So, at the boarding stable where I keep my horse, there are many other riders. There used to be 3 other boarders who did Parelli, and we got along quite well until they moved away. Now I'm the only natural trainer at the barn.
The other day, I was grooming my horse as she grazed in the courtyard, and I was watching 2 riders in the ring. They were riding gorgeous hunter-jumper horses, and both were quite high-spirited.
The riders were very harsh - overusing the bit, kicking with sharp spurs, etc.
One of the horses bucked, and so the rider got off, took one rein, looped it through the horse's front legs, pulled his head to his chest, then used the other rein to beat him. The horse ran around in circles, trying to get away, but he couldn't.
How this woman would expect the horse to understand this punishment is beyond me. She kept saying "You know what you did, now submit!" And if he didn't "submit" she would just keep hitting him.
If I can't even comprehend this punishment, how could the poor horse be expected to?
Horrible stuff Nadine - and you are right there is no way the horse could comprehend what it dit wrong by the time the lady dismounted and started the punishment. The correction needs to be immdediate and this is certainly not the way to do it. I feel for you as there is little you can do in this situation when it is not your horse that is being abused. Some people just should never own these beautiful animals.
Oh yuck Nadine! That is really traumatic for you and your horse to witness too! That poor dear animal. That would make me cry watching that.
Id be moving barns if I could and/or speaking to the owner. Who knows how they will treat your horse when you are not there :(
I actually feel that way about how some parents treat their children too. I have changed playgroups or stopped going to some places due to abusive parenting styles.
No one needs to be around that kind of negative and abusive energy.
Are you in the UK Nadine?
Nope, I'm in the US.
The stable she is at is not the kind where other people ride your horse. She is mine to own and mine to train (and am I ever glad at that!). No one else is even allowed to enter another boarder's stall without express permission, and that's in the contract agreement!
It amazes me how people can be so unfeeling and cruel. I wish people would just put themselves in the horse's shoes, then, maybe they would train differently.
I'm glad Nadine that you are at a stable that make sure that no one else can mess with your horse and that it is in writing.The woman you saw it makes you wonder if she cares at all about what she is doing to the horse or only how she looks.
I agree, thank god yours wont be touched. I dont know what the legislation is like in US, but I do encourage people in UK to report these incidents as they constitute 'cruel and unnecessary suffering' and we have now have legislation to support this. Many people fought for many years to strengthen animal cruelty laws and we must make use of them. I hope some of your work as a role model eventually rubs off on them Nadine, you never know! Just keep being true to yourself and let them follow. Good luck.
I would have had to get involved without being a jerk, which is so hard to do. So many people don't know there is a better way, it's all about their ego. Next time, try to show them the better way, at least you tried. Good luck.
Oh Gees! I'm sorry u had to witness that Nadine. That woman needs to be reported.
I posted this on the wrong message! It was meant for this one (though it did apply to the other too), try again Vicci!
I saw this quote today and I thought what a good reminder for us all.
"Never, never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the wellbeing of a person or an animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way". Martin Luther King
Nadine, have you thought about saying anything to her? Now it's over and your adrenaline is not so high with watching what she did, maybe a quiet word with the woman implanitng suggestion with questions... " Does it not hurt you when you hit your horse like that? " with a little comment " you looked really agressive even I felt scared and a bit confused" Wait for a comment, which judging what she did to the horse wont be positive, then gently say " there is a kinder way" Then leave it at that. If she does care for her horse, just planting a small seed there might be a better way could be a start for a better life for her horse.
Nice point Vicci!
x
That is a great quote, Vicci!
Mel, I haven't seen the woman since! Her horse is gone, too. Though, the nametag is still up on his stall (meaning they haven't moved out).
Let's hope they don't come back, but also that someone somewhere helps her stop treating her horse so bad.
x
If somebody treated a dog like this surely the perpetrator would be prosecuted for cruelty. It is never, ever OK to treat any animal like this. Maybe she doesn't know there is a better way. Without being confrontational, if you see her again you could suggest that she tries engaging a Monty instructor - something along the lines of "I saw you having trouble the other day, it didn't look like fun for either of you, have you tried contacting so-and-so? I've heard he/she is really good at helping riders and their horses work together." She might listen to a professional and like Mel says, if it just plants a small seed then it could set her off on the right path.