The Public Execution of Charlotte Dujardin (Episode 218) - Herm Gailey: A Lifetime with Horses 

The chuckling bothered me as much as the whipping. It’s sadistic. Taking pleasure in the discomfort of the animal. For the life of me, I do not understand what she was trying to accomplish with this “training” session. The horse is clearly confused and anxious. You can’t even begin to train a horse in this state of mind. It’s disheartening, disappointing, and disgusting that someone of Charlotte’s riding caliber thinks this is “training.”

Nothing will change until judges cards are pulled for putting up horses over flexed, horses with dead eyes and other thins that show abuse an$ undue stress

You're wearing jeans, and no bare skin! How would you know what hurts?! Not to mention the horse being totally confused.

Sorry, I absolutely, emphatically disagree with you on your point that whipping does not bother the horse. You are wearing thick jeans for heaven sakes. If you have been around horses you should know how sensitive their skin is. They can feel the mist of fly spray on their skin. And what about the phycological implications for the horse when this happens? Also not many people note what danger Dujardin was putting the rider in by the whipping. It's wrong in so many ways and there is no excuse for it. I wish more horse folks took this stand.

It is most definitely physical harm!!! A horse can feel a fly on its body and has NO WAY to express PAIN by sound!! Having someone whip your jeans is NO comparison, let someone that is out to hurt you whip you on your bare naked legs WITH someone restraining you and poking spurs into your side!!! This horse is in distress, tied up in a package with nosebands, breathing hard and trying to get away from the abusive person!! The stupid laughter in the back ground is disgusting!!! Unfortunately this kind of abuse happens all over the world and in EVERY discipline horses compete in ......for money and the goof the person!! The horses do not care about winning money, medals, ribbons or saddles!! Charlotte needs to be punished harder, she needs to be banned from competing with horses for life!

After 50 years in the horse world, Charlotte Dujardin's indiscretion was mere child's play compared to things I've witnessed. Go behind the curtains or behind the barns at an Arabian horse show when most have gone home for the night. That's where you'll see the real "schooling" particularly of halter horses. You are wrong when you say there is no pain inflicted by the whip. I've seen the welts lounge whips inflict, and horses disqualified from the ring for those marks on their body. Watch an Arabian halter class and see the fear in some horse's eyes and leaping attempts, to deflect what they think is coming, when the trainer raises the whip. This type of abuse is a lifelong mental state, making them generally unsafe to transition into a riding horse once the halter career is over. I'm not just picking on the Arabian industry, it's just what I know. Every equestrian breed and discipline has it's abusive training techniques, as you pointed out. Things are getting better in some respects with more people becoming aware of the abuse and reporting it, but in some aspects it just drives the highly competitive trainer even further underground.

When I took my grandkids to volunteer at a 4H horse show several teens were yanking the reins viciously on their horses as they got out of a class in which they didn't win. No one said a word to them for this abuse and several other abusive acts. This is where it starts. My grandkids refused to volunteer any more because of what they saw but I'm sure it's still going on.

Here is food for thought..she still trains out of Carl's barn..your not going to tell me he didn't know what was going on..she was to relaxed doing it ..wasn't the first time..Carl was her teacher (his prodigy) I would bet she learned at his heals..

Silly me…I missed the part where the horse was wearing jeans.

No, your little demonstration does not put to rest the implication of the horse feeling pain from the striking of the whip. It just does not! Your hide is covered by a thick denim material and your perpetrator is not using the same force with which to strike you as Charlotte used against this horse. Charlotte was using much more force in her determination to cause pain in the belief that this would force the horse to respond with the movement she was seeking. Horses have extreme sensitivity in their skin even though it’s covered with hair. They can feel a gnat or a fly land on their body, head and even their legs. So to say that the horse felt no or very little pain is ludicrous!!! This horse was clearly demonstrating the fact that it was feeling pain by striking out forcefully with the hind legs and even threatening to attempt to kick Charlotte herself. If the horse had been within striking distance of Charlotte it would most definitely have kicked her in self defense. Secondly, this disturbing behavior has caused almost irreparable harm to the mind and emotions of this horse. For the rest of this horse’s life it will fear the whip in the hand of a human. This in turn will cause reactions in this horse that someone else may not anticipate when handling this horse and may cause this horse or someone else to become seriously injured or harmed in the future.

