When you have a kid you cherish them, right? You would do anything in the world to make sure that they are safe. You brush their hair, wipe their face, protect them, feed them and make sure that they are nourished with whatever they may need. You spoil them and cuddle them when they are sad. That's because they're yours right? It's because they are your child. This goes on throughout their life. No matter how old they get they will always be yours. Well, this is how someone should cherish their child. Unfortunately, this is not the case for all children, but it is one of the ultimate goals of the parent.
Thinking about this I wonder: why aren't horses and pets treated this way? They trust you with their life and allow you to do things to them that they might not want to be done. They allow it because they love you. They allow it because you're their person. Their family, though not the same species, becomes you. You become their herd.
If this is the case, and they love you, why do you betray them? Why do you break their trust and make them fearful? How cold could your heart possibly be to allow them to waste away? You starve them, and let them become dehydrated, yet you still use them until they can no longer go. You beat them and batter them until they begin to feel the need to defend themselves. Their bones begin to protrude and stick out, the muscle that they once had is dissolving away like an ice cube in the sun. You leave them for dead. You leave them where they will most likely never trust people again. You leave them at the point where they have become so tired, that they can't fight you anymore.
Where do we draw the line? What is truly considered abuse? Many people believe it just has to be physical. Wrong, mental too. This isn't just for people. Animals are included in this too and, most of the time, ignored. The massive amounts of horses being sent to slaughter because someone can no longer afford them or they just don't want them anymore is astounding.
To be brutally honest, if you can't afford to keep them, then you shouldn't have one. Even though you love them, it could lead to abuse. The animals trust us with their whole heart, and many times we let them down. We all have let them down. At one point or another, we have let them down. How? We have let it happen.
Too many times people know that abuse is going on but do nothing about it. Is it the bystander effect? Or you just want to pretend that it isn't a problem. Is it ignorance? Maybe you just would rather not get involved. You don't want to make enemies right? Wrong, it is up to you to help animals in need. Help the horses in the dirt lot with no water or food. Help them, do not worry about what people will think. The well-being of the animal should always be the priority.
Treat your horse like you would a child of your own. Make sure they have what they need and if you can't provide it, please find someone who will. Make sure other horses are treated the same. It is your job as an equestrian to make sure that you take care of your best friend.
If you take care of them, they will take care of you.
