Activists lock down Chuckwagon track

[AcGold]

Originally Posted by Read Only

Instead of this stunt they could have put effort into actual things that may get the change they want. Approach people in a manner that adults do and people in the "real" world handle things.

Wasn't completely a waste of time, got people on here talking and they didn't really hurt anyone so you're not completely correct. Not supporting what they did but if their goal was to bring attention to the issue they sure did a better job than trying to cold approach people on the street.

[Read Only]

Originally Posted by AcGold

Wasn't completely a waste of time, got people on here talking and they didn't really hurt anyone so you're not completely correct. Not supporting what they did but if their goal was to bring attention to the issue they sure did a better job than trying to cold approach people on the street.

I guess talking can be looked at a good thing but has a single person in this thread indicated that they have changed their mind?

There is also a lot of people mocking them that now have a negative view on their group based on this.

I am not sure the 'any publicity is good publicity' mantra is neccesarily true in this case.

[Zarley]

Hearing about these idiots and their illogical criticisms every year is getting tiresome.

[Ne7en]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

They wouldn't be running in a field though, they'd be dead.
So a serious question, and not trolling anything, is it better they be dead than running with the wagons. Those are the alternatives. There is no option c.

Which do you choose?

Unfortunate, but you don't dictate the options.
They certainly can live on a farm. And yes there are people that can afford them. If you cannot then you should not own one. Suggesting the only place for these animals is running wagons is foolish.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Ne7en

A horse running out in a field is allot different than being tied to 3 other horses and being forced to run. Sure bad things do happen (naturally or at a rodeo), but do we really need to encourage it simply for our entertainment?

This is where the disconnect comes for so many.

These are thoroghbred horses...they are born to run...bred to run...they WANT to run. They are athletes like any other athlete in the sense of the wod. Its what they are on this planet to do. No different than dog species born to hunt or to herd or to point. Its just their instinct.

If you want to argue that its unnatural for them to run "tied together", thats fine and all, but the truth is even out in the pastures they will often gallop together or as a pack.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Ne7en

Unfortunate, but you don't dictate the options.
They certainly can live on a farm. And yes there are people that can afford them. If you cannot then you should not own one. Suggesting the only place for these animals is running wagons is foolish.

Of course I don't make the terms, that is simply the reality. Those are the only options.
This is the issue - and why I don't care for those who talk the talk, but don't back it up. If it is preferable that they are put down, so be it. If that is your stance, it is acceptable. I understand that might be preferable.
But you don't get to sit on the fence, as it were.

[Read Only]

Originally Posted by Ne7en

Unfortunate, but you don't dictate the options.
They certainly can live on a farm. And yes there are people that can afford them. If you cannot then you should not own one. Suggesting the only place for these animals is running wagons is foolish.

Where are all these farms that will take all of the chuckwagon horses?

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Ne7en

Unfortunate, but you don't dictate the options.
They certainly can live on a farm. And yes there are people that can afford them. If you cannot then you should not own one. Suggesting the only place for these animals is running wagons is foolish.

Yes there are...they are called chuckwagon racers/ranchers.

Indeed at some point those horses all have a career come to an end at which point those that can are put out to breed more of thei kind...so they too can race. As mentioned, there really is no other option for them.

You really do seem to have a basic misunderstanding as to what these creatures do.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by Ne7en

Unfortunate, but you don't dictate the options.
They certainly can live on a farm. And yes there are people that can afford them. If you cannot then you should not own one. Suggesting the only place for these animals is running wagons is foolish.

Not really. The horses being bought for farms and the chuckwagon horses wont be the same. The simple fact is ~100,000 horses will be slaughtered in Canada this year. Some will be old, most wont. The chuckwagons give one other opportunity to reach that old age that would not be available if you got rid of it. Simple fact is the chuckwagons save horses, not kills them.

And it's not the chuckwagon owners who can't afford the horses, it's the people they are buying from for the most part. Until you get rid of the horse-racing where the vast majority horses are finished after a couple years of age, the chuckwagons will continue to be a good thing for horse lovers.

