#equine welfare

[local-hellhound-steals-spaghetti]

I don't know if this is something you'll be able to answer, but it's something I've been wondering for decades and I think you have the knowledge necessary for it.

So I used to ride horses for around 10 years, and when I first started to ride when I was around 8, when a horse was being super stuborn and didn't want to move. The riding instructor said it was okay to kick the horses as hard as I could (while I was sitting in the saddle) to get them moving, that they would bearly feel it cause they were so big, and their skin was thicker than ours.

And as a kid I trusted the adult instructor, but as I got older, and the more I interacted with horses and learnt how sensitive they could be to touch, I started to wonder if that was really okay, or if the only reason the horses seemed chill about it was cause they were used to it or something?

oh I just remembered a second thing I was wondering about, that same ranch also had a super old horse, I think he was in his 30s when I stopped going, was allowed to just wander around the ranch once he was retired, which I always sorta wondered if that was okay you know? he never seemed interested in leaving the ranch even tho there was nothing stopping him, and the part where cars could go was extremely small and they never went that fast anyways so I don't see why it'd be a bad thing, but I just couldn't shake the feeling it wasn't okay you know?

(I know these questions aren't about marine animals or even zoo animals, but I hope its okay for me to ask anyways, feel free to ignore if you want obvs)

Hi there! I don't mind horse questions - I used to work with them a lot and used to have my own horse!

I understand that feeling so well - there were so many times where I felt pressured to use excessive force with horses. Even with my own horse, because I was at the mercy of people who I thought knew best.

That's why I left the horse industry to work in the zoo and marine mammal field - so I could learn how to correctly, effectively and ethically apply positive reinforcement based training methods.

The last time I had a riding lesson was about a year ago. I wanted to give it a try again because I missed horses and it had been going fine. But the last time I was there, I left in tears because they put me on a horse that seriously needed to be retrained from the ground - and not be a lesson horse because he clearly hated it. I was not about to bully the horse into submission for the sake of getting my money's worth. I refused to "ride through" this horse's learned behaviour of stopping at arena corners and running my leg into the side of the arena. He wasn't listening to leg aids or rein aids. People had been riding him so inconsistently that he didn't even know what those signals meant anymore.

That's when people often will get out the whips and spurs to escalate those "aids". Because if all you're using is negative reinforcement/positive punishment and the aversive isn't working, you have to make that aversive even more uncomfortable/painful and "make them do it!". That's where things start to get really nasty, that's when conflict behaviours come up like rearing, bucking, bolting.

This animal was stressed, I was frustrated. He wasn't in a state to learn, he needed a break. He needed a chance to relearn those skills and be taught how to enjoy being ridden again. I refused to get into a fight with this horse. That isn't how I train and it won't be how I ride, either.

But horse riding is so heavily aversive based that escalation of aversives is just standard practise in riding schools.

When you were asked to kick harder, you were being asked to escalate the pressure for a horse that probably had become desensitised to softer leg aids. Lesson horses put up with so much incosistency, it makes sense that they get so "dull" to the aids.

There's also the issue of learned helplessness. When animals (and people) are put in a situation that they can't escape from, they give up trying to do so. They just sort of... tune everything out and become dull to any sort of learning process. It's sad because a lot of horses that people say are "bombproof" are just in a state of learned helplessness.

Horses absolutely do feel those kicks and they do not actually have "thick skin". They have thinner skin and even more nerve endings in their skin than we do!

The escalating use of force for "stubborn" horses is a symptom of an outdated industry that's still stuck in eltist tradition and would rather put a piece of twisted wire into a horse's mouth and spurs on rider's boots than re-teach skills from the ground or use positive reinforcement (treats are so taboo with horse people - they way they react, you'd think you'd brought a weapon into the yard and not a bag of carrots lol)

As for the wandering around? It's not ideal, sure. There's a certain amount of complacency in just expecting a free roaming animal not to leave the area. I guess as long as they're not standing in traffic/being a hazard/getting hurt it's okay but definitely not how I would be keeping my animals.

