Victoria Cooper - Certified Canine Behaviourist & Mentor

16/08/2024

This post is about tiny dogs such as chihuahuas and Yorkies but equally applies to all tiny puppies including the poo cross breeds.

Far too many people just reach out to touch, invade space, pick up, manhandle etc
Advocate for your small dog - don’t let people invade their space or large dogs terrorise them

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/3BxQWJMa51SqoKuv/?mibextid=WC7FNe

SMALL DOG, BIG SCARY WORLD

People often think of very small dogs as being anxious and reactive and to be honest, quite a few are. It’s easy for people to ‘blame the owners’ or say that they have ‘little dog syndrome’ or even that they are ‘bossy’ 🙄 Really though, we need to be understanding of what life is like for really tiny dogs.

Tiny dogs often don’t have much control over their lives- they can be picked up easily (even if they don’t want to be) and they can be made to do stuff as they are small. People notice if a 40kg dog is worried about going into a busy park or a cafe and plants their feet and refuses to move but with a tiny dog, you can just make them do it even if they don’t want as you can pull them or pick them up ☹️

Tiny dogs often get overwhelmed before they’ve even got through puppyhood and many are fearful by the time they are 4 or 5 months old 😢 Big dogs may run up and knock them over, even in play bigger dogs can be overwhelming if you are 50 x smaller. Lots of hands reach down to touch them and yes, there it is again, strangers may also pick them up (whether they like it or not). Physically they may be delicate (my yorkie’s legs are made from matchsticks 😂) and may be hurt accidentally during normal dog interactions.

Everything is big and potentially dangerous when you weigh a couple of Kg and are about 8 inches tall. The world can be a scary and overwhelming place.

It’s easy to see then why so many littlies end up worried by the world and particularly by other dogs.

Tiny dog’s signals that they need space are also ignored often; people take notice of a GSD showing it’s teeth or growling and give them space but many people would laugh or totally ignore a tiny dog’s identical communication asking for space. How many ‘funny’ videos are out there that show tiny chihuahuas showing all their teeth and people are laughing at them? 😢 It’s not rocket science that they may then escalate to actually biting if their warnings are ignored - and they get called ‘snappy little dogs’ and again, misunderstood 😢

Small dogs can often miss out on having their species-specific needs met: their need for exploratory behaviour, for social contact; their needs for enrichment and physical exercise too and this impacts on them and their ability to cope. They are still proper dogs with the same needs.

I’ve been really lucky with my handreared yorkie, she’s fabulous with people and absolutely loves dogs but it’s been a bit of a mission to make sure things have gone right. It’s taken time to get her comfortable around bigger dogs on walks and I haven’t socialised her in the same way I have my other dogs as she could easily have become fearful (and then reactive).

When she was a puppy I did let her meet loads of dogs but I was been really careful and it was almost all onlead and with dogs I know and who I knew would be nice to her. Even now she’s an adult I continue to make sure she meets nice dogs and we frequent loads of national trust places as she can meet lots of sociable dogs there who are all under control. The last thing I wanted was for her to be really scared by another dog or physically hurt (she has deformed back legs that put her at huge risk of injury). She goes to offlead places too, but generally with one of my big dogs there too (she has big body guards) 😄

I’ve had to make adjustments to life to keep her safe and make sure she has a happy life and that she doesn’t become reactive. It’s been worth it as she has stayed so sociable (but as an adult she loves small dogs best). If I’d just walked her where I walked my big dogs all the time I would think that by now she would have been flattened or overwhelmed and may have become dog reactive. It’s totally understandable why so many tiny dogs are fearful.

My tiny dog also wouldn’t have had enough repeated, safe and positive controlled interactions with friendly dogs right throughout adolescence if I hadn’t carried on with all the cafe/pub/NT visits and that would have been detrimental. It’s not enough to just do this stuff when they are tiny puppies and then stop at 14 weeks old as adolescence is when if can often all start to go wrong. (It’s also a good justification for my many pub and cafe visits with Twig 😂)

We can’t forget the impact of genetics too and that’s a factor in why many small dogs are reactive; some genes for small body size are linked to fearfulness and reactivity and there may also be epigenetic factors too.

