How should cruelty within the equestrian sport be dealt with??

Question

Being involved with showjumping and crosscountry - every weekend I see frustrated and annoyed riders belt their horses on exiting the arena - Im not talking a slap on the rump but puredown abuse - whacking their heads and ears etc. About 3 years ago I saw such a case of it I went up and whacked the rider in question with a crop and asked him how he liked it - my point is though - its getting increasingly worse and the BHS and SJAI are not dealing with it efficiently - any suggestions? xx

Just to mention here in Ireland the RSPCA dont acutally want to get involved - I have reported it and the most satisfaction I got back was they occassionaly visit equestrian events to ensure the horses are boxed comfortably and not left tied up. Useless isnt the word

Big boy - the saying ignorance is bliss is SO true with regards to you. When any of my horses are unfit or too old to jump I retire them to grass and ensure they live their last days out in happiness and comfort. Most horse owners look after their animals better than they do themselves - with the exceptions of those who beat them - so I personally take your comment offensively and suggest you dont tar us all as being cruel - you're more than welcome to visit my yard anyday to see the happy healthy and very comfortable horses.

Answer 1

hey Pam,i had a young horse many years ago.the stable i was using was owned by a very good show-jumper,thought this is the place for me to learn and take top care of my baby,yea i know but he was the best for me anyway.after about 2 years all was going well very well,until one day i went to see this guy jump in his own ring.i was livid i saw this wa--ker shock his horse with one of these buzz things that people use as a joke when they shake hands.because the horse would not jump this one fence he stuck it on the horses neck,and then laughed to his boyfriend.that was hit i jumped into where he was on the horse i asked him to get off his horse,that i could see the reason why the horse would not jump the fence,he got off and i stuck one on his chin and told him,he was the reason lol lol lol lol that was over ten years ago.so my answer is send these people to ME. sorry for the long answer but its in my heart this one.cheers and good luck.horses mmmmmmmm the best

Answer 2

There is no excuse for cruelty, and owners that use their whip in this fashion don't deserve to have horses, or be allowed to compete. The RSPCA are only interested in high profile cases that get them publicity, and I guess the same could be said for the BHS. It would be interesting to hear what both organisations have to say about it.

I have also been involved with horses all my life and it riles me when I see that sort of thing. The owners need re-educating as it is ridiculous to beat a horse after a bad round, as it doesn't know what the punishment is about. They are releasing temper and frustration on their animals. A short, sharp smack with a crop is all right when given the instant the horse misbehaves.

The only way to protest has been mentioned before, taking video clips of the incident and reporting it to the show officials and the BAHS. It may be worth getting the media involved. These owners should be banned from competing, that way they may give up horse ownership so the unfortunate animal can be moved onto someone better. When an animal is treated like this at a show, how often does it happen at home when things go wrong.

Answer 3

This is something that will need to be actioned by the judges. Do they disqualify riders if they behave innappropriately? They should. We are past the age of having to scare horses into anything, people know enough to realise it has adverse effects on training to hit a horse. I'm not saying I don't agree with the use of whips and/or spurs- in the right hands they are nothing more than an extention of the aid (eg legs), and they help to fine-tune a response from the horse. At no point however should the horse be afraid of the whip/spurs. It works against both horse and rider. I horse that works out of fear will trust you as a rider last- which puts you in a very dangerous position.

RSPCA or other rescue organisations are usually bound legally, to only act when something really bad happens, which sucks, because 90% of problems can be rectified early, avoiding alot of heartache.

Maybe you could go and speak to them, tell them what you do when you are faced with such a situation. Sometimes people behave badly because it's the only way they know how, and we all know that horses can be an extremely bitchy subject, prone to judgement, which stops people from wanting to ask for help.

If they know better and still behave that way, make a scene and embarass them. Tell them how stupid they are not to treat a 500kg beast with respect. I've been around horses long enough to know, they get their own back. Complain to the judges saying they are setting a bad example of horsemanship and should not recieve any awards or acknowledgements because they are being such a bad sport.

Good Luck:)

Answer 4

Not an easy question to answer. I have a horse who was abused by someone as a youngster and he still has the scars to show.

