Every species of animal, especially those used for the purpose of showing, may sustain some
degree of abuse. Jennie Jackson of Walkin On Ranch in Cookeville, TN, USA participated in her
younger years with the very real abuse of Tennessee Walking Horses. Abandoning those
practices and going back to her roots of Dressage she became an outspoken critic of those
shameful practices. Sadly this led to aficionados of her own breed regarding her as a pariah in
some quarters.
However, the axiom "Good things come to those who wait" rings not only true for Jennie and
her family but also for her proven training techniques. What a triumph for Gaited Horses that
she has now received a formal invitation from the Alltech 2010 FEI Equestrian World Games to
exhibit in the breed demonstrations in Lexington Kentucky, USA. She will rider her Dressage to
Music Freestyles showing Prix St. George movements on her 15-year-old Gaited Stallion,
Champagne Watchout. In this way, Jennie will confirm that properly used, Dressage is for every
breed of equine in achieving the most you can from your mount and ride - and all without
abuse.
Stop Inhumane Soring/Padding Gaited Horses Petition
At last someone is doing something to condemn the barbaric training practices used in the
training of gaited horses. This Petition is a really important one to sign and I hope all our
Members will take a moment to support it. www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/533003783. It seems to me that any discipline which involves money or prestigious cups and awards now
invokes cruelty. Whilst the majority of competitors may treat their horses well, there will always
be those who don't. It's not just dressage that needs to clean up its act, it's showing too and
once again, it seems we need to make the authorities and particularly the judges more aware so
that any attempt at cruel practice can be stamped out.
Where did I hear about electric shocks being applied to dressage horses at the Olympic Games
to improve their piaffe and passage? Anyone with more information on this subject, please
write in.
Your letter will be treated in confidence.
Article printed in The Classical Riding Club Horse Breaking
News by Sylvia Loch
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Article printed in
The Classical Riding Club
Horse Breaking News
by Sylvia Loch
