When to Say ENOUGH!!!!

Horse abuse and cruelty is something that we are all ridiculously aware of. We see the pictures and videos. Read the papers and the web. But what about when you see in front of your face?

When I was first getting into riding I remember there was these "fancy" western pleasure trainers at the barn and they always had the best trained horses, but it wasn't until I got older that I realized "at what expense?" Their horses ALWAYS were ridden in spurs and ALWAYS had bloody sides. Their mouths were swollen and sometimes you could see the cuts in them. They would ride those horses on hot summer days for 5-6 hours as 2 yr olds. They had to make to AQHA World's you know.

I remember a girl riding her 3 yr old paint in a horse show once and she had draw reins on him so tight he had no WHERE to go, but up and over. I've seen "bad" horses getting beaten for making a simple mistake. Faces being pulled on with razor sharp bits in their mouth. Kicked, punched, slapped in eyes, worked under injury, ugh, and way too much more.

But when do you say enough is enough?

As I got older and became an actual trainer, I realized that I wasn't afraid of these people anymore. I didn't and don't care how good they are or think they are. I am very well respected for getting my job done and getting it done HUMANELY! I've been to shows where everyone will stop, jaws dropped when they see some who has the audacity in PUBLIC to whip, beat, spur, hit their horse and more. Most of the people will turn their backs and cluck about it, but very few will buck up and take action. "Well it's none of our business, it's not our horses, blah blah blah." So they'd rather wait til the horse is dead. You know it's like those kids who do things to cry out for help and everyone turns a blind eye to them until it's to late.

As a trainer and person I am very easy going and mellow for the most part. At shows I will start out not knowing many people, but by the end I'll be friends with everyone. I enjoy what I do and I am a SERIOUS social butterfly. I love talking and laughing and sharing and congratulating people I've never even met! I'm loud and out going and you can usually hear me coming from miles away!! But I have a dark side too. I'm extremely aggressive when it comes to things I'm passionate about. My type 'A' Dominant personality comes ripping through when I see something I don't agree with. Like Abuse. Sometimes, it's just not enough to let "fate" or "karma" run its course. Sometimes you take it into your own hands.

I've gotten into knock-down, drag out fights with people over it. I've been applauded when I've gone after people for being cruel to their horses. I've had my ENTIRE show bill paid for by the staff for putting someone in their place! When it comes to cruelty to animals I've developed a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY! I know a lot of people actually who are becoming less shy when it comes to telling someone they're being dick faces to their horses. I've seen judges throw people out of shows for it! And I LOVE IT! I relish in their humiliation , and just HOPE that they've learned some sort of lesson. And if they have haven't, well I'm sure we'll run into each other again someday.

Sometimes sitting idly by and letting the "authorities" or the horse rescues, or the show staff, or the judges or whomever, handle the abuse situations is NOT optional. Donating your money and then walking away is not always the answer. We all applaud your efforts for the horses who've been saved, but what about helping the ones who haven't? Sometimes you have to swallow your fear and say "fuck it." And stand up for exactly what you believe in!! Even if it means getting up in someones face from time to time. Do I think I'm a bad ass? No, not really, I'm not that tough, but I will speak up for those who can not speak for themselves. You may not always get through to people or even win the battle, but as the war rages on against abuse, we can start to turn the tables.