BS: I'll tell you about life in the country

Subject: I'll tell you about life in the country
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 27 Sep 02 - 06:05 AM

I was brought up on a farm and trained as a riding instructor.

I have just had a slanging match with a young man from the local kennels who was out excercising a young horse. The horse shyed at traffic, and big nasty tractors in the street, and instead of calming the horse and comforting it,building its confidence, he gave it a nasty whack with his whip and jabbed it the mouth at the same time. This reinforces fear which in turn receives more punisment. The horse now has two fears; 1)tractors 2)tractors mean pain. I was told to keep my f***king mouth shut.

Ah the joys of autumn mists and mellow fruitfulness.

Very Fruity!

Subject: RE: I'll tell you about life in the country
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 27 Sep 02 - 06:41 AM

I hope you told the arrogant bastard that it was attitudes such as his that hardens the resolve to stuff his fun.

I always think of the smart riposte several hours too late.

Anyway, sorry you've had your blood pressure raised so, Sally. As a seminal influence on me would say, try and enjoy what remains of the day.

Skipjack

Subject: RE: I'll tell you about life in the country
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Sep 02 - 06:50 AM

Subject: RE: I'll tell you about life in the country
From: GUEST,BDog
Date: 27 Sep 02 - 06:53 AM

What a way to treat a poor dumb animal. Fancy telling he wasn't treating his horse right!

Good on yer!

Brian

Subject: RE: I'll tell you about life in the country
From: okthen
Date: 27 Sep 02 - 07:37 AM

I wonder what his employers think of his horse training abilities and whether his "way of life" should be under threat as is alleged by the countryside alliance.

Subject: RE: I'll tell you about life in the country
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 27 Sep 02 - 12:28 PM

You were right to speak up. You would also be right to speak to his employer and the owner of the horse.

Subject: RE: BS: I'll tell you about life in the country
From: DonMeixner
Date: 27 Sep 02 - 01:31 PM

As a small town and country dweller all my life I have to say that Ms. Lemon's experience is the great exception of things in the country. There is as much if not much more cruelty to animals in the cities as you will find rural communities.

In horse trainers as in life there are assholes of every imagined stripe.

AS an aside, I once mucked stables for a horse trainer in NYS. I walked into the excersise yard one 7:30 am to find a stable hand screaming and slapping the side of a quarter horse gelding. This stable ape was known for being mean to the horses so I told him to stop what he was doing or I'd tell the boss. The horse just stood there as this abuse went on apparently unconcerned. As he wailed away at the quite placid horse he sreamed at me the horse was on his foot. Now I never liked this guy and the horse seemed to be grinning so I said, "I'll go get help." and I walked off to the office to wait for the boss to arrive at 8:00. This hand could have bucked up the horses leg if he thot too, probably the pain clouding his small mind. I know I was being mean and it must have hurt but I also thot of the other horses I'd seen him kick or punch or twitch for no real reason and I had another cup of coffee. And I know that I was being inconsiderate of the horse too. But the horse seemed not in the least bit of a hurry to move and he really looked like he was grinning.

Don

Subject: RE: BS: I'll tell you about life in the country
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Sep 02 - 01:41 PM

LOL, Don!

Mrs. Lemon, good for you for speaking up. I hope you also tell his employer, the horse owner, and even the RSPCA.

When my daughter worked at a high-falutin' stables in posh Connecticut a lot of the horses were in shows. The staff was expected to groom them and make them "pretty." There was one really sweet mare named Rose who needed a gentle hand, always.

Well, what those people do to make their horses pretty should put them in jail,imo. I came along one day and here's one of the staff, on a small step ladder (oh how I wished Rose would kick it!), wrapping Rose's mane around a small comb, to the roots, then yanking it out, in order to "roach" the mane! Rose hated it and was very agitated. The more she jerked from the pain, the more the sadist yelled and hit her.

I knew I couldn't stop the roaching, but I could at least help Rose to calm down, so I stepped up and *whispered* to her, stroked her soft nose, and the staffperson was utterly amazed, asking me how I'd done that! And, this was also one of their instructors!! Idjits!!

I cannot abide any cruelty to animals.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: I'll tell you about life in the country
From: Sorcha
Date: 27 Sep 02 - 01:54 PM

People also seem to think that Country Folks want the pets they don't want anymore..........

Subject: RE: BS: I'll tell you about life in the country
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 27 Sep 02 - 02:09 PM

And it's pretty dangerous for everyone else in the vicinity when an incompetent fool like that is in charge of a potentially dangerous animal like that poor horse.

Subject: RE: BS: I'll tell you about life in the country
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 28 Sep 02 - 03:57 AM

I don't come across many horses in London unless it's a football match day and they are wearing body armour (all they need is a lance and silks! to be back at Agincourt), but I've always given them a wide berth and slowed right down. I've also been given a mouthful several times by drivers behind me who don't think they are a hazard. Having witnessed a London police horse (trained to cope with loud, sudden noises, crowd control and abuse) literally take apart the front of a big 4 wheel drive pr&ckmobile by kicking backwards (amazing how far into a radiator an armoured hoof can penetrate), I have nothing but even more respect for what a horse can do. I just don't like them.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: I'll tell you about life in the country
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 29 Sep 02 - 11:00 AM

Thanks for all your support. There's an awful lot of cruelty going on out there in the name of sport.

I wrote to the master of foxhounds at the kennels and sent a copy of my letter to the editor's page of the local newspaper. I didn't put my name to it as I'm afraid of reprisals.

I wonder if the young man still has a job? I dare say he has.