Anyway that was kind of long winded but I hope that helped!

[snowy-doe]

The way they edited out the gaping mouth in the goofiest way, but pain face is still the cover image representing the magic of Paris 2024.

This is honestly a perfect microcosm of the current state of equestrian sport (especially dressage).

(Gleerup et al., 2015)

Dalla Costa, E., Minero, M., Lebelt, D., Stucke, D., Canali, E., & Leach, M. C. (2014). Development of the Horse Grimace Scale (HGS) as a pain assessment tool in horses undergoing routine castration. PloS One, 9(3), e92281–e92281. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0092281

Dyson, S., Berger, J., Ellis, A. D., & Mullard, J. (2018). Development of an ethogram for a pain scoring system in ridden horses and its application to determine the presence of musculoskeletal pain. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 23, 47–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2017.10.008

Dyson, S. (2022). The Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram. Equine Veterinary Education, 34(7), 372–380. https://doi.org/10.1111/eve.13468

Gleerup, K. B., Forkman, B., Lindegaard, C., & Andersen, P. H. (2015). An equine pain face. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia, 42(1), 103–114. https://doi.org/10.1111/vaa.12212

[thescienceofequus]

It’s been a long-held belief that horses’ intervertebral discs don’t degenerate except in rare cases. But recent study results have overturned that idea.

[pd-lyons]

Trust, by pd lyons

Trust I walk out with the horse, She does not resist. leads as if there’s not a diseased bone in her body.  does not notice children crying, rain stopping, sun brightening, but rather a yellow butterfly – moves her head to keep it in sight until for some reason she will never know,  can no longer do so. yellow years ago worked for several intense years with a horse rescue rehab group in…

[officeobject]

About horse abuse in regards to jumping:

(Am not a horse person, though AM a brony - just saw this and am posting to spread awareness).

[poniesatemypencils]

Say no to horse abuse.

There's far too much normalisation of unethical practices in the equestrian community, especially in the Olympics. Already I saw a photo of a horse with their head pulled in towards their chest, gaping mouth with frothy saliva dripping down from their mouth... It's sickening and heartbreaking to see.

[ametamorphosisaddiction]

Part One; The Heart and Hardship of Animal Rescue: A Journey of Compassion and Survival

I often find people amazed by my extensive experience with animal rescue and street vet work, particularly when I share some of the most challenging and occasionally amusing stories. My journey into animal rescue began when I was just a toddler, following in my mother’s footsteps. She had been rescuing animals since she was a young adult, passing her compassion for animals onto me. Our…

[horsesarecreatures]

Bitless now allowed as well!

[local-hellhound-steals-spaghetti]

Btw when you look at photos of horses in equestrian sports, keep the Equine Pain Scale in mind. There's a lot to be said about horses being extremely good at masking pain and discomfort as a prey animal. If they screamed when they were in pain, I wonder if some methods and certain types of tack would have ever been allowed at all...

Source

[spiraltastic]

Yeah but cows form complex social relationships

[camillasgirl]

King Charles III and Queen Camilla will undertake a State Visit to Kenya

The visit will take place from Tuesday 31st October to Friday 3rd November 2023, and will celebrate the warm relationship between the two countries and the strong and dynamic partnership they continue to forge.

The visit is at the invitation of President Ruto and comes as Kenya prepares to celebrate 60 years of independence. His Majesty’s first visit to a Commonwealth nation as King is therefore to the country in which Queen Elizabeth II’s reign began, having acceded to the throne in Kenya in February 1952.

The King and Queen will visit Nairobi City County, Mombasa County and surrounding areas. Their Majesties’ programme will reflect the ways in which Kenya and the United Kingdom are working together, notably to boost mutual prosperity, tackle climate change, promote youth opportunity and employment, advance sustainable development and create a more stable and secure region.

