WEG - Blood in mouth?

B

Becki1802

Well-Known Member
Joined
5 August 2010
Messages
352
Location
Devon
Visit site
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/weg/dressage/article.php?id=302296

Can anyone explain this to me? Is this an automatic disqualification? Is it a sign of cruelty / heavy handedness? Obviously blood in their mouth is never good but could it not be something innocent like he has bitten his own tongue?! I don't know much about dressage but I was just interested on the background to this!
 
The commentator at WEG has just spoke about this. Yes it is elimination, and he was also saying that when the horse was lead back to the stables and examined it turns out that the horse had a tiny nick on it's tongue and wasn't under any further inquest.
 
Can be totally minor and simple bad luck, not always heavy handness but the horse's welfare gets the benifit of the doubt. Personally think thats how it should be but major sympathy for all the dutch team (although winning gold should cheer then up!)
 
You aren't allowed to compete with blood showing under affilated rules at any level.

Can be as simple as a scratch or scrape or something worse.
 
Oh ok, that makes a lot more sense - glad it wasn't a dutch cruelty scandal. The only thing I can't work out though is why after determining that it is just a scratch or a nick and if the vet signs off on it can't they compete?! It seems a real kick in the teeth (excuse the pun) to the Dutch and the rider who has been preparing for months... if not years.
I am definitely all for safety, animal welfare but I also think the vet should have the final call!! That's affiliated rules for you though I guess!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top