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"Number 278 Your Honor!!!” This is what I hear as I ride my horse, Ranger, along the perimeter of the huge ring that holds all my fears, worries, hopes, dreams, and accomplishments. As the announcer yells into the loud speaker “Riders the judges say ride on at a Running Walk!” I pick up speed flying past my competition, so many World Champions and World Grand Champions on one fair ground, it can be over whelming at times. As the riders sit in the ring patiently anticipating the results all I can think is how lucky I am to be part of such an amazing breed of horse, and to feel blessed that the Tennessee Walking Horse Association was so great. But after I leave the ring collecting my 1st place ribbon, there is a commotion by the inspection table, someone just got a ticket for scars on their horse’s ankles, and now they don’t get to show their “injured” horse. The problem with this? There is nothing wrong with their horse, yes he had scars on his ankles but he was not in pain. You see this particular horse was not well taken care of in his previous home, he was abused. Then his current trainer saved him from that bad place, and now because of his past he is not able to show. I and many others personally know this trainer and she would never do anything to hurt her horse, he is her prized possession. Abuse to the Tennessee Walking horse was a huge problem in the past, but not so much anymore.
You see in any breed there is abuse, in my opinion Race Horses being the worst of them all. But when this breed was first established and nationally recognized trainers did not try to hide it, so everyone was aware of it. Just as many issues, if no. more, are happening in all the other breeds they are just better at covering it up than t...
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...asn't right. Every so often he would buck and act as if something was hurting him. So I got off and inspected every inch of this huge horses body only to find he had stepped on a rock and it was lodged in his foot. He was in a little pain and it was clear as day something was wrong. Wouldn't you think that if all these horses were in pain you would be able to notice? I am not by any means say that none of these horses are abused but do not punish everyone for one mans mistake! There is no more abuse in the Walking Horse world than in any other breed, it's only that the trainers in TWHBEA did a bad job hiding what they were doing so they got caught. I am by no means excusing any of the things that happened but, when someone is trying to destroy the one thing I love I will stand up for it. This is 100% my opinion based on life experiences, none of this is factual data.
Times have changed though people no longer have to have their horses trained in such a hurry. Very few horses are used very hard today. Not all horses were started in such a rough manner then either. The Spanish vaqueros of the 1800's used the bosal to start their horses, and they took their time in doing so.
The auction lot is not a place that a horse would want to be as many although not all are a terrible place for a horse to be. All types of horses are found at an auction all though an estimated 93.2% of the horses that are at the lots and are on their way to slaughter are deemed in good condition according to the US Department of Agriculture’s Guidelines for the handling and Transportation of equines to slaughter. The young and healthy horses are what the kill buyers are looking for, as they are able to make a greater profit then that of older and sick horses. Horses that are dropped of at the lots are not put in proper pens that leads to fighting and establishing a pecking order, ultimately for creating injury to the horses that
... rodeo as cruel and abusive. But the rodeo today is changing with the hope of getting better. The bucking and roping stock are treated as prized animals. They even have their own bucking champions. The solution to any kind of animal abuse is in the continued scrutiny of the sport by the PRCA. As the sport evolves and the animals become more valuable it should cause better care for the animals.
For many people across the United States rodeo is how they make a living. Weather its competing, selling, or just working behind the sense, they depend on rodeo for a job. Not only do humans depend on rodeo for a job, but so do all types of animals. Not all horses are cut out for the same job just as all humans are not. Many animal rights groups use words like animal cruelty and unsafe to describe a rodeo, but underneath the tough exterior strict rules combat the use of these words by cutting down on the unsafe and cruel events. Rodeo, despite being a dangerous sport, benefits a community in many ways and does not condone animal cruelty in any way. It is a place where a community of people can show their skills, sell their products, and find friendships with people just like them.
Robert Gonzales is only one of many people to commit animal cruelty. Kevin Brunson was also accused of harming an animal. He starved his dog, Rambo, until he weighed only fifty-one pounds. A normal dog his size would weigh around one hundred and twenty-five pounds. Rambo was seventy-four pounds underweight. A dog named, Lacey had scabbing around the eyes and other injuries from being abused. “Lashawn Whitehead of Greensboro, admitted to police that she beat her dog for fifteen minutes, then set it on fire. The dog ran away, and she was found. Her injuries were burned ears, a broken jaw, and teeth. She was adopted into a new loving family.” (Cawthon 2) All animals are affected when it comes to animal abuse. Horses have been reported to be starved and in very poor living conditions. Owners don’t clean stalls, feed the animals, or take care of the horses grooming needs. The horses become depressed to due to the lack of care they receive. Sixteen horses were found at Gina Rapuano’s Farm, Apache, Willy, and Destiny are merely three of the horses greatly in need of care. Apache was starved so much you could see his ribs; he was infested with worms, and needed hoof and dental care. Willy had trouble walking, and horrible eye infections. Destiny had such bad dental care that he could not eat properly, and was starving. “The horses eyes were dull; they were not alert. They t...
