Most horse handlers are comfortable and totally confident with their horses, and expect a high level of obedience from their animals after hours of training and horse show preparations. At horse shows, when horses are anticipated to perform flawlessly, handlers or riders are nervous and often intolerant of their horses’ small goofs or perceived mistakes. Some of the handlers resort to whip, spurs or rough handling. In a model “in-hand” class, shanking is a forceful yanking of the lead line attached to the horse with a chain under his chin. A formal complaint was registered at the U.S. Arabian/Half-Arabian National Championships last October when allegations were made about abusive treatment that included both shanking and threatening use of the whip by specific handlers. Penalties were sought under Arabian Horse Association rules.
The USEF Hearing Committee Panel met about this complaint and has just released its decision. The panel reviewed shanking and whip use in depth and rendered a clearly-defined explanation and conclusion.
The panel termed shanking in competitions as “…a handler jerks hard on the lead, yanking the horse’s head and causing the neck to twist or torque in another direction and the horse to abruptly shift its body posture to compensate.” It noted that wanton aggressive force applied to the horse’s head from shanking is needless coercion to the horse, disallowed under AR115. Further, shanking and whip threatening/use might be considered “abuse or inhumane treatment under rule GR839.” Subsection 1 of Rule GR839 forbids inhumane treatment of a horse whether it is in his stall, schooling area, show ring or anywhere else on the competition grounds and applies to any and all persons with the horse. This rule also addresses punishment for acts against horses that are considered “excessive” by show officials.
Circumstances change, however, if a horse is out of control, becoming a danger to others near him and to himself – The current language in Rule AR116.6a3 states,
The USEF Hearing Committee Panel stated clearly in its decision that rule AR116.6a3 applies. This rule allows shanking in Arabian Halter classes and all competitions only in emergency situations. Shanking may only be applied to a horse if his behavior is “dangerously unruly” and drastic measure must be used to regain control of the horse in order to prevent harm to the horse or others.
Please watch the video attached to this article. with your caution, and see for yourself what some of these beautiful horses [and their delicate stunning heads] must endure from their handlers. One can only wonder at the training tactics at home.
Very sad to see this because it is being done by so many different handlers to so many different horses. I noticed several horses who looked fearful before they were shanked, and several who were angrily swishing tails or striking. These are how noble Arabians become dangerous.
I was glad to see one judge (?) giving a handler some angry words. New people don’t want to be a part of our breed when they see these vicious practices. I was at a regional show when the family sitting behind me walked out because the mother was disturbed that the horses were being hurt, and didn’t want her children to watch. That was the last time I also watched an Arabian halter class in person. I have been only going to sport horse shows since.
Also, as you mention, I shudder to think how much these Arabians are suffering when away from the show grounds. I saw several handlers in this video (especially one with a grey stallion), who clearly looked around to see if the judges were watching as he shanked the horse several times.
We are all watching. I think it’s time to do more.
Thank you. It can be difficult to change. The truth can be painful…And also healing. I congratulate you for your honesty and the efforts you have put forth on behalf of the horses that we all love and cherish. We have to continue to show love for our trainers and also to show how ugly hate really is…This is how we enjoy LOVE, by learning together to change. I know the men in these videos. They are all bright men. They will give us what we want. I know they will. I know they will put their minds together and show us a NEW SHOW! I can’t wait to see what they do and how the horses respond to the changes…It will be nothing short of BEAUTIFUL, MASCULINE, SWEET and maybe even a bit SEXY!
May our Father watch over you and the horses – always!
Sincerely and LOVE TO ALL~! Randi Clark – TEXAS USA!
In very rare circumstances I do believe you have to be forceful in handling an “out-of-control” horse. These horses are NOT out of control. The training they’ve endured has resulted in hyper behavior. The second handler in particular…well, I can’t print here what I’d like to do to him. He’s a dominating, self-esteemed-challenged bully. He needs to have a chain around his head and the same thing done to him. I remember a story that a friend of mine who is a long-time Arabian breeder, judge, and esteemed horseman told me about a halter class he judged years ago. He said a young woman walked into the stallion class he was judging with her horse. She had no whip. She simply cued her beautiful horse to step into the halter pose. With nothing but a gentle tug of the lead strap, he gave his head, arched his neck and stood motionless as a statue, ears forward, alert and calm. All without any forceful coercion. It can be done. But you have to have a deep love for, and understanding of animals, particularly horses, to be able to communicate on that level. She did. It was obvious to him that she loved horses and especially this horse. My friend said he wasn’t the best horse in the class, conformationally, but in his opinion he was the clear winner. He demonstrated beauty, willingness, natural carriage and lovely expression–all exhibited WITHOUT the need to dominate. I taught my own Arabian gelding to show like this….in the pasture, with no halter! I simply cue him to come to me. I move his feet by moving my position. I raise my hand and cluck and he gives me a superb halter pose–EVERY TIME! He turned 30 years old on May 6 and hasn’t forgotten how hot he is! Don’t ever try to convince me you need such extreme and unnecessary force. These creatures are far superior to us in so many wayS. One day we will accept that with great humility and grace.
Why is it a look of fear is considered beautiful? If the powers that be truly think this behaviour should be cleaned up a simple start would be to take the damn whips away from the handlers and forbid the use of them anywhere on the grounds. Then they can only abuse the horses on their own property.
I watched this video and just feel sick and ashamed to be a human. Why won’t the judges just ask them to leave? It is happening with native ponies now, judges are asking over weight riders to dismount.