Yesterday I decided that in addition to complaining to the FEI and signing petitions in protest, and joining Facebook groups that are anti-Rollkur, I would also remember and take the time to say thank you to a group of people who did a very important thing.
Epona TV sent a videographer to the World Cup. That person stood and filmed the warm-up, documenting the Patrik Kittel ride that got all of the above going.
And Epona TV has, imo, handled this entire situation with professionalism and courtesy.
I wrote them an email saying thank you for what they've done for the horses. And this morning I got a most gracious email response, from a real person who signed a real name.
Which was very much appreciated and is more than I've gotten from the FEI.
I think it's as important to note the doers of good as it is to focus on the other extreme.
Thank you, Epona TV.
billie hinton’s camera-obscura:
life and lessons on November Hill Farm
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Paul Belasik's perspective
From Paul Belasik's A Search for Collection - Science and Art in Riding:
The reason why you can’t pull a horse’s head down to his knees and hold it there day after day, hour after hour, is the same reason why you can’t pull a man’s head down to his knees and hold it there. The reason is that it is demeaning to the ...dignity of the horse or man. It is an ethical, philosophical problem, as well as a scientific one. When you act this way toward a horse with this unprovoked, irrational and unrelenting constant aggression, you demean everything: the horse, nature, yourself, the art and the observer. In the wild, no horse would accept this demonic control. Leaders lead because they prove they have the capacity to lead, and they are good at it. The whole herd has a better life. If the leaders choose badly… they will be replaced.
Yet another reason why Rollkur is not good for horses - or for us.
The reason why you can’t pull a horse’s head down to his knees and hold it there day after day, hour after hour, is the same reason why you can’t pull a man’s head down to his knees and hold it there. The reason is that it is demeaning to the ...dignity of the horse or man. It is an ethical, philosophical problem, as well as a scientific one. When you act this way toward a horse with this unprovoked, irrational and unrelenting constant aggression, you demean everything: the horse, nature, yourself, the art and the observer. In the wild, no horse would accept this demonic control. Leaders lead because they prove they have the capacity to lead, and they are good at it. The whole herd has a better life. If the leaders choose badly… they will be replaced.
Yet another reason why Rollkur is not good for horses - or for us.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Director of Communications for the FEI now responding on Facebook
Richard Johnson
Hi - Im the Director of Communications for FEI please see below
Official response from the FEI
In response to recent comments on Facebook
“FEI’s
main concern has always been and will always be the welfare of the
horse. We are taking the issues raised in the video and in the comments
made by viewers very seriously and have opened a full investigation. The conclusions of this investigation will be made public in due course”
Please email me directly via Facebook if you would like to make further comments
Richard Johnson
FEI Director of Communications
Several people are commenting and he is responding in fairly quick time.
If you'd like to comment, or add your voice to this, go to Facebook and join the Blue Tongue world cup warm up video group.
Hi - Im the Director of Communications for FEI please see below
Official response from the FEI
In response to recent comments on Facebook
“FEI’s
main concern has always been and will always be the welfare of the
horse. We are taking the issues raised in the video and in the comments
made by viewers very seriously and have opened a full investigation. The conclusions of this investigation will be made public in due course”
Please email me directly via Facebook if you would like to make further comments
Richard Johnson
FEI Director of Communications
Several people are commenting and he is responding in fairly quick time.
If you'd like to comment, or add your voice to this, go to Facebook and join the Blue Tongue world cup warm up video group.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
update on RollKur and Blue Tongue video
UPDATE: SEE BELOW FOR ACTUAL LETTER, REPRINTED HERE WITH PERMISSION
Heather Moffitt just wrote on the RollKur Blue Tongue Facebook page, which now boasts 2100+ members:
I emailed BHS chairman, Patrick Print FBHS to alert him of the video when it first appeared last week. Patrick assured me that he would act on it, and has sent a very well worded letter to Princess Haya on behalf of the BHS. Chief Exec, Graham Cory has emailed me a copy. I have just emailed Graham back,... to ask if it is ok to reproduce it here and on forums so awaiting a reply. But I am truly proud of the BHS- what a difference to certain other organisations, who bury their heads well and truly in the sand!!
