Re: Featured BAD trainer - TWH Posted: May 24, 2012 at 5:35 PM
Holly...maybe if some of the ASSOCIATIONS would change their 'requirements' and some of the show rules to get away from these practices - the trainers would stop doing them. It's the 'reward' of the first place that has created 99% of the problem.
Consider a 2 year-old...their knees aren't closed up yet - their joints are still pretty soft, yet most associations have their 'futurity, classes, or races geared for 2 year olds!!
Re: Featured BAD trainer - TWH Posted: May 24, 2012 at 10:25 PM
Agreed, luvs . . . it's probably the main reason I don't show and don't attend shows. I hate to see many of the horses forced into unnatural, 4-beat canters or kept wrapped in slinkies in tiny stalls . . . feet forced into tiny shoes . . . contracted heels . . . constantly getting hock injections, not allowed to BE horses . . . why? So we can put ribbons and trophies in our barns or houses?
I'm more inclined to go to Ranch Horse competitions . . . or challenge rides/races.
I know not everyone subscribes to these practices or other even worse ones . . . some of us honestly like the idea of showcasing our skills and being with other horsey folks in a friendly competition . . . but the fact is that at the top of the pile, there are some people who have been and are still doing awful things to their horses . . . just so they can win. The horses are the losers . . . and those of us who want to enjoy the shows because we want to see the natural beauty and personalities and abilities of THE HORSE are losing out, too.
Ex: There are rules about not allowing 4-beat canters in Western Pleasure classes. I've seen it in print in breed magazines that it isn't allowed . . . yet, I've gone to Regional Breed shows and seen it being done as if it's the most natural thing in the world . . . and if the judges are going to continue to reward the 17h, pony-footed, peanut rollers doing an awkward aberration of a canter (who came up with that kind of "canter," anyway??) then people will continue to train for it and cripple their horses. Rules about humane treatment are great . . . IF they are enforced fairly across the board.
Anyway, I'm glad they got this trainer and his minions. Should have gotten him a lot sooner. Hope it will send a warning to others who think that these abuses are "training."
Re: Featured BAD trainer - TWH Posted: May 31, 2012 at 12:45 AM
I agree all the way around with both of you!
Competition can be rewarding and enjoyable. However, too many of the creatures who sport an opposible thumb and egos yet do not have compassion or love can turn ANYTHING into horrors for those they touch-- 2legged, 4legged, any of God's creatures.
When i get to wanting to shoot some of these folks, i have to remind myself that God said vengence is His.
Re: Featured BAD trainer - TWH Posted: Jun 2, 2012 at 8:57 PM
saw this video on share FB. rtfitchauthor.com is a pretty informative page also animalsangels.org think it's org. have a lot of rescue friends across the states you should see some of the videos. Animals Angels is a great investigation group I am friends with director in Denver and was asked to be part of Colorado Springs. You should check out some of the slaughter videos. Good page for info. There are a lot of good informative videos out there if you can handle watching. Lot of good people doing great things. Myself I follow Buck Brannaman love his techniques. He will be here Aug yah. Every horse has a special message for us and we should listen and not try to make them be what our needs are. Forgotten the lady's in Jordan who has the Royal Arabians she said the same thing on RFD. xo TTYL
Re: Featured BAD trainer - TWH Posted: Jul 15, 2012 at 12:46 PM
I have always been an advocate of the Triple Crown series being for 4 year olds. Horses should not be on the track before 4, certainly without medical clearance. The endurance association has more stringent guidelines than any state track association. And they use the actual birthdate of the horse, not Jan 1. We had a foal born the last week of December on a ranch I managed. The owner wanted me to hide the foal and tell the Registry it was born on Jan 1. I didn't.
I also hate stacks, ginger, using eye drops to dialate horses eyes, horse tripping, over-checks, and nerving and setting tails.
It's not just the associations - it's also the owners - ego, winning, and money. Its up to all of us to make noise and make changes.
Re: Featured BAD trainer - TWH Posted: Sep 3, 2012 at 9:36 PM
I couldn't read the article because the link was bad but I was please to find out that AHA has sanctions against any form of abuse or cruelty at their shows. If the judges see it in the ring or on the show ground, or if their are obvious marks on a horse that come from a whip or other cruel device, that horse and handler is disqualified. And trust me we were all talking about the trainer that was whacking on his horse when the judges weren't looking. Had I known about the rule I would have made a point to have a chat with the judge during the barn party. But I am newbie to the show world so I am still in study mode but learning much.
Re: Featured BAD trainer - TWH Posted: Oct 29, 2012 at 1:39 PM
Yes, I own TWH. No, mine are NOT in a training barn. We only show canter classes with select horses that willing perform a normal canter. I have 2 mares that will only canter in the field, not undersaddle. They show in 2 gait classes only. There are bad trainers associated with any breed and inhumane methods used across the board. TWH's have come under a great deal of scrutiny recently because of a few bad trainers. Most of us use only humane methods and would never do anything to harm our horses. BUT it is not JUST the TWH...Arabs and Saddlebreds both use pads, "action devices" aka chains or weighted boots, and tail sets. We do NOT show any 2 year olds (except in halter or showmanship). We train at home usually only safe methods. I do not own a padded horse (only one who was padded before we got her and is now flat shod - regular front shoes, barefoot in the back). 3 of my 5 horses are strictly barefoot. The other 2 have front shoes only. Most people who own and show TWH's do so only in the most humane and proper manner. There are a few bad apples which tend to spoil the whole group. I've witnessed (and blown the whistle on) some of the most inhumane training methods imaginable! I know and understand that the TWH industry has gotten a very bad reputation, but many other breeds are just as bad or worse! The walking horse community is trying to weed out and eliminate the bad trainers while still allowing those who do show correct and sound horses to continue.
