Controversial Training Methods, Part 1: Rolkur

There has been much talk recently as to the many controversial training methods, that so many horses endure.

For example, rolkur (used in dressage) has received headline news, claiming it as abusive training. Many in the respected dressage community are outraged.

How could a sport, which focuses on horse-human harmony be brought down to such lows? What benefits are gained by such methods?

The aim of every dressage rider is to train a horse to ture submission- soft in the jaw, attentive to the lightest of aids.

Rolkur is often used as an attempt to achieve undeniable 'submission'. The idea is, that when the horse is overbent, he will build up better muscling, and adopt the proper head carriage easier during dressage tests.

Now, most will agree a little bit of rolkur training, for a couple minutes every so often is not abusive, but when a horse must maintain this position for extended periods of time, both mental and physical stress ensues.

How does a stressed horse remain soft in the jaw? He doesn't.

So why do a select few of the top dressage trainers use this training 'method'? It is hard to say- maybe to achieve submission, as they are not capable to achieve it any other way- but quite probably, it is because of who's winning.

Anky van Grunsven, perhaps, was one of the spurhead riders of the 'rolkur movement'. Seeing as how successful she has been in competition, many dressage wanna-be's, seem to be adopting the same training- sending the dressage community into the midst of controversy, and wondering if rule changes should be in store.

So, what do you think? Is rolkur abusive? Are there times when it is acceptable? Share your thoughts!

When the Money Jar Runs Dry

With our economy in a turmoil, it is no wonder there are a torrent of unwanted animals. Many people have lost their jobs and can no longer afford horses. Animal control officers and rescue groups continue to receive more calls on horses who have been with-held food and water, and whose feet are overdue on a few trims.
Thanks to the generous support of donations and time, many of these horses have been fostered or rehomed. For those that cannot find their animals a new, more financially stable home, there are free euthanasia and gelding clinics popping up across the country.

Many have attributed the increase in abuse to the closing of US slaughter houses. Let us not forget though, many of these horses still make their ways across borders into Canada and Mexico to meet their end. The claims of increased numbers of horses being 'turned loose' are not considered dramatic in relation to the numbers of abandoned cats and dogs, but are, nonetheless, a problem.

The fact is, many people make horsekeeping much more expensive than it is. There are ways to save money during these economic times, without sacrificing your horse's welfare. For example, take the shoes off, and leave your horses barefoot! Skip the grain, and feed hay! Keep your horses outside with shelter! Cut back on trying to stay 'in style' with new tack! Of course, they are times when these conditions may not be sufficient for particular horses and/or situations. But most horses can live with these sacrifices, and save their owners thousands a year.

If you find yourself no longer able to afford your horse, please talk to an accreditable rescue, take the time to line-up and evaluate new homes- and if it comes down to it, do a little research on the free and low-cost euthanasia clinics which are widely available. If you're desperate, call up your vet (or even a variety of vets) and explain the situation. Many veterinarians will waiver the lethal injection fee, should circumstances mean the horse would otherwise suffer.

If there really is no other option, you could choose to transport your horse yourself to a Canadian slaughter facility, to ensure that the horse meets a more humane end than being turned loose or purchased at an auction yard and risk being shipped to slaughter via inhumane methods.

If you find yourself in any desperate situation like this, please visit this site: http://unwantedhorses.org/ for further ideas and suggestions.

Of course, if you are financially secure, and admire horses and respect the work done by volunteers to help home the thousands of unwanted horses, please consider donating to a local rescue group or charity.

Some good rescue groups are the ReRun program, Heaven Can Wait, and the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Program.

However, please research what you are donating to. Personally, due to bad word-of-mouth, I would avoid the Columbia Basin Equine Rescue.

And a big thank-you goes out to the compassionate people who run these programs, and those who donate funds, time, and services to keep such programs running. People like you truly make a difference!

The Numbers Count

The estimated numbers of horses in North America falls close to 10 million.
While no one knows for sure the number of 'unwanted horses', we all know they exist- tens of thousands of unwanted horses, each year, are slaughtered for their gourmet meat. The premarin industry has put quite a strain on these numbers, and many of the foals born via this industry have nowhere to go but the kill plant. The dramatic reductions in pmu production in 2003 meant that 40,000 horses were sent to auctions- most, ultimately, meeting their final fate.
But what of the mustangs? In a story documented by Cinch Magazine, the BLM had plans to destroy nearly 30,000 wild horses.
While they have done a fabulous job adopting out well over 200,000 of these horses, the BLM has also let thousands slip through the crack- enroute to slaughter plants thank to BLM board members themselves!

Then there is the horse racing industry. Not just Thoroughbreds, but Arabians, Standardbreds, Quarter Horses, Paints and Appaloosas. Thousands are 'retired' due to injury, age or poor performance. While some are retired to breeding duties or adopted out to reach a new home and a second career, there are many more who just 'disappear'.
The horses in this industry generally would not be able to pass the meat inspection plants, because of the extreme overloading of drugs in their systems- so where are they going?
The issue is controversial, but most agree these horses still find their ways to auction houses. As many as 30% of the horses slaughtered are Thoroughbred racehorses, held at feedlots to let the drugs pass through their systems.

What can we do about this? We can reduce the numbers of unwanted horses us well-meaning equestrians produce, ourselves. How often do you here people commenting "wow! that horse has such cute spots, you should breed her!"? I know I hear comments like this all the time. While many of these horses might be 'pretty', they are often conformationally weak, and only serve to pass down their bad traits and take away from a potential home that an OTTB, standardbred, mustang or similar horse might have found.
What about those ponies? Once loved and cherished by their young owners, now hoarded in holding pens, awaiting the final blow. Do their owners know what has become of them? These horses who have served us faithfully for years, only because they are outgrown or their owners have gone to school, suffer.
Why not, instead of breeding aimlessly, make a difference and adopt, rescue or donate to a cause catering to these horses?

While I am not against breeding horses, I believe horses should be bred with a purpose. Only horses who are conformationally correct, with fairly stable temperaments should be bred- and preferably have ability to excel in a particular discipline. Just keeping these factors in mind before you breed, would mean we would have more usable horses, and less unwanted.

In the end, I know the world won't change. There will still be ignorant people, who breed for their own selfish reasons. Those who call themselves animal lovers will only further the problems. Fortunately, there will always be a few caring and compassionate individuals who work diligently to clean up the mess, the excess 'numbers'- after all that's all these horses become...