New Article on Cesar Parra Controversy

[skydy]

@sparkygrace

“Parra has been temporarily suspended by the FEI while they actively investigate the matter. USEF is enforcing the suspension and supporting that investigation. To ensure the integrity of the investigation, we are unable to disclose further details, but we want to be absolutely clear – we are documenting these violations and will pursue disciplinary action to the highest degree in partnership with the FEI.”

The FEI suspended Andy Kocher for 10 years because he shocked horses with electric spurs.

They didn’t ban him for life.

I have no faith in an organization that claims to be an advocate for horse welfare yet will allow Kocher, who terrorized horses with electrical shocks, to return to FEI competition.

Once the FEI ban is over, will USEF use their Code Of Conduct to bar him from USEF shows? I’m guessing they’ll say that their hands are tied. We’ll see.

And by the way, USEF has no choice but to enforce the FEI suspension.

[Cowgirl]

I think this is great! I’m going to compose something to send too. Which department did you send your email to?

[DownYonder]

@CHT

Regarding farriers: the farrier probably works in a separate area on the day the horses have off. The horses are likely tranqu’ed. They are likely wearing sheets.

Yes, I can see that. So what about the vets and body workers who treated those poor animals? Did not any of them wonder every once in a while why so many of the horses in Parra’s barn were chronically sore or injured in the poll, the jaw, the back, the stifles, the hocks? Did not any of them wonder why so many of the horses had spur wounds, bruises, welts, etc.? Did not any of the vets wonder why so many horses disappeared out of the barn, only to be replaced by others that within weeks or months also needed to be treated for the same types of soreness and injuries? And what about the horses that disappeared? Were the vets complicit in “disappearing” them via euthanization?

[DownYonder]

@stillgoing

Folks – this is Animal Behavior Training and Science 101 – honestly, the level of ignorance in the equestrian community, at all levels, is astounding

This is sadly very true - even amongst long-time owners and trainers (including those riding at FEI levels). The inability to understand the world from the horse’s viewpoint is everywhere.

[atr]

I think its as much uncontrolled anger and frustration at losing as it is a purported training opportunity.

Most of us learn not to behave like that as toddlers. Apparently some people lack the Decent Human Being gene. Which is something one has to bear in mind if one chooses to confront them in an armed society.

And another thing. Since living in an “Olympic Town” I have met quite a few very high level athletes from a number of different sports. Many of them are really scary and not very nice people. They are taught to be aggressive, entitled and to win at all costs, and that often turns to frustration, anger and abuse.

Until we stop coaching athletes to be like this, from school sports on up, I dont think there’s much hope.

[Debbie_D]

You’re right - what CP has done to both animals AND humans is MUCH worse!

[Ghazzu]

@DownYonder

So what about the vets and body workers who treated those poor animals?

In MA, we (DVMs) are mandated reporters.

[Salty]

To whom do you report the abuse?

[Ghazzu]

“A veterinarian who, while in the normal course of
business, observes an animal whom such veterinarian
knows or reasonably suspects has been the victim of
animal cruelty prohibited under sections 77 or 94 of
chapter 272 shall report said suspected animal cruelty to
a police officer or special state police officer appointed
under section 57 of chapter 22C.”

[Salty]

That’s wonderful and it should be common practice everywhere.

[Ghazzu]

@Salty

That’s wonderful and it should be common practice everywhere

A significant factor in passing the law was the fact that when there is evidence of animal abuse, there is frequently also domestic and/or child abuse.
Those possibilities are looked into during the investigation.

[Knights_Mom]

@sascha

@Knights_Mom

One would have to consider this and prepare if that opportunity presented.

This ^ is what my question refers to. How would you prepare for not being believed by the folks who would listen to you blowing your whistle?

Oh I’m surprised that this is the question you asked. Clearly secretly recording things, gathering others together to do something with more than one person, getting the attention of media and disclosing through them if the governing body took no action. Call everyone. Send pics to news rooms. Contact animal welfare places, do something dramatic to get media attention like climb a tree dressed like a horse in the middle of Central Park, rent a blimp, rent a billboard on I95… I could go on and on.

There is power in numbers.

[CHT]

My guess is horse’s are not presented to the vet with welts, but as for the rest, good question. Maybe those injuries aren’t see as as abnormal as we hope they would be. I wonder what vet school considers abuse? I wonder how naïve we are about what vets see at high performance barns in many disciplines…and if the say anything, how would affect their practice?

[sascha]

You may think you’re an empath and that gives you superhuman powers. Sadly, you’ve just described someone who has no grasp on the reality of victims in vulnerable positions. It is not nearly as black and white as you wish it to be. People carrying a certain amount of authority were not heard. A little visa holder/student would certainly not be heard.

Yes, there is power in numbers and distance (for a certain amount of safety), and that’s where we’re at now, thankfully. The 2 men who have been able to advocate for both horse and human victims are the epitomy of how we all hope we could do advocate.

[Cowgirl]

USEF’s exempt purpose statement from its IRS form 990:

THE UNITED STATES EQUESTRIAN FEDERATION’S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO AND INCREASE PARTICIPATION IN EQUESTRIAN SPORTS AT ALL LEVELS BY ENSURING FAIRNESS, ENJOYMENT, SAFETY, AND WELFARE FOR BOTH HUMAN AND EQUINE ATHLETES

[Knights_Mom]

@sascha

You may think you’re an empath and that gives you superhuman powers. Sadly, you’ve just described someone who has no grasp on the reality of victims in vulnerable positions. It is not nearly as black and white as you wish it to be. People carrying a certain amount of authority were not heard. A little visa holder/student would certainly not be heard.

Yes, there is power in numbers and distance (for a certain amount of safety), and that’s where we’re at now, thankfully. The 2 men who have been able to advocate for both horse and human victims are the epitomy of how we all hope we could do advocate.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. What they are not entitled to is to be obnoxious about it, which you are.

Given your disposition and presumptive attitude on the subject I shall choose to not give your position any more consideration than it deserves.

As for familiarity with abuse I’m quite familiar both professionally and personally, a handy thing in this case.

I see you and recognize who you are.

[Manni01]

Well welcome to COTH……. usually you are on the other side, so now you get a first hand feeling how some people here feel sometimes….. And maybe you get a tiny bit the experience how Parras employees might feel…. They are not the ones which are guilty even if they didn’t leave…

[endlessclimb]

Or trafficking/power abuse, as apparently happened here.

I didn’t know vets were mandated reporters, good to know.

[FitzE]

Nah, hazing is

I got no respect for that nonsense. Run that play on someone else.

[sascha]

@Knights_Mom

I see you and recognize who you are.

No, but nice try. You actually have no idea. Again.

I do have one more question though. If you are so easily able to meet and destroy abuse, why is abuse still happening? Surely you could be out there doing your thing and teaching other people to do your thing and that would make short work of abuse?! That would be absolutely marvellous!