Equinerescuefrance.org - Full ArticlePosted by Jenny on May 26, 2014
There’s yet more disturbing news coming out of the world of International Endurance.
On May 23, an emaciated horse was passed fit to compete at the initial vet check.
SHAKLA’S SUDDEN IMPACT, ridden by RAED MAHMOOD, was competing from the stables of the
ROYAL ENDURANCE TEAM of BAHRAIN.
This photo understandably began to go viral across the internet, including into the inbox of the President of Compiegne endurance, Christian Depuille.
The Courrier Picard wrote an article, I’ve put the translation of his response here;
“This is the first time we’ve had to address this type of criticism ,” he says. « The photo is taken in backlight. The light brings out the hips and the withers. But if you look at an Ethiopian marathon runner, you will find them equally thin! The horse in question is certainly not fat, but perhaps is naturally like that, and it has been prepared for the competition. In any case, I was at the veterinary control and did not noticed it.”
And Depuille insisted:
“All the horses are inspected before, during and after endurance races. If a veterinarian determines that an animal can no longer continue, he stops it...”
Read more here:
http://www.equinerescuefrance.org/2014/05/enduring-abuse-2/