[Burke Salad]

Couldn't they just have standard horse races with cowboys riding them rather than Brazillian midgets?

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by Burke Salad

Couldn't they just have standard horse races with cowboys riding them rather than Brazillian midgets?

So just normal races with far slower horses and worse jockeys? Where's the appeal?

[EldrickOnIce]

I'm not suggesting anyone should change their position, or that they are wrong, or any such thing. If one feels the sport is cruel I have no issue with that - as long as they accept the reality that goes with that. When (probably not if) wagon racing is banned, there is only one thing happening to those horses. There is no magical farm where these horses run free and live out their lives. They are slaughtered. If that is better, so be it.

[2ArmBands]

I love how ill informed people are that take the animal rights stance regarding the Stampede. Even more so I love how they make that stance and have their voice heard only 2 weeks of the year.

As a native Calgarian I actually find it offensive when people say we need to render the Stampede and find a new identity. Please.... This is a tradition that has been long deep rooted in our city. Don't like it ... Don't go. It's an event that defines this city like it or not. I certainly hope it doesn't become a "Country concert" like some have suggested.

[AcGold]

Originally Posted by Read Only

I guess talking can be looked at a good thing but has a single person in this thread indicated that they have changed their mind?

There is also a lot of people mocking them that now have a negative view on their group based on this.

I am not sure the 'any publicity is good publicity' mantra is neccesarily true in this case.

People are discussing it though, your dismissive attitude is not representative of reality no matter how bad you want it to be. I find it hard to mock people that non-violently protest against animal abuse even if their methods are ridiculous.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Muta

We'll have to disagree. I don't like their tactics, but now I know who VADL is and the issue they're drawing attention to. Furthermore, I don't believe for a second these protesters are just trying to 'get ther own name in the headlines'. That's not the point at all.

Ding, ding, ding!

You obviously already knew about the animal welfare arguments. So the only thing these attention whores taught you is who they are. That was their goal, and now you've fallen victim to it. This is all about making themselves famous.

[Read Only]

Originally Posted by AcGold

People are discussing it though, your dismissive attitude is not representative of reality no matter how bad you want it to be. I find it hard to mock people that non-violently protest against animal abuse even if their methods are ridiculous.

I do want it to be any way or not and I already agreed with you that people are talking about it so not sure what your argument is there.

People are not changing their minds on the issue so far in this discussion, and it is hard to believe that others out there are any different than here, so if their goal was to stop the chuckwagons as they claim then their stunt did nothing at all to do that.

First it isn't animal abuse so them 'protesting against animal abuse" is a joke and second great that it'snon-violent not sure why the fact it is illegal is ignored or why these two morons should be able to just ignore the law because of something they don't like.

[V]

Originally Posted by Read Only

I guess talking can be looked at a good thing but has a single person in this thread indicated that they have changed their mind?

This thread has changed my mind. I was fairly uncomfortable with the chucks before this thread and now Oling has turned me around. Never really thought about it that way.

So I guess these protesters lost one sympathizer today because of their actions.

How are you still not banned?

[AcGold]

Originally Posted by Read Only

First it isn't animal abuse so them 'protesting against animal abuse" is a joke

disagree, the whole premise is around using animals for sport and they often get injured.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by AcGold

disagree, the whole premise is around using animals for sport and they often get injured.

Just because animals get injured does in no way, shape or form constitute "abuse" though....that is just ridiculous.

Trail horses get hurt while out being ridden at times....is that too considered "abuse" now?

[GGG]

I dont get how chucks are what is protested. They extend the lives of already existing horses.

The bull and bronc riding is much more cruel in the way they get the animals to buck.

If you used the standard of you can only do the activity if humans would do it than chucks would be okay. Humans participate willingly in all kinds of racing sports in which people are injured and die. Now some might argue that horses dont have a choice but they also dont have the ability to choose. And from all apearances these horses enjoy running.

So I fully support the chucks, the bulls and broncs I think is cruel.