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Horse Behavior and Training

British Horse Society

By:
vicci - UK (North Wales)
Date:
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Hi all, and Happy New Year!! May 2016 be happy and full of wishes come true for you all :-)
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As I'm sure you all know the BHS is a very powerful organisation in the UK and further afield. It is well known and respected by many. It is the dominant force in the education of horse owners, riders, and those who aspire to be professional horse people. Why then do they persist in promoting the use of a whip in an aggressive way? I find this is frustrating; they talk about light hands blah blah and then this is one of the assessments you have to pass in order to get through Stage 1 of BHS Exams
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"If your horse is lazy to your leg, the reins should be taken in one hand and the whip used smartly behind your inside leg on the horse's flank. There should be a reaction; the whip should not be repeaqted in an aimless way because your leg does not have sufficient effect.

Part of the exam is to assess your judgement as to whether or not you need to use the whip. If you need to use it then you should do so."
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Thousands of people take these exams - many of them small children. What message are they getting? "If your horse doesn't do as it is told, hit it"
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I know Monty and Kelly did some work with the BHS but so much more is needed. They are in the position to work alongside Monty to change their approach. If they would adopt the philosophies and principles of non-violence (they would say that they do but I disagree)and accept Monty's (and others of a similar inclination) the horse world could take a massive jump forwards towards a united belief in treating horses with respect.
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I know that there are many BHS Instructors etc. who do support Monty and many who have "converted" but this is on an individual basis (and there are many who have not!), it needs a huge cultural and organisational shift.

JoHewittVINTA
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Hi Vicci. Yeah, getting 'The Establishment' to change is always tough, in any sphere. I've been on the committee of my local riding club for over 30 years & started to reject violence about 20 years ago - I found hitting my boot just as effective! Later, I found Monty. To date there is no interest in his concepts amongst the rest of the committee members, even though I've resolved some issues for club members.

2016 sees Kirk turn 3 so I will be starting him in the summer. Then there is Humphrey of course - started now & going to be good to progress next spring. Perhaps, if 'the oldie' starts being more successful than the younger ones, on their much bigger horses, with her little guys, full of character & enthusiasm, it'll prompt them to reconsider, especially as I haven't competed for about 17 years - but I'm going to give it a go! Monty has changed 'the establishment' thinking in the movie business & he got the rules changed in western riding competitions so change does happen. We need to be strong in our beliefs & persistently consistent in our resolve & it will eventually happen.

They used to say "spare the rod & spoil the child" - now that's been illegal in Britain for some time. The mindset not to be OK to hit children is in place, although abuse still happens. It's not so far off
the mindset that it's not OK to be violent at all. However, we can apply pressure. If the forum users/readers were to contact the BHS by email, suggesting that, as has happened in our horse racing, some competitions are organised that are whip free. Also, that the rules about acceptable spurs are changed. At the Olympia International Horse Show, 2015, the winner of the Grand Prix was disqualified as officials found blood on his horse. I'm not saying that injury wasn't accidental but it does prove the BHS rules are effective. Let's not just mumble amongst ourselves - let's be proactive & all push together for small changes (incremental)! Cheers, Jo.

JoHewittVINTA
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www.bhs.org.uk

bahila73
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed 450 lessons completed 500 lessons completed 550 lessons completed 600 lessons completed

Very well said Jo. Everyone seems to have their own ideas on how to deal with horses when they don`t quite measure up to expectations. That,coupled with their habit [mindset] to correct the problem, is deeply seeded in their subconscious. This state of thought seems to have much resistance to change. Please keep the conversation of change alive. Bud

JoHewittVINTA
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Thanks Bud. I have no idea how many people subscribe to the Uni in the UK, never mind worldwide, but I do know there will be many more who use it as a read only service. Imagine an important organisation like the British Horse Society (not British Home Stores which is something entirely different) coming back from the festive break to find 50 emails all respectfully asking for the same couple of small changes - they'd go 'Oh'. What if it were a hundred emails? They might even think about it. What if it were many times that number? Then they'd need to give the ideas credibility. Look into the practicalities of these two small changes. After all, our Monarch supports Monty. We can make change happen, especially if we act in unison. There will be contact details on the website given above. Those of you who are passionate about making things better, don't just pay lip service to the idea - spend five minutes & BE HEARD. I invite anyone, from anywhere, to join up & lets start making a difference. Cheers. Jo.

mc
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According to the Animal Aid article "The use of the whip in horse racing 2015," Section 12 of the Animal Welfare Act allows the government to create new regulations to promote the welfare of animals and could, I say should, introduce a law against physically punishing horses with a weapon such as a whip, ruler, stick, crop, boot, cane or any such "encouragement" device.
The Horse, and in particular the thoroughbred horse, with its thin coat and ultra sensitive skin and nature, can feel a fly land on any part of its body. We do not have to experience it to know that such treatment is without doubt going to be painful and distressing, and to those who suggest that it isn't, then they should perhaps try it for themselves, naked!
Racing rules suggest, amongst other things, that safety is an acceptable reason for use of the whip? So a jockey has a more safe control over the horse whilst wielding a stick with one hand off the reins, and thereby encouraging the horse to go off line and beyond its own limits of physical exertion? Is not corporal punishment in this country already against the law?
The complexities of the argument can run and run yet the common sense simplicity of the matter is that the British Government should create a new law under section 12 of the Animal Welfare Act clearly stating that it is illegal for us to physically abuse our horses.

