Ridecamp: [RC] More Thoughts- and how our rides appear to others

I wanted to briefly address Roger's concern that elements of our sport might 
appear abusive to others.  My husband is not a horse person and is one of the 
most tendered hearted people I have ever met.  He's a vegetarian and in 
support of animal rights.  He has been to several rides with me, including a 
ride at Kanapolis were there were a couple of horses on IVs.  We have also 
been to Arabian and Quarter horse and Appaloosa shows, including Scottsdale 
and Nationals.  My husband is of the opinion that the show ring world is much 
more abusive to the horse than endurance is.  We were watching western 
pleasure, reining and cutting horse classes where horses came into the ring 
lame at the walk.  My husband wanted to know why the vets were letting those 
horses compete.  When I explained there were no vet judges and no way to 
disqualify those people from at least coming into the ring, he was shocked.  

In regard to hazing, in particular, have you guys been to an Arabian show and 
seen what happens to those halter horses before they go into the ring???  If 
that's not cruelty, waving papers or hollering at a horse to get it to trot 
is not cruelty.

We have seen MANY more lame, abused, hazed horses at shows than I believe 
exist in endurance.  As an outsider, my husband tells me he is convinced that 
our sport is much better for the horse than any other we have seen.

Rhonda

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