Who wants to tell these third-world people, who are just trying to make a buck by renting out their "horses," that their sacred traditions were passed down to them by knuckle draggers? If you want to get into trying to change third-world mentality toward animals, you will have a lifelong cause. Have any of you seen the videos of cats and dogs in China and other countries that are packed into cages "as if" they are already dead, and then skinned alive or anally electrocuted (so as not to destroy the pelts) so that these pathetic people can earn a buck? Have you seen . . . well, the world is so crowded with people who are desperate to make a living they need to exploit other living beings (not just animals) for personal profit. It happens even in this country.
This "race" might just help call attention to oudated sacred traditions. If there is a bad result, it may be a good thing for the future of their "horses."
Terry "May the Horse be with You"
From: sherman@xxxxxxxxxxx To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [RC] "mongol " derby Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:46:15 -0700
I think I didn't make it clear that it was information that I gleaned from our exchange student (he loves horses) about the traditional treatment of their race horses that makes me state without reservation that the horses will be at great risk. He and I spent hours and hours riding and talking and comparing what we do and what they do. They love their horses, are so proud of them, love to ride, from the time they can get on and control a horse, and yet with their limited knowledge and the way they are taught to care for the horses, especially the race horses, they constantly put them at risk. I don't think that the Mongolians will think the derby is going to be a problem, because they don't have the knowledge to make them think so. It's the promoter or participants that need to be made aware of the risk to the horses. It doesn't sound like the promoter has any interest other than collecting money, but if there are high profile participants, they may have some influence. Could you even imagine galloping a horse for 15-30 miles in the heat after not allowing it to eat or drink for 24 hours?