JoHewittVINTA
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Hi. I was lucky enough to be involved with a race horse called Sea Pigeon in some of his retirement years. He was labelled as not genuine, not trying wholeheartedly, when running on the flat. Then he was put over hurdles, ridden by the now trainer Jonjo O'Neill. If you hit Pigeon he slowed down. Pigeon was hurdles champion of both Scotland & England for 2 if not 3 years running in the late 70's. Our racing industry is trying to balance reduced use of the whip with the punters wanting value for money & the jockeys claiming there are safety issues. You're right, reins in one hand doesn't give the jockey great control but they have brought in rules, they have changed the racing whip design so it's supposedly more humane (but I've never been hit with one so I can't give any info on that) & the rules are being enforced. Rome wasn't built in a day. We can get the change ball rolling. I've sent my email to: enquiry@bhs.org.uk asking that they consider introducing some whip less competitions/classes at both international & affiliated levels, given that our thoroughbred racing has adopted a few whip less races. Also, I've asked them to reconsider the rules on spurs - so they are only for communication & not pain. These are not unreasonable issues for the BHS to address & success on small matters will open the door for more reforms to be considered. Laws have been put in place in the UK that are uniforceable, dangerous dog act for example. No dog, if really pushed, is 100% safe but my home will never be without a dog for long. The hunting ban. A law based on misunderstanding & misinformation which is proving almost impossible to administer. Monty has always used reasonable argument rather than aggressive tactics & we respect him so let's take his lead & put our shoulders to the wheel of change. Cheers. Jo.

Mel - Ramsgate UK
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Sadly the BHS will go with the majority of their followings, they'll feature Monty, Kelly and other non violent horse trainers in their magazines, on the whole they are sticklers for routine and their rules.
Example of this is over the exams, I did the BHS Horse Ownership exam via a riding school. Due to my dyslexia they instructor set out the exam as to accommodate it and I passed at 98%. However, it wasn't in essay form and the BHS failed me, I had to write to them presenting my dyslexia diagnosis for them to accept the exam paper and I got my certificate. However I was advised for future exams I would have to do full essays within the time limit required. Hence I've never taken any further exams with them.
When a company gets big, it's very difficult to change what they do. :(
Good to see you all, hope you've all got good plans for 2016 :D
Mel
x

JoHewittVINTA
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Hi all. I've had a reply from the BHS. My 2 suggestions have been added to the items to be discussed at their next meeting, in March. OK. We know this is lip service. YOU CAN CHANGE THAT! If enough people send in their support before that meeting we stand a good chance of that weight of opinion counting for something- so guys it's up to you! If you want the equine world to take a step forward in 2016 send an email to the address provided. I would like Monty to know that his following has the heart to take on the establishment, as he has done, so fellow horse lovers - let your voices be heard. Cheers. Jo

Mel - Ramsgate UK
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Email sent! x

JoHewittVINTA
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Thank you Mel. The Chinese say "Every journey starts with the first step." Cheers, Jo.

JoHewittVINTA
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Mel, how many years ago did you take your examine? If it was a few, it could be trends have changed. Thinking we could use this as a basis for further change! It's not fair ( and now not really acceptable ) that those folk more challenged than the rest of us can be excluded on that basis. If you did that some years ago, could be worthwhile standing up again! You up for that? Coz I am !! Cheers, Jo.

Mel - Ramsgate UK
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2 years ago lol, I thought I'd pay out and get the certificates to back up what I know. With that attitude, I decided skills are enough ;)
I'm not ready to take on the attitude they have, quite negative really so I try to avoid things like that. All I'm concerned about it the welfare of the horses and certificates are't needed for that. Learning is as always to continue our ever learning journey of the horse ;)
Mel
xx

Kicki -- Sweden
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed 450 lessons completed 500 lessons completed 550 lessons completed 600 lessons completed

Mel wrote: "However I was advised for future exams I would have to do full essays within the time"
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I wonder if the person telling you that really had the right to do so?
Here in Sweden they would never get away with that kind of "advice".
I actually think any educational facility, or likewise, who grades their students by way of tests, must (by law) be able to create conditions to provide challenged students with equal possibilities to perform the test in a way that take their disabilities into account. (I'm sure that could be said with fewer words! LOL)
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Besides, being able to write essays isn't really important to being a horse owner anyway, so they can't claim any value in that. ;)

JoHewittVINTA
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Hi Kiki. That was my point - seems like direct discrimination to me. I understand Mel not wanting to take them on but it seems to me that should be an issue that bears addressing, albeit perhaps in the future. My thinking is, if we get any sort of movement on the two points raised we should take that as encouragement to continue to push for further changes. Cheers, Jo.

Mel - Ramsgate UK
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed

Thanks Kiki, I agree with you. My head knowledge is far more than what I could ever put on paper.
It is discrimination Jo, the dyslexia report quite clearly stated that I have difficulty putting things into .... an essay form.. wasn't quite those words, but can't remember it exactly and that allowances should be made. It's not need though unless I wish to become an approved bhs riding establishment, which I don't as they don't cover what I teach students :D
Mel
x

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