Soring the Gaited Horse

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XmisshorsestyleX

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I am posting this purely on the fact that I want to know (if anyone does) whether anything has been done about the soring situation of the Gaited horse, and for those of you that dont know what it involves heres the link.. There are no graphic images just purely information, i think everyone should know about the practices that go on within the equine industry so we can put a stop to it.

Sore
 
My partner has recently returned from an equine management course in America and he said he was told several stories while there of training abuse of horses, particularly the showing horses and even quarter horses, which I found surprising. But then there is unfortunately abuse of all types of animals everywhere, not just horses.
 
oh my god! i had never heard of this before i could only read the link half way through before i had to come out of it through disgust and horror!!! is this done in England!! I just cant believe people sometimes! Hope they rot in hell!!!!
 
There are all sorts of petitions going on to stop the soring, inspections at shows etc. and a lot of people who don't do it. When the Inspectors are at the shows the horses in question simply don't come out of the vans I hear.

I had a friend once who was very much into the Walking Horses etc and did all the heavy shoeing, bracelets, soring etc and didn't think anything of it, to her, it was "normal, everyone did it, you can't compete with the best unless you do" It's a little (a very little) bit like our fat show ponies, if the Judges put them to the bottom of the line every time then perhaps the message would filter through. I doubt it though. There is a lot of money in these horses, if it's stopped publicly it will simply go underground. Personally I find it repulsive and pitiful to watch and it's easy to do it.....just search for TWH on You Tube for one.

As for the Quarter Horses, I have heard tales too. They seem to be such a placid breed, mine has been trained in the past by (a proffessional horseman as he advertised himself, he is well known and reasonably successful in his field) and quite honestly, if she had any spirit to start with, she doesn't now. She'll do anything I ask her, immediately and without question, but she always has a wary look in her eye. After 4 months here, a bit of personality is creeping through, but it's almost as if she is scared to do anything without being told to. It may have nothing to do with her training at all, that's pure supposition on my part, it could just be her very nature.
 
I'm afraid I am not familiar with anyone who does this although I know that it goes on. Where I live we don't really have huge gaited shows with big cash prizes. It seems to be more prevalent in the States, particularly in the Southern States.

I know there are always petitions going around for this sort of thing but I am fighting my own little corner of the world and know so little about this that it needs to be taken up by others.

There is certainly cruelty goes on in all countries ...... we need to figure out our causes and do the best we can.
 
Quarter horse are big money here and the western yards pop up like mushrooms and thankfully a lot disapear quickly. Ive yet to meet a Quarter who looks alive and has some spirit left. The way theyre broken is via total submission and the results are as you said re your mare. My x blacksmith breeds, breaks and competes them and I was shocked by his way of doing although there was no outright violence involved. There is no praise during or after work and when theyre put back in their box they are tied up so short that they have to stare at the wall for an hour. He says that they concentrate better and think about what they have just done!!!!!. They have no stimulation like looking out over the door as it distracts them and are closed in 23 and a half hours a day. I despare sometimes
crazy.gif
. Mairi.
 
Its sickening, I agree. The only thing we can all do is speak up loudly and quickly every time we see something that looks like abuse. If its difficult to personally intervene, tell an animal welfare organisation - write or phone. I feel if we all acted up a bit more about some things the abusers might take notice. Often its ignorance and the fact they have no inbuilt empathy for the animals involved - just little egos that need puffing up with rosettes (and for the money of course)!
 
I find personally that endless verbal praise, stroking and encouragement (together with hours of join up from the ground) has transformed my rearing napper into a happy, willing and trusting chap with a lovely personality.

I don't carry a stick or wear spurs and find now that verbal reprimand if required is all it takes to get results.

Sometimes though, people can turn the schooling arena into a torture chamber without intending to by repeating over and over again, even when the horse has done what is asked.

Makes me shudder to think what people do to their animals just to win a prize.
 
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