More Horse Deaths at Equestrian Events

i do not think that horses who die from eventing falls can be considered as abused animals . horses are cared for to the highest levels in order to be able to be healthy enaugh to compete . i do think that the design of fences need to be changed in order to prevent horses from falling . it is not as simple as it seems though . some riders can get too a fence too fast some can get too it too slowly ,the horse may trip on take off, the horse can trip on landing . there is even the consideration into the type of breeding of horses that might make them unsafe for eventing e.g. before everyone had thoroughbreds -hotblood horses quick thinkers and reactors . now the dresssage phase is more influential rider are going for more warmblood types which are considered not as sharp as hotbloods and therefore if a horses or rider makes a mistake the horse is not sharp enough to correct itself . something obviously needs to be changes there have been way too many deaths of horses and rider but i think that it will take a while and it may be more than one thing that is changed

" DEATH HORSE TRAIL "

IF ANYONE KNOWS OF THIS PICTURE PLEASE WRITE ME I'M TRYING TO FIND THE STORY BEHIND IT. ITS A PIT OF DEAD HORSES COVERED IN SNOW AND LOOK LIKE THEY HAVE BEEN THERE A WHILE BEFORE THE PICTURE WAS TAKEN. IT IS IN BLACK AND WHITE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. SYLVIA

Horse deaths - Have you considered ... ?

For all the discussion about horses dying during eventing competitions, what consideration have these rhetoric-spewing people made of horses dying regularly on racetracks, through abuse/neglect, and for slaughter houses? There are plenty of other venues in which horses are needlessly dying, yet because the New York Times decided to run an article on eventing, everyone's wrath is focused on that sport.

can't believe what i'm hearing

I am not an eventer but I do have riding experience and have been around these and other wonderful animals since I can remember. Most animals can and do grow to love their human companions and we can tell what makes them happy. However, don't mistake an animal's willingness to please it's companion as it's love to do things that are not natural to it. Yes horses can love to jump and run but there is nothing natural about the courses these horses are forced to compete on.

As to the complaints that eventers are killing their horses, all I can say is look at the evidence. Obviously horses are dying because of this event and while every person is different, eventers must take responsibility as a whole. If you all chose not to compete in these events there could and would be change. If you loved these animals as much as you say this should not be a problem.

Finally, it really bothers me that some of you justify what is happening in your sport by comparing it to another sport. That is a principle learned as a child, two wrongs don't make a right. Also, don't compare your sport to a non-animal sport. Human beings have the ability to decide whether or not they want to risk their lives. These horses don't have that ability.

I agree with the Truth is out there

I agree with "truth is out there" in regards to the "concerned parent" that had her daughter killed in Ca a few years ago. I was there-the girl had been eliminated but kept going and on top of that-had a bad accident a few weeks earlier at another event! Her daughter knew the rules but just kept going and unfortuantely paid the ultimate price. But for that parent to blame the sport/officials and event management is insane espeically when their daughter is riding at the 2** level!Everyone who Events knows the risks-and most of the smart people play it safe.

Its our responsibilties as riders to find the right instructor, the right horse, take the lessons until we are totally prepared to show, and to do the research to be a complete horsemen-not just a rider or passanger on a packer! I agree that there are many people out there buying their way up and that there are instructors out there that should not be allowed to even sit on a horse let alone be considered an even trainer! But again its our responsiblity to do the research!

In regards to the complaints that we as eventers are killing our horses-that is absurd!! Accidents happen-no matter who you are and what sport you play. I agree that you should look closer at racing-they ask 2 and 3 year olds to run when their ligaments and muscles are not even fully developed!

I can absolutely tell when my horse is happy or not with what we are doing and there has never been one day that I have asked my horse to do something it doesnt want to do. If my horse feels tired- you bet I wont be asking her to go run around XC-I respect my horse-but I can tell you how excited she is when she jumps so I know she likes her "job". If you are a true horsemen-you can tell what your horse likes to do and when they are not comfortable. Its that simple.

Bottom line-if you dont Event-you shouldnt be able to have a say in where this sport is going! Just like I wouldn't tell someone who snowboards/skis (other sports where there are many deaths and injuries) how to fix or change their sport.

A lot of people out there are ASSUMING things about Eventers and we all know what happens when you assume...

Sad eventer from Ma

I understand how someone looking at eventing say its a horrible sport, but all I can say is I have never felt more intune with my horse. People who have never experienced eventing shouldnt badmouth the sport unless you understand it. Im not saying this in an angry manner, im am just very sad and upset and wanted to write what i was thinking because it feels like this web site is so negative. For me reading this web site was heartbreaking. I love this sport and work with alot of the best to better myself, when i ride at a show I want to be ready. My mare which i evented training level hates dressage, drops rails in stadium, but when I get out on the x-country course its like nothing ive ever felt before. All I know is if my mare didnt want to run and jump she wouldnt, you can trust me on this one she loves it. People who down the sport need to do their homework. Back in the day it was to test the military, all about x country, testing the horse and riders ability on endurance and clearing anything that comes in their way. I believe that the long format is best. It prepared riders for x-country because they have to train for it. I just beg people, understand that there are alot of eventers out there which work and train hard and love their partners.

Wofford's article

Jimmy Wofford's article "Eventing Lives in the Balance" sums up my suspicions about what has lead to this and says it better than I was able to:

http://equisearch.com/horses_riding_training/english/eventing/wofford_eventing_lives_051408/index.aspx

So, they say that the whole point of bulls goring horses to death is just to show people how vicious a bull is? Do you know how they make the bulls so angry? I suggest you do some research and see how mistreated all animals involved in this sport are.

On the subject of eventing, it is absolutely horrible that these horses died on a course and they really should not suffer through this. I will be the first to agree that horses can love this sport, as my own adores jumping and instead of grazing in her paddock, will jump a couple of fallen logs. However! That doesn't make it okay that horses should be ridden through a dangerous course that leaves them no room for error. I believe that there must be a way that people can make things more easily collapsible and safer.

RIP TIgger Too ... another eventing casualty

I was heartbroken to read of Tigger Too's heart attack death on the Jersey Fresh x-country ... yet another after Laine Ashker's horse died on finishing last year. His rider was unhurt as although Tigger landed on Kieffer's leg, officials said he struggled to get out of her way before he died. Officials yet again released the statement about the "loss of a wonderful horse." How many now? This sport will kill itself eventually, especially if (when) an Olympic fatality causes its end as an Olympic sport.

insurance

The insurance companies won't insure a horse over 15 years old so NO they weren't being sent out because they were insured. Older horses have a lot of experience for teaching. I guarantee you the OConner's are not hurting for money and would not need the insurance money and if you look at their website they have about 10 retired horses. Don't you think if they were in need of money they would find ways to kill off a majority of those horses? In eventing our horses stay very fit and therefore are able to compete many times well into there twenties with absolutely no soundness issues.

I hope this helps clear that up a bit.