eatmoremincepies
Well-Known Member
As in H&H this week - team chasing rules have been changed so that it will no longer be allowed to team chase in a headcollar, effectively banning the "bridleless not brainless" teams who have run in pink headcollars for the last few years, and this year have been raising money for Breast Cancer research.
The point of these teams (as I understand it from people I know who ride with/train them) is to demonstrate that with good old fashioned training, it is possible to team chase safely and in control, even without a bit. The teams' record speaks for itself, they have not had a faller yet I believe (in several years), and go round at a controlled speed, never the fastest of the day.
Shouldn't these people demonstrating both the horse welfare and safety aspects of good training be supported? IMHO it's very sad that they should be banned just because of a different approach, when their record shows they've had less falls than riders with bridles but with less training?
Insurance should not be the reason, since it is a condition of entry to have liability insurance, and insurers are starting to accept that horse do not need to be wearing a bitted bridle to be in proper control.
Also, is a well trained combination in a headcollar less safe than an insufficiently experienced/trained combination in eg a pelham?
I feel an email to the editor of H&H coming on. . .
The point of these teams (as I understand it from people I know who ride with/train them) is to demonstrate that with good old fashioned training, it is possible to team chase safely and in control, even without a bit. The teams' record speaks for itself, they have not had a faller yet I believe (in several years), and go round at a controlled speed, never the fastest of the day.
Shouldn't these people demonstrating both the horse welfare and safety aspects of good training be supported? IMHO it's very sad that they should be banned just because of a different approach, when their record shows they've had less falls than riders with bridles but with less training?
Insurance should not be the reason, since it is a condition of entry to have liability insurance, and insurers are starting to accept that horse do not need to be wearing a bitted bridle to be in proper control.
Also, is a well trained combination in a headcollar less safe than an insufficiently experienced/trained combination in eg a pelham?
I feel an email to the editor of H&H coming on. . .