Horse&Rider magazine is primarily for those interested in showing their horses. Few things are more deleterious to having a strong relationship with a horse than participating in equine competitions. I would no more put my horse in a horse show than I would enter my wife in a wife show (were there such things). An article in the January edition of Horse&Rider perfectly illustrates just how pitiful the pursuit of a Blue Ribbon can be.
The article, entitled 'Test Your Ethical IQ' actually has the following scenario "Your trainer has suggested it's time to sell your horse. You've outgrown his abilities, and if you want to be successful, you need to move on. In preparation for the prepurchase exam, he suggests that you have your horse's hocks injected." What should you do?
The shocking part of this example is the way that it assumes that it is ethical to sell one's horse in order to get another one who can bring home a ribbon. No, it is not ethical to do so. It is wrong. It is immoral and it is a practice that financially supports much of the established horse world. Horses are not fungible goods. Competitions reduce horses to being nothing but commodities and such a debased view of horses is detrimental to the happiness of both horse and owner.
And by the way, why does the horse need its hocks injected? Chances are that if the horse had the privilege of being maintained in a natural horse care environment, it would not be crippled. On the other hand, it's coat might not shine as pretty if it was allowed to wallow in the dirt.
Boiled down to its purest form, the ethics of the show ring place a higher value on a shiny tail than it places on healthy legs.
Now explain to me again why I should be concerned that the established horse world does not approve of how I raise my horses?
I sure am glad that I will never outgrow Manteo's abilities.
6 comments:
Abby and I laughed and laughed about your "wife show" comment!
I wish that I could find something to laugh about here, like Alaskagirl, but cannot.
The "Wife Show" really does exist!!!
Every time we see a movie, or watch TV (especially the commercials) we are being "trained" to judge The Show. The "bad/looser" wife always has the wrong face shape, or leg length, or weight, or bust size. The "good/winner" wife is always a painfully plastic-surgery rebuilt fantasy, as seen on Photo-Shopped magazine covers.
Both horses and people's lives are being ruined by this shallow, evil, culture, for no reason - except to bolster someone's cold-blooded profits. This Age of foolish, childish ignorance must end. We need some drastic changes, before it is to late!
Keep up the good fight, Mr. Edwards.
Sad but true. My horses will be with me until one of us does ! When my daughter's legs got too long for her pony , I found a cart and taught him to drive.
And THATS the actual caring attitude towards another species! Its sad that in today's world anything not new isnt worth having. My feeling has always been when bringing home an animal that they will be a part of my life & I will be a part of theirs till the end. And that if I'm gone, making sure that there will be someone looking after them. That would be the responsible kind of care.
Maggie
So right. Just because your 20 yr old horse can't jump 6 feet anymore just means you should take another direction. Like trail riding or working low kevel dressage. Then when your old friend leaves you, get your next horse and train with all the knowledge and compassion that your old friend taught you. Of course in my world once they cross the door post, they are permanent fixtures. So no problem here.
Yup
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