There is a growing concern within the equine industry about the actions and beliefs of some animal rights activists.

Do you think they have legitimate concerns?
Or do you think we should act to keep these groups from taking control of our industry?


what do you think?
Thanks to everyone for taking the time to write in and voice your opinions

Of course we don't want any other group taking over or regulating our horse industry. To avoid that is actually quite simple: Get rid of the trainers that use abusive methods (both at their home and at the shows) to get their final result. It is naive to think that all trainers are excellent and care about the animals. In many instances the money means more than the animal. When true abuse occurs and is reported, what happens? Nothing. The trainers still show their horses, still ride, still getting pinned. This sets us up for animal rights activists to step in. They see animals being hit, poked, ridden to exhaustion, tied down, etc. What their own eyes witness is what they believe. The horse industry must stop protecting and trying to cover-up for bad trainers. Unless we're blind or refuse to believe what we see, the animal rights activists will win. Why? Because they believe in their cause. We must counteract that by showing the world healthy, well-kept, happy horses that enjoy what they are doing rather than being forced into what they're doing.

Myra Miller

 

I think that the animal rights activists should take control of their own lives! They are the biggest hypocrites if they ever plan on going to the hospital, eat just about anything they buy in the store, use any type of product they buy in a store (from glue, gas, paper, cleaning products, you name it!) Because thousands of animals are sacrificed every year to put these products on our store shelves and to make them safe for the use of the public! So if you are an activist, you better not breath because even the air has been tested on animals!! This is important for everyone to hear! The activists are barking up the wrong tree if they have the time to bother responsible horse owners. Horses are expensive and so is the hobby of reining, so I do believe that we have the best interests in mind when dealing with our equine partners.

Laura Hamelink
Pardeeville, WI

 
I do agree that in our industry, there are some cases of animal abuse. In most cases the animals are treated better than our own children! We have such high hopes for these animals, we put them in the hands of "Professional" trainers and turn and drive away confident that they will train the animal into doing what we believe is best for the horse. Never have I witnessed a trainer being punished for mistreating a horse at a show. Maybe it happens behind closed doors. Sometimes I think the trainers go a little far trying to get the horse to do things that they probably are not capable of doing. It kinda makes you nervous when you see a horse that has been worked so hard in the warm-up pen that he can barely walk by the time he gets to the show pen. But who do you think in behind the gate waiting for the trainer to come out. Us the horse owner. We need to check out the farms better and not be afraid to speak up when we see something that makes us uneasy. Our horse, our friend is the one that will suffer, and our pocketbook! I have also witnessed child abuse at a large show in Virginia. Try putting a 10 or 12 year old on a horse and expect "points". And if he doesn't "get it done" in the warm up pen, try jerking him off the horse by the collar and explain to him what will happen if he messes up in the showring! Then send him out and guess what the results are. And guess who is doing the abuse, the parent or guardian! That is abuse!

Judy Brooks
 
I absolutely agree that we need to do everything in our power to fight the activist groups if we want to keep and enjoy our horses. In Colorado there is talk of change the laws like they did in California to make horses a domestic animal requiring yearly licensing. They believe horses should not be used for human pleasure and this is the first step to get their point across. Many horse owners would not be able to afford the license and therefore not the horse. I believe we should be putting money where our horses are and support all associations fighting the animal rights group. Don't get me wrong I do believe some protection is but as usual someone has always got to go to far with their views and stick their nose where it doesn't belong.

slide4fun@aol.com
 
Indeed we should be vigilant regarding the animal rights groups. Allow me to say that abuse of any kind is repulsive and unacceptable to me. I am sure that most of us have witnessed cruelty in our industry. However, the ignorance of the animal rights groups causes them to think that simply owning horses and riding them--in shows or on trails--is cruel. Not only are groups such as PETA, EarthFirst!, the Animal Liberation Front, and Earth Liberation Front appallingly ignorant, they are also frighteningly radical. They are misinformed, to say the least. These are the people who are throwing things at rodeo personalities, telling people to drink beer; not milk, trying to shut down stock shows, stealing pets, and opening stalls. These actions are all documented. Furthermore, the above list is only a small sampling of their behaviors. As far as these people are concerned, it doesn't matter if you are the best kind of pet or horse owner. In their minds, we are all "bad guys". Keep in mind that I am only talking about the specific groups I named above. There are plenty of groups whose members are only concerned with preventing neglect, irresponsible animal ownership, and the kind of cruelty that most people find abhorrent. I'd suggest that the way to deal with the radical groups would be to educate them about what we do--but I don't think that these people want to learn anything. They only see and hear what they want to. All we can do is educate ourselves about these potentially dangerous groups, and be mindful of their actions. We must be aware of possible political ramifications--i.e. legislation--resulting from these groups' activism. I realize this has been a long spiel on my part, but it is something I am concerned about. We must be wary of radicals' ignorance.
Thanks for letting me vent!

