Re: [RC] ARABIAN HALTER HORSE ABUSE - Bette Lamore
I really appreciated your post, Richard.
It appears that many endurance people on this list tend to see in black
and white-- they are the "good guys" and show people are the "bad
guys". Rather humorous when I hear about all the IV's needed after a
run. Never heard of a horse dying from tieing up or colic after a show.
Let's face it -- there are abuses by so called "horse people" in any
venue and it is up to all of us to be vigilant about reporting any that
we witness. As to what happens afterwards... well that is out of our
hands so long as we give it our best shot. It took much clamoring on
the part of Arabian owners to make stewards follow-up on the abuse
rules that have actually been in effect for a long time-- just never
enforced. The times, they are changing --- both in endurance and the
Arabian show ring, I am happy to say (at least it appears to be so from
my limited observations and reports). Personally, I like the idea of my
horses spending their lives on a trail, rather than in a stall at a
show, yet many show people now are owners-exhibitors, such as you, and
are balancing the two quite well. I have some "show-offs" in my pasture
who actually come alive at shows and LOVE the competition. Both the
show ring and endurance have the capacity to become a heaven or a hell
for a horse.
Bette
Richard M Levine wrote:
In summary, I believe the Arabian industry has come a long
way in curtailing this type of activity, but it is up to each one of us
to make sure it stops 100% and is eliminated.