We can all be a bit more understanding too with small dogs and their owners. Don’t berate them for picking their dogs up if that’s what makes their dog feel safe- it won’t be what’s caused their anxiety and it might be what they need to feel safe right now. Don’t let your dogs overwhelm them (even in a friendly way). You’d also think it’s common sense to not pick strangers small dogs up without asking but people try to do it all the time 🙄

We have lots of anxious tiny dogs who absolutely thrive in our reactivity classes, we can keep them safe and make sure they aren’t overwhelmed and also help them to feel more confident around other dogs again.

Laura McAuliffe 2024
Photo shows my yorkie meeting two other small dogs in a cafe

16/08/2024

How to choose a professional to help you with your dog
Look for the Green Flags ✅

Green Flags ✅ - the professional has qualifications in canine science and behaviour
They hold an accreditation with a recognised organisation who are industry representative and who will assess them yearly and ensure they maintain their CPD and standards ✅

They are WELFARE FOCUSED and use terms such as ETHICAL, HUMANE, FORCE FREE, KIND, on their marketing. ✅
They discuss creating a CONNECTION with your dog ✅
Building BONDS, TRUST, RELATIONSHIP, COOPERATION, SAFETY, EMOTIONAL RESILIENCE, TEAMWORK and UNDERSTANDING. ✅
They mention SUPPORTING you the dogs owner with EMPATHY and KINDNESS. ✅
Their social media platforms show happy relaxed dogs engaging in cooperative activities with their family. ✅
The overall message is about caring for you and your dogs needs ✅

Red Flags 🚩 Things to avoid 🚫‼️🙅🏼

Promises of quick fixes ❌
Alarm Words in their marketing like Alpha, Respect, Pack Leader, Dominant, Naughty, Badly Behaved, Compliance, Obey, Control, Be the Boss, Red Zone, Corrections. ❌
Videos or photos on their social media showing subdued suppressed anxious dogs slinking along behind the trainer ❌
Videos or photos that look dramatic and sensational with dogs being forced to comply ❌
Videos or photos of dogs wearing punishment tools including grot or french collars, electric shock collars, prong collars, figure of 8 rope loops, choke chains, dogs being checked / yanked ( called ‘correcting’) . ❌
Noise devices such as rattle cans, air horns, spray collars, bark collars, throwing metal pans or chains at them . ❌
Videos or photos of Dogs being yanked off their feet, poked in the ribs, or heel kicked ❌
“Pack walks” for reactive dogs ❌
Fearful dogs being forced to walk in a group through crowds looking cowed and suppressed ❌

Dogs don’t need to be bullied, suppressed, hurt, or afraid to learn how to live in harmony with their families. Dogs thrive on connection, love, patience, trust and attachment with their families.

Choose wisely - damage caused by these type of trainers can take a long time to undo and ruin a dogs confidence and trust. Your dogs physical and emotional welfare should be your trainers priority.

13/08/2024

13/08/2024

Daisy and I are back at work . I had a lovely relaxing holiday and Daisy chilled out at my daughters.
I’m looking forward to catching up with current clients and seeing their progress and getting to know the new ones that are just starting on their journeys.
Note: The diary is nearly fully booked until almost the end of September with only a few consultation spaces for new clients. Please do get in touch via the website if you need help
www.victoria-cooper.co.uk

10/08/2024

Today whilst pottering in my garden I overheard a conversation in a neighbours garden a few houses away.
The subject was about getting a dog
Their visitor was saying he wanted to get a dog
The neighbour (an elderly gentleman) was saying how much of a tie they were, needing exercise and companionship and to get a cat instead .
The visitor replied he loved walking
The child said she wanted a Cockapoo as her friend had one and they are cute
The neighbour said - “don’t get one of those big ones that are nasty”
The visitor said - “oh no I want a good one,
Our friends have a good one, he’s really good - calm and affectionate. We want a good one like him”

