As you know, I am a new rider. I am certainly no expert, but rollkur seems barbaric to me. It seems to be a way to have power over a horse instead of actually working as a team. Horse of Course (http://horseofcourseeng.blogspot.com/) and Grey Horse Matters (http://greyhorsematters.blogspot.com/) express my sentiments regarding rollkur.
On Feb.9th, the FEI will hold a closed door, no press allowed meeting to discuss Rollkur for the fifth time.
The list of invitees is long but only one man has spoken up loudly against rollkur again and again and refused to be silenced is invited. That one man, Dr. Heuschmann will stand quite alone in a room dominated by interests that have nothing to do with the good of the horse. Please show him and the FEI that his fight, our fight has not been in vain and that there are thousands upon thousands of horse lovers who stand with him.
A petition is live on his publisher's website.
"YOU can HELP Dr. Heuschmann put an end to rollkur on Feb. 9th at the next FEI meeting by signing your name to to a list he will take with him. Every voice is needed, it is time to step up and be counted for the good of our horses. Go to www.wu-wei-verlag.com and click "Officials! Stop Hyperflexion!". If you want to help Dr. Heuschmann prevail, end rollkur and horse suffering please share this message with everyone you know, use your Facebook page, twitter, blogs, phone. Together lets make a difference.
I am hoping that there will be a positive outcome for Dr. Heuschmann. My fingers and toes are crossed that the FEI will actually listen and do the right thing.
I highly recommend that everyone watch his video "Tug of War." It shows that rollkur isn't just abusive to the horse's state of mind (and tongue) but it fundamentally corrupts the gaits and ruins their backs and necks if used extensively.
ReplyDeleteI think it's disgusting, a "get rich quick" approach to riding horses.
Thanks for putting this up. When we all band together and make our voices heard perhaps they will listen. Tug of War and If Horses Could Speak should be read and watched by every rider, they are informative tools for education of the rider and I might add the JUDGES who are still pinning the wrong riders. Fingers crossed that some good will come of this meeting.
ReplyDeleteThanks, S. Thanks for the info. The videos that I have seen to-date just make my stomach turn. I don't understand how this can be conceived to be beautiful and needed in the competition world.
ReplyDeleteNo problem, GHM! I am hoping that the results of today's meeting are with the horse's well-being in mind. BTW, I really appreciated seeing the photos you posted showing the difference.
ReplyDeleteCheck it out: http://www.fei.org/Media/News_Centre/News/Pages/summ.aspx?newsName=news-RoundTable-9Feb10.aspx
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