“There is growing awareness in the scientific and dressage and horse communities of the cruelty and damage done by practices such as “rollkur”. This and many others have been scientifically documented, not only by organizations and individuals that denounce all horse sport, but also those deeply involved in those sports. Surely there comes a time when we have the moral and ethical obligation to examine how we treat our horses. Are the “show, money, fashion, notoriety, winning at any cost” the standards by which we should judge our care, treatment and use of horses? Or do we have a higher duty to genuinely assess the species specific needs, the unique talents and gifts and the physical abilities or more importantly limitations of these amazing animals. They have no voice, no choice. As their caretakers, we have sole responsibility for their physical, emotional and spiritual well being. Surely we can do better!!!”
Derry McCormick
The Equine Sciences Academy
Director of Administrative Affairs
Agree Grace with watching a horse with no bridle or saddle perform in comparison to this revolting exhibition. I believe it only further displays the IGNORANCE AND ARROGANCE of the ‘human’ race that participate. Far more passion and effort involved in a horse and rider working in unison than this. Disgusting that those in AUTHORITY are so ineffective in maintaining a level of care for the horses!
Restore classical dressage as the most humane, biomechanically correct training of the horse. Let education, love, and time replace training practices, which use the horse as a means to an end: competitive success. Remove those who use hyperflexion from competition.
“They have no voice, no choice. As their caretakers, we have sole responsibility for their physical, emotional and spiritual well being. Surely we can do better!!!”
Yes! We must end this ugly abuse once and for all!
This type of prolonged abuse is sickening to witness. I am ashamed of the human species and fearful for the evolution of our race if we can willingly participate in the destruction of a beautiful, powerful, willing and humble amimal without recognising the terrible pain and sufferring we are causing. There seems to be some sort of epidemic of unconsciousness in the horseworld, especially at the competitive level, that renders people incapable of acknowledging reason over insanity. It is insane to cause the physical, psycological and spiritual breakdown of an animal yet these people win medals for it, what we are really witnessing is no more than a modern day gladiator spectacle, it is not sport, it is neither skillfull or executed with any apparent education and it is certainly not art. These people need to stop using horses as pedetals for their sick ego’s and find their hearts, there is no other explanation for it, it is torture.
-“Surely, there comes a time when we have the moral and ethical obligation to examine how we treat our horses.”-
This time starts with square one – at the beginning not along the line. As soon as one takes responsibility for a horse one assumes moral obligations. This is an elementary truth that should be thought to every young or less young beginner riders and reminded along the line by all people involved. – This Danish rider does not live in a bubble – more people are likely accountable and bear responsibility as well: possibly his trainer and riding stables…
The level of ruthlessness demonstrated by the so called rider is sickening and I think that FEI should strongly denounce such cruelty and disqualify such participants.
In addition, we should also be strongly concerned by the retaliation that the horse might have to endure and with his daily treatment. I hope that Danish Animal Rights organizations will look into this as well. This horse needs a new life.
Having watched dressage done with a willing horse, with no bit, no forcing or pain inflicted, watching this horse being subjected to such pain while his uncaring or uninformed rider continues on and those in authority do nothing was appalling to say the least. What price vanity and fame!