Obviously I only heard a snippet of conversation but it struck me that most new dog owners seem to be woefully unprepared and naive on choosing a dog to fit their lifestyle. These people clearly had not considered their lifestyle, a dog’s breed traits, its needs, its background, how much time they would need to invest, what they could give the dog, its coat care or even training. They just wanted “a good one” like their friends had.

It seems to me from a bystanders point of view that the research into acquiring a dog and meeting its needs for 12-15 years was less thorough than the research into buying a new washing machine or a car. They seemed to think the dog is acquired “good” and that they just came like that. Packaged ready to go !

I’m wondering if this is one reason why the rescue centres are overflowing with unwanted dogs
Is it because people make decisions based on a dog the neighbour has? Or a celebrity has? Or a cute dog they see on TikTok or on a Disney film?
How many of you reading this thoroughly researched and planned before getting your dog? Will this type of dog fit into your lifestyle, physical ability, your availability etc ?
My husband seems to think that pet dog owners don’t have access to the correct information, to make the correct choices - and yet professionals like myself churn out information and education day after day to teach people and raise awareness. So - why are people still getting dogs on impulse ?
🤷🏼‍♀️

09/08/2024

I really hate these figure of 8 rope pressure nooses around a dogs sensitive muzzle. When will people stop inventing ways to hurt dogs and instead just spend time doing some training and building a connection with their dog?🤷🏼‍♀️
It’s lazy, and it’s mean. If your dog pulls, it’s not trying to control you or be the boss - it’s probably just needs to sniff and get some enjoyment away from being captive in a house all day!! Dogs are captive animals - they have to wait for us to give them what they need. They have very little free choices in their lives

If you must use equipment to reduce pulling there’s far kinder choices than this.

*Image used is to emphasise the point of the post, and is in no way an endorsement of such tools.

08/08/2024

👍🏻⬇️⬇️⬇️ KNOW your dog!

Terriers, Hounds & Husbands

Why did we choose the dog that we have? What was it about that particular breed or cross or mixed breed that attracted us to him?
Often our choice is governed by size, their looks that please us, type of coat, shaggy, smooth, colour.
How many of us choose a breed because we actually like the behaviour that they have been specifically bred for over the generations?

Not the behaviour that we can read about in the breed club description of them:
Border Collie - excellent at herding sheep.
German Shepherd - great guard dog.
Chihuahua - fabulous lap dog.
Beagle - great at following a scent.
Bull Terrier - particularly good with people.

No not those behaviours, these ones:
Border Collie - will herd and nip the children when they are running about, will be sound sensitive and not cope well with traffic and busy households.
German Shepherd - will bark ferociously at all of your visitors.
Chihuahua - will resource guard your lap.
Beagle - will follow a scent to timbuktu and not hear you calling.
Springer Spaniel - will resource guard anything he picks up if there is the slightest chance that you have previously taken items from him as a puppy and especially if that was accompanied by a stern telling off for taking it.
Cocker Spaniel - will resource guard anything he picks up if there is the slightest chance that you have previously taken items from him as a puppy and especially if that was accompanied by a stern telling off for taking it.
Cockapoo - will resource guard anything he picks up if there is the slightest chance that you have previously taken items from him as a puppy and especially if that was accompanied by a stern telling off for taking it.
Golden Retriever - will resource guard anything he picks up if there is the slightest chance that you have previously taken items from him as a puppy and especially if that was accompanied by a stern telling off for taking it.
(No prizes for guessing what we get posts about the most)
Labrador - Should be the same but they are a bit goofy so less likely to.
Sighthounds - Saluki, Borzoi, Greyhound, Lurcher et al - will chase small furries that they spot in the distance. When playing with other dogs will bring them down either by grabbing back legs or the back of the neck or the back.
Terriers - will dig, will go down rabbit holes, badger sets, drain pipes.
And then the breed temperament descriptions and what they really mean ..
"Aloof" won't like strangers
"Wary of strangers" won't like strangers
"Naturally independent" won't be eager to please
"Loyal to his master" won't like strangers
"very protective of owner" won’t like strangers
"particularly good with people" not good with dogs

We can also group dogs into those that work with man and those that work independently.

