Post by Deanna on Aug 9, 2008 12:28:09 GMT -5
Well cared for endurance horses are not always stressed. Mine loved to go to events. They walked right in the trailer knowing it they were going some were fun, no fear involved. When we got to the events I had some I really had a hard time to hold back. I had to be very fit to hold them because of the EXCITEMENT not fear. If they don't love it they will not place well.
I had a mare that I took on courses for schooling with some others and my trainer. She had to wait her turn even though it was a new course she would rear up standing still because she was so excited.
It is totally different than hauling cattle. I think cows know there is a good probability we are going to eat them sometime. Horses that are worked don't have have that fear because they are imprinted. They don't see us as the predator that a cow sees us unless they are imprinted differently.
A horse in fear is not going to do well at events, they will not perform like they should. I had seen in Saddle bred shows that used fear to get those high legged gaits. They were the exception and I think not as accepted as once was and a lot were showing with a more natural gait with out the artificial high stepping that is done from fear and force.
Still no excuse at slaughter houses where they use abuse to move the animals and don't care if they are dead before skinning. I think working at those places all the time develops a callous attitude to the animals, who cares, they are going to die anyways. They put to death so many a minute. Chickens swung around like they are dead already, eggs pulled out for fun, bones broken. The animals coming in smell the fear hormones put out by the dying and suffering animals and know death is coming and panic. They sense the workers as predators and know death is coming. They are feeling a lot of pain for the pleasure and carelessnesses of the workers. But, who cares, they are going to die anyways. They are just meat when they come in.
On a small farm animals are not treated like that and that is one reason the meat is better. Course the care up to the slaughter has to do with it too.
I had a mare that I took on courses for schooling with some others and my trainer. She had to wait her turn even though it was a new course she would rear up standing still because she was so excited.
It is totally different than hauling cattle. I think cows know there is a good probability we are going to eat them sometime. Horses that are worked don't have have that fear because they are imprinted. They don't see us as the predator that a cow sees us unless they are imprinted differently.
A horse in fear is not going to do well at events, they will not perform like they should. I had seen in Saddle bred shows that used fear to get those high legged gaits. They were the exception and I think not as accepted as once was and a lot were showing with a more natural gait with out the artificial high stepping that is done from fear and force.
Still no excuse at slaughter houses where they use abuse to move the animals and don't care if they are dead before skinning. I think working at those places all the time develops a callous attitude to the animals, who cares, they are going to die anyways. They put to death so many a minute. Chickens swung around like they are dead already, eggs pulled out for fun, bones broken. The animals coming in smell the fear hormones put out by the dying and suffering animals and know death is coming and panic. They sense the workers as predators and know death is coming. They are feeling a lot of pain for the pleasure and carelessnesses of the workers. But, who cares, they are going to die anyways. They are just meat when they come in.
On a small farm animals are not treated like that and that is one reason the meat is better. Course the care up to the slaughter has to do with it too.