Here are a few suggestions. If you are among a group of likeminded friends then you should all be going to the judges every time you witness abuse and complaining. Another official who should take heed is the vet.

I admit the above might not produce results, so see if you can interest a journalist to take a look and write an article with relevant pictures. There may also be an MP who is interested.

Among animal charities, try the ILPH and others interested specifically in horses and see if any are willing to spend some time investigating. One with local interests might give it a go.

The really key thing is to get the relevant bodies to incorporate new rules. In racing jockeys can be punished for excessive use of the whip and recently a jockey was punished for heabutting a horse. It is time that other sporting authorities took the welfare of horses in their competition seriously and introduced penalties for bad behaviour. The only way to get them to do this is probably through bad publicity, so a newspaper seems to me to be the best option.

Answer 5

You just need to keep reporting it. Record the incidents. I know how cruel some trainers can be. I worked at a place once where they had sulky horses, let's just say I worked 2 days for them. The owner hooked someone elses horse that he was boarding to the cart and as I was cleaning I watched him beat the animal until it gave up and laid down his apprentice jockey saw me watching this and told me to get out now before I got into anything like this as the owner of the app would've had a fit as it was not even one of his own cart horses. Eventually the horses will get mean and eventually they will get even with the people doing it. A beaten horse will eventually kick and bite at everyone it comes in contact with so it could even become very dangerous to the other competitors. You have to be firm with them at times, but not abusive it only works against you.

Answer 6

Meh, it's hard to get evidence for such an occurance. However if it happens at a show with witnesses, of course, that person should be eliminated from the show and asked to leave.

I'm in Florida and I haven't yet seen any abuse at horse shows, save for one gaited horse show and that really boiled my blood to the point where I refused to watch the class as the poor Tennessee Walkers with their soring scars were whipped into a faster gait while they put their hearts into it, but it was still not enough for the riders. Crack! Crack! Right in front of the judge and that guy won. It was completely unacceptable to me. Later I saw a 2yo (WTF?! A 2yo!!) with the heavy TN walker shoes whipped into a rearing gait he was trying so hard. His back legs were running, but in his whipped haste he began to rear and walk on his back legs just to give the rider something and stop the whipping. It was horrible. Of course the people cheered and the judge placed them. I was ready to cry over it.

Like others have suggested, photos and videos are a great tool of evidence. Pictures speak a thousand words. Once such evidence is in hand, I'd take it to the show steward and if they refuse to do anything, take it to the judge.

Good luck and know that most of us agree and are right behind you.

Answer 7

crop on the rump is not a bad thing , Like most jockies are swiping the horse not wacking it as it appears!

But Wat pisses me off is the people that belt there horses for doing somthing wrong which inturn was the riders fault anyway!

And the hitting the horse over the head when you loose your temper is discusting!


In Australia we have laws and rules , in comps you can be disqualified for mis-treating your horse!

What everyone need to remeber in 99% of cases where the horse is naughty or mucks up its the riders fault!

Answer 8

Good on ya. I dont even own a whip other than a driving whip which i have to have to help with steering my driving horses. I have 5 horses (inc 2 stallions) and have never beaten any - and they have been swines on occasions.

I once lost a first placing because i wouldnt let a ride judge carry a whip on my horse. this particular horse would throw a wobbler any time a whip came near so i made my stand. So what, I lost a red rosette but maintained my dignity and my horse's integrity and trust in me.

Answer 9

I am right with you! There should be tough penelties for any one who treats animals like SH(T!

Yesterday, in Australia (Not the Jokeys fault) but a race horse drowned after it thew the Jockey off, had a freak out and jumped into a dam. it was its 1st race but the horse was at the back of the pack and the jockey treated it good.

Could the freak out have been a memory of something harsh?

In AUS, there are lots of stories of beaten cats. 6 in the last year and 2 died :(

Answer 10

You've just brought back some harsh memories for me of when I was younger and going riding every Saturday. My God the things I saw. I have a friend in the RSPCA and I'm asking her tonight what is their stand in all this?
I can't tell you how upset I am. Going to turn it into motivation to try and do something.
Good luck.