A Rant about Abuse and our own Hypocrisy

Barbara F · Grand Prix

A Rant about Abuse and our own Hypocrisy

Jackie Cochran · Advanced

Rant away Barbara. If we who worship good horsemanship don't point out when someone is doing bad horsemanship, everyone will think that everybody else approves of what is happening at the shows (and elsewhere.)

We HAVE to be brave and talk and/or write about these abusive practices. The abusers probably will not listen to our objections, they are winning or copying winners after all, and winning is everything to them. My main hope is that we can get to the children early in their riding careers, and that beginners and amateur riders of all ages will listen to us, learn from us, and decide to practice good horsemanship.

And there are people who will try and "shout" us down for impugning their heroes--the winning riders, drivers, trainers and instructors. It often seems to me that they think that any barbarity that delivers a blue ribbon automatically becomes better than good horsemanship and riding. This is so sad because the horses suffer.

Klcarterdp · Foal

I agree with the points you have made in your rant, except I feel I need to point this out only because I have been there myself.

Abuse happens and many people don't speak out because saddly there is a severe lack of knowledge. For me the instructor that I had had complete mind control over me. Basically I believed that she and only she knew what she was doing and therefore it was the only correct way of training. Basically you get taught that the abuse is the only way to properly train a horse, and is part of the process. You don't question because you just don't know better. Yes in the back of your head you sometimes think there has to be a better way to do the training. But the people who are influencing you give somewhat reasonable explainations for why things need to be that way and since you have given them complete control over your mind, you don't question, and you don't look else where. When it is someone like Ceasar you think that it can't be that bad he is after all an international rider. You put them on a pedistal and ignore other warnings as those of people who have different views that can't possibly be right as what have they ever done?

Unfortunately, learning, riding, training horses, is all a process that takes time and sometimes huge mistakes at the cost of the horse. The only thing that can be done is to educate, and hopefully reach new riders and those who have open minds to other possibilities.

Barbara F · Grand Prix

I agree, KL,

In many cases, in fact, possibly the majority, it is lack of knowledge. I do believe the vast majority of riders want to do the best for the horse, but they do not have the knowledge to do so. Of course, the more you know, the more you realize you don't know, so perhaps the less you know the less you realize you don't know.

What to do? There are already instructor certification levels in place where I ride, but that doesn't guarantee you'll get a good instructor, even if they are certified.

I would go back to what I said in my original post, which is go with your gut. You don't have to be an expert to recognize abuse. If something you are doing with your horse doesn't sit right, don't do it. If you see someone doing something to a horse (or any animal) that looks cruel, speak up.

-- Edited by Barbara F on Tuesday 17th of April 2012 10:20:40 AM

Queenrider · Advanced

http://www.ratemyhorsepro.com/news.aspx
Interesting website!! We need this for Ontario!

Klcarterdp · Foal

I agree, in the long run learning is both a process and a journey. Ask questions, observe, go with your gut, and try new trainers if you are not satisfied. Sadly a lot of people put blind faith in their trainer and never question. I don't think much can be done about that. Yes there are trainer certification programs, but I personally can name many certified crappy trainers.