While I understand the intention of not singling one person out when it comes to horse welfare, I just don’t think we should ignore someone whose [multiple] horses have had bloody mouths at several FEI events–with photos that absolutely prove it happened. I have yet to hear of any other event rider who has had this happen, no matter how tough the sport has been over the years.
And nothing that has happened in the past of eventing justifies what is happening now to her horses.
#bloodymarilyn
Even better was the groom stuffing grass in her mouth before XC and then sprinting with the now famous red towel to cover up any blood present.
The Land Rover rumor is from a very reliable source who would have knowledge of the WEG selections coming up if that makes anyone feel better.
ML said in the Land Rover coverage that she only has one event horse now…thankfully.
If the the other ULR couldn’t be bothered from a horse welfare or public perception standpoint, they should be bothered that this one rider is jeopardizing funding and grants that the rest of them would like to benefit from.
Isn’t show jumping in the WEG too? Is she competitive enough to go to the WEG for that sport instead of eventing?
She will not at present be a viable candidate for our show jumping team. If she quits eventing and turns to show jumping exclusively she has the potential to be a viable force in the sport. There is however much much more competition, the costs are exponentially higher as these riders compete nearly every weekend with multiple horses, and have significantly deeper pockets than eventers on average.
Quite doubtful. The US fields one of the strongest teams out there at this time. She’s 172 on the world rankings behind 20+ US riders
That, and US Equestrian has already named the short list for show jumping in WEG, and she isn’t on it. So that sport is safe, at least.
Ugh, I really hoped that the PTB would have made a more definitive public ruling regarding blood. It still makes me so angry that at the least, taken in a complete vacuum, the officials and this rider decided to run this poor horse over a four star course with her mouth bleeding BEFORE SHE LEFT THE BOX.
As ladyj79 more eloquently stated.
And as others have stated, other riders manage to get it done without bloodying their horses’ mouths. Repeatedly.
Gah. I’ve lost so much faith in the sport/powers that be, whatever over the last few weeks.
I think you have to adhere to the USEF Code of Conduct to be eligible for selection.
It seems like blood in the mouth for FEI Eventing rules is ok if it is caused by a horse biting its tongue. The problem is that I don’t think one can determine the source of the blood without a thorough inspection. It seems like any blood is attributed to the horse biting its tongue based upon a casual inspection.
Also there is literally no way to assert that the rider or equipment any rider any equipment did not cause the horse to bite itself. Just eliminate for blood in the mouth so we don’t have this subjective nonsense, because for the millionth time who thinks it’s a cool idea to have bloody mouthed horses running around in any event?! It is just so self evidently sheisty.
This is who numbs tails: competitors who don’t want to be penalized for their horse swishing its tail during a dressage test.
The real and only solution is to stop penalizing horses for being horses.
Almost all of my mares swished or currently swish their tails occasionally in dressage. I’ve had a few that swished a lot but even those mares were fantastic mares who worked hard and really focused on their work. The swishing did not impact their correctness or way of going. I’ve also had a gelding or two who carried their tails to one side when working. BFD. This was how they went. They were happy, engaged, obedient but also penalized for their tail carriage.
Most riders with any degree of experience are well aware they can solve that problem in about ten seconds by injecting them to numb the tail. Short of that, you accept the penalty if the judge gives it.
If you really want to eradicate tail numbing, take away the penalty for tail swishing.
I watched only a couple of the dressage tests at LRK3D and Badders. In some of the very lovely tests horses still swished their tails in the flying change. Would that be proof that they weren’t numbed? Just curious as I have no experience with tail numbing.
Exactly. There’s a pretty obvious difference between happy, I’m-enjoying-this tail swishing and pissy, I-hate-this tail wringing. The latter is generally accompanied by other signs of tension and displeasure. It just doesn’t manifest all by itself.
Sorry, WHAT?? I missed the stuffing grass in her mouth part - why???
Is there video of the sprint to wipe anywhere?
So the goober will be green instead of red on XC just in case.
Yes, if you watch her replay on USEF network at the end you see it…
Maybe a coefficient for that lovely tail sway that shows relaxation! I love that sway between the hocks.
Im only personally aware of tail numbing as far back as 1968 or so. Same year I started showing. Arabs. Western. It’s widely practiced in all breeds and disciplines despite rules against it. There’s various techniques ranging from wrapping tightly with rubber tubing, injecting alcohol and other substances to actual surgery to alter the appearance and quiet the tail in everything from Western breeds to Hunters and I’m sure other breeds and disciplines I’m not too familiar with. Against most rulebooks to alter appearance, of course. But around since way before I started in the 60s. Not hard to find a willing vet.
Always been a “wink wink” with a lame story about getting it caught in a trailer tailgate or barn door. People buy the horse and believe that…pass the lie along when they sell. More then a few of them out there, not hard to tell if you know what to look for.
I know that western people numb tails, but what would be the advantage for eventing? I just don’t get it. Maybe swishing in the dressage, but wouldn’t that be a little obvious?
Edited because I just saw JER address it above. Gross.
Actually, if they are going to do it, surgical fix would seem to be the safest ( basically nerve it). If you’ve ever seen the consequences of a botched behind the barn injection of lord knows what concoction you’d agree with that even if you disagree with ignoring the rules and doing it at all. Same with leaving the rubber tie on too long and paralyzing the tail. Dunno what the hells the matter with people…uneducated owners/groups not asking questions not wanting to know the how, just the result I guess,
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