No Really, Can We Stop Excusing Horse Abuse?

I swear that Equestrians are experts in making excuses. Don’t get me wrong, I include myself in that observation as well. I’ve been called out more than a few times in the course of my riding (and life in general) to stop making excuses. But I’d like to take a moment to say, it’s 2014 so can we please STOP MAKING EXCUSES to justify horse abuse?

Is there really any viable excuse for abusing a horse?

According to the Parelli’s there are several.

“Without knowing any of the situation, not knowing what was going on and the whole thing has been taken out of context,” are words from Linda Parelli to excuse her abusive behavior towards a half-blind horse; as though knowing the context of the situation would make hitting the horse in the face justifiable. Even 10+ years after the incident she can’t own up to it, set an example to students that there is no excuse for roughing up a horse, and move on.

Funny enough, those of us who are critical of her actions would have nothing to criticize if she’d acknowledged her mistake (abuse) in the first place. Hey, we all make beginner mistakes out of frustration and emotion, but it’s what we do with those mistakes that defines us; and the Parelli’s have chosen to make excuse after excuse and then invite us to watch a demonstration of their “edutainment”.

The problem with these excuses is that others are learning from their example. They’re learning there are reasons to beat on a horse in the name of “training” and “leadership”. Like this young woman who, IMO, is far more violent against this horse than I’ve ever seen of Linda Parelli.

What starts out as a calm situation quickly escalates from yanking on the halter to slapping the horse and even kicking him in the belly. I’m sure this ‘trainer’ has a plethora of excuses why these actions were necessary, and how absurd that attendees laugh while she strikes the horse?Aurélie Merlin, a Parelli student/trainer/instructor in France.

And it isn’t just other ‘professionals’ that are copying this behavior, but also people who probably believe roughing up the horse is just part of horsemanship, as demonstrated by the most successful clinicians today.

Not Just Natural Horsemanship

If you’re worried I’m picking on the NH camp don’t be, I pick on abusive behavior regardless of discipline. Also, I enjoyed watching Kristi Atkinson working with her horse, who happens to be using NH.

We see excuses in Dressage as riders emulate Olympians and hyperflex their horse’s necks. Actually, scratch that because hyperflexion happens in Dressage, Show Jumping, Reining, Natural Horsemanship.. what else am I forgetting?

Rollkur-friesian — Rollkur, LDR or hyperflexion of the neck is used by both professionals and amateurs as riders try to compete for titles and prizes.

And what’s the excuse for using Rollkur? Dressage riders claim they need it to control their hot tempered horses, to improve suppleness, to round the horse’s back, to…. but aren’t there other ways to accomplish all of this without abusing the horse?

Yeah, I thought so.

Also, can we address making excuses why it’s okay to intentionally breed sick or unsound horses? INTENTIONALLY causing your foals to face a life (20-30 years!) of compromised health that could have been avoided?

But..

As we’re working on taking responsibility for our actions. “Yeah, I did yank too hard on my horse out of frustration, but…” doesn’t count. That “but..” on the end negates the whole admission. Acknowledge what you did, period, end of statement. Then work on what it is you want to change to be a better rider. I know it’s hard, I’ve said a lot of “but..” admissions in my life, and I can tell you it’s difficult to swallow your pride but far more rewarding.

The Parelli’s could have benefitted from following this advice as they’ve made mistakes resulting in horse abuse.

But we are all human..

Yes, we are. And being human means we’re going to make mistakes. And likely at some point we’re going to make mistakes that hurt the horse, just like we’ll make mistakes that hurt ourselves too.

By denying you’ve made a mistake, by not owning up to your mistakes, you’re cheating yourself out of the chance to learn from them and become a better equestrian. Period.

I’ve made mistakes too, like this occasion almost 10 years ago. There are several mistakes but one I most regret is standing on my horse’s loins and likely causing him a lot of discomfort if not damage. This wasn’t okay then or now, and I learned not to abuse my horse in this way since.

Our ego absolutely HATES admitting fault (deny, deny, deny!). So, are you going to let your little old ego prevent you from creating a better environment for you and your horse, or are you going to step up to the challenge, be brave, and stop excusing horse abuse?

Save