C.M. Henry, CO
 
There is a huge difference between humane treatment of animals and the animal rights movement. The animal rights activists are just that, radical activists that use any method by which to purport their beliefs and dominate others who do not believe the same way. Humane treatment of animals is another thing altogether and I do believe that we sometimes need a clear set of eyes to examine our methods, but those eyes need to come from knowledgeable people in the world which is being examined. The reason for that being a total outsider may not know what they are looking at or for.
I am not a good person to ask if the animal right's groups need to be involved because I say "hell - NO!"

Lisa Cover, CO
 
Yes, they probably have legitimate concerns. However, if the equine industry imposes controls upon itself and polices itself before the animal rights activists get involved then we will not have to be controlled by them. We should definitely not allow them to tell us what we can and cannot do.

Jim & Betty McPhaul
 
Personally, I think animal activists have a legitimate concern about cruelty to animals, but they are grossly ignorant about alot of things concerning animals. Not a one of us, including animals would work, just for the fun of toiling away in the sun, if there wasn't a reason for doing it, ie: salary, food or exercise, benefit to mankind. Humans and animals alike have always had a place in the work society, and humans and animals have been abused from the beginning of time, and it is the job of activists to see that animals are not abused, but they have a misconception as to the term abusive in animals. Just because a reining horse is taught to run in perfect circles, stop, spin and to do flying lead changes, does not constitute abuse. My children thought they were abused because I taught them how to wash dishes properly instead of using the dishwasher, thought they were abused for having to clean stalls, and most definitely thought they were abused for having to clean up their rooms. No, a horse is not abused from having to learn reining maneuvers. The abuse comes from the abusive trainer, just as there are abusive parents. There is a correct way and a loving way to teach. Patience and kindness does pay off.
Thanks,

Valerie Eaves
 
There is a reason to be leery about the militant fringe of the animal rights contingent. As shown by the "Drink Beer" campaign, their concern about treatment of dairy cattle has caused a loss of responsible citizenship. They want sensationalism and emotion, not reason. This results in knee jerk reactions, quick fix attempts, and overbearing regulation.

Horses do deserve ethical treatment. I believe the vast majority of the people associated with the equine industry support this. The equine community is not immune from cases of abuse and neglect. The equine community also does not tolerate abuse as shown by the disqualification and other sanctions that are applied when signs of abuse are seen at events. There are also legal statutes that can be applied when cruelty is obvious.

No animal rights group that can take control of our industry. The danger is that a flash of high visibility will stir enough emotion that poorly thought out statutes will be enacted to satisfy public opinion.


No industry can be totally self regulating. We need external opinions to see things we can improve and to help identify cases where the existing statutes have been violated.

Our best defense to the militant fringe is to run an industry that continues to promote ethical treatment of horses. There is a difference between performing an activity that has risks (such as rodeo events), and ethical treatment. We cannot remove all risk from equine activities, but we can strive for ethical treatment.
If we are dedicated, the animal rights militants will not be able to generate enough public opinion to get a knee jerk reaction.
John Benson
 
I feel it is important that the equine industry is aware of the animal rights people. If a trainer is allowed to spur a two-year-old, in a public warm-up area, until that two-year-old loses control of its bladder, and that trainer is allowed to continue competing in that particular competition, then our show stewards are not doing their job. If we do not remain vigilant to abuse, then we are bound to attract the attention of the animal rights activists. There is no reason in the world why the horse industry cannot police itself, but we must all be prepared to take a responsible position on what is good horsemanship and what is not.

Doug Brown
 
The best way to keep them from "taking control of our industry" is to keep from giving them anything to gripe at us about. Our horses should be in great health with no raw mouths or pecked sides, they should be as drug free as possible and sound in mind and body, but most importantly, we need to look at our warm up pens through outsiders' eyes. Be fair to your horse while warming up - if you feel you have any heavy handed fixing to do, save it for home. If our horses feel good and look pleasant, and are not "abused", the activists won't be able to say they are.

Jeff Stoney
 
I am concerned when any group other than ours wants to "take control of our industry". I believe the NRHA and the governing bodies do an excellent job of policing our shows and the people who take part in them. When an outside group, who does not make their living or participate, tries to govern the action and policies, many associated problems seem to arise. However, we must be fully aware of the implications that such groups can have upon our industry. I personally find that many animal activist do not fully understand the equine industry. We as a group must protect our rights and be very willing to fight for these rights if the occasion arises. It would seem that some groups are just looking for something to do. Maybe boredom, a lack of physical exercise, or in some cases ignorance of the real situation, causes these animal activist to act as they do. A full time job of cleaning stalls could make a remarkable change of mind set.

