Franob
Member
As per the title really, sadly I was unlucky enough to witness a 'well known show person' (apparently, I don't show) and her cretinous offspring physically abusing one of their (or someone elses as they take in youngsters to 'professionally' back) horses today. Sadly I have witnessed them doing idiotic/ dangerous things previously (throwing stones at horses, chasing and screaming etc) but nothing that on its own was really reportable.
Today was a step beyond and not a sight I ever want to see again. As we were finishing up for the night I could see/hear them whacking around a rope with metal on the end (possibly VERY heavy lead rein) chasing a poor terrified colt around a very small 'school' - very loosely used term. They were initially smacking it into jump wings etc and the poor colt was careering about totally terrified. It was also scaring the bejesus out of our horses who were a decent distance away.
Then they started using the metal/rope to beat the poor horse. If it stopped it got hit on the back, rear or the metal was whipped around the legs etc. I don't mean a slight touch, I mean HIT. Poor terrified animal. Possibly stupidly I went as close as I could get on 'our' land and shouted at them to stop - I thought I started with 'Oi' but apparently I managed to start with a polite 'excuse me' - don't ask me how! Clearly I had a barrage of abuse back -what do I know and threats etc, so I called the police. In the meantime my eldest had come along, in absolute hysterics about the poor terrified horse and what they were doing.
I have to say that credit goes to Avon police, who came out with blues and twos immediately. Just after I put the phone down to the police the terrified colt ran THROUGH the wooden fence, not jumped, not bumped into, but literally straight through the wood in a blind panic. They they proceded to scream, shout and run after it and physically restrain it, how no one was hurt I have no idea.
My only regret is that I confronted them before someone suggested we video it. As soon as my daughter got out her phone to video (I was on phone to police) they miraculously put down the metal and picked up a schooling whip.. funny that. The totally non-horsey police did a good job of looking about by the sounds of it, they saw the horse concerned and it was apparently dripping in sweat etc, but the vile people claimed they had simply been 'loose schooling in a normal way' and that it ran though the fence to get to an in season mare. Like hell it was/did.
Anyway, the policeman said his normal partner is very horsey and she will come back out to inspect further after the weekend. I know it isn't much, but if it makes them think for just one second about what they are doing then it is better than nothing.
We had someone arrive on the doorstep a few weeks ago who had been suggested to have her youngster backed by this duo and she trusted them as they were 'respected' show people. A few weeks later she visited, her daughter was put on board and the terrified horse ran into the gate ( a trend?). The daughter fell off and was screaming, the mum thought it was because her duaghter was badly hurt but it turns out it was because the 'son' was beating the pony around the head/mouth with whatever he had - they then gagged him and continued the beating. She came to warn us not to recommend them and seek advice about who to inform - sugessted WHW etc. She was in tears and devastated about making an error of judgement that was so severe. Sadly, although she took my details I didn't take hers, so I am praying she did phone WHW and when I report it to them first thing Monday they can add the two cases together.
People like this shouldn't be allowed within 100 miles of ANY living creature. Vile, vile people. My daughter is still very upset, as obviously am I, we feel sickened that the horses they have are still with them being abused. A part of me is also scared that our horses may be at risk after reporting them, but I couldn't watch that and do nothing, no matter what the repercussions may be.
I can't name and shame on here, sadly, but if you live/ride in S Gloucs PLEASE be careful about who you ask to back your youngsters (cash in hand obviously) and if you need to know where to avoid then please pm me. No other horse should be subjected to that, ever. I don't believe in God but if divine retribution was ever due then this is it. Truly sickened.
Today was a step beyond and not a sight I ever want to see again. As we were finishing up for the night I could see/hear them whacking around a rope with metal on the end (possibly VERY heavy lead rein) chasing a poor terrified colt around a very small 'school' - very loosely used term. They were initially smacking it into jump wings etc and the poor colt was careering about totally terrified. It was also scaring the bejesus out of our horses who were a decent distance away.
Then they started using the metal/rope to beat the poor horse. If it stopped it got hit on the back, rear or the metal was whipped around the legs etc. I don't mean a slight touch, I mean HIT. Poor terrified animal. Possibly stupidly I went as close as I could get on 'our' land and shouted at them to stop - I thought I started with 'Oi' but apparently I managed to start with a polite 'excuse me' - don't ask me how! Clearly I had a barrage of abuse back -what do I know and threats etc, so I called the police. In the meantime my eldest had come along, in absolute hysterics about the poor terrified horse and what they were doing.
I have to say that credit goes to Avon police, who came out with blues and twos immediately. Just after I put the phone down to the police the terrified colt ran THROUGH the wooden fence, not jumped, not bumped into, but literally straight through the wood in a blind panic. They they proceded to scream, shout and run after it and physically restrain it, how no one was hurt I have no idea.
My only regret is that I confronted them before someone suggested we video it. As soon as my daughter got out her phone to video (I was on phone to police) they miraculously put down the metal and picked up a schooling whip.. funny that. The totally non-horsey police did a good job of looking about by the sounds of it, they saw the horse concerned and it was apparently dripping in sweat etc, but the vile people claimed they had simply been 'loose schooling in a normal way' and that it ran though the fence to get to an in season mare. Like hell it was/did.
Anyway, the policeman said his normal partner is very horsey and she will come back out to inspect further after the weekend. I know it isn't much, but if it makes them think for just one second about what they are doing then it is better than nothing.
We had someone arrive on the doorstep a few weeks ago who had been suggested to have her youngster backed by this duo and she trusted them as they were 'respected' show people. A few weeks later she visited, her daughter was put on board and the terrified horse ran into the gate ( a trend?). The daughter fell off and was screaming, the mum thought it was because her duaghter was badly hurt but it turns out it was because the 'son' was beating the pony around the head/mouth with whatever he had - they then gagged him and continued the beating. She came to warn us not to recommend them and seek advice about who to inform - sugessted WHW etc. She was in tears and devastated about making an error of judgement that was so severe. Sadly, although she took my details I didn't take hers, so I am praying she did phone WHW and when I report it to them first thing Monday they can add the two cases together.
People like this shouldn't be allowed within 100 miles of ANY living creature. Vile, vile people. My daughter is still very upset, as obviously am I, we feel sickened that the horses they have are still with them being abused. A part of me is also scared that our horses may be at risk after reporting them, but I couldn't watch that and do nothing, no matter what the repercussions may be.
I can't name and shame on here, sadly, but if you live/ride in S Gloucs PLEASE be careful about who you ask to back your youngsters (cash in hand obviously) and if you need to know where to avoid then please pm me. No other horse should be subjected to that, ever. I don't believe in God but if divine retribution was ever due then this is it. Truly sickened.
