From: juliemac@sequent.com (Julie McClanahan)
Subject: Re: Choices People Make (was Grooming, Ginger etc.)
Organization: Sequent Computer Systems Inc.
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 92 19:29:59 GMT

In article <5176@rosie.NeXT.COM> llyons@next.com (Liza Lyons) writes:
>This whole discussion really boils down to the philosophical (emotional)
>question of what is "right" and what is "wrong" with regards to equine
>management/sport. It's funny, but no matter what riding program you endorse,
>there's always something questionable about everyone else's practices while
>yours seem - well - justifiable.
>
  [stuff deleted about training author had and opinions]

>
>Throughout this evolution, I've always felt confident that I was working on the
>"right" things -- until now.
>
  [stuff deleted about fall]

>eventers seem to have the strongest opinions about - and
>commitment to -  horse health/safety (and may have some of the most
>comprehensive knowledge given the diversity and athleticism of their training
>programs), but how do they reconcile taking excellent care of animal whose
>well-being is so threatened for just a few minutes of heart-stopping pleasure?
>
>I suppose these questions are amplified by all the people who watched the
>crash-and-burn snippets of the Olympics followed by Todd Trewin's horse
>staggering over the finish line and tell me in no uncertain terms that they
>don't approve of my sport.  And of course I defend it:  I tell them about all

  [stuff deleted]

>And that all sounds
>just fine, but what about my horse?  If equine body language tells us anything
>I know he LOVES going cross-country, but WHAT IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO HIM?
>I'll have no one to blame but myself, and all for the sake of fun and games.
>
>I bring all this up for two reasons:  1) to see if any other eventers struggle
>(or have struggled) with these questions and 2) to point out that it's easy to
>condemn someone else's "inhumane" behavior while every facet of the equine
>world frankly deserves some degree of re-structuring for the health and
>well-being of our partners.
>

I have also struggled with this time and again.  In all the events
I've been to (watching and competing), event riders in general take
excellent care of their horses.  I've only seen one horse seriously
injured - he actually died of a heart attack in the warm up arena -
but have seen lots of riders injured.  But the horses LOVE the sport!
It's obvious in their body language.  The ones who don't do not stay
in long because they aren't fun/reliable to ride.

My 17 year old training-level event horse broke her leg last year in
the pasture and had to be put down.  I don't think I could have felt
worse, it was the most heart-wrenching experience I've had with
animals.  I don't *think* I would have felt guilty if it had happened
jumping - in both cases (playing in pasture and jumping) she would
have hurt herself doing something she loved.

I guess the point is that there is risk in everything.  We should make
our chosed horse sport safe, but injuries will happen.  As long as my
horse and I love what we're doing, and it's a safe environment (e.g.
good footing, well constructed/planned course) then I'll keep doing it
and hope for the best.

Those are just my thoughts and the personal conclusions I've come
to.  Funny - since my horse broke her leg, I haven't had the doubts
about eventing!  I also agree with your second point - all facets of
horse sports can use some improvement, and we should not be so quick
to condemn others.

Well, I've run on quite long enough.  I just want to say I really
enjoy this group and, although you all didn't know it, your words of
encouragement to others helped me survive my horse's injury.

Julie McClanahan (with a new horse!  - Cody - who loves the sport as
much as I do!)