Someone I know has been asked if she would like to become a steward for British dressage competitions. She hadn't been to the meeting yet so didn't know all the details. However, the BD representative who phoned her said they need trained stewards on duty to help "clean up" dressage of the "abuse" that takes place. I wonder if BD classes hyperflexion as abuse. I only compete at the lower levels, but I've worked in along side hyperflexed horses a couple of times, and horses with red foam coming from their mouths! _________________ www.thenaturalhoof.co.uk
Personal bug bear - please let's not slip into a discussion of one discipline v another. Every 'discipline' has it's good points and bad points largely determined by the skill and attitude of the rider. Every discipline has its share of great riders and its share of thugs. Unfortunately.
Slight diversion - used to have a highly skilled agility dog. Totally brilliant and qualified himself for olympia. My only real role was to drive to the venue and point out the jump numbers But I had to call a halt because I couldn't bear the cruelty inflicted by some people on their dogs just to win a rosette. (obedience classes were even worse)
So I think the point is - some people will do horrible things to animals (and lets face it other people) regardless - if they think it will somehow enhance their status and it has nothing to do with type of animal or the sport and everything to do with some people being truly horrible.
I have yet to figure out why thugs are thugs. I've known more than my share and for me the nature v. nurture debate rages - as does the question of how to deal with them. Unfortunately my preferred methods are generally unprintable
We should make every effort to stop cruelty in all its forms.
Yes it's horrid imo. I forced myself to watch it... many have only watched a few seconds.
The really incongruous thing for me is the thick padded bandaging on Watermill's legs while his very sensitive mouth,tongue and neck are subjected to those forces.
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