I've heard some NASTY stuff about what people do to horses before shows. I'm curious if anyone here has ever shown a horse or seen what happens behind the scenes? I've heard for steppers they sore the hooves, and really that's just the beginning of it.

Naw, I was never into showing my Horse off much.

And after what you have said...all the more reason that I shouldn't!

As in many other contests, there's a lot of crooked stuff going on. Leave me out of it thanks, I would rather not see my Horse harmed or mistreated.

Yeah, I would totally never do this. Horse Shows just don't...set right with me.

Actually, it's not just Horse shows...animal shows in general. Not sure why, but they really bug me.

Now while a good bit of this site is dedicated to the showing of Equine, I want all to know those posts on here are all personal opinions. Not always is the animal treated badly, though many times it does and will continue to happen.

Personally, as I'm sure I can speak for many of us, we are against the cruelty of animals. If someone is interested in only showing the horse, that is fine by me. When they start to alter the horse to a point (like humans do to win beauty contests, etc.) then I have a big issue with it.

I think many are just taken in by the popularity and greed, sad though quite true.

I agree with Alexis. I have shown in the three "English" disciplines, but my horses were my partners and it would never have come to my mind to over-stretch this partnership by wrong handling, be it demanding more than the horse would be able to do or manipulating in any way.
I'm an ambitious person and I needed to show in order to gain customers to keep my business going. But even when I had paid all fees and I felt somehow partner horse couldn't manage the day or event I quitt.
I'm disgusted by "barring" in jumping or "rollkur training method (http://www.sustainabledressage.net/rollkur/index.php)" (explain. see link) in dressage.
Nowadays with my Oldenburger youngster I haven't attended a show. I might go one day when we are above 4th level dressage, if we get there ;). But just for the fun of it, no need to show off or hunt for clients, for the purpose to meet people with kindered spirits, to see the level of others and maybe something new.
In over 40 years I have seen terrible things done to partner horse but also lots of good handling, no matter which country and discipline. I have pulled people off their horses on the showgrounds, was banned aso.
It has not changed a bit in the big picture, I got to tolerate to some degree that lots of human are feeling superior in a wrong way. The only way I can change anything is in training my students to respect their partners.

(I still would pull someone off the horse, no matter if big named or not :cool:)

I've done some showing, mostly at barn hosted "schooling shows" where the idea was fun and getting to see other students and different levels ride the same horses. I've also done some fancy pants shows and would agree that everyone treats it differently. I was trained by a very traditional, old school gentleman who believed in taking everything slowly and thoroughly. Riding was done in a plain snaffle. Period. I don't care if it was a youngster, lesson horse, or his stallion we all competed and trained using a simple snaffle, eggbutt or d-ring or something similarly plain. Crops occasionally, but only to reinforce not to beat. No spurs unless required by the show (silly dressage people sometimes). I don't have the heart to compete at the top levels without getting myself into trouble for pulling people off horses either. I hate abuse and harsh training methods and I've been banned from a show for taking a horse away from its trainer who got thrown after spurring the horse till its sides bled. My idea of a show is one with an egg and spoon race or musical horses, not Level 1 dressage. Noone beats a horse for dropping an egg, lol.

Absolutely nervous Tunierrider hit her horses also properly with the switch or "hit" on the place with spores. This is absolutly cruel!

Sorry. My English is not so good. I come from Germany and I learn English at school. :o Love, Saskia.

I have never taken any of my horses to a show. I have enjoyed watching some shows but I didn't like some of the things I saw behind the scenes. Most of the people showing their horses are nice, kind and caring towards their horses but it saddens me to say that there were a few cruel owners.

I have never put my horse on show, gueess I never will either. I am not a competition person when it comes to my animals, not our horse, nor dogs, nor cats, nor birds, and not to forget I hver have taken our fishes to a competition either :)

I have experienced that competitions can bring the worst out in people and the loose sight of the more important things....