Horses have been a part of this life for as long as time can remember. Riding and showing have been my passion since I was a little girl, and will forever be present in my life. My showing levels have changed throughout time, and today I am at a top level where professionals can make millions by doing well in the show pen. This research has drawn my interest not only because it is a topic that happens daily, but because it is a topic close to my heart when it comes to dealing with the animals I love. My horses are put at the top of my priority list when it comes to responsibility and care. I am their owner, and caretaker, and it is my job to follow those roles, and succeed in doing so. When I am not there, the trainer and assistants come into play, but this is also where the situation can get messy. I do not mean to pin the blame on the trainers, but most of the time, in my experience, it is when the doors are shut and the caretakers are not watching that the abuse occurs. I have seen pulls, rips, and tears to the mouth with a single swift movement of the hand. Rakes, jabs, and kicks to the sides with a quick movement of the leg. Sometimes the worst is when the rider is off of the horse and then comes the "self inflicted" pain. They'll tie a horse's rein around to its saddle as to almost put the horse in an "O" look, just to "prove a point", or "make his neck tired". While I am not an expert in this regard, my extensive experience in the field allows me to see that something is wrong with the current way horses are being treated.

Horse & Rider ran an informational piece about horse abuse in their article, "Horse Training or Abuse?" The article points out the abuse at the shows and is appalled at the extent the trainers are willing to go to just to win the big bucks. Ms. Jennifer Forsberg Meyer extends her thoughts from the origin of abuse to ways we can prevent it. This article values the showing of horses, and understands that good trainers and caretakers are out there. The unfortunate fact is, if this continues, showing horses may be suspended or no longer allowed. Meyer is reliable due to her publication appearing in the reputable magazine Horse & Rider, which is known for it's informative articles on horse's health, training, and tips. 

Kjirsten Sneed keeps the topic broad as she covers many aspects of horse abuse. She discusses different breeds, events, and types of abuse. Covering these different topics make us realize how this topic covers not just the "big shows," but many shows and breeds of horses. Sneed's journal is edited to underline the facts. There is no bias, and the facts are simply laid out for the reader to consider. This piece is a large informational text that provides outsiders with the knowledge of horse abuse from different aspects of the industry, therefore hitting all major key points.

My last source used was pure evidence. An RMPH Staff member published the case of Shirley Roth in the quarter horse world. A well known trainer is arrested for horse abuse after causing visible marks on a two-year-old that she was trying to prepare for a show. This article shows that even the "big dogs" in the industry are not being let go. Trainers are being watched everywhere they go, and for Shirley, bystanders were not going to let this one go away without a fight. The evidence of pictures and statements in this source, harden the credibility. Absolutely no bias or opinions presented in the case increases the seriousness and understanding that the issue is real, not make believe.

People all around the industry will argue what they believe is best for the horses. Some believe whatever gets the blue ribbon is what needs to be done, while others let horses get away with so much that they become too dangerous to be around humans. There is a fine line in horse training and what becomes too much, and that is where this research needs to define that line. All my sources agree that horse abuse is not permitted, in any way, shape, or form, but that if done correctly and with the right person, horse training can continue. The disagreements come, again, when talking about how the training operation will be done. All trainers have their own tips and tricks; however, when the tricks become something that needs to be hidden because in some eyes it can be "mistaken" for abuse, that is where us bystanders need to take action. This research and the sources have opened my eyes to many different aspects of the horse industry, and throughout my years as a showman, and having seen them first hand, I will not think twice when I see a swift hand movement or quick movement of the leg.
