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duh 
"catpurrs"
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 Posted - 01/07/2009 : 06:31:36
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A few days ago, someone sent me pictures of her horse that she had found in bad shape while away for training with a "big name trainer." She also sent me a scan of a letter that a friend (who was with her at the time) had written about what he'd observed. She sent me scans of letters written by 2 veterinarians who had treated the horse.
I had heard stories about this guy for years. Problem is, he is a multiple national champion trainer and therefore can do no wrong, it would seem--at least as far as the breed association and the suckups are concerned.
With the horse owner's permission, I posted the information she sent to me on a website. She did a good thing by going public. Now many people have come forth to tell their own stories of atrocities they've seen this guy, and other abusive trainers, commit. People have been fearful of saying anything, because few have adequate documentation to back up their witness reports.
I was shocked to learn how commonplace abusive horse training is within the ranks of "big name trainers." My son pointed out to me how those victims are "just horses" (rhetorical device, not meant to discount the evil) and that the problem of child abuse is even worse.
I think that very likely the abusive horse trainer in question will just continue doing what he has always done, and that he will never hurt for clients who are standing in line to give him their money. A few folks still vehemently deny that he could have committed such acts of cruelty, despite the evidence and the testimonies.
The breed association makes a show of its anti-cruelty policies, but turns its head.
What are constructive ways to deal with evil of this kind? |
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BaftaBaby 
"Always entranced by cinema."
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Posted - 01/07/2009 : 07:40:24
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quote:
Originally posted by duh Improper Username
A few days ago, someone sent me pictures of her horse that she had found in bad shape while away for training with a "big name trainer." She also sent me a scan of a letter that a friend (who was with her at the time) had written about what he'd observed. She sent me scans of letters written by 2 veterinarians who had treated the horse.
I had heard stories about this guy for years. Problem is, he is a multiple national champion trainer and therefore can do no wrong, it would seem--at least as far as the breed association and the suckups are concerned.
With the horse owner's permission, I posted the information she sent to me on a website. She did a good thing by going public. Now many people have come forth to tell their own stories of atrocities they've seen this guy, and other abusive trainers, commit. People have been fearful of saying anything, because few have adequate documentation to back up their witness reports.
I was shocked to learn how commonplace abusive horse training is within the ranks of "big name trainers." My son pointed out to me how those victims are "just horses" (rhetorical device, not meant to discount the evil) and that the problem of child abuse is even worse.
I think that very likely the abusive horse trainer in question will just continue doing what he has always done, and that he will never hurt for clients who are standing in line to give him their money. A few folks still vehemently deny that he could have committed such acts of cruelty, despite the evidence and the testimonies.
The breed association makes a show of its anti-cruelty policies, but turns its head.
What are constructive ways to deal with evil of this kind?
What a horrid tale! It seems to me there are a couple of constructive options, one of which you've already instigated: publicity. The web is a good place to start. Can you start an online petition insisting upon an investigation by [who? professional watchdog? consumer affairs radio/tv show? SPCA?]. Once a sustantial number of sigs has been achieved, you/she could undoubtedly get at least local newspaper interest, if not statewide and eventually national.
Another route would be to take the matter to the police. Surely there must be some law being broken, and your/her documented evidence proves it.
Just be careful - whistleblowing against injustice is a courageous act, but does leave the whistleblower vulnerable to attack and abuse, especially if the offender is wealthy/powerful.
I understand your son's comments, but this isn't a matter of whether animals are more important than children. Any kind of abuse against whomever is cowardly and cruel and needs to be stopped.
Go gettem girl!
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Edited by - BaftaBaby on 01/07/2009 07:43:22 |
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Sal[Au]pian 
"Four ever European"
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Posted - 01/08/2009 : 23:49:55
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| Well done for doing something, duh. I'm sure you are right that the problem will continue, but you have surely lessened it. |
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duh
"catpurrs"
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Posted - 01/16/2009 : 10:36:54
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Damn, I've been away from FWFR for a few days and now that I'm back I see that some of my favorite people are pissed at each other.
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It has been a strange week.
The article I posted about the abused horse case went viral, because of the celebrity status of the abuser. Fortunately, several other sites have picked up the story, so I'm not the only one with my neck stuck out.
Because of the courage of the horse's owners, several other people have been emboldened to come forward with what they've seen also.
The abuser has been seen at different locations and dates by different witnesses, literally flaying horses alive with his spurs. Just horrifying. He has strung horses up to make them too tired to lift their heads. He has killed horses. He has beaten horses.
Yet, this man has won multiple championships and has been regarded as a "legend." We have come to realize that the horses that survived his training to become winners must be especially forgiving and stoic creatures.
We've learned there is a criminal case pending against him and also a civil case. It is important to get him stopped as a warning to all the other abusers also.
It is also important to get him stopped so that we can work on a change within the Quarter Horse show industry; the culture there is in deep shit for this to have gone on this long.
As far as the association taking action against, I don't expect a lot. The man has millionaires for clients, for one thing. For another, I learned that a woman who wilfully starved 6 horses to death was able to get her own association membership reinstated.
This evil walks among us and seems so likeable and personable on the surface, and we treat it as if it is human like we are. |
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Sal[Au]pian
"Four ever European"
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Posted - 01/17/2009 : 18:41:51
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I hate how low sentences are for animal cruelty, but the law here is slowly being strengthened, so hopefully the same is the case there.
Hopefully with camera phones it's only a matter of time till he is caught on video. |
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can of worms