Gundogs, herding dogs, guard dogs mostly tend to take instructions from us and often hang on our every word.
In contrast the independent breeds, sighthounds that hunt by sight, scent hounds that hunt by following a scent, terriers that go down holes, stock guarding breeds that live with the flock. We just leave them to get on with it because their skills far outweigh ours. They don’t need us.
These are the breeds that are often labeled as stubborn but of course they are not stubborn, they are just not designed to follow instructions and take orders.

The secret to a successful partnership with all dogs but particularly the independent breeds is to always let them think that it was their idea, that they have trained you to give treats for checking in, for lying on their bed when you are busy. And that by pretending to be thinking of going hunting you will produce a toy and play a great game with them. This line of thinking works well with husbands too.

There are always exceptions and we know that with appropriate training and socialising these traits can be channelled effectively but please always do your research before buying a breed that you like the look of.

07/08/2024

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.veterinary-practice.com%2Farticle%2Fpseudopregnancy-myths%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2gZFzdYYpHofSWlgTAF09rUxM3jVdvZXVCHKSD5v0i46Ik3HSpDPo2QBQ_aem_or9zDmVlwieIA0NM_7zSHg&h=AT32Xiu1UsHHF2HTLEDSMBVySWUBWkTlOqkVrzLKaIhhcSZV4shyxodBXvzAvlBiH2Kxg1IcFHJdVP53La3lO8McPIi_QiJQGUeY_jB09iO1hg69-dtmzbA7-L7D&s=1

With the misconceptions surrounding pseudopregnancy, it is important to examine the evidence to manage physical and behavioural signs

07/08/2024

People and Dogs my previous Business of 30 years that’s now being run by Jenny, but that many of my followers know me from - has been entered into the Dog Friendly Awards. For all my old clients who worked wuth me under the P&D banner, please do add your nomination. It would be brilliant to get this award in our 30th anniversary year. Thank you 🙏

People & Dogs Has Been Entered In The Dog Friendly Awards

06/08/2024

Note the various positions that your own dog's tail adopts when they are playing, walking, eating, encountering new experiences.

The majority of dogs tuck their tail when they are unsure or afraid, but some dogs such as greyhounds and whippets naturally tuck their tail and it is not a sign of fear, but their normal carriage.

A wagging tail is not always a sign that your dog is happy or friendly. A happy wag is usually a big circle, a 'helicopter' tail, accompanied by a loose, wiggly body.

Most dogs, when on high alert, will hold their tails high and stiff and often show very fast tail movement.

Some dogs may swing their tails very low and slow when they are unsure or nervous. If they have a naturally curly tail, it may uncurl or it may go flat against their hind-end.

06/08/2024

💙💙💙

05/08/2024

Awww the joy 🤩

03/08/2024

In case anyone tries to email or message me - I’m “out of office” until Monday 12 th
🥂🏖️🇪🇸☺️🍷

03/08/2024

🚩RED FLAGS 🚩

When it comes to finding a good dog trainer or any type of Dog Pro it's important to know what to watch out for. Here are some red flag words that should make you think twice and walk away:

If you hear or see these terms, look for another trainer/dog walker/boarder/daycarer/sitter. Keep your dog safe. 👍

At Yappily, all of the dog trainers listed use kind and effective, positive reinforcement methods👉www.yappily.co.uk

