ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: [endurance] Animal Right Activists
Re: [endurance] Animal Right Activists
Patricia Chase (ponies@foothills.eznet.com)
Wed, 29 May 1996 11:00:04 -0700
>This letter has nothing to do with endurance riding, but I have to vent my
>anger somwhere. We belong to the Canadian Pony Club and my kids participate
>in many events during the summer. One such event is the Prince Philip
>Games, a gymkana. The Animal Rights people are going to be attending this
>because they feel this event is unkind to the horses. I am so angry. Most
>of these Animal Rights people have no idea what they are talking about. I
>have coach a team every summer, and we make sure the horse always comes
>first. They are only allowed to ride in a snaffle, and no tie downs are
>allowed. The little kids don't do anything but a walk and maybey a trot.
>The older kids do go fast, but are coached not to haul on the mouth of the
>horse. Most of these horses do this gaming because they like it. Where do
>these Animal Rights people get off telling people what is cruel and what
>isn't. THANK-YOU for letting me vent!!!!
>
> Paula, Huron Bruce Pony Club
>
>
>Dear Paula,
I understand how you feel. I don't like threats or intimidating tactics
either. Sometimes it is easier to catch flies (or activists) with honey,
rather than vinegar. Start by being friendly and supportive of their
concerns. After all, they don't understand the difference between Pony Club
activities and cruelty inflicted on show jumpers by the likes of owners and
trainers like George Lindeman. There *are* profit-driven, abusive people in
the horse business, people who think nothing of harsh bits, poling jumpers
and murdering or crippling well-insured race or show horses. I detest those
people as much as the activists, and I'm sure you do too. The thing to do
is to educate the activists, by showing them that *your* horses and ponies
are well treated and much-loved by their owners and riders, and that working
horses are as happy as, or happier than horses standing around in a pen with
no human contact. Once they understand that horses involved with Pony Club
are treated kindly and humanely, the activists can turn their attention to
stopping the abuses and cruelty that do exist. After all, don't we all want
horses and other animals to be happy, enjoy their work, and live healthy,
productive and pain-free lives?
I'll look forward to hearing how you make out with this situation.
Happy Trails,
Patty and The Roan
Rainbow Paso Fino Ranch
Clayton, WA
Breeding Paso Fino Horses for Endurance, Trail and Pleasure.