carriagedriving.myfreeforum.org

jack vance · Joined: 01 Jun 2009 Posts: 1

Hello
I read an excerpt from Driving.com referencing pulling a cart is very hard.
This prompted me to write the following

I…… like you’ have “Horse in the Heart” and as one of” US in Equus” what I write to you is in Kindness” and for the good of the horse. Please do not think of it as anything else.

Iowa State University, in the United States did a study in 1926, Bulletin, 240, titled: Testing the Draft horse. It states In part; How much weight equus can pull is not the question; rather how much resistance that weight creates and the amount of draft required to overcome resistance.

The study implies A horse in good condition can be ask to generate 10 % their body in draft over a 10 hour day and it be humane. One shold get a copy of this study and consider the content and context to determine their own opinion and value of the study. I have used it as a guide line for 30 years. As far as I am concerned this study is just as applicable today and excellent source of fundamental aspects concerning Equus as draft animals.

There are…..as we both know; other sources just as apt as is this study.

Our relationship with animals has endured for thousands of years. Since that first individual human stepped forward to declare an animal had rights; if only to die at our hand with out suffering; we have struggled to determine what those rights entail.

Various agencies, with varying agendas have been born and developed in protection of animal’s rights; which tells us the perimeter of “Humane Conditions” continuously evolves. It is no small task staying abreast of this evolution.

Human or Animal Rights’ are established by two means.
Animals:
a). Right by Natural Power, such as the right to survive in nature goes to that animal with the most physical strength and speed which supports their survival by being at the top of the food chain.
If “US in Equus” do not set the Standards of criteria for abuse or if we set standards of criteria which are ambiguous and/or do not enforce the standards we establish; we open the door for criticisms and give credence to those lacking experience and knowledge of our industry to set the standards for us, and that would be amiss. I think the Adage;” United We Stand-Divided we fall” is most appropriate on this subject.

Humans:
b): Rights by Ordainment, where in the most powerful (That power may be of individual physical muscle or support of cohorts) humans grant less powerful humans certain privileges of conduct.

In this day and time humans are the most powerful of all other beings; and so humans have the power to ensure animals have certain rights.

If our relationship with animals is to progress we humans must agree to define words like humane treatment, service, need, and desire in reference to animals.

Perhaps once these words are defined in the context of our relationship with animals a definition of abuse to animals will come easier.

The process of defining service, need and desire must be prudent, diligent and forth- right.

I define service” as: That which facilitates, supports or enhances personal needs and desires.

I define need” as that which is required for personal survival on a daily bases

I define desire” as that which is not required for survival on a daily bases. I consider Desire” to be more along the lines of; if all my survival needs are met this or that would enhance my life.

It seems logical I attach theses definitions to animals. But I do not feel I should attach equality in standard of living for humans to that of animals.

The fundamental foremost aspect of our relationship with animals in service to humans must be the animal’s humane welfare in all aspects. To accomplish this we must have a good understanding of the basic survival requirements of that animal in the wild.

With the animals basics of survival” understood and established, one can set about to establish the animals innate attributes which will support developing abilities which allow us to train them to perform service for humans under humane conditions, with in their capacity and in a progressive manner.

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with "Horse in the Heart" US in Equus can resolve any adverse circumstance in the" World of Horses" We made the conditions; so we should know how to fix them.