Horse "theatre" cruel or not?

mash · Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Posts: 2683

Ok I thought I would start a topic about this as I've been arguing with some friends. My friends say that "horse thatre" like Spirit of the horse, Passionata etc are cruel and are like animals performing in a circus.

What do you guys think?

**Please do not go overboard with this. Remember that there are young children play this game. If you have VERY strong views I don't mind you PMing me.**

(And if I am not allowed to create this I appologize and will not be offended if it is locked or removed)

Des_and_Tay · Joined: 03 Jan 2007 Posts: 658

It depends on the treatment of the animals performing in the show.

If the starring pets are run into the ground doing back-to-back performances day in and day out, yes, i consider that cruel, unfair, and unjust to the animals.

But if there are, for example, three horses that are nearly identical to play the part of one animal, and each does, say, one performance before the other horses rotate, then it is slightly more humane in my view.

But, if the horses are being made to do somethng unnatural or unsafe, just for the benefit of the show's thrill factor, then I am strongly opposed. Like using things potentially harmful to the horse to make them, say, rear onstage.

Then i would have quite a tiff with the director.

Tanitsja · Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Posts: 1174

if their trainer/handler know the animal and know its limits, stick within whats safe and otherwise take good care of the animal then i do not see why not

what the work an animal does is not the issue, but how its trained and treated outside of work

you cant generalise like that, the moment you start generalising it you migth as well say its cruel to make BC's work for hours a day to help herd sheeps...you have to view on the specific situation and if all is as it should animal welfare wise, if it is then there is no reason animals shouldnt work as long as they are rigthly trained to enjoy what they are doing, and get the food and rest needed to back up the training and work, and of course that thier handlers have the knowledge needed to care properly for them in all ways

LouLou07 · Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 4178

I went and watched Spirit of The Horse either last year or 2 years ago. All the horses seemed happy to perform and got treats and a pat when they had done their part of the show. At the end you were allowed to go to the stables which were proper temporary stables, all the horses in them seemed content and relaxed.

mash · Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Posts: 2683

Yes I agree with you guys on this.

The argument was that the horses were made to perform infront of millions of people, but don't ALL riding diciplins do that at some point? I mean people go and watch x-country, dressage, showjumping etc. The horses are still working are they not? Just in a different sort of capacity. I agree that making them do un natural things is wrong. But like LouLou I went to see spirit of the horse (when it first started, how old am I lol) and all the horses looked healthy and happy and I too went to look at the stables.

I should really get my friends to read these posts lol

Thankies guys, anymore viewpoints are welcome

RatMad · Joined: 25 Apr 2008 Posts: 10

I agree completely, it depends on the general care and treatment of the animals involved.

When it comes to these horse shows I have a friend who has been to see quite a few of the world famous acts, without mentioning names her family are world famous in the horse world so she has been allowed "backstage" at times when nobody else is allowed, so not during the general after show stable tour that a lot of people see, and has also been allowed to watch the training in some cases.
She always talks about these things for weeks afterwards and the methods used etc.
She is generally very impressed with the care of the animals and the bond they have with the owner/handler/rider. However there is one of these so called amazing people who on the outside looks very impressive and some of the things they can do with the horses is awe inspiring, my friend has whitnessed this person needlessly hitting a number of the horses with a stick just to get them into the stable. She also saw other things far worse that I wont mention here.
This has been reported and there is an investigation underway, but it does go to show that what looks like a great bond and an affinity with an animal on the outside can be something completely different behind closed doors.