02/08/2024

There’s more than 1 way of exercising a dog both physically and mentally. Due to the heat this week I used brain games to keep Daisy stimulated and happy but also cool 😎 Searching and Scentwork is one of her favourite activities. In this game I rubbed my scent over a stone and then hid it among lots of other stone’s. I then sent her to find it . She’s using her nose to find my scent . And she’s using her brain and previous experience to locate the stone. She’s also expending physical energy with sniffing and circling. She’s my clever little girl 🥰

01/08/2024

This weeks harness fitting appointments

Thursday 1st August - 2pm or 3pm
Saturday 3rd August - 12.30pm, 2pm, 3pm or 4pm

Please DM me to book

01/08/2024

Brilliant article by Sarah Edge Chartered Physiotherapist and ACPAT Physiotherapist

When I’m working with new clients I ALWAYS check for pain or other health concerns first
Is the dog comfortable
Are they masking pain
Are they bitchy
Do they have stomach issues
What are their poos like
Do they have any odd behaviour such as licking floors walls or the air
Are they excessively thirsty
Do they seem grumpy when disturbed
Lots of little red flags that need checking before behaviour modification can commence

More about pain !!

Teaching owners to recognise signs their dog is in pain is an ongoing and lifelong commitment for me.

Dogs are exceptionally good at hiding pain and owners are sadly very good at either not seeing the subtle signs or choosing to ignore them. This creates the perfect storm.

Naturally, owners don’t want to feel that their dog is in pain or suffering so they don’t see it. This is known as perception bias and is now thankfully becoming much more widely recognised. Of course you want your dog to be well and happy, we all do ….but in some cases this can lead to denial and avoidance of seeking help for issues that are right there in front of you. Sadly I see this day in day out.

On top of this ,often the changes that come with chronic pain are so subtle and develop so slowly over time that owners don’t pick up on these changes at all and they are considered the new normal and therefore go untreated.

Remember ‼️

Dogs will rarely vocalise chronic pain (whimpering, yelping, whining).
Limping is a more obvious sign something is wrong but your dog could display his pain in other subtle ways.

Things to look out for include:

✅Sleeping more
✅More reluctance to walk
✅Reluctance to play
✅Not wanting to go up stairs
✅Not wanting to jump on the sofa
✅Not wanting to walk on slippy floors
✅Being more clingy with you (often mistaken as being more loving so owners see it as a positive trait in their dog)
✅Wanting to spend more time alone
✅Changes in their coat
✅Changes in how they move/ sit/ stand
✅Being more grumpy with other dogs or people
✅Becoming more anxious
✅Excessive grooming
✅Noise sensitivity

Remember ‼️ when you are in pain you have options- you can take some pain medications, you can alter your daily activities, you can go and see a doctor or a specialist for advice.

When your dog is in pain he doesn’t have these options. He relies on you to do the best by him.
It is your choice if you want to ignore your dogs pain or if you want to help him .

Choose to help him /her 🐾

Please share to spread the word!

30/07/2024

Come and join us or please raise awareness with a share . Thank you 🙏

We are excited to announce our 30 year anniversary Gala. 🍾🍾🍾🏆🎉🎈🎊
Victoria Cooper set up award winning People and Dogs in 1994!! 30 years ago! This small independent business has guided, coached, supported and taught over 10.000 dogs and their families.
We are super proud of our success rate and longevity
To celebrate we are holding a gala celebrating all things dog ! Including :
Fun Dog Show with 10 classes and best in show class . Rosettes and goody bags for our winners ( although to be honest all the dogs are winners and we love them all ❤️)
The Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Puppy & Bronze test - fancy having a go?
We’ve got demos of Rally Obedience, Gundog skills, scent work, and tricks.
We’ll give people and dogs the chance to ‘have a go’ at these skills
We’ve got Victoria Cooper - Certified Canine Behaviourist & Mentor with an Ask the Expert stand
We’ve also got the brilliant Sarah Edge Chartered Physiotherapist and ACPAT Physiotherapist coming to advise owners on their dogs gait and physical fitness
There will be multiple stands and stalls selling a variety of doggy and non doggy items
Refreshments
Face painting for the kids
Raffle
Swap shop doggy equipment : bring your pre loved dog equipment to swap with others
And we’re supporting the following charities
Support Dogs
Spaniel Aid
DoodleAid
Date: Saturday 7th September from 10am
Location: The Fred Hopkinson Memorial Hall, Unstone , Dronfield S18 4AL
We look forward to seeing you and your dogs

