"Touching" horses legs jumping

[MagicMelon]

Im sorry but how on earth is this "touching" (yeah right, its rapping) allowed under FEI rules. What on earth is going on in our disciplines where we are under scrutiny for animal welfare all the time, and THIS sort of thing is being allowed under FEI rules? Its just embarrassing and wrong. Im pretty bored of the whole argument of "oh but if its done properly by a professional then its ok" - rubbish! We all know lots of professionals who are much crueller than any amateur! Ive been watching quite a bit of British show jumping on Clipmyhorse recently and the amount of what most would consider pro's in the bigger classes were ghastly, yanking on the horses mouths, grinding to a halt after the finish while booting the horse in the ribs because the horse dared clip one fence etc. whereas the lower level classes were far nicer to watch. Why does being high up in your sport make you immune to the obvious cruelty of things like this and why are the FEI allowing it?

 

[Escapade]

You mean German national (FN) rules, it is very clearly not allowed under FEI rules

 

[sport horse]

The FEI do not allow it. This happened in someone's privte yard and was filmed secretly by a 'visitor'. The FEI are investigating as are the FN. As for the 'pro' riders treating their horses badly and the lower levels being much better, I assume that you do not notice the lower levels in the sport who cannot maintain their own balance without holding on to the reins, who yank the bit through the horses mouth while trying to turn etc etc.

There are faults at all levels and if horse sport and indeed horse riding at any level is to continue then everyone needs to look at their own behaviour very closely.