Hi, I'm a German equestrian and dressage judge for more than 30 years and I agree 100% with what you say here. You have presented a very well considered position and I share your concerns. Thanks, for your contribution to the subject.

Thank you so much for this video. I quit competing in western pleasure and barrel racing in Texas because of the abuse I saw happening at almost every competition decades ago.

I am glad you had this conversation..alot of the U.S. western people act like this is a European issue..its not as we know i have seen some horrendous "western " behavior that is even worse. Its a conversation that needs to be had world wide and across all disaplends.

Thank you for covering this, Herm. Very sad what ribbons, trophies, and $ do to ruin horsemanship. No doubt Charlotte did not pioneer this whipping technique, she learned it.

@Herm, there aren't words for how much I appreciate this video ❤ as a classical dressage rider/low level eventer your ability to articulate this situation is invaluable. Thank you!

This is why i wont go to Rodeo's. With some of the abusive shit ive seen i could never in good conscience give that industry any amount of my money.

This isn’t about English/western equestrians. This is a horse problem. Our horses from the high dollar breeding down to being dumped at auctions are in danger. We have to do better by our horses. They don’t belong in stalls 24 hours a day. They don’t deserve to be dumped at auctions bc they have an injury you don’t want to pay for and take care. Horses helped build this country and they weren’t given a choice. Horse abuse has to stop.

Thank you for this. I hadn't seen the video only heard about. I agree 1000% with you. That poor horse couldn't figure out what the heck she wanted....another thought is why didn't she make any rider adjustments? Maybe that dressage whip was aimed a little low....sorry about that. I think we all need to take some steps back and figure the horses out before proceeding just to make a show. Thanks again Herm

I love your perspective and balanced and fair way of looking at this situation. You are a wise man, and everything you said is true.

Thank you for addressing this. The "public execution" headline made me think you were going to argue she was treated (punished) too harshly. I'm so glad you didn't think so. It was abusive and inexplicably stupid. Does make you wonder if Carl Hester does the same thing. (P.S., maybe not read too much into the laughter heard in the background. It could have been about something unrelated. If so, it tells you how commonplace Charlotte's behavior was.)

thank you for addressing this! not sure about the pain the horse feels but for sure is wrong!! I've read Charlotte's book and have admired her for so long. We all know as we learn we do better.... but she was well learned by the time this video surfaced. Also the chuckling in the crowd and the relaxed way this was done shows it almost seemed to be common with this horse. Where by gawd is the release? I'm confused and seems the horse is too.... one doesn't mind a sharp firm correction if needed briefly and then the horse understands and does better. No more needed. This is nonsensical and very sad to see from someone so many have admired. I'm an older rider and told my sister who was getting back into horses that 'home' horses are the luckiest in the world.... they belong to the family, do sporting events the owner can choose they like, aren't pushed, are well loved and their day to day is so much better than in boarding/competition barns. So what if they go long periods of no riding in inclement weather if no access to an indoor.... they owner takes the proper care needed to what works for the family and the horse.... well in best case scenario. As I age I've changed my riding purpose.... just buying a smaller but forward QH mare - one who loves life and is forward going on her own.... purposely chosen that way so if I decide to continue with dressage lessons there is no need to constantly push her forward .... unlike the Azteca gelding I have too... he has chosen he likes trails better than the ring pushing, so as a home horse family member that is what he is now getting.. Your thoughts are insightful and I agree, thank you!

