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RE: [RC] Abuse - heidi

The problem is it is NOT just an LD issue - don't try that dodge. The 
issue is bigger than this one incident. All the incidents I have seen 
that would fall under horse abuse were in 50's. Most were riders that 
had ridden before - some quite a few miles. 


Dang, this is a rare thing to say <g> but TRUMAN IS RIGHT.  For gosh sakes, the 
other really bad abuse case this year that not-so-long-ago got air time on 
Ridecamp occurred on a 100!  It is easy to cop out and try to blame "the 
system"--but it isn't "the system" that is broken here.  It is IMPOSSIBLE to 
legislate morality through rules and laws--there will always be those (whether 
through intent or ignorance) that err.  

So what are the rules for?  In part, so that we can outline what IS acceptable, 
for those who DO follow rules and who do their homework.  In part, so that we 
can STOP abuse when we see it occurring.  In part, so that we can try to keep 
those who offend from doing so again.

There has been a lot of discussion here about punitive measures--both for the 
horse abuser and for the person who abused the abuser.  Folks, punishment isn't 
everything.  The point is to keep it from happening again.  In this case, from 
what I understand, the second situation (the person who abused the abuser) had 
intervention then and there, and the "fight" was broken up.  Hopefully all 
parties got a little bit "educated."

With regard to the first situation (the abuser of the horse), Truman, you need 
to read the above paragraph, but in a different context.  You talked in an 
earlier post about the HWC "growing fangs."  We need to get OFF of that 
punitive kick, and ON to how to ensure that those who err don't do it again.  
It may make US "feel good" to mete out punishment to such people--but only in 
some cases is that an effective deterrent.  The job of the HWC is to 
investigate (something that Laura does very well, and is directing her 
committee to do very well) and then and only then to determine the most 
effective way of making change.  For many (particularly for those who do 
egregious things out of ignorance), often the consequence of their action 
(seeing the blatant suffering of the horse) is sufficient "punishment," 
particularly when accompanied by knowledgeable people gently guiding toward a 
better way to do things.  When it is clear that that is not a workable 
solution, then clearly steps need to be taken to ensure that such people don't 
compet
e in our sport.  But there is a heckuva lot of ground between the former and 
the latter--and that is the area that the HWC covers.  Investigation and 
accurate assessment are areas where "fangs" often prove to be counterproductive.

This was a terrible incident, no two ways about it.  That said, there was 
valuable intervention by a director at the scene, the horse was cared for, the 
rider learned a lot, and I hope the one who attacked the rider also learned 
that two wrongs don't make a right.  We can analyze this to death and shout 
about what sort of punitive measures might have provided us all with 
vindication, but in the final analysis, that isn't what it is all about.  

Heidi

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