30/07/2024

Tongue 👅 Out Tuesday Tip

Recognising Heat Stroke in Dogs

I took this photo of Daisy on Sunday morning after we had been walking in the woods at 9.30am and near a river and then briefly across a meadow. She was in full sun around 10 minutes in the meadow. The temperature was 19 degrees U.K.

One of the early warning signs that your dog is getting too hot is a “spatulate tongue” .
This is where the end of the of the tongue expands and swells starting your look like a spoon or spatula shape. The tongue has expanded its size to increase its surface area to aid in cooling the dog down.
The tongue plays a crucial role in this process by increasing its surface area.

Dogs can only reduce their body heat through panting . Keep an eye on your dog and notice if their tongue changes shape or the panting becomes more rapid

Other signs include rapid and noisy panting
Drooling often with thick sticky saliva
Restlessness
Seeking cool by laying in the shade and trying get the belly into the cool grass

Urgent emergency signs include
Elevated heart rate
Lethargy
Staggering
Vomiting or diarrhoea
Dark or bright red gums
Loss of consciousness

This is a medical emergency. Your dog should be cooled rapidly with cold water from a cold hose pipe or in a stream or via a watering can or bottles of water poured on the dog and transported to a vet urgently.
If your dog is of the flat faced type (Brachycephalic) the dangers increase significantly as their airways can become obstructed from a swollen tongue.

Needless to say I noticed Daisy’s tongue and we immediately got her back into the shade and the river and then took her home where she stayed in the cool all day.

Enjoy the sun folks but be very careful with your dog.

28/07/2024

So well written. You can Insert dog into these paragraphs too
It is NOT ok to make them submit to us
It is NOT ok to use fear pain and force to dominate and suppress your dog
It is NOT ok that there are so called “professionals” out there who will charge you money to abuse your dog and call it training
It is NOT ok to blame dogs for just being dogs
It is NOT ok to use increasingly aversive tools on dogs including prong collars, choke chains, grot collars electric shock collars, figure of 8 pressure halters, pressure stop pull harnesses and slip leads used as a choke collar as a quick fix and because some people can’t be bothered to put the time in to do the training
It is NOT ok to cage a dog for hours and hours on end because they are inconvenient or you’re too busy for them
It is NOT ok to the man I witnessed yanking his spaniel repeatedly off its feet yesterday because she pulled to get to the park - probably the only walk she gets a day and the only freedom she has in her life
It is NOT ok to force our will on animals to win ribbons and medals to satisfy our ego

None of this ok - not with horses dogs performing sea mammals, circus animals - none of it . It needs to STOP 🛑
It needs to STOP 🛑

There is so much being written about recent events and I've been watching and mulling it over for a few days.
What I'm seeing is either, "utter horror and surprise. Support in a warped way that suggests we look at how bad they are though over there, in whatever other sport they choose, and this wasn't as bad as that.
Seen worse on livery yards. Least the horses aren't fat and have laminitis.
Everyone makes mistakes and others throwing Charlotte under the bus to divert attention.. "

What she did was very wrong and not for a second do I think it's a one off but this post isn't aimed at her, but all of us..

We have to stop turning a blind eye , to stop handing over responsibility to people who's standing and status do not mean they know better than us when it comes to horse welfare.