The only thing wrong with your demonstration is that you are wearing traditional jeans, which are pretty tough. If you'd been wearing shorts, it would have been a cleaner comparison to a horse's legs. But even then, there would have been people arguing that the horse was really hurt. I wonder if those people realize how benign a dressage whip is. The sound is scary, but I agree it doesn't pack much of a wallop. I get super sick of the "if a horse can feel a fly..." argument. Uncomfortable yes, mildly painful maybe, seriously painful very doubtful, (I would defer to people like you who have been around horses for decades on that one.) Actual injury, no. And what Charlotte was doing was trivial compared to the soring of Walking horses or the hyper flexion (rollkur) of dressage horses.

I enjoyed your perspective on this topic. Thank you 😊

It is also important to note that the horse was wearing protective bandaging from the hock down to the fetlock.

It seems like a lot of people who commented below didn't really hear what you are saying. I am an adamant critic of CD and you are criticizing her thoroughly IMO. Thank you. You care about the horses and that the training is humanely and thoughtfully done.

Hate to tell ya but you can lay skin open with a lounge whip at very least you can raise some really bad hurtful welts. I know cause my dad used a lounge whip on my bare legs from the window of a pickup, so he couldn't even get a good aim like she could

`WE HAVE TO DECIDE DO WE LOVE THE SPORT MORE THAN WE LOVE OUR HORSE...` THIS IS SPOT ON!. DO SPORT BUT FIRST AND FORMOST DO WHAT`S RIGHT FOR THE HORSE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO YOU ARE TRULY A HORSEMAN

My daughter ridrs dressage! She never whips s horse! She does a lot with positive reinforcement. She has a 20+ horse she rides at a friend's home and when she shows up he runs to the fence to greet her and when she gets inside she give him a big hug around his neck! So great to see! Just to add she isn't a child She is 47yrs ! This relationship between them has grown to this point over time not overnight!

Dear Mr Gailey, thank you very much for your video! I fully agree and to make a long story short, WE horsepeople are responsable to treat our horses as a partner, with love and respect. With keeping this in mind you can participate in shows and stop on the very moment that you loose partnership, respect and love to your horse. This is not only theory and nice thinking, me being a former allround Dutch champion in the Western sport take this into practise, just because for the sake of the horse. If I were unable to have this attitude to my horses, I'd better ride a bike. Have a nice weekend and please, keep up your nice and educating videos!

Herm, I just looked through the thumbnails of your videos. In many of them, your horses noses are behind the vertical. Would you like to talk about that?

You did a great job with this video and I’m so glad someone of your caliber spoke out about it. It’s a shame really, these people are shooting themselves in the foot with these tactics

Sir, Thank you for the most balanced, fair and decent commentary I have seen on the topic world wide. I do not own horses, I hope to one day, and I have followed the media and social media commentary around the world on this issue to see if the incident is a 'Line in the sand'. It certainly is starting to look that way, or at least, is prompting the equine world the opportunity to do better. But your message is I think, not only correct, but needing to be heard globally. Thank you.

Amen Amen Amen to you for speaking!!!!

I agree with your perspective. Not physically harmful but mentally stressed the horse out. And yes you summed up western pleasure horses spot on.

It's sad when people obviously upload click bait videos to drive views and appear to promote abusive training practices. Had no idea you exist and will happily continue ignoring your idea of whipping horses as necessary.

Thank goodness someone is speaking the truth unapologetically!

I appreciate how much thought you’ve put into this video. I think it would be really telling to ask different people why Dujardin’s actions in that clip constitute abuse. Some might say, as you do, “this is abuse because the duration and timing of the whip strikes makes it impossible for the horse to learn anything.” 99% of regular people would say “this is abuse because she is hitting the horse.” And I don’t think we can (or should) “educate the public” out of that impression, because it’s hard to justify using force for something that is no longer an imperative - meaning while horse pros may depend on their paychecks, we don’t as a society depend on a horse’s compliance to survive. Instead, I would like to find out what happens if we just stop hitting horses.