During the visit, Their Majesties will meet President Ruto and the First Lady as well as and other members of the Kenyan Government, UN staff, CEOs, faith leaders, young people, future leaders and Kenyan Marines training with UK Royal Marines. The King will also attend an event to celebrate the life and work of the Nobel Laureate the late Professor Wangari Maathai, together with Wangari’s daughter, Wanjira Mathai.

The King and Queen’s programme will celebrate the close links between the British and Kenyan people in areas such as the creative arts, technology, enterprise, education and innovation. The visit will also acknowledge the more painful aspects of the UK and Kenya’s shared history, including the Emergency (1952-1960). His Majesty will take time during the visit to deepen his understanding of the wrongs suffered in this period by the people of Kenya. Together, Their Majesties will tour a new museum dedicated to Kenya’s history and will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at Uhuru Gardens, as well as visiting the site of the declaration of Kenya’s independence in 1963.

The King and Queen’s programme also will include:

Their Majesties will be greeted in Nairobi with a ceremonial welcome at State House and will each attend bilateral meetings – The King with The President and The Queen with the First Lady, before The President hosts a State Banquet at State House.

His Majesty will visit the United Nations Office at Nairobi, to learn more about the work of UN Habitat and the UN Environment Programme. UNON is the only UN Headquarters in the Commonwealth.

His Majesty will attend a technology showcase, meeting Kenyan entrepreneurs who are driving forward innovation in the country’s tech sector. Kenya has the third largest start up eco-system in Africa.

His Majesty will host a reception focussed on Kenya’s young people and future leaders across development, trade, media, the creative arts and environmental conservation.

Their Majesties will visit a Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery, joining British and Kenyan military personnel in an act of Remembrance, before hearing about the Commission’s recent work to ensure all those who supported Britain’s efforts in both World Wars are commemorated.

The King and Queen will visit Nairobi National Park to witness the vital conservation work being undertaken by the Kenya Wildlife Service, which is integral to Kenya’s thriving tourism industry.

Her Majesty, Patron of the equine welfare charity Brooke, will hear how the charity is working with the Kenya Society for the Protection and Care of Animals to rescue donkeys at risk and promote their welfare.

The King, as Captain General of the Royal Marines, and The Queen, will visit Mtongwe Naval Base in Mombasa. There, Their Majesties will witness Kenyan Marines, trained by the Royal Marines, demonstrating a covert beach landing, showing defence collaboration in action.

The Queen will meet survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, learning how they are supported and sharing her own insights from working in this area.

The King will meet faith leaders from Mombasa’s diverse community, hearing how they are working together to promote harmony amongst the city’s population.

[isthehorsevideocute]

So NOW is the time people are trying to rally behind banning equestrian sports from the Olympics...... I mean am I even surprised? Media literacy is so dead its leaking into people's real life critical thinking.

Abuse being publicized and addressed by the FEI is good. Its great. It's the necessary ugliness that shows us that things are going in the right direction for welfare. The policy of enforcing social license to operate is in its infancy and its already showing results.

Sorry but if you seeing the FEI as being open about abuse cases (naturally making us see it more because its in the open and not stuck behind closed doors) and you have the brain dead take of "Look bad thing! Ban now!" sorry but you lack any amount of nuance and clearly don't care about context. You are on the same level of dumb as the people fighting tooth and nail to defend these abusive assholes. Whether you are trying to excuse abuse or use it to rally against the presence of equine sports in the Olympics you are doing equal harm to the industry as a whole.

If we are going to be able to change the culture that has normalized abuse in many places the best thing we can do is start at the top. A certain someone apparently thinks the only reason one would care about equestrian sports in the Olympics is because "you want to think you have a shot at making it". That's far from the truth. The presence of equestrian sports for better or worse has a massive influence on the industry. The rules for olympic level equestrian sports help define all levels below it. The Olympics brings a lot of prospective riders in and generally educates the public about the industry. This makes it even more important to take welfare into account as the Olympics can make or break public opinion and attract or repel people from the horse industry as a whole.