Michael Jeffcoat, OK
 
In response to your question concerning Animal Rights Activists, yes they do have legitimate concerns, no, they should not be allowed or invited into this arena. When you consider that someone else can do a better job of your world than you, you give up self-determination. That you believe yourself to be a logical, fair-minded person, able to lead your life by your own wits, speaks to the nature of responsibility and accountability. If someone else captains your ship then it becomes to easy to say its not my job. Of the loftiest organizations in the U.S., by self-proclamation, the AMA, ABA, etc. believe only in guiding themselves, policing from within, then that should be our belief as well. Usually the most active of the activists are on the lunatic fringe and use these forums to advance their own causes. We can do a better job of taking care of our business than any one else

Morgenthal
 
Animal rights activist most commonly don't know anything about what they are fighting for. In fact: their actions USUALLY make it even worse for the animals. We should be protected from these people. Also, if I have a reining horse, I can't treat it WRONG to make it work for me, I can't beat it to make it stop or spin, instead I have to treat it very right - otherwise it will not work. I think our horses have a very good life, and are being treated very well.

Gun-Britt Blomdahl
Lazy B Paint Ranch, Sweden
 
I have received your question weekly and have not taken the time to respond. I apologize. The reason I haven't responded is that your questions are generally thought provoking and require more than a few words in response.

This weeks question is no exception. While not an animal rights activist, so to speak, I have some concerns about the methods utilized by some of our trainers on our horses. I would like to see the horse industry set some higher standards and regulatory controls/penalties on inhumane treatment. If the industry were more involved, I don't think the animal rights activists would be so vocal. If we don't take control, I believe they will.

Keep up the good questions. How do I find the responses to those questions already posed? Are you still taking responses to those questions asked in previous weeks?
Thanks,

Peggy Beaver
Rein Dance Ranch
 

<editor's note>
We are always glad to post any responses you might have, no matter when the question was asked. Many people have been writing in with responses well after the question was posed. Also please feel free to add to your response should want to.
 
Like all this in life everything can be carried too far. Elian proved that. The news media or in this case animal rights activists can also carry things too far. I think animal lovers everywhere would agree that cruelty to animals has been and still is a problem. A horse trainer can be extremely mean to a horse by over working, heavy hand on the mouth and over spurring. I my opinion that just proves that the trainer didn't do his ground work and beginning bridle work the correct way. Everyone is in such a hurry to get those babies into the big money futurities that they look over the proper way to bring a horse along. Every horse is as different as we are to one another. So different approaches need to be taken with young horses. I have trained dogs for approx. 29 years and your training methods had better be able to adapt to each animal while in training or an otherwise good working dog will shut down on you and refuse to learn. I believe the same applies to horses. This is of course my opinion only!

Connie Blake

I think there is a valid groundswell of growing sensitivity concerning training methods used on reining horses. I have personally witnessed what I would consider abuse at many big shows particularly in the warm up arenas. I have seen lame horses shown, exhausted and beaten horses shown to win and mentally fried horses still being pushed by both trainer and owner. I think the abuse these horses take may be the Achilles heel of the sport, especially when it comes to international competition and USET Olympic rides. Under scrutiny from people who ride other disciplines, the training methods used on some of our reiners is embarrassing, blatant abuse, much of it coming from "celebrated" trainers. No more bleeding mouths and sides, jerking them into the ground and hitting them on top of the head - please. The NRHA should be more vigilant, judges should show lame horses the gate, they should check for lameness by adding a trot-in to the beginning of every pattern and all warm-up arena should be monitored by NRHA reps at all times so they can compile and report abusive behavior and discipline the parties involved. The competitive community is too small to self police.

-anonymous
Your question today is overly broad in scope. Perhaps I would be able to relate to specific examples of "actions and beliefs of some animal rights activists"? Please define your question in a more equitable way. I feel that as it is currently postulated, it creates an attitude of antagonism and distrust between "them" and "us"!

Ron Morell
 

The question is worded in such a way so as to elicit only one response- of course we don't want the activists taking over our group; that being said, the issue is now whether we want them to, but "how do we prevent them" from interfering. The NRHA's record on humanitarian rules is perceived by the reiners as being strong enough, and, in a vacuum, I agree; however, should we ever asked the humanitarian groups what they think?

SPARKMYDOG@aol.com

 

<editor's note>
I apologize if the question seemed as if it was posed in a way that would "elicit" a certain response. That certainly was not the intention. On the contrary, I was trying to avoid that by also asking if these groups had legitimate concerns.

Sometimes it is difficult to pose the question in a way that everyone perceives as being "fair," and we honestly have no intention of anything other providing a forum to discuss such matters.

 
 
 
The purpose of this section is to create a forum to bring up subjects that reiners often talk about, but seldom agree on. We encourage you to write with your take on the subject. We are simply providing a forum for discussion, and the above mentioned points are in no way a reflection of anything official at NRHA, nor do they reflect the opinions of e-reiner.com. We will be changing the subject weekly, and will post responses as we get them.