That was one of your best. Here in the U.K this once highly regarded "Girl on the Dancing horse" as she is known is now the focus of the ordinary public. They are calling for Dressage to be banned from the Olympics. The girl who took the public on her journey is now looking at a career in tatters. U explained it so well. Yes ive seen things over the years that made me call them out. I have a clear conscience because to me the horse comes first. Ive seen young riders copy what these top riders do and u see Arabs who have a high head carriage being made to bring their necks down to give it the 'look'. How can u improve the beauty of the Arab. The whip used in cruel ways and horses scared of their owners. U know Herm a lot of people carry whips not many know when and how to use it. Being around horses all my life i ask my non horsey friends what the dislike in horse sports without exemption it is always the whip use. The smart phone is now with everyone and even behind closed doors riders trainers everyoneis being watched a gd thing for the horse. If things dont change the public will kill all horse sports. I live by Patience with my horses and time. Show people want quick results so they use cruel methods and gadgets. The whip may be quicker for them and the spurs and bits but sensible people use patience. Listen to Herm he speaks from experience and love for the horse. Thankyou Herm

I can make a lunge whip snap without touching the horse.

Excellent analysis of this recent Fiasco. I wholeheartedly agree. Unfortunately there are some abusive training practices in every equine discipline, both here and abroad. WE, as horsemen/women MUST speak out and clean up our act, before the unqualified, uneducated, holier than thou, placard waving, zealots do it for us, because they damn sure will.

Do you want to know something, Sir?? I'm a Former FEI Judge. I let my license lapse. Do you want to know why, Sir?? Because PEOPLE WON'T LISTEN to what is best for the horse!! I fought, along with over 1000 other FEI Judges, for over 20 years to get the people in power to LISTEN. And did they listen to the science behind why they shouldn't ride their horses in Rollkur?? Where their chins are touching their chests?? Did they lisen to the Vetrinarians who wrote the scientific data that told them why it was hazardous to ride that way? The answer to those questions, Sir, is a RESOUNDING NO!!! So what do you want us to do?? When the powers that be close their eyes and ears to what's in front of them. With Helgestrand, Parra and now the Dujardin video coming out, they have no choice but to listen now. And still, at the Olympics, the world stage!! There were still blue tongues from too tight nose bands and chains under the chin. There was still some Rollkur observed in the warm-up area, but they were still allowed to compete. Now, that is a problem, don't you think?? Best Regards from a Retired Paramedic, a Former FEI Judge and Horse Trainer in Ontario, Canada, Jenn 💖 🇨🇦

That woman is nothing more than a big mean bully! Thank you to the people who called her out.

I have said the same thing many times! As an entire horse industry we need to learn to police ourselves better before we no longer have an industry to police!!

Thank you Mr Gailey for so bravely addressing the Dujardin subject and using it to bring awareness to abusive training practices. Your thoughts are 200% correct and fair. This video is one of your best and most important. I am at a loss as to how good horsemen and women can make a difference for the horses who are suffering.

Many moons ago when I was at Olympic team training camp ( as a groom), the Team coach asked me to raise a fence for the riders, he thought I didn't go fast enough and used lunge whip to encourage me to be more active, his aim was impeccable and well practiced catching me on the buttock. It did sting a bit, but more hurtful was the thought behind the act, so I suggested he put up his own fences and left the arena. My point is that I felt an injustice was done and it costs nothing to be clear and polite, not use unjustified force. Ask a clear question and check understanding when the outcome is not satisfactory. Horses have a great sense of injustice.

I’m done with that girl I don’t ever wanna see her again but in another competition she’s sadistic

And Big Lick has FINALLY been banned but yes it took fifty years and ruined a lot of horses lives but as of 2025 Jan 1, it’s DONE. I think Charlotte was abusive and I hope the horse world learns from it and does better.