Great news and kudos to BHS for responding.
There are now 4000+ signatures on the following petition sites. If you haven't signed, please consider doing so. At some point very soon the list of signees will be forwarded to the FEI. It would be wonderful if this initial response could go over 5000.
ban-rollkur
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/ban-rollkur
antiHF
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/antiHF/
I have been given permission by Patrick Print to reproduce here and on other forums:
HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein
PresidentFederation Equestre Internationale
Avenue Mon-Repos 24PO
Box 1571005 Lausanne Switzerland
29th October 2009
Your Royal Highness, You cannot be unaware of the disquiet ˆ not to say anger ˆ which has arisen following the depiction on Epona TV of Patrik Kittel's horse in apparent distress as it competed in Odense on 18th October. As you are doubtless aware, in terms both of membership and breadth of interest, The British Horse Society (BHS) is the largest single equestrian organisation in the UK. Our examinations system, and the training and education which underpin it, have earned for the Society international recognition.
No less important is our work to promote the highest standards of equine welfare, which suffuses every facet of our work. I am pleased to report that our commitment to equine welfare is shared by all our colleagues within the British Equestrian Federation, although on this occasion I am writing solely on behalf of the BHS. Let me acknowledge straight away that no representative of the BHS was present in Denmark to witness the horse's apparent distress, nor do we have the benefit of a contemporaneous veterinary report. Moreover, we do not for one minute suggest that Patrik Kittel at any time sought to treat his horse other than with proper care and respect.
Nevertheless, in matters of equine welfare, the precautionary principle must always apply: if, despite the absence of conclusive proof, the wellbeing of a horse is called into question, there will exist a strong moral obligation on the FEI to respond immediately. In our view, the concerns so widely expressed are reasonable and therefore deserving of an urgent two-part investigation: first, an inquiry into the treatment of this particular horse on this particular occasion; and, second, a broader inquiry into the ethics and consequences of hyperflexion. In this second aspect The British Horse Society stands ready to assist the FEI in any way it can. Please note that we pass no comment on the aesthetics of seeing a competition horse contorted in a way it never appears to choose for itself when in its natural state.
Our concern is only to speak out when we believe that the welfare of horses demands it.
Yours sincerely,
Patrick Print FBHS Chairman,
The British Horse Society
Heather Moffitt just wrote on the RollKur Blue Tongue Facebook page, which now boasts 2100+ members:
I emailed BHS chairman, Patrick Print FBHS to alert him of the video when it first appeared last week. Patrick assured me that he would act on it, and has sent a very well worded letter to Princess Haya on behalf of the BHS. Chief Exec, Graham Cory has emailed me a copy. I have just emailed Graham back,... to ask if it is ok to reproduce it here and on forums so awaiting a reply. But I am truly proud of the BHS- what a difference to certain other organisations, who bury their heads well and truly in the sand!!
Great news and kudos to BHS for responding.
There are now 4000+ signatures on the following petition sites. If you haven't signed, please consider doing so. At some point very soon the list of signees will be forwarded to the FEI. It would be wonderful if this initial response could go over 5000.
ban-rollkur
antiHF
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/antiHF/
I have been given permission by Patrick Print to reproduce here and on other forums:
HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein
PresidentFederation Equestre Internationale
Avenue Mon-Repos 24PO
Box 1571005 Lausanne Switzerland
29th October 2009
Your Royal Highness, You cannot be unaware of the disquiet ˆ not to say anger ˆ which has arisen following the depiction on Epona TV of Patrik Kittel's horse in apparent distress as it competed in Odense on 18th October. As you are doubtless aware, in terms both of membership and breadth of interest, The British Horse Society (BHS) is the largest single equestrian organisation in the UK. Our examinations system, and the training and education which underpin it, have earned for the Society international recognition.
No less important is our work to promote the highest standards of equine welfare, which suffuses every facet of our work. I am pleased to report that our commitment to equine welfare is shared by all our colleagues within the British Equestrian Federation, although on this occasion I am writing solely on behalf of the BHS. Let me acknowledge straight away that no representative of the BHS was present in Denmark to witness the horse's apparent distress, nor do we have the benefit of a contemporaneous veterinary report. Moreover, we do not for one minute suggest that Patrik Kittel at any time sought to treat his horse other than with proper care and respect.
