What makes you 'cruel'?

If yes then when/why?

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Much of the things done to gaited show horses ARE cruel and thats not because its a cultural difference, but because soring a horse, and putting huge blocks on its feet and chains to make it move in an unnatural way is unfair and painful for a horse.
 
just an idea, so don't take it to heart, but don't you think people are more sentimental about their horses then they used to be? mum says it's because only people with land used to have horses, so these people were often farmers, or from farming families, so were brought up to be practical about their animals, whereas with livery yards (and also riding getting more popular), lots more city people own horses and keep them more as pets/friends then they used to?
 
"Much of the things done to gaited show horses ARE cruel and thats not because its a cultural difference, but because soring a horse, and putting huge blocks on its feet and chains to make it move in an unnatural way is unfair and painful for a horse."

i completely agree! but some people think plaiting a horse is cruel! (causes head-aches, apparently?)
 
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MizElz, I believe a twitch works by causing endorphins to be released in the brain which then calms the horse.

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ok, i think i understand now. however, does this apply to all twitches? for instance, i know you can buy 'proper' ones (ok, that sounds weird but you know the ones i mean - two curved bits of metal etc) but what about homemade twitches, which most people resort to, and which consist of a loop on the end of a stick so that you can twist it round horse's nose til it cant move!?!??! this has always seemed barbaric to me (i now use our 'twitch' - courtesy of git father - for chasing our evil battery hens LOL!)
 
I imagine home made ones are pretty much the same as the fancy once, the only discomfort is maybe a slight rub from the rope or string used. Certainly nothing disasterous!
 
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i completely agree! but some people think plaiting a horse is cruel! (causes head-aches, apparently?)

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LOL now this i CAN agree with (tongue in cheek - dont pounce on me!
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) having had bum-length hair for half my life, my mum used to insist on french plaiting it to go under my riding hat....god, you've never known such pain!!! and the headaches were awful
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so, poor plaited horsies, i can empathise....

*runs out to apologise to ellie*
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Absolutely agree with the good hiding if they biting etc,i only answered yes to foot and mouth care!!Twitching not,whips and spurs not(if used correctly)etc
 
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I imagine home made ones are pretty much the same as the fancy once, the only discomfort is maybe a slight rub from the rope or string used. Certainly nothing disasterous!

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So, if the horse/pony goes crazy when you try to twitch it, is that indicative of previous bad experience, or that you are doing it wrong? because if twitching doesnt cause pain, surely the horse won't fear it - yet my old pony was terrified of it!
 
However,i must say i would rather go with sedation
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previous experience with the vet twitching my boy he tried to kill us all with his front feet
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was not pretty,aint used one since,lol!!!
 
Mine also would not stand still and gets very scared if I try to twitch him.... how can an area so sensitive to be able to pick out pony nuts from between stones not be painful to squash in a twitch???

And what about pinching to obtain the same result???

Surely there has to be pain to release the pain killing endorphines!!!
 
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The answer to all these questions - they are not black and white, so any answers are with a 'but'
 
I have heard a theory that horses that dislike being twitched are anticipating a 'nasty' procedure rather than being worried about the twitch itself.
 
Deffo agree SF - also a lot of people do not know how to use a twitch correctly, and if you mess about and do not hold it tightly then no endorphines are released and the horse will get right worked up!
 
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how can an area so sensitive to be able to pick out pony nuts from between stones not be painful to squash in a twitch???

And what about pinching to obtain the same result???


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The nose is sensitive because it has lots of nerve endings. Activating nerve endings is not the same as activating pain receptors, the nerves can also be activated by touch, hot cold etc. For example, your lips have many nerve endings, which is how you know you are touching them. Now try squashing your upper lip slightly and then pinching it and see which is the less painfull option...

Also, endorphins may be a natural painkiller but that does not mean they are only released in response to pain. Endorphins are also released during exercise/when eating chocolate etc and are therefore known as the "happy hormones" that they are one of the bodies natural painkillers does not mean that this is their only function.
 
From my experience people do not know how to use twitches effectivley and correctly resulting in a bad experience for the horse. The horse will rarely put up a fight if being used correctly.
I wouldnt be able to get near my two 17 handers if i didnt get it on quick and tightly, but i do, therefore it working effectivley and a happy experience.
 
A twitch releases endorphines, much the same as the feeling of an orgasm.
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shetland pony: needs clipping year round. Rather twitch him, and clip him than him stand in the field swealtering.

Twitches don't inflict pain!! quite the opposite, (see above)
 
There are very few things I deem as 'cruel' with horses, not getting my horse's teeth done after he has had so many problems with them would be stupid and irrisponsible, more than cruel. There are no problems using a twitch, I honestly think some people go overboard with what they think we do with the damned things.
 
i personally disagree with eating horses and using spurs and most of the poll but i answered 'no' to everything but letting your horse get too fat as that can be cruel if their lamanitic, its all personal preference.
 
I don't believe that any of those things are cruel per se; more negligent perhaps.

Cruelty to me is beating, torturing, starving, mistreating in any way and making life hell for a horse.
 
I agree with Tia, IMO, actual cruelty is physical (& mental too I guess) torture.

Here is the Wikipedia definition...

"Cruelty can be described as indifference to suffering and even positive pleasure in inflicting it. Sadism can also be related to this form of action or concept.

Cruel ways of inflicting suffering may involve violence, but violence is not necessary for an act to be cruel. For example, if another person is drowning and begging for help, and another person is able to help, but merely watches with disinterest or amusement, that person is being cruel — not violent.

Cruelty usually carries connotations of supremacy over a submissive or weaker force.

The term cruelty is often used with regard to the treatment of animals, children and prisoners. See: punishment, draconian, and cruel and unusual punishment. When cruelty to animals is discussed, it often refers to unnecessary suffering."

What we are discussing I think is more laziness than cruelty...

*runs away & hides!!
 
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