You’re completely off base. To a prey animal with extremely sensitive skin Charlotte’s whipping was definitely significant. Doing that demonstration was horribly off base because it minimizes physically striking a horse. Awful awful choice you made.

Agree with you 100000% Thank you for posting this here!!! 🙏🙏🙏🙏🐎🐎🐎🐎

My first reaction was what a way to make a kicker with that repetitive whipping. He kicked out once. Bad deal for the horse and the humans who might get kicked.

I have seen whip marks on rescue horses so to say it doesn’t hurt I disagree. Glad she was suspended. I bet you wouldn’t say that if you were bare legged. I believe in training with treats and kindness.

Excellent educational video. Thank you for providing your knowledge.❤😢

you're wearing blue jeans try it without clothing

Well done Herm! I love your message and intention, but I fully doubt it will make a difference. Where ever there is money involved, be it prize money or sales value of a horse and for some people just winning the class and appearing to be the best, there will be actions taken to the excess. Very few competitors go to a show or a barrel race or any other kind of contest just to participate, we all go to WIN. When we don't win it was because of the judges, or bad luck, or the other guy cheated never our fault. To chase the prize we train harder, buy a better horse, listen to rumors and try physical or chemical enhancements. As the also rans get better the elite have to get better too just to stay on top. It has always been so and most likely will stay that way as long as competition exists. Look at the idiots that treat themselves with hair coloring, silicone, botox, steroids, blood builders and surgery just to beat the next person. Realistically and sadly we cannot expect better in the horse world but we MUST keep yelling in the dark and trying to change it. The hardest part is having the nerve to call things out and then having someone in power willing to investigate and act when things are proven not just insinuated.

You're absolutely right about how it's a totally inappropriate way to train a horse. But you are wrong about what the whip can do not only can it hurt and you could tell because the horse was bucking and trying to get rid of the pain, but also the psychological abuse of that horse that's going to take a long time to overcome . The horse can feel a horse fly bite them and react badly so I don't know why you don't think that a whip wouldn't make them react badly . But the whip may not cause permanent damage but it definitely is not a training tool the way she's using it

What is the randomness of the whipping supposed to accomplish? How is the horse supposed to know what she wants? Does she even know what she wants? Maybe the horse wasn't physically injured, maybe it didn't hurt that much, but the threat to the horse is clear. The inability of the horse to escape and the confusing messaging results in the horse learned helplessness, lack of trust in humans, fear, anxiety, stiffness, confusion, and probably ulcers. The well being of the horse is not being taken into account, it is sheer ego and agenda on the part of the trainer who is modleing abusive behavior for others, especially younger riders.

This is quite right. Very bad horsemanship. She was oblivious of the distress she was causing the horse. When lunging a horse, the 'Long Tom', which is another name for a lunging whip is an extension of the arm and is not to lift off the ground and frighten the horse it is to encourage it gently to what the trainer wants the horse to do. The lash never touches the horse! IT IS NOT A WHIP TO BEAT AN ANIMAL WITH. It's a useful training tool not a a punishment tool. I've kept horses for over forty years. I am an Englishwoman and I have loved horses all my life.

More like "Public execution of a horse!" I stopped watching after I heard the person laughing in the background. People will stop @ nothing for glory, fame & medals... even if it means psychologically destroying a horse! 😢

I am so glad the video of the abuse came to the fore, it is long past due that it has, regardless of the motive. Virtually every discipline in the horse industry has its abuses and it makes me sick. Now trainers are aware that they can be videoed and exposed and that people will care about it. That's the value here. Thank you for your wisdom and consideration of the horse.

Exactly what was her reasoning? What was she trying to do or get the horse to do?

Hopefully you can answer why western pleasure horses are trained to carry their heads unnaturally low when competing.

Don't think you are accurate on your whipping demo...you would be in pain if whipped on your bare skin...quite like the rest of your opinion

Sad part is that the rider should have been able to get the horse to do what she wanted without the whipping person on the ground

it should be about partnership between human and animal not about force. those gold medals no matter how many value nothing now.

