13/08/2022
The democraticallly elected government has put in place legislation regarding the transportation of horses. They have done so after careful scrutiny of ALL of the evidence. They have NO vested interest in permitting/not permitting any such transportation. The laws were based PURELY on the protection of the Welfare of the Horses.
The law states that it is illegal to transport horses at temperatures in excess of 30 degress C.
The obvious conclusion is that the evidence shows that transportation of horses (other than in a lorry with A/C) in temperatures exceeding 30 degrees C, is detrimental to the health of the horses.
The loophole that excludes amateurs transporting their own animals from the legislation cannot be MORALLY justified unless there is evidence to suggest that these particular animals are in some way immune from the effects of the heat.
For the governing bodies (BE, BS, BD, BHA) to abdicate ALL responsibilty for the welfare of the animals in transit to and from their events, must surely make them accessories to the crime.
Horse sports are coming under increasing scrutiny from the do-gooders, who would have the magnificent creatures purely as expensive ornaments. If the governing bodies do not show more leadership an animal will die and the reputational consequences for ALL horse sport will be long-lasting and irreversable.
Come on, the CEOs of all of the disciplines get REAL. How can it not be wrong to compete horses at temperatures of 30 degrees plus, when the evidence says that standing stationary. in a lorry, is detrimental to their health? These CEOS all claim that the welfare of the horse is their paramount concern. Any independent observer would conclude that FINANCES are their paramount concern.
It is interesting that the vast majority of the unaffiliated horse events in this area have been called off this weekend, because of the heat, and let us all hope that the morally bankrupt who have gone ahead do not cause the demise of one of our loyal, trusting equine companions.
Horses have given me such great and lasting pleasure over my long life, and I find it incredible that any horse owner should betray the trust those big eyes bestow on us to protect them. Please let us all put the welfare of our most loyal friend first and NOT subject them to either the illegal travelling or the equally indeffensible competition strains imposed on them by the weather.
Do right by the horse!! Please
you will not be able to comment on this post. If you want an intelligent discussion on the issue please telephone or email me. I enjoy intelligent debate. i will not engage with mindless keyboard warriors.
