Animals don’t belong in the Olympics

Thinking about what should or should not be included in modern Olympics I think that if we're going to abandon equestrian sports then sailing should be dropped, too. It's just sitting in a boat really, isn't it? I know you have to do a bit of swapping sides and sitting out to keep it upright, but it doesn't require a huge amount of athletic ability, does it...

vegansrock

Just because something happened in Ancient Greek original Olympics does not mean they should be in the MODERN Olympics. That is a weak argument. Times move on. There are lots of things that were in the original ones we wouldn’t want now. Plus a lot more sports included which have zero to do with warfare thank goodness.

But your arguments for it not happening are incredibly weak and not based on facts. You just seem to be angry that we are not all part of cult vegan.

You obviously aren’t a rider!!! Dressage, show jumping and eventing are disciplines for horse and rider, they produce a combination that works together in harmony. Horses are not taught to do tricks as you say. Both horse and rider train for hours, no different to any other athlete, both require a high level of fitness and dedication. The riders not only have themselves to get to the peak of fitness but also their horses. Your comment was very dismissive of the skill and dedication from both horse and rider. Perhaps you should have a go at it, then you might have a better understanding of the skills involved.

mazied If you think a horse is the same as a boat then it demonstrates what you think about animals.

I can see both sides but I do enjoy watching those wonderful horses and they look so fit, gleaming with health,which makes me think they just might actually enjoy themselves. They really are stunning animals.

vegansrock

mazied If you think a horse is the same as a boat then it demonstrates what you think about animals.

Actually, vegansrock, I've sailed and I've ridden and I think there are areas of similarity between the two disciplines.

But your response tells me that it's not really the degree of athleticism involved in equestrianism that concerns you, even though you tried to stress that it was.

It’s seems only people who own and ride horses are allied to have any knowledge and opinions about equines.
PippazI wil ignore the rudeness , but where have I mentioned cult vegan or wanting everyone to be part of it?

Mazied I have sailed and ridden too and I am of the opinion that a horse is far from being like a boat.

But your arguments for it not happening are incredibly weak and not based on facts. You just seem to be angry that we are not all part of cult vegan

That is the bottom line isn’t it?

vegansrock

Mazied I have sailed and ridden too and I am of the opinion that a horse is far from being like a boat.

You've completely missed my point.

What is your real objection to the inclusion of equestrian sports in the Olympics?

It's obvious that it's nothing to do with human athleticism.

MawBe

^But your arguments for it not happening are incredibly weak and not based on facts. You just seem to be angry that we are not all part of cult vegan^

That is the bottom line isn’t it?

It was the impression I got MawBe but, I am told, it is rude to say so.

In contrast, the OP can cast aspersions left, right and centre and be as rude as they like about those who do not fit in with her beliefs, saying whatever they "feel" about those who are part of this sport.

Pippaz you have accused me of being rude- please point to where I have been rude . I have merely prompted a discussion, I expected to get slammed by the horsey set, but nowhere have I been rude about anyone.

As for wanting every one to be part of “cult vegan” again an unpleasant accusation with no basis - if you want to eat horses or anything else - your choice, this wasn’t part of the discussion.

So are you suggesting you are just a dietary vegan? The Vegan Society says, about horse racing:

“Vegans choose not to support animal exploitation in any form and so avoid visiting zoos or aquariums, or taking part in dog or horse racing. A great alternative is visiting and supporting animal sanctuaries that provide safe and loving homes for rescued animals.”

I would suggest this sort of thinking has influenced your point of view.

Your comments about the treatment of the horses is an unjustified attack with no evidence offered. I would call that rude.

I have said on another forum that the modern pentathlon really needs a rethink. It seems very unlikely that an army officer is going to need to leap on a random horse and gallop to the rescue in the 21st century. I notice they don't use flintlocks for the shooting phase. Perhaps a race on quad bikes would be more relevant.

Why is visiting an animal sanctuary Ok.? Visiting an animal sanctuary as a day out for humans isn’t really any different to visiting a zoo is it, in terms of using animals to fulfill a human need.

It is about a partnership between horse and rider. Have you ever tried to make a horse do something it doesn’t want to do? The footage I saw didn’t look like a punch yes she had a closed fist but if she had used the flat of her hand as the hindquarters swung round it would have bent her hand back. If anything it was a push to keep the hindquarters off the fencing.

Fox hunting got rightly banned and it’s about time we stopped using horses in the Olympics too.

Or would you like to see cock fighting brought in as a demonstration Olympic sport?

I agree with you Vegansrock. I dislike performing animals for all the reasons you give.

As my friend says who owes many horses and does many show jumps. You will always get good and bad ppl would will hurt an animal no matter if in sport or not. You can judge the whole thing on one bad Apple

f77ms

I agree with you Vegansrock. I dislike performing animals for all the reasons you give.

They are not performing animals. They are doing things that come naturally to them, if at a rather higher level.

Like the gymnasts really. Can you do things like that with your body? I doubt it, but the potential was there...

Performing animals are elephants standing on one leg on a tub or sealions balancing balls on their noses for a paying public so that their 'owners' can make a profit from them.

Craicon

Fox hunting got rightly banned and it’s about time we stopped using horses in the Olympics too.

Or would you like to see cock fighting brought in as a demonstration Olympic sport?

You're confused, Craicon. Foxhunting was banned because of the cruelty to foxes. AS was cockfighting and bearbaiting, hare coursing, dog fighting and all other 'hobbies' that involve cruelty to animals.

Horse riding doesn't involve deliberate inflicting pain and fear on horses in order to entertain people.

Interestingly, wild horses left to live without human intervention willingly befriend a human who approaches them.
I have read of several examples of a human becoming acquainted with a herd of horses, over a period of months, and one of them offers himself to the human to be ridden.
Horses are also being used in therapy for healing work with humans.
Some go into hospices and hospitals to be with those who are dying.
No force is involved.
Horses are intensely social beings who are open to working with humans for the benefit of both.
My own horse has a partnership with me at liberty, without a rope or other physical connection involved.
Of her own volition, she leaves the other mares that she lives with in their pasture and comes through the gate to enjoy some carrots and apples.
This is the kind of partnership that many people are developing with their horses.
Mine is unshod, and I ride without a bit in her mouth.
There is a new attitude to horses, no longer the old paradigm of master servant, but one of equality, and partnership.
We are at the beginning of a new way forward with the animals in our lives, and who knows where it may lead?

???

Sorry, OP. You clearly have no concept of horse training.

Watch out, watch out, watch out there's a vegan about!