You may have a couple good points.....but MY GOD MAN !! You know damn well that that whip stung your legs...even WITH JEANS ON !! The horse can feel a fly land anywhere on it's body....the sting of that whip SURE AS SHIT HURT. Valegro may have been a superb athlete....with some very fancy leg work.....but he was also a very seriously abused animal. Poor timing for Charlotte....excellent timing for bringing horse abuse to the forefront.

Well said! Thank you.

That's insane.

A horse can feel a fly on his skin but he usually doesn’t react until it bites him. Horses kick and bite each other to establish or maintain rank and dominance. They draw blood and break bones. They are not strangers to pain and have no moral code against using it. We like to think we’re smarter than the horse but often we’re not. Sometimes we allow ourselves to be guided by our emotions with horses and with each other. Anger and fear are the enemies of rational behavior and no one is immune. This doesn’t justify violence but it’s present in all of us. Self control is the hallmark of excellence in human behavior. For horses it could mean injury or death. Horses are guided by instincts that must be interpreted by humans in order to communicate with them. I don’t see this horse in distress. In fact, he seems oblivious and resentful and I would have to say this isn’t his first rodeo. A horse in distress would be much more likely to run and buck at top speed to escape. The kicking out is a common reaction to pressure and is better than no reaction at all except that in this case the horse was pushed too far and too hard to the point of frustration at which time his capacity to learn is lost. The timing of the laughter is synchronized with the action so it’s hard to assume that something else that was funny could be distracting enough under the circumstances to have caused it. I think there is reason to suggest that this has happened before and has caused a level of frustration that interfered with rational thought. There is no excuse for this and it is far beneath the proficiency of the expert to surrender to it when rational thought and problem solving would be the best solution. But it would be hypocritical to pass judgment by anyone who claims to be perfect. That raises the question of motivation for the reporting the offense so long after it happened. Personally, I can’t help thinking that intimidation would overemphasize the importance of the actions. It’s possible but not convincing. And last but not least, the public hanging of the pickpocket in a swarm of pickpockets might very well be the best way to summarize the idea that two wrongs don’t make a right.

A horse can feel a fly land on it's skin and it was not wearing jeans. Jeans are worn as protective clothing for humans playing paint ball. You could see in the video the stress and pain the horse was feeling.

Abuse becomes the go to card when winning is everything. This video is 4 years old! I would guess this is her method and has been for a long time. She is no champion or what horsemanship is about.

Disgusting

no training by Dujardin just anger against a prisoner. Is that what Herm espouses?

Check out Horse Plus Humane Society in Tennessee, that is trying to put a stop to the cruelty in the show ring for Tennessee Walkers in Tennessee.

‘Rollkur’ is a great way to get a horse behind the vertical and get the tail ringing. Not the real dressage I once enjoyed. It’s painful to watch. Also, I started riding in a TWH barn in the mid 80s. I saw horses being soared and weights hammered on the hooves. Didn’t know what it was all about. Saddlebreds are also subjected to cruel mindless‘training’. Egomaniacs abound!

Look, you have on your pair of jeans and most likely socks to provide some protection. That was a very light whipping. No snap back with power in it like in the video. Your example did nothing to change my impression of the metal and physical damage to the horse.

I agree with you yhere on the abuse on western showing barrel and reining and your right 👍 the level of abusive in horse industry

I can’t even listen to this , its horrible

Steve Young horsemanship ❤

100%!

Not the way to develop or sustain a relationship with your competitive partner and colleague. Hope this gives her a reality check. Read her bio and found a narcissistic blinkered competition goal oriented person. Unfortunate. The real magic of dressage cannot be achieves with shortcuts and bullying.

