Why You Shouldn't Support Saddle Seat Riding
TLDRThe video script addresses concerns about the ethical treatment of horses in the Saddle Seat industry, highlighting practices such as tail nicking and the use of weighted shoes that may cause discomfort or harm. The speaker expresses strong opinions against these methods, calling for change or cessation of the sport if welfare issues persist. They also introduce the disturbing practice of 'gingering', applying irritants to a horse's private parts to achieve a high tail carriage, which is condemned as cruel. The script invites viewers to form their own opinions after watching the full video, emphasizing the importance of animal welfare in equestrian sports.
Takeaways
- 🐎 The video script discusses concerns about the welfare of horses in the saddle seat industry, suggesting that certain practices may be abusive.
- 🤔 The speaker expresses skepticism about the industry's claims that saddle seat riding is not abusive and calls for a reevaluation of practices.
- 🎥 The video was sponsored by Link Equestrian, the speaker's personal company, and viewers are encouraged to engage with their social media.
- 🚫 The script differentiates between saddle seat riding and big lick, a separate practice known for being abusive, which should not be confused with saddle seat.
- 🔍 The speaker plans to address specific issues within the saddle seat industry, such as exaggerated movements, tail nicking, and the use of weighted shoes.
- 📝 The script references an article by Leslie Potter, a saddle seat rider, who defends the practice, but the speaker finds the arguments unconvincing and confusing.
- 🔧 Tail nicking is criticized as a cosmetic procedure with potential health risks, including peritonitis, and is seen as unnecessary and abusive by the speaker.
- 👢 Weighted shoes are identified as a problem for the horses' movement and welfare, with the speaker arguing that they should be banned across all equestrian disciplines.
- 🏇 The speaker highlights the unnatural riding positions and the potential discomfort caused to the horses by the saddle seat riding style.
- 🚫 The practice of gingering, or applying an irritant to a horse's private parts to make them carry their tail high, is condemned as cruel and inhumane.
- 📚 The video concludes with a call for the saddle seat community to address these issues or consider significant changes to their practices to prioritize horse welfare.
Q & A
What is the main topic of the video script?
-The main topic of the video script is the critique of saddle seat riding, particularly in the context of the American Saddlebred horse breed, and the practices within the industry that the speaker considers abusive.
What is the speaker's stance on saddle seat riding?
-The speaker expresses a strong negative opinion on saddle seat riding, suggesting that the industry should either make serious changes or stop altogether due to the perceived abusive practices.
What is the difference between saddle seat riding and big lick?
-Saddle seat riding and big lick are both horse riding disciplines, but they are distinct. Big lick is associated with the Tennessee Walking horse breed and involves the use of pads and chains, which is considered by many to be abusive. Saddle seat riding, on the other hand, involves the American Saddlebred horse and is criticized for its own set of practices, such as tail nicking and the use of weighted shoes.
What is the purpose of tail nicking in the context of saddle seat riding?
-Tail nicking is a surgical procedure sometimes performed on Saddlebreds to make the tail stand upright, which is considered a desirable trait in saddle seat showing. It involves cutting the tendons in the tail to achieve a higher carriage.
Why does the speaker believe that the use of weighted shoes is problematic?
-The speaker believes that weighted shoes are problematic because they can cause the horse to move unnaturally and may restrict the horse's movement to the point where it cannot be turned out in a field due to the risk of injury from the heavy shoes.
What is the speaker's opinion on the argument that the horse's natural movement is the reason for the exaggerated gait seen in saddle seat riding?
-The speaker disagrees with this argument, stating that they have observed Saddlebred horses not used for saddle seat competitions and found that they do not move in the exaggerated manner seen in the show ring.
What is gingering, and why is it considered abusive?
-Gingering, also known as gendering, is the practice of applying an irritant like raw ginger to a horse's anus or vulva to make the horse carry its tail high and move in a lively fashion. It is considered abusive because it involves causing discomfort to the horse for the sake of appearance in shows.
What is the speaker's view on the role of veterinarians in the saddle seat industry?
-The speaker is critical of some veterinarians within the industry, suggesting that they may overlook or even support abusive practices if they are paid to do so, similar to the situation in the big lick industry.
Why does the speaker believe that the saddle seat industry is manipulative?
-The speaker believes the saddle seat industry is manipulative because they often deflect criticism by claiming that people confuse their practices with those of big lick, rather than addressing the actual issues within their own discipline.
What is the speaker's advice for the saddle seat industry to maintain its sport?
-The speaker advises the saddle seat industry to either make serious changes to address the issues of animal welfare or consider stopping the sport altogether, emphasizing that the health and welfare of the animals should come first.
