I have no idea what you just said can’t we all just get along:-)

Some natives were also cruel to their horses in many ways.

In rodeos a piece of ginger is stuck in the horses’ rectum to make them “buck” for the shows. They also put a synch on the stallions’ testicles to make them more entertaining as the Cowboys play at riding then in this horrible state. They think this is normal part of rodeos; it’s been done for ages. Has PETA been able to stop them? *gasp* Its not exactly on breaking news. Race horses have some other horror stories as well; some actually made it to the news, like the lemon grove body dumps. Remember those?

Horrible things have been done to show animals for hundreds of years. It doesn’t make it ok just because it’s a tradition, and humane organizations have had their hands full trying to help animals. Even those in slaughter houses, where the animals are going to be killed anyway, so why treat them well beforehand? Some of the most horrible things imaginable are done to animals due for slaughter. That includes old race horses as well. Humane organizations have been fighting that battle for nearly 20 years that I know of.

What do we have to show for it? There have been a few minor victories; fines can now be enforced in some states for unusually cruel treatment, but that definition also changes by state. Etc. The vast majority of current cases against slaughter houses are at a steady crawl through legal red tape–and this is for things like playing football with baby pigs, moving cattle with steel hooks, tossing unwanted chicks into rotating mulchers–LIVING animals…things that are obviously, without a doubt, HEINOUS. And progress is slow.

But.

Don’t think that just because progress is slow, that it isn’t happening. Part of humane progress is people agreeing to try gentler alternatives, and not defending practices that have been shown to cause damage.

The outright cruelty must go ASAP–and that is where the current battles are being fought. When the worst has been regulated out of practice, then they can focus on the next tier of animal injustices; things which may seem small now, but will become larger issues as collective compassion & empathy improves, along with determination to phase them out of common use.

Forgive any typos, my phone likes to auto-correct things, sometimes I don’t catch them all.

Riders & horses both need to be trained correctly. Anything is possible with the proper time & effort.

Whether the rules will ever allow it, is a longer process. Eventually, with trainers taking the time to cross-train, you could see competent horses & jockeys, alike. It’s just not very likely, with the current “industry”.

Sad but very true some horses could adapt, but an owner who would put herself through that experience and pain is not being selfish by putting a 20yr old horse to sleep. I have an active 25yr old hv had since 2yrs and have traveled him far and wide and given him the best life I could. I am not in that terrible position and may never be but would face up to it if certain circumstances arose that meant I couldn’t secure guaranteed love for him as he became too frail to be useful but happy in himself.
I know I may eventually be the only one to have unconditional love and compassion for him.

My ex racer used to head toss and grind his teeth when out riding. I, against the advice of the rest of the yard put him in a side-pull bitless bridle. WOW what a change, he is a much happier horse and still stops when asked. For all those saying its crazy to try on race horses, you want to try it. Its the best thing I have done!!