Originally Posted by
mark diegutis
Pony clubs and other equestrian groups operate by a very strict code of conduct . They do not tolerate cruelty . Little darlings with spurs and whips are not committing acts of cruelty . Their pony's have such good lives , they wouldn't move without them .
The act of hitting a horse with a whip is not what I have a beef about . You couldn't hit them harder than they hit each other . I think the cruelty occurs when the horse has hit the wall and the driver keeps flogging them causing them to "bust" themselves . More dammage is done internally than externally and the worst thing is there is no reason whatsoever to do it . I watched a driver hit his horse 67 times from the 400 at Albion Park and the stewards report said they cautioned him . Unbeleivable
Mark always said that when he first came into Harness racing , the greatest difference between it and eventing was that in 20 years eventing never once did he witness an act of cruelty , but in harness racing you can see it at every track every day of the week . Big statement ---NO just the truth