What is the role of Link Equestrian in this video script?
-Link Equestrian is the sponsor of the video. It is the speaker's personal company that has launched new designs and encourages customers to share photos and tag the company for a chance to be reposted and mentioned in the speaker's YouTube videos.
Outlines
🤬 Controversy Over Saddle Seat Practices
The video script begins with the speaker expressing skepticism about the equestrian industry, specifically saddle seat riding. They set the stage for a critical discussion, inviting viewers to share their thoughts and emphasizing the importance of watching the entire video before commenting. The speaker promises to address the controversial aspects of saddle seat, including its comparison to the abusive practice of big lick and the industry's tendency to deflect criticism by blaming misunderstandings.
🐎 The Saddle Seat Debate: Abuse or Not?
This paragraph delves into the specifics of saddle seat riding, contrasting it with big lick and clarifying that while both are controversial, they are distinct. The speaker acknowledges the natural movement of saddlebred horses but points out that the exaggerated gait seen in competitions is not natural. They also address the industry's defensive stance, referencing an article by a saddle seat rider that attempts to justify the practice but is criticized by the speaker for being unconvincing and evasive.
🔪 Tail Nicking and Its Ethical Concerns
The speaker discusses the practice of tail nicking in saddle seat, a surgical procedure that alters the horse's tail position for aesthetic reasons. They highlight the health risks associated with this practice, including peritonitis, and criticize the industry for normalizing such a procedure. The speaker also refutes arguments made by industry insiders that tail nicking is harmless, citing the American Veterinary Medical Association's stance against it.
👢 Weighted Shoes and Their Impact on Horses
The paragraph focuses on the use of weighted padded shoes in saddle seat competitions, which the speaker believes contribute to the unnatural movement of the horses. They argue that these shoes restrict the horses' natural movement and lead to long periods of stall confinement. The speaker calls for a ban on such shoes across all equestrian disciplines and presents a farrier's perspective that supports the idea that the shoes are used to exaggerate the horses' gait for show purposes.
🏇 The Unnatural Movement and Rider Position
Here, the speaker compares the movement of saddlebred horses in various disciplines to their appearance in saddle seat riding, noting a significant difference that suggests discomfort and unnatural postures. They criticize the rider position in saddle seat, which they claim causes discomfort and long-term issues for the horses. The speaker also introduces the disturbing practice of gingering, applying an irritant to the horse's private parts to encourage a lively gait, which is condemned as cruel and unethical.
🚫 Calling Out the Saddle Seat Industry
In the final paragraph, the speaker calls out the saddle seat industry for its alleged use of gingering and other abusive practices. They express disbelief and disgust at the lack of industry response to these claims and suggest that the practice is still prevalent due to the difficulty of detection and the complicity of some veterinarians. The speaker concludes by inviting feedback from the saddle seat community and reiterating their stance against the industry.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Saddle Seat
💡Big Lick
💡Tail Nicking
💡Tail Sets
💡Weighted Padded Shoes
💡Gingering
💡Equine Welfare
💡Saddlebred Horses
💡Equestrian World
💡Veterinary Objections
💡Peritonitis
Highlights
The video discusses controversial practices in the saddle seat industry, including the potential for abuse and manipulation.
The speaker expresses skepticism about the saddle seat community's claims that their practices are not abusive.
A distinction is made between saddle seat riding and big lick, with the latter being acknowledged as abusive.
The speaker plans to address the issues within saddle seat riding and calls for changes to protect the welfare of the horses.
Sponsor acknowledgment for Link Equestrian and promotion of their new designs.
A natural saddlebred horse's movement is shown to contrast with the exaggerated movement seen in competitions.
The speaker criticizes the saddle seat industry for downplaying the discomfort and potential abuse of horses.
An article by Leslie Potter is referenced, defending saddle seat practices, but the speaker finds the arguments unconvincing.
Tail nicking, a cosmetic surgery on horses, is discussed as a serious issue within the saddle seat industry.
Weighted padded shoes are identified as another problematic aspect of saddle seat competitions.
A farrier's perspective on shoeing saddlebred horses to exaggerate their gait is presented, suggesting unethical practices.
The impact of riding position on the horse's comfort in saddle seat riding is discussed, with a critique of sitting too far back.
Graphic content warning about the practice of gingering, an abusive method to make horses carry their tails high.
The speaker calls for a ban on tail setting and weighted shoes across all equestrian sports for the welfare of the horses.
A comparison of saddlebred horses in different disciplines shows a stark difference in their movement and comfort.
The video concludes with a strong stance against the saddle seat industry's practices and an invitation for discussion.
Transcripts
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)
Thanks for rating: