Re: RC: Re: Fwd: FEI Stuff, (Spurs, Safety, Self-defense, etc.)

["Truman Prevatt, PhD" <truman.prevatt@netsrq.com>]

What all you said may be true but, the FEI did pass the rule for a reason. There
is most like more than one reason involved. It is much easier to pass a rule
forbidding the use of spurs/whips and enforce it than it is to have a rule
against the misuse of these items and enforce those.

In one case just by having them - you are in violation. The second case requires
the proof of abuse or intended abuse - which means you have to define in a
legalistic way "abuse" which would stand up in every court in the world! The FEI
is not immune to law suits - especially since significant amounts of money could
be involved to a rider or a farm ( endorsements, selling horses, speaking
engagements, etc.).

I would believe the FEI doesn't have the desire to have to defend itself in such
a suit.  It seems to me that the FEI took the easy way out. Instead of growing a
set of fangs and using disciplinary actions against abusive behavior and solving
the problem, they passed a rule against the instruments of such behavior, and
stuck their heads in the sand hoping the problem would go away. So what's next,
grinding "teeth" into the inside of stirrup irons or mabe special heels on their
boots so we can have the effect of spurs, but still be "legal?" At that point
would they pass a rule against the use of stirrups and require everyone to ride
barefoot? (yes I know this comment is a bit facetious - no need to tell me :-)
).

I know riders who ride with crops and or spurs and who are not at all abusive.
Letting a horse swing its butt into a spur and then swing back away from it is
much superior than being helpless when it swings and kicks another horse in a
crowd. I also know people that can be very abusive with their heels, or the
sides of english stirrup irons. So in many respects this is a bad rule since
those who want to win at all cost can find ways to do and still be within the
rule.

I also think the jury is still out on how the FEI endurance will be perceived by
the US public in general. Lots over ridden and/or treated horses is not going to
go over big with the public in general or the rank and file AERC endurance rider
for that matter. Taking spurs and crops from riders is not going to solve this
problem.

While I agree that there have been a lot of  positives associated with FEI level
endurance, there is also the real potential of a backlash against our laid back,
"backyard AERC rides" where 100 horses show up, 80 finish and none are treated -
vs. less than 40 percent finishing and a bunch treated which has been the case
at some of the FEI races. So while I agree we should look at the positive side,
we also should look at it realistically and not through "rose colored glasses".
We need to figure out how to keep the good and steer the FEI in such a manner to
mitigate the potential negatives.

Cheers
Truman

elfs wrote:

> I agree. If any of you have been in front of a mad cow or on a cliff with a
> horse you would know the importance of being able to put a horse exactly
> where you want when,  with whatever aids. A spur and a crop are aids, and
> like any other tool are only as good as the user.  A horse is a horse and
> not a bike, it has a mind of it's own .And as for FEI, Howard, you might not
> recognise an FEI endurance ride now in some respects, but in others they is
> very much AERC also. The only way to know is to go to one and make your own
> conclusions. I think everyone who is not happy with FEI or just not
> experianced, should go volunteer for a team, and experience an FEI Endurance
> ride at ground zero . It is just like our home rides in the respect (just
> bigger), that if it can go wrong on ride day , it will. And crap happens at
> all events that we like and don't like. But lest we forget, we in America
> started all this, and it's like having kids, kids grow, AERC and endurance
> has grown , and sometimes kids grow up and go places and do things we don't
> agree with. Endurance has grown to the point of being world wide, sometimes
> we will not be able to control the rules and protocol totally anymore. FEI
> has done a wonderful thing for us in endurance, we are now accepted as a
> recognised, higher level horse sport. This has opened all kinds of doors for
> our riders who have the resources to do it. I just wish folks could look at
> the positive aspects more, rather than complaining about the negative. This
> is still the most drug free, problem free , FUN, organised horse sport in
> the world as far as I am concerned. :-)
> DM
> AERC # 6904
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Linda Van Ceylon <lindavaneq@hotmail.com>
> To: <ridecamp@endurance.net>
> Sent: Monday, January 08, 2001 9:04 AM
> Subject: RC: Fwd: FEI Stuff, (Spurs, Safety, Self-defense, etc.)
>

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