden and driven? Absolutely disgusting.
Would like to see some kind of legal age restriction. Not too sure how easy it would be to monitor though? Some idiots will do anything, legal or otherwise!

[/ QUOTE ]
The hardest thing is going to be change. Apparantly it is going to be difficult due to the age racehorses race.

 

[Faithkat]

Absolutely horrifying and legislation would be good. However, given the "enforcement" (or lack) of all sorts of laws would probably mean that legislation wouldn't actually change anything. The UK has quite stringent animal welfare laws but look what Jamie Gray got away with . . . . .

 

[amandaco2]

foals being ridden and driven is wrong imho.dont know how it could be stopped though.

 

[Theresa_F]

Whilst I sat on my chap as a 2 1/2 year old, it really was that.
I have seen yearlings being driven flat out and it is horrible to see.

The major problem you will have is the racing industry - I personally would aim for 18 months minimum age - yes it is very young, but until they stop racing two year olds - both with jockeys and in harness you can't have one rule for one and not others.

I believe sitting/driving any animal under 18 months is abuse.

 

[nikkiportia]

Yep, the racing is definately the problem as far as age limits go. And now you're getting into my area

*waits for argument about racing to kick off now*
18months min age is prob about right if you were going to push for legislation, but you will not stop 2 yo TB's from racing.

 

[Donkeymad]

As a driving person I frequently look at sites such as Dragon Driving and Carriagelink. It dismays me just how many animals from 10 months to 18 months are for sale as being bombproof to ride and drive.

 

[Murphy3]

Really interested in this as I feel sick every time I see a youngster being hammered along the road but the racing situation makes it very complicated. I think a debate should be started though.