WARNING- VERY UPSETTING

[MillyMoomie]

http://youtu.be/1DMUbnBo0xw

Hope this works.

This is not to create a debate about the RSPCA or any animal welfare charity that takes prosecutions. It is to give an example of the need for countries to have independent and effective investigators of people who intentionally cause suffering to animals.

Well done to the Humane Society.

 

[BellaBoyzie92]

Those poor horses what is the purpose of the 'high lick'?
Surely the horses front legs will be knackered at a young age

 

[rascal]

Terrible to watch, but we all know these things go on. I agree well done humane society!

 

[MillyMoomie]

The 'high lick' is a nickname given to the unique high stepping gait that this breed has, which is then made even more extravagant by using the illegal methods shown such as 'stacking' and 'soring'.

Trainers want the 'high lick' because judges in the show ring award the ribbons to the horses with the biggest 'high lick'.

It has been illegal since the 70s I think. There is meant to be inspections at every show but trainers train the horses to it respond to pain by punishing the horse severly when it flinches, among other techniques. This is why investigators need to go directly into barns and yards.

 

[TrasaM]

Ok. I was warned. Am now sitting here crying and I couldn't watch it all the way through.

 

[meandmyself]

It's big lick not high lick. Vile under any name though.

 

[MillyMoomie]

Yes you are completely correct. Big lick not high lick

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

Sick, absolutely sick

 

[weesophz]

the poor horses id love to bloody sore those peoples ankles and see how they get on! just doesnt look natural

 

[weebarney]

I don't even get it , the finished result looks an awful laboured mess

 

[ladyt25]

I don't even get it , the finished result looks an awful laboured mess

Me neither - they look awful walking like that. Can't see why anyone would go to those lengths of cruelty to get that end result?! Disgusting people. I didn't watch the whole video and didn't really have the sound on so wasn't sure what was being said but those poor animals getting beaten for lying down. They must be in agony.

 

[Janah]

Only watched the first three seconds, enough for me, disgusting.

 

[leah_x]

I don't understand why they were hitting them in the face. What is the purpose of that?

 

[amandap]

This criminal practice has been fought inside and outside for many decades but it persists. Hopefully 21C can see an end to it.

Here's an antidote. The stark comparison enhances the utter grotesqueness of this systematic abuse. http://www.walkinonranch.com/celebrationrides.html

 

[mynutmeg]

I was aware of soring and for that reason would never support this sort of compeition because of how the horses are treated but I never realised how extreme it is!

 

[Goldenstar]

I have seen it before its terrible ,one of my boys has the breeding of the horses who do this,hes a lovely gentle if highly strung chap its just awful to think he could have ended doing this apart from the fact that his parents got exported to Holland.
There are things that happen to horses that I don't like and have no interest in watching or following showing , racing two year olds but I do understand why people enjoy it .
But this is just inexplicable why would anyone want to do something completly unnatural and cruel and all just for show It's just appalling .

 

[DabDab]

Me neither - they look awful walking like that. Can't see why anyone would go to those lengths of cruelty to get that end result?! Disgusting people. I didn't watch the whole video and didn't really have the sound on so wasn't sure what was being said but those poor animals getting beaten for lying down. They must be in agony.

I've always found it difficult to understand how any human can find that movement desirable - it makes them look like demented spiders missing a couple of pairs of legs
I didn't watch the video, I've seen the way these poor animals are 'trained' before, and I really don't have the stomach for this kind of thing anymore

 

[maggiestar]

I couldn't watch the whole thing, it was vile. Those poor, poor animals. How do some people become so amoral and senseless?

 

[Clodagh]

I have no idea why I watched that, it made me cry and I'm pretty tough

ALL TWH breeders and judges are guilty. They should stop giving rosettes to tortured horses. Mark up the horse that walks normally. Any American's on here? Why is it allowed to continue as a competition?

 

[cumbriamax]

I don't even get it , the finished result looks an awful laboured mess

Exactly this!!! why do people want to get horses to walk like this. the treatment of those horses is disgusting and blatant cruelty. IMO all judges are guilty too if they keep awarding prizes to these people then they are perpetuating the problem.

 

[babymare]

How can anyone think that is right or lovely to watch. shakes head in despair

 

[moana]

I know they use horrid special shoes to encourage this stepping, but that treatment on the video is horrendous.

 

[MissMay]

Whilst in Ameria last year friends and I unknowingly attended a huge big lick show and it was absolutely horrifying.
In the ring as the opposing horses ride in front of trainers ansd family thye spook them and flick things over the rail at them to get a reaction.
Not one horse looked happy and the movement was horrific.
We managed to get into the stables and some of the images will never leave me. There were horses with the biggest dipped backs Iv ever seen in my life I mean you question how this horse is alive dipped.
They are constantly tied down in the stable and cant roll. alot of legs were bandaged but we did not know why.
They were such sweet horses each and every one of them and to think the pain they must have been in.

 

[q105]

FFS.....why the Hell do people have animals to treat them with such venom?

Surely such cruelty is indivcative of psycho or sociopathic behaviour....it makes my blood boil

 

[Irishdan]

Just the most grotesque thing ever! The way they have those horses moving is like something out of a horror movie with those awful riders in tailed coats hunched over them. Im generally a very quiet easy going person but have to say if I had been in your position Miss May, I would have caused absolute mayhem at that show voicing my opinion, I know I just couldnt have helped myself!!

 

[Clodagh]

American showing must be very different to over here. I know ours are all fat but at least they should have their ears pricked and look forward and interested. Those horses looked terrified and in pain, and were winning for it!! Totally wrong and so bizarre, we call ourselves human and think it is a compliment!

 

[meandmyself]

I have no idea why I watched that, it made me cry and I'm pretty tough

ALL TWH breeders and judges are guilty. They should stop giving rosettes to tortured horses. Mark up the horse that walks normally. Any American's on here? Why is it allowed to continue as a competition?

Money.

 

[Clodagh]

I understand the power of the gun lobby, but sick ******** who torture horses are rewarded for it because of money - are the horses worth that much, or what? (Not disagreeing with you but just can't get my head around it).
This is worse than leaving horses in sidereins all day - which is bad enough - or rollkur or all the other wonderful ways we have devised to make horses what we want them to be.

 

[Rose Folly]

Well in my book American horsemen are a lazy shoddy lot if they let that sort of thing go on. What a ghastly hell for the horses. And may those "trainers" rot where they deserve. Come on USA. Pull your finger out and get it sorted!

 

[elijahasgal]

The problem is its "showmanship" entertainment for the masses, ignorance.
it like most things probably started small, slightly raised heels, look got a bigger stride and won. heavier shoes, again, tiny tiny steps.
then as with anything with big prize and prestige, the win at any cost comes out
Same in our show rings, a bit more condition covered some faults, more people put on condition, the horses trend that way and got fatter and fatter. And do they at least look happy? Tell that to the laminitics that are because of this, not to mention numerous other conditions, that put show ponies and horses in the highest insurance brackets.
Now to educate the judges in those classes, and to get them to show films to the crowds as to why they are going back au natural