Monday, February 08, 2010

NO ROLLKUR




The FEI is holding a closed-door round table meeting on Feb. 9th to discuss the training method known as rollkur, or hyperflexion, which involves pulling and holding the horse's muzzle to his chest. This practice is known to have many negative effects on the horse, both physically and psychologically. Gerd Heuschmann, the lone voice for the horse at this meeting, has my support and appreciation as he presents his case "for the good of the horse" along with petitions and letters saying NO TO ROLLKUR.

You can see a taste of this method in the Epona TV's footage in the previous post.

Please take a moment today and again tomorrow to think positively about the outcome of this meeting. It will make a difference.

6 comments:

Grey Horse Matters said...

Thanks for putting this up. I don't know if I can find the time to put something up, but I will try.

In the meantime my thoughts are with the good doctor. Hope he can talk some sense to the senseless and uncaring.

jme said...

thanks for doing this. i will post something too, though it will be hard to think positively about it. every cynical bone in my body is telling me not to get my hopes up. but my thoughts are with dr. heuschmann and his important purpose - that's where i'll focus my positive thoughts :-)

billie said...

Arlene, that would be great if you could find the time. I'm swamped today too, so I totally understand if you can't.

billie said...

j, the thing we all have to focus on is that each time another video goes up, each time another known rider/trainer writes a letter, these are victories. it's like building something out of small pieces - at some point the critical mass will be achieved, but meanwhile we have to keep putting those little bits out there.

jme said...

you are so right! that's a great way to look at it. :-)

billie said...

I have been through something like this trying to get child clients protected from abuse of various kinds - you wouldn't think anyone could argue with THAT, but they did. Ultimately we simply have to outlast the folks who don't see what rollkur does to the horses.