Nevertheless, in matters of equine welfare, the precautionary principle must always apply: if, despite the absence of conclusive proof, the wellbeing of a horse is called into question, there will exist a strong moral obligation on the FEI to respond immediately. In our view, the concerns so widely expressed are reasonable and therefore deserving of an urgent two-part investigation: first, an inquiry into the treatment of this particular horse on this particular occasion; and, second, a broader inquiry into the ethics and consequences of hyperflexion. In this second aspect The British Horse Society stands ready to assist the FEI in any way it can. Please note that we pass no comment on the aesthetics of seeing a competition horse contorted in a way it never appears to choose for itself when in its natural state.
Our concern is only to speak out when we believe that the welfare of horses demands it.
Yours sincerely,
Patrick Print FBHS Chairman,
The British Horse Society
and meanwhile, back on the hill
We had some rain, and now we're having sunshine. The fall color is brilliant, and this morning a breeze is blowing, which causes sudden explosions of color as leaves fly through the air and to the ground.
The effect is like being inside a snow globe, but even better. An autumn leaf globe.
There has been all sorts of activity going on. Acorn patrol, cats shifting their routines, a few incidents of high feline drama as their paths cross in the house, and a Corgi who has resumed full Corgi energy, which means her voice is heard in many of the ongoing conversations around here.
We have firewood in various states of cure and sizes in the backyard. The woodstove has been checked over and fired up at least a few times already.
We haven't had weather down to freezing yet, but when we do the front porch plants and tree will need to move back inside for the winter.
At the barn there is a buzz of energy. Donkeys into everything, pony getting the a.m. race back into gear, lots of mud rolling this week, which is a bear to get off the heavier coats they all have.
Salina's wonderful Whinny Warmers have already been unpacked and used once.
I have clean fly masks ready to go into storage, and am considering unpacking horse blankets. It's not quite time to use them, but that one night will spring on us out of nowhere. That's just how quickly the weather shifts here.
Husband found a mouse trying to burrow from the outside in to the barn. Daughter found a lizard in my bathroom. Lots of small creatures seem to be looking for winter digs.
I'm thinking about winter soups and good books, sweaters and warm breeches, and imagining those mornings when feeding horses breakfast also means breaking ice on troughs. We don't have too much of that here, generally, but lots of folks are predicting a cold winter. On a horse farm, you know it's really winter when mucking suddenly has audio.
Today though, it's cool but not cold, on a canvas of color that still includes summer green. We're on that rich edge where two seasons still mix together. Which usually means the best of both.
The effect is like being inside a snow globe, but even better. An autumn leaf globe.
There has been all sorts of activity going on. Acorn patrol, cats shifting their routines, a few incidents of high feline drama as their paths cross in the house, and a Corgi who has resumed full Corgi energy, which means her voice is heard in many of the ongoing conversations around here.
We have firewood in various states of cure and sizes in the backyard. The woodstove has been checked over and fired up at least a few times already.
We haven't had weather down to freezing yet, but when we do the front porch plants and tree will need to move back inside for the winter.
At the barn there is a buzz of energy. Donkeys into everything, pony getting the a.m. race back into gear, lots of mud rolling this week, which is a bear to get off the heavier coats they all have.
Salina's wonderful Whinny Warmers have already been unpacked and used once.
I have clean fly masks ready to go into storage, and am considering unpacking horse blankets. It's not quite time to use them, but that one night will spring on us out of nowhere. That's just how quickly the weather shifts here.
Husband found a mouse trying to burrow from the outside in to the barn. Daughter found a lizard in my bathroom. Lots of small creatures seem to be looking for winter digs.
I'm thinking about winter soups and good books, sweaters and warm breeches, and imagining those mornings when feeding horses breakfast also means breaking ice on troughs. We don't have too much of that here, generally, but lots of folks are predicting a cold winter. On a horse farm, you know it's really winter when mucking suddenly has audio.
Today though, it's cool but not cold, on a canvas of color that still includes summer green. We're on that rich edge where two seasons still mix together. Which usually means the best of both.
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