Sal

Subject: RE: BS: I'll tell you about life in the country
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Sep 02 - 11:45 AM

I have a wife with a lot of common sense, who ask's straight forward questions,if the Fox/Stag is not frightened ,why does it run ???. Do the hunt establishment believe in badger baiting,usually no ????? Where then is the difference in tearing a badger to bits or hounding a fox before likewise !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: I'll tell you about life in the country
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 29 Sep 02 - 01:52 PM

Badgers are more capable of killing the dogs than foxes are.

Subject: RE: BS: I'll tell you about life in the country
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Sep 02 - 02:03 PM

not in numbers many.

Subject: RE: BS: I'll tell you about life in the country
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 29 Sep 02 - 02:45 PM

If we lots of foxes which must die, why do we have an 'off' season to build up the stocks again?

Subject: Lyr Add: I'll tell you about life in the country
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 29 Sep 02 - 05:15 PM

That's a good first line...

I'll tell you 'bout life in the country
It's not what it once used to be
Now the gentry are leading the marches,
And they say that they care about me.

Well, I can't get a house, that's a pity,
And the reason is not hard to find,
They've been sold to rich folk from the city,
By the squire, who is ever so kind.

And the buses, it's just the same story,
They've been cut to the bone, what a shame,
But for everything cut by the Tories,
Seems it's Tony who we have to blame.

So the squire led a big march in London,
And we all had to go on the coach.
Well, if he wants the right to hunt foxes
, Then I want the freedom to poach.

Yes, I'll tell you 'bout life in the country
And you'll hear the truth, just for once.
If you gave me the right to go hunting
It wouldn't be foxes I'd hunt.

Subject: RE: BS: I'll tell you about life in the country
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 29 Sep 02 - 05:36 PM

And a tune that works OK with that is Dick Darby, more or less - mind, the tune in the DT for that isn't quite the same as the tune I'd expect to use for Dick Darby; still it's close enough.

Subject: RE: BS: I'll tell you about life in the country
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 30 Sep 02 - 11:57 AM

Did you write that song? I must find the tune and sing it if that's ok with you Sir.

Sal

Subject: RE: BS: I'll tell you about life in the country
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 30 Sep 02 - 12:52 PM

Yes, I wrote it and you're welcome to sing it. And if you put Dick Darby in the Digitrad Lyrics search, that'll come up, with a midi of the tune at the bottom. As said, it's not quite the tune I use, but close enough.

Botany Bay is another tune that would fit. Please yourself.

Subject: RE: BS: I'll tell you about life in the country
From: katlaughing
Date: 30 Sep 02 - 01:28 PM

Great song!

Subject: RE: BS: I'll tell you about life in the country
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Sep 02 - 03:54 PM

ONE FROM THE FURIES

Well a piper sat down to play,
His pipe he began to tune
A fox chase the hare someone say
And it echoed around the room.

Now a fox run far for a hu u untar
To make him stand and cheer
Or is it for that little red dog
That we all fill with fear

(Ah fox, fox you little red fox
Heart beating in your breast
The hounds they do all follow you
And still you cannot rest)

Well the horses they race after you
Their bodies all foamed with sweat
And their half crazed masters riding them
Their minds all filled with death

Now with their minds set forth on the hunt
For you to kill their set
And not fearing for their own sweet lives
The fox they have to get

(Ahh)
When the dogs they chase after you
Their tong's loll left and right
And they scent the kill ahead of them
But your ends not yet in sight

But as they pass the coal black corns
Their barks grow loud and clear
And its then this little red doggy knows
Its death is drawing near
(Ahh)
Now men and dogs they gather round
For his life he fights to win
But the hunter's horn it sounded then
And they tore him limb from limb

So piper, play your last lament
A sad sunset in your mind
For this little red dog that was torn to shreds
His life ended by mankind
(Ahh fox, fox you little red fox)

Subject: RE: BS: I'll tell you about life in the country
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 01 Oct 02 - 12:22 PM

Does anyone else feel the red mist rising?

Subject: RE: BS: I'll tell you about life in the country
From: Trevor
Date: 01 Oct 02 - 12:25 PM

Constantly.

Subject: RE: BS: I'll tell you about life in the country
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 01 Oct 02 - 12:52 PM

Oh Trev...not here!

Can't we keep that behind closed doors?

Subject: RE: BS: I'll tell you about life in the country
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 05 Oct 02 - 07:03 AM

Well I had a look in my local newspaper, on sale on Fridays, and guess what? My letter wasn't on the Editor's page. What does this mean?

Subject: RE: BS: I'll tell you about life in the country
From: Trevor
Date: 05 Oct 02 - 01:28 PM

It was on the front page, that's why, with a statement from the hunt saying they were investigating to see if it was anybody connected with them.

Subject: RE: BS: I'll tell you about life in the country
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 07 Oct 02 - 07:47 AM

I missed it 'cos I wasn't expecting to see it there.

The hunt want me to go to the kennels and have an identity parade!

Quote "The joint Masters of the United Hunt at Bishop's Castle have pledged to seek out a young man accused by a local woman of beating up a horse-if she is prepared to reveal her identity"

Oh yea, and they say I mustn't be afraid of reprisals.

" If she is prepared to come down here there would be no comeback-I would dearly love to sort this out" he said

So what happens if I'm not prepared to "come down here" he'll come to my house and boil my guinea pig?

The Master of hounds knows who the young man was in question. When I put the date at the top of my letter, I also put the time it was typed. He'll know who was excercising his horse at that time. Why should I go through the humiliation of turning up at the kennels? It won't change the riding habbits of that chap and what good is it going to do that poor young horse. Unfortunately the hunt have employed a young man who hasn't got the courage to own up to what he did. All I did was tell them what I saw and how I was treated.