Reminds me of when I showed my weanling at the state fair in 1987 in the halter class. I got 2nd place and after walking out the trainer that was leading the first place foal started jerking him so hard he flipped over on the ground. There was no reason for him to do that and he was lucky my husband didn't put him on the ground even though he deserved it. I raised and showed my own and I even had people tell me afterwards I should have won the class.

excellent sir well said

Those two horses of yours listen to you! You can tell how good an owner is by the way their horses behave in their presence. I’ve seen things here and there, but mostly I’ve seen people that love their horses. I’ve been a groom and a horse nanny for sometime.

Sorry, couldn't watch anymore of this abuse.

O, so the horse was wearing Levis and cowboy boots? i did not realize that. Puhleeze, a horse can feel a FLY walking on its skin. You make me wonder what you might be doing behind barn doors.

Sick to my stomach! She should never be allowed in a horse barn again! I have been around horses my whole life,both my girls ride! They would Never do that to a horse! Physically she might have not hurt the horsr but mentally can be Devistating! Lets not to forget she put the safty of the rider at risk too! The horse was getting agitated!

Perhaps you should roll up your pants. The back of the horses legs have no padding, mostly skin and bone. Plus the horse's breathing is poor because of the tight reins. What is wrong with the natural carriage of a horses head?

With all due respect, you were whipped while wearing clothing. In the 1940’s/‘50’s my mother would whip my bare flesh. It is not a little sting! The lesson I learned was to be gentle but firm when training and take time for the animal to process the lesson. Just like children some take longer.

Although I understand you believe from your life, your experiences you know best, know most about handling, training, caring for horses, there are obvious problems with your video demonstration. You are wearing blue jeans. Horses' skin is different than blue jeans, different from human skin, & horses do feel pain thru their skin proven by Vet medical research. I don't want to insult your intelligence, nor disrespect you, its I have different opinions than you do. Yes, I've been around horses, cared for horses, ridden horses since kindergarten. Charlotte Dujardin's behavior in video has brought into questions, discussions about equine events featured in the Olympics. This is sad.

Your point about other horse disciplines is interesting. Barrel racing is in a hideous class by itself imo. But you do see mechanical/dead performances in western pleasure and reining. I'm wondering what you see in cutting horses. That strikes me as a sport where the horse has to love it, or it would just not do it well enough to be entered in any competition.

I dont totally agree with you my Buddy was from a Amish buggy horse whipped a lot yeah physically hes a 1000 pound horse but the mental health was intense when I rescued him. He shook we a whip came out I had to do many different ways to train because of the abuse physically and mentally for him ❤ he has s doing very good 👍

The big licks bothers me more! This horse has leg wraps on its more to scare than hurt the horse. I think we should let the horse move naturally its ridicules what we expect out of these beautiful creatures ❤️ .. i grew up competing now I trail ride… it is so wonderful to enjoy trails with your best friend.. ears up and lick a chews the whole way .. only swishie tail at flys

Sorry, I absolutely DISAGREE with you!! As a trainer, who uses a lunge whip regularly, knows that a Lunge Whip CAN AND WILL leave WELTS, AND OPEN SKIN on the hide of a horse. I've rescued many horses who have had injuries from Lunge Whip Lashings. You admit, you do not use a lunge whip regularly. This horse was injured and traumatized, as was the rider traumatized from this experience. There is no reason for you to claim that this animal wasn't hurt at all. You haven't seen injuries that can be caused by the use of a Lunge Whip. Best Regards from a Retired Paramedic and Horse Trainer in Ontario, Canada, Jenn 💖 🇨🇦

Lets see you do it with shorts on!!!

Disagree

This goes for all animals that people are involved with there is abuse in all competitions dogs cats hoses something should be done to stop it

❤❤❤

If they changed the judges way of letting this happen,,,, in all facets of showing the trainers might get get the idea that these ZOMBIES were not going to win or place ( BUT I DOUBT IT ) when you got judges judging judges placing one another for payback it,s just downright pathetic !!! in the meantime horses will be tortured :(

BAN ALL COMPETING WITH ANIMALS