More Horse Deaths at Equestrian Events

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Ms. Erbe was back on "To the Contrary" as moderator for Oct. 14. She described the Memorial day horse accident as "a severe neck injury". She did not look well and had shortness of breath on the show. Bonnie said that she can walk now but that full recovery could take as long as two years.

Lisa of NY 3:52PM October 16, 2011

Yes, she was involved in a major accident at a horse show a few months ago. She disregarded her trainer's instructions and ended up falling neck-first into a fence post. (The horse didn't throw her. She fell because of her own lack of skill.) Not the first accident she's had, either.
Antoinette, in her mind, the difference is the TYPE of horse show - she rides show hunters but thinks that anyone who does any other type of riding is a horrible horse abuser. Horses is plural there because she keeps buying more in the delusional theory that the horse that was great six or twelve months ago is now bucking her off regularly.

In the know of AK 12:47PM September 22, 2011

I just found out this am's "Too The Contrary's" commentator has suffered a horse accident, and won't return to the show until Fall. I did a search and read nothing about this accident, and ironically, she apparently is against these type of shows, due to the death of a horse or a rider. Does anyone know about this?

Antonette of NC 1:08PM July 09, 2011

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

cassia ellis canzio 5:28AM November 07, 2008

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

SYLVIA CUMMINGS of MD 6:29PM November 04, 2008

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.

Lady Godiva of AK 7:59PM August 16, 2008

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.

Brian of TN 6:50PM August 16, 2008

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...

safe eventer of CA 5:32PM June 16, 2008

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.

Keri of MA 11:04PM May 28, 2008

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

Maggie's Mum of FL 1:37AM May 18, 2008