A LARGE part of me finds this really disgusting, BUT, there is a part of it that is hilarious! These horses kick the
bloody hell of these "macho" guys. The men get drug around and slammed into, it's truly a refreshing scene actually. Unfortunately it still never seems to end well for the poor horses. They never really say what happens to them after the race. 10 wild horses and a team of 3 men see who can tack up and ride a wild horse to the finish line first. It's really just a big fat mess. So why as humans do we find degrading animals and trying to overpower and dominate so appealing???
bloody hell of these "macho" guys. The men get drug around and slammed into, it's truly a refreshing scene actually. Unfortunately it still never seems to end well for the poor horses. They never really say what happens to them after the race. 10 wild horses and a team of 3 men see who can tack up and ride a wild horse to the finish line first. It's really just a big fat mess. So why as humans do we find degrading animals and trying to overpower and dominate so appealing??? Well one answer is ignorance. Some people pull out the God card. "Well God put us here to be the rulers of this planet as the dominant species. We are the superior beings" Yeah, and we're doing a fine job aren't we? Let's ask the Ozone or the Endangered species list.
Some people are sick A-holes too and do it just because they can, some do it for show, or for the ultimate Macho-ness.
You know, domesticated or not, sometimes you have to just wonder what goes through the poor horses mind. I try to train as gentle as possible, but sometimes I still wonder how traumatizing it really could be to a horse. To go through what we put them through. And you know they still continue to love and trust us. THAT to me is one hell of an amazing creature. Forgiving and peaceful, gentle and kind. Horses do so much for us and have for all of our human existence, and that's something we shouldn't forget or take for granted. Go out and hug your ponies, if you don't have one, then hug your other animals :):):):) Or I'll give my ponies hugs for you!
13 comments:
Yup.
I hate that "sport".
It's disgusting.
I've seen it before.
yee-frickin'-haw.
Poor critters.
The horses, that is.
these horses aren't even wild, they're just terrified!
I think it's interesting. I've seen it in person when I lived in Texas. Lets just say those horses know how to fight back ;)
One of the guys got rushed to the ER after one of the 'wild' horses clobbered him from behind. Horse was dragging another 'cowboy' and reared/leaped to get away and clobbered another 'cowboy' working on his horse.
I've seen it too and it is really hilarious to watch. The horses win.
Completely hilarious. Most of the "wild horses" are just remuda horses that haven't been worked with yet or they are bucking stock horses that haven't gone to their permanent jobs yet. The horses always kick butt compared to the three man team.
Guess I'll have to watch it before I get fired up....
I have probably seen about 20 wild horse races in person.
They have a designated rider, saddler and "mugger." The job of the mugger is to keep the horse still. There are rules, the mugger is not allowed to bite the horse's ear. Yes, they actually had to make a rule on that...I'm sure why can be guessed (it wasn't for the safety of the mugger).
For the most part I find the wild horse race despicable. Although I do know that many horses used for them are destined for bronc status.
I trained a horse that was used in a wild horse race. As you may guess, he was TERRIFIED, to start. As in, "I am going to save my life" terrified. If cornered, he struck, kicked and tried to climb the pen (that was when we were trying to get him off the rodeo grounds).
After he spent two days in the roundpen, I started getting on. My first ride was a great 15 minutes. My second ride, he had a flashback. We worked through it and every ride after that was great.
It took 4 months for him to stop flinching when being cinched (slowly). That is NOT normal. That should be gone by the second saddling.
However, I spent 9 months on this horse. He is now a horse used in a lesson program. He jumps, goes camping, neck reins, does drill team and is used in lessons with people as young as 8. English and Western.
I'm really proud of him!
So, I think it is possible to get to these horses after this trauma, but I think some might be ruined.
I did not pick this horse for training, I did not want him for training. My boss insisted - and he knew a good horse.
I have probably seen about 20 wild horse races in person.
They have a designated rider, saddler and "mugger." The job of the mugger is to keep the horse still. There are rules, the mugger is not allowed to bite the horse's ear. Yes, they actually had to make a rule on that...I'm sure why can be guessed (it wasn't for the safety of the mugger).
For the most part I find the wild horse race despicable. Although I do know that many horses used for them are destined for bronc status.
I trained a horse that was used in a wild horse race. As you may guess, he was TERRIFIED, to start. As in, "I am going to save my life" terrified. If cornered, he struck, kicked and tried to climb the pen (that was when we were trying to get him off the rodeo grounds).
After he spent two days in the roundpen, I started getting on. My first ride was a great 15 minutes. My second ride, he had a flashback. We worked through it and every ride after that was great.
It took 4 months for him to stop flinching when being cinched (slowly). That is NOT normal. That should be gone by the second saddling.
However, I spent 9 months on this horse. He is now a horse used in a lesson program. He jumps, goes camping, neck reins, does drill team and is used in lessons with people as young as 8. English and Western.
I'm really proud of him!
So, I think it is possible to get to these horses after this trauma, but I think some might be ruined.
I did not pick this horse for training, I did not want him for training. My boss insisted - and he knew a good horse.
Sorry for the double post.
Oh, and the reason I mostly don't like the wild horse race is that I don't like "sports" that terrify animals. I love bronc riding, saddle bronc is my favorite thing to watch. But broncs know what to do.
The wild horse race horses are fighting for their lives. They almost always fall down. But most of the time they win.
I have seen it a couple times when they've used small 2 year olds for it. I think that's the worst.
I think it's more "fair" when they use 2-3 year old bucking stock. They are typically at least 15 hands.
"Oh, and the reason I mostly don't like the wild horse race is that I don't like "sports" that terrify animals."
OK I can totally get behind that statement!!!
ETTGD
"Although I do know that many horses used for them are destined for bronc status. "
Wow.
I don't find that too surprising.
The ex-bronc I rode could not have his ears touched, without tranqs and a twitch.
Poor guy.
Sorry, I forgot to add, kudos
EveryoneThinks!
Gawd, I wish they did.
I have actually been to the St. Paul Rodeo several times. It is THE thing to do on the fourth of July in a town with less than 1,000 people. It was a great family activity. Although I always felt a little uncomfortable with the idea of the wild horse race, it was funny and entertaining; until last year.
On the afternoon we went, one of the wild horse had slipped away from its "cowboys" and was running laps around the edge of the arena with the big thick lead rope bouncing around under his hooves. It was young, terrified and running full out. Suddenly, he stepped on the lead rope and was down head first. It did not move. No one announced what had happened, but it looked to me like it broke its neck. It never even flinched. Meanwhile, the race continued. When it was over a tractor pulling a large piece of plywood came out and the "cowboys" had to drag the horse onto the makeshift stretcher and tow the little guy out of the arena. It wasn't so funny anymore. My husband never wants to go to a rodeo again.
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