The driver has the legal right to hit the horse for motivation in order to win a position. Network television is broadcasting the acceptance of whipping by showcasing to the viewers how the drivers are permitted to hit the horses. Whipping should be banned in horse racing. In fact, the amendment to rule 1734, involving whipping, was filed with the Secretary of State on October 13, 2016 and will be effective January 1, 2017. According to the California Horse Racing Board, “The Board proposes to amend Rule 1734 to clarify what is acceptable use of a whip by a driver . . . no driver shall use unreasonable force in whipping a horse, nor whip any horse causing welts or breaks in the skin. The proper use of a whip is meant to encourage a horse; the force it takes to cause welts or breaks in the skin is beyond the limit necessary to receive a positive response from the horse and may even produce a negative reaction” (Rules, Regulatiln & Law). This new amendment going into place is confirming the fact that there are issues with whipping. In essence, gambling and whipping are two different controversial issues that are found to be legal in horse
“A horse can do anything you train it to do”, my dad used to say; indeed, it’s true. I had been training racing horses for a while now, but this horse and this race was something different. My horse suffered from a small ankle injury and was due to race in 3 weeks. To prepare him for this race, I took him to the vet to get checked, I fed and trained him every day and finally the day of the race, I put all my trust in him and waited for the outcome.
The Kentucky Derby has over 160,000 people come from around the world to attend the Kentucky Derby annually, and tens of millions watch on television. The Kentucky Derby is our state’s signature event, filled with traditions, legends, and celebrities. On May 2nd, of every year, is the Kentucky Derby and my birthday. The Kentucky Derby is an athletic event, because you get to understand the roles of the jockey and thoroughbred as athletes, as well as the scientific basis for their performance, it helps provide insights and comparisons into human training, nutrition, and health. “The Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved” was hailed as a triumph and brought rabid attention to Scanlan’s. (McKeen 149) The Kentucky Derby is a horse race that
Animal abuse can be looked at in many different forms but it’s mostly up to you to determine if you agree or disagree with it. Many people believe rodeos should be outlawed because of the visible abuse. It could be from a steer getting drug behind a horse or from probes that make bucking horses and bulls buck. Others believe that all actions are taken to insure the safety of the animals and the contestants. The real question is what do you believe?
Even though tensions rise between the ethics in sport and the ideas of winning, families identify accomplishment in the bond between hobbies and the good life, as horse racing is a favorite past-time. Although desiring to win compromises the conduct and character of the owner, trainers, jockeys, and horses, many fans remain uptight toward betting on cheaters while taking them at face-value. While articles, periodicals, and congressional hearing testimonies about the sports culture of horse racing feature opposing strands of greed and reveal the binary just/unjust, the more interesting ideas come from the differences in the tone of voice, which show a pattern of irony in economic views of racing and frustration in social aspects of abuse. For example, the issues are significant to evaluate because some sources argue neglect or ill-treatment while others are following the rules; however, positive tests for illegal drugs in horses remain an ongoing wager. Additionally, as horses play a significant role in American culture today, tension gives rise to various power struggles, ethical dilemmas, and multiple controversies involving social and political agendas, which complicates regulations on the rules of racing. Even though Sheila Lyons, DVM testifies, "Racehorse is not a diagnosis," before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Interstate Horse Racing Act, Dr. Lyon believes, “proper record keeping should take place at the tracks” (Kane, Lyons, and Gagliano). A 2015 report by The Editorial Board from The New York Times suggests, "…the fatality rate for horses reaches more than four times the national average as heedless owners put unproven horses at risk for lucrative purses," as the more striking compari...
The American horse racing industry has been admired by generations upon generations. Although it is a very cherished sport, like any other sport, there are many issues involved. The major issue that I find is that many owners make the decision to breed when there are other solutions. The Jockey Club, also known as the head council for the American Horse Racing Industry, should be addressing the major issue of overbreeding in the American horse racing industry.
his leg a number of times. The horse was tested and passed, but what the
“God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good” Genesis 1:25. When God created the earth he uniquely formed each animal with different characteristics, yet each special in their own way. Not one animal possess the same construction like another. Referring to the majestic species of horses, many owners find a multitude of issues they face within the care of horses. Specifically, the ongoing debate of placing shoes on a horse verses leaving them barefoot. Frankly, the decision comes down to the expense of the shoes, the discipline in which the horse engages, and consideration of the advantages and disadvantages to both sides of the argument.
Every 60 seconds an animal is abused. Dogs, cats, horses, and many other types of animals are being neglected and tortured everyday, yet resulting in few and minor consequences for the perpetrators. Animal abuse is prevalent in the United States and has been an ongoing issue since the 1970's, and prior to. Society as a whole has chosen to avoid the facts and arguments about animal cruelty, because to some it is seen as acceptable and typical. It becomes much more frowned upon when people actually see the results of the cruelty, especially in the media.
Sliding the barn doors open, I step into a warm, comforting environment. Musty straw mingles with the sharp aroma of pine shavings, complementing each other. A warm glow from sporadically placed incandescent lightbulbs richens the leather tack, all cleaned and hanging ready for the day's use. From it wafts the smell of a new pair of shoes. The fruity essence of "Show Sheen", applied after yesterday's baths, still lingers in the air. Even the harsh stinging scent of urine and manure is welcome at this early morning hour. Breaking open a bale of hay, I sense the sweetness of the dried timothy as it engulfs my olfactory system, making me wish my queasy stomach had not made me skip breakfast. I am nervous, as are many others. I know that the day ahead will bring excitement, dread, triumph, and defeat. The unpredictable nature of horse shows causes frenzied questions, like salmon spawning, to run constantly though my mind. Will the judge like my own particular style? What if the red flowers bordering the first jump spook my horse? What if a piece of paper on the ground blows into the ring? Will this horse show be a success? The outcome depends not just on me; but a...