Western is better for the horse than English riding

Let's take a look at the points and arguments brought up in this debate. Reining: We agreed that good reining trainers do not abuse their horses. I argued that reiners wear big curbs and can be subject to abuse by heavy hands and unfeeling trainers. After this argument went unrefuted, I brought up the fact that reiners are started early and broke down early. My opponent stated that this was false, maintaining that reiners are started later than eventers and competed long into their 30s; however, a quick look at a horses for sale revealed that there are less than 13 reining horses older than 20 for sale on the largest sale website. We can conclude that reiners may not stay sound past 20, let alone past 30. Ranch work: Past my original argument that most ranch work is fun and rewarding, but horses can be injured severely by it, there was no response. Cutting: Many of the same arguments from reining were cross-applied to cutting. In addition, I brought up the fact that cutters are loped for hours before showing. My opponent explained this practice by saying cutters are very fit, and therefore loping is okay. Remember this point; it will become very important when I discuss cross-country. There are 13 cutting horses older than 20 for sale on Dreamhorse, further emphasizing the point that cutting horses do not universally last until they are 30. Barrels/Poles: Like ranch work, my original arguments were ignored. I maintain that gaming horses can be very good without abuse, but at the lower levels with overcompensating riders, horses can be bullied, spurred, and whipped into running. Dressage: Most of the early argument here concerned rollkur. While I cited FEI regulation, results from the Olympics, dressage tests themselves, and the training scale, my opponent refused to provide additional evidence. The lack of proof of rollkur at lower levels and of the acceptance of rollkur at higher levels is very damning for my opponent. The only evidence my opponent provided past the first round was from an incredibly biased source which criticizes dressage as well as reining. I refuted that source point by point in the third round, as well as an indictment of the author himself. Dreamhorse shows 124 dressage horses older than 20 for sale. Jumping: My opponent contradicts herself in her argument from cutting and her argument for cross country. I maintain that due to the fitness and training of a cross country horse, the potential danger of running XC is greatly reduced. My opponent says that fitness has nothing to do with anything; however, she excused the practice of loping a cutter by saying that the horses are fit enough to handle it. My opponent failed to properly refute the fact that cross country fences are becoming less solid; that horses cannot be forced to do anything they really don't want to do; or that the horses are older and more mature than futurity horses in reining or cutting. There are 36 eventing horses older than 20 for sale; 46 hunters older than 20 for sale; and 63 jumpers older than 20 for sale. Racing: My arguments from Round 1 were unrefuted. Judge only the arguments that Thoroughbreds are bred to mature quickly; that any horse can suffer the same injuries; and that the Jockey Club has the best injury reporting system and it might be that we just don't know that injuries happen in other disciplines. Saddleseat: The arguments here boiled down to several important points, which I will review one-by-one. The best saddleseat horses are "game" - that is, they are hot but controllable, excitable but eager to please. That attitude is encouraged and prized in saddleseat, unlike in other disciplines where riders want horses to be unflappable. Horses are bred for disposition and truly enjoy their jobs. The second issue is that of shoeing. Not only are shoes carefully calibrated to suit a specific horse, they are removed during the off season. Turnout follows from shoeing; some horses can be turned out with their show packages, but some cannot and must wait until they are done showing for the year to enjoy 24/7 pasture board. The third issue was the bit situation. It is true that mature saddleseat horses are shown in a double bridle, and the shank on the curb can be long. However, the horses are worked at home in a snaffle. In the show ring, they ride mostly off the snaffle and the curb is only used to raise the head, tuck the nose, and lower the hip. In summary, we can see that neither English nor Western is inherently worse. A bad dressage trainer is more abusive than a good reining trainer; however, a bad reining trainer is more abusive than a good dressage trainer. Therefore, I urge a vote in negation.