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The practice of soring
Hi! Now that we have discovered the beauty and grace of the Tennessee Walking Horse, I’m afraid it’s time to speak about the dark side of the story of this breed; soring. Let me start from the beginning. In 1940’s and 1950’s, the popularity of the Tennessee Walking Horse to the American public skyrocketed thanks to this special, extended gait. In fact, the more extravagant the gait, the more charming the horse. Furthermore, it was found that horses which were not “adequately gifted” could improve their gait with some intensive training. Exaggerated gaits also began to fascinate show judges too. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, “soring is the…
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End of road for Totilas’ career?
Last Thursday was a bad one for the German dressage team at the 2015 FEI European Championships in Aachen. From the first moment of the appearance of Totilas’ and his new rider, Matthias Rath in the arena, it appeared that there was something wrong with the welfare of the multi-million stallion. To the trained eyes, it was obvious that Totilas was lame and in agony throughout the test. His rear left leg appeared sore while Rath was saluting. Later, Totilas -now 15 years old- was taken to a clinic and was diagnosed with bone edema. Consequently, a long pause in sports duties has been advised, with the end of his…
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Ban horses from being horsey
I recently saw something unpleasant at the equestrian club; a stallion was in his stable and suddenly began hitting his leg on the ground. You know, the movement that horses do with their legs when they get impatient or something. His owner, a pony club girl less than 10 years old, who was chatting with her friend in front of another stable, went close and began to hit the head of her horse, shouting as well. Then she went back to her friend. But the stallion began to do the same. And again, she returned, beat him more forcefully and shouted louder. The lady who owns the place could…
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Crete: Man arrested for equine abuse
A disturbing discovery was made by members of the Panhellenic Animal Welfare and Environmental Federation in the district of Heraklion in the Greek island of Crete, when they found tens of equine corpses (horses and donkeys), in the area surrounding a catering business. Policemen had discovered earlier two donkeys in a horrendous situation, hardly able to stand and with their furs fallen off. Based on the reports, it is estimated that the donkeys have been in this condition for at least six months. The man who owns the business claimed that the donkeys had been abandoned and he had collected them for treatment. But nobody believed him, as the federation…
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The silliness of abuse
No offence to our American friends, but I cannot understand what appears the dominant desire for showing oneself off. “Challenges”, extreme shootings, etc., things that we can see on YouTube or on TV, because someone is filming or photographing the person doing them -with their consent or request. And these acts are accompanied with stupid smiles, or “how it’s done” advice. Come on, there are plenty of such scenes on the web and the news. So, here is a situation of equine abuse coming from Oklahoma, United States. Two men apparently find it fun to tie up a mare, stand on her body whipping her and sit on her…