[pokemonshelterstories]

My main partner (Mudsdale, M10) has been trying to kidnap the other Pokémon he sees around the neighborhood, and I’ve had to return half of them because they’re already owned and just being adopted by my giant mud horse.

I think he’s trying to start his own herd/family, but he was raised by himself, and I’ve only had other Pokémon for about two or three years, so I think it’s just instinct kicking in…

Got any Mudbray or other equine Pokémon that he could buddy up with? I’ve got space enough…

i'm trying to interpret this correctly, but...is your mudsdale just. allowed to wander around other people's properties? i'm surprised your neighbors haven't called the rangers on you yet. it's your responsibility to keep your pokemon contained on your property. even if your neighbors are doing the same, it's highly irresponsible to just let your pokemon wander, especially one as large and powerful as a mudsdale.

it's also concerning that your mudsdale has been alone most of its life. these are herding animals that need company. i'm glad you have other pokemon now, but that is a serious welfare concern.

we do currently have a mudbray up for adoption, but until you address the containment of your mudsdale, we cannot adopt out to you.

[thiziri]

‘An honour to showcase our work’: Princess Royal visits community stables.

The British Horse Society (BHS) recently welcomed their Vice-Patron, HRH The Princess Royal to a riding school in Birmingham to see how it is benefiting young people in the area.

Summerfield Stables is an inclusive community group with a core aim to ensure that all children and young people, regardless of sex, race, age or disability, in the local area have the opportunity to interact with horses, and the benefits this can bring.

This comes at a time when the equine industry’s riding centres and livery yards continue to face great challenges, with the BHS reporting a 15% reduction in riding schools since 2018.

“It was an honour to host HRH The Princess Royal and to showcase the important role that horses have in our community, as well as the difference they make to children’s lives,” said Georgian Urwin, Volunteer and Part-Qualified Stage 4 Coach at Summerfield Stables.

“Founded in 1970 by Roslyn Tedd-Urwin, for over 50 years Summerfield Stables has been an important presence in the community, offering opportunities for young people and volunteers which has been even more in demand since the Covid pandemic. Today, HRH has had the opportunity to see this first hand.”

The Princess Royal watched demonstrations from a host of the Approved Centre’s participants and volunteers. These comprised of an introduction to the BHS’s Pony Stars programme, which offers children the chance to discover, develop and nurture their love for ponies and the outdoors. Bobby, the BHS’s Equine Personality of the Year 2020 also made a star appearance.

HRH The Princess Royal heard from participants of the BHS Changing Lives through Horses initiative which the stables has been running since last year.

“It was a privilege and an honour to introduce our Vice-Patron HRH to Summerfield Stables and all those who work so hard to make it such a success,” said James Hick, Chief Executive Officer at the BHS. “We know that the horse/human relationship can be transformational for wellbeing, and it is great to champion those centres who are so passionate about providing all young people with their first interaction with horses.

“Together, we must continue to ride by the side of every equestrian and all those who care so passionately for them. Our riding schools are a critical part of this, helping to make sure they have access to education, horse care and welfare, practical riding tuition and most importantly, an inclusive and welcoming environment.”

© Your Horse | 7 April 2023.

[thecinematichorse]

Although a veterinarian assessed the recent horse death on the set of The Rings of Power as "unlikely to be associated with the horse's participation in the film," more can be done to protect horses and the industry.

In Australia, no specific standard exists for the use of animals in filmed media, and each state and territory has differing risk management guidelines.

An opportunity now exists for the industry to set a new standard for horse care and training.

An easily executable first step for the industry could be to insist a scientifically trained and credentialed equine behavior expert be involved in the recruitment and supervision of horse actors and their trainers at all stages of production.

This would ensure horse actors are appropriately trained to be on set and that horses are trained using the most up-to-date ethical methods.

Horse behavior experts could also help in scene design to minimize horses' exposure to stressful situations and identify tasks that are incompatible with good horse welfare.

If these suggestions were to be adopted, the film and television industry would be setting the benchmark for horse welfare—and pressure other horse industries to follow suit.

Read more.