Ashamed

2009-06-23T07:27:00.000-07:00

I went to a local eventing competition at the weekend to take some "action" photographs, i must admit that i was disgusted with some of the things i saw.

Reins being tugged very hard in every direction possible, spurs being dug into the ribs of the horses and whips being used harshly. This was because a horse refused a fence, it refused the fence because it wasn't given the reins when approaching the fence therefore couldn't see over it, i wish it had thrown the rider into the fence.

I'm sorry but even though i know i will be hated by many people, this "sport" should have better rules to prevent the abuse of these wonderful creatures.

This kind of behaviour is taught in the riding schools by teachers, that's where the changes have to start, but not only that i think there should be a new scoring system for the competitions. Deduct points when riders abuse their horses, give points when more natural methods are used (bitless, no spurs, no whip)

When will the equestrian world open their eyes and see what they do is inhumane and in most modern cultures would be considered abusive.

I would love to have attached a bit and bridle and reins to some of the riders i saw at the weekend, then yanked on the reins as hard as they were and whipped them for flinching cos i hurt them when yanking the reins, to dig spurs into the ribs of these riders too.

I am disgusted by it all, the problem is that there has to be a voice heard to try and make changes to stop this babaric behavior.

Eventing, do we care about our horses well-being?

Ashamed