Ive created a power point presentation to put all my information together: (see notes underneath) I'm also presenting some of my primary research (photographs) into a book for presentation.
PRESENTATION.
1. I chose to focus upon the overall
theme of Equines because of my passion for animals from a young age.
2. I first began learning to ride in Primary
school when I was around 12 years old, this initial introduction to a wonderful
sport led to me continuing learning such a wonderful skill.
3. I recently had to stop this hobby as I
moved to Leeds and this is why I wanted to revisit it for the summer as it is
something I thoroughly enjoy. I learnt quite a lot about the actual skill as a
child but there are many aspects to equines that I still want to learn.
4. I recently rewatched a documentary on
equines and the relationship we have gained with them. This documentary was
with Martin Clunes and at the beginning he states:
Is there any animal as graceful or beautiful... or more powerful as
a horse? More than any other creature they've helped us shape our
world. For generations they've carried us on their backs across continents
and into battle. What's the secret of our bond with these gentle giants? How
did we get so close to such a nervous shy animal?
5. Jean Francois Pignon is a French Horse
trainer who appeared on the documentary. He’s done many shows, which include
events such as Olympia. Within the documentary Martin Clunes asks him if the
horses see him as simply the one who asks them to do things.
He replied: when you are a
human, naturally you are the leader, you are dominant. But if you have no love
in your heart you abuse them. The horse is very sensitive. The whole time he scans
you and if you are not stable inside he will think "you are not comfortable
for me". When the horse doesn't know a human they think- he wants to
eat me- but if you are not aggressive you can take the place of protector
instead of predator.
6. The relationship between humans and horses is incredibly strong
and they’ve been one of the animals, which have helped us throughout the years-
they’ve been engrained into our world for example terms such as “horsepower” in
relation to cars.
Horses allow us to ride on
their backs because they trust us and there is a mutual respect on both parts,
however what happens when this trust is broken? What drove my passion for this
research project is my love for horses but also my passion to ensure animals
are cared for correctly. There are so many charities, which do fantastic work
for these beautiful animals, but I chose to focus on a local charity.
7. The
local charity I chose is HAPPA: Horses And Ponies Protection Association.
HAPPA was founded in 1937 by Miss Mona
Huskie. It is one of the oldest and most respected charities for equine welfare
and was founded to help fight against the transportation of large horses to the
continent for slaughter.
"Minimum Values" legislation
effectively prevents low value horses, ponies and donkeys from suffering the
pain and distress of a long journey to slaughterhouses in mainland Europe. The
minimum value is set just above the meat value of equines of various heights.
If their value is below that figure it is presumed that the equines are going
for slaughter and will not be granted an export licence.
8. The
centre can cares for around 60 equines at any one time and can spend around
19,000 to run the centre per week. They treat each equine as an individual
based on their needs. The centre doesn’t sell the equines, instead they place
them into suitable loan permanent homes.
9. I
spoke to quite a few of the staff at the centre which included the manager:
“Some people tend to think that as an organisation we operate as a sanctuary
but our main aim really is to rescue and rehabilitate horses to their full
potential to be able to rehome them. We have started to back and break in more
horses so that more can be rehomed as rideable equines however we do also
rehome some animals as companions. Horses like to live in a herd and love
company so we often find that owners of retired racehorses rehome some of our
equines too.”
We have also just launched a new second
chance sponsorship scheme where people can given one pound a week to sponsor an
animal with the opportunity being that horses will be able to find there
forever home as the majority of them do.
10. HAPPA are continuously pushing their goals in
rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming equines into forever homes. The grooms are
incredibly dedicated and after speaking to them most of them also have horses
themselves.
11. Rehabilitation can take a few months or a long
time, it depends on the state of the equines when they come into HAPPA’s care.
It can also consist of physical rehabilitation of wounds, illness and perhaps
gaining weight. However the rehabilitation is also mental too, equines are
sensitive and for some horses it can take a long time to trust humans again.
12. The second hand sponsorship allows for all
equines at the centre a second chance at finding a caring forever home. The
money collected goes towards their rehabilitation and care. I sponsored one of
the younger horses Joey who had been brought to the centre with another horse
who was left to fly graze in a dangerous area. Fly grazing is illegal and in
short is when horses are left to graze on private land without permission.
13. The patron for HAPPA is Sir Paul McCartney and
was the first to sponsor one of the horses. The sponsorship lasts for one year
and costs less than one pound a week. You also receive a pack with all sorts of
written material and general goodies. Ive brought the pack if anyone wants to
have a look through afterwards.
14. Ive
included one case study into this, which one of the grooms spoke to me about at
length. Autumn, 13hh dark bay Dartmoor mare, was brought into the Centre in
September 2011.
Autumn had been abandoned and left to
roam for approximately 9 months in the Shafton area of Barnsley, South
Yorkshire. She had been terrorised by hooligans who found their entertainment
by chasing her on quad bikes. Other unruly children subjected her to further
trauma by throwing bricks at her.
This little pony had to be darted in order
to take her safety to our Rescue Centre and was a quivering wreck on arrival.
She had completely lost all trust in humans and her rehabilitation has taken
quite a while.
15. However her recovery has been incredibly
successful as now she is fully rideable and recently was awarded 60% at a
Dressage competition. It was unbelievable to hear about how long it has taken
to work with her into what she is now. Both mentally and physically she has blossomed
and it’s unbelievable to think how she was treated in 2011.
16. In terms of target audience, HAPPA appeals to
all horse lovers, which is generally all genders and age groups. But they do
hold specific events for children such as “own a pony day” which is an
educational insight into horse care. They also have craft days for children in
their centre and recently had a visit from CBEEBIES. HAPPA also appeals to
elderly people as they hold luncheons with different themes on weekdays- one
including a celebration of the 100 year Anniversary of World War 1.
17. As a form of research I took lots of my own
photographs at the centre and have displayed them into a printed book, which
can be viewed after the presentation if anyone is interested.
18. When
talking to the staff at the centre they gave me a whole range of different
leaflets on aspects to horse care and this made me realise that equines are
complex animals to look after. Education of children and adults/communities
could really improve the welfare of horses and therefore lower the numbers of
equines taken into care.
HAPPA & RSPCA agree that currently
England (UK) is in an Equine crisis.
Horses recently have been rehomed for free or for as little as £5 because
people can't cope with the responsibility. There have been more cases of equine
cruelty and neglect over the past year and HAPPA alone answered 3000 calls to
their Shore Hey Centre.
19. I think it is important that people should
understand the costs involved with caring for a horse but also the time that
you must put into caring for them. An equine can cost its owner from anywhere
between £3,000 and £10,000 a year for just general care and maintenance.
20. As stated at the beginning of this
presentation Horses and other equines have helped humans throughout the years
and it’s important that we continue to be the protectors as we promised. I’ve
really enjoyed pursuing and researching into a topic I’m really passionate
about and I hope you’ll come and have a little look at the material ive brought
in.