How about we all look at what is going on all around us. On the livery yards we are on. At the trainers and professionals we use and start to be your horses advocate. You are their guardian and what ever level you are riding at, we should always question any one who we ask for help with them.

On a daily basis I hear of how horses are "lazy" "taking the p*ss" "mareish" "opinionated" " sharp" "spooky"etc etc with no thought for the why, just a negative consequence for the horse.

It's endemic.

The way we view horses has to start to be different from ground level, to make changes all the way up to the top. The FEI routinely turn a blind eye. The photos of showjumpers and dressage horses in Paris already coming out show that.
So the tide needs to change around us and to push back at those who should know better and choose not to see.
Not to idolise them.
To stop and really look at the photos of them, see the blue tongues the pain expressions, the poor muscling , the lameness,the learned helplessness..
To speak up..

Winning medals should not deserve the adoration through blinkers that human nature appears to think it does. But also niether should being a professional at any level, mean they know better than you.

Being paid, so therefore professional, does not mean they know better. No one is above question and your horses is the only expert and their opinion the only one that matters.. they all communicate, it's our job to learn to "listen" to them.

Whether it's someone at Olympic level or teaching on the local livery yard, everyone should be held accountable.

It's not ok to strap the mouth up tighter with nosebands as the horses dare to express their discomfort.
To use stronger bits to make us feel safe when the bit is causing your horse pain.
To teach its normal for horses to take 15 mins plus to "submit" every time we ride.
For trainers to make people who do question, feel like they are just soft and the reason their horse is a "t"at". That's human bullying as well as equine..
To teach kids their ponies are lazy and need a smack, or to get them "on the bit" by seesawing on their mouths. That applies to adults too..
To ride horses behind the vertical as the dressage judges keep saying "not round enough"..
To accept the amount of broken horses, physically and mentally, around us because of what humans have done..
To accept horses needing rehab at only 5 years old when should just be starting their ridden lives,not already be broken from it..
For livery yard culture of bullying anyone who is different and doesn't follow the mainstream..
I could go on..

Being a competitive rider/professional does not mean they know better, or their care for their horses is superior.
It means the judges somewhere told them they are doing it right, and rewarded it with prizes. Let's stop putting our horses wellbeing in the hands of someone sat in a judges box..

Nor does the fact a person has been riding from more years than you've been on the planet and you only riding a few, mean your opinion and feeling on a situation must be wrong.. time spent with or money earnt from horses,does not mean the have knowledge that's ethical and horse centred..

We can compete and keep our horses at the top of our priority, but we have to accept the judges may mark this down. I have and I know how frustrating this is but no one will ever make me ride or train people differently to gain more marks, if it's not prioritising the horses physical and mental state.
I have met and worked with wonderfully kind top competitive riders, who's horses wellbeing is an absolute priority and don't use aversive methods, but they are constantly questioning and evolving to be better for their horses.

There are judges out there that see good horse focussed training, but when what's rewarded at high level is seen as gold standard it's hard to go against the tide..

It's time for change and I even thank that whistleblower for showing the video to the press.
I don't care if it's sour grapes, the victim feeling they couldn't share before, someone trying to wipe out the competition, or whatever else theory people are coming up with.

It's not where our energy should now be. In-fighting whilst the public watch on and see nothing change.. It's not equestrians who will be behind the push for the banning of horse sports, but it'll happen while the collective focus is on falling out with each other and not accepting responsibility and making changes .

Our energies should be on the sad reality that this is going on, everywhere and we cannot carry on choosing not to see/ speak up.
How we are going to show the public this isn't what we do if we really love horses and that money and medals are never worth more than them..

I'm hoping what's in the news will be a positive, as we needed a catalyst for change. I'm hoping this is going to open peoples eyes and also give them confidence to question "professionals".
I'm hoping the people who always apologise to me as they are "only happy hackers" but who's horses are happy and not sore, stop apologising..

In hope...

Ruth