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Dutch Dressage News
Heavy Reactions to Rollkur Photos of Power
and Paint
October 2, 2007
 The publication of the rollkur photos of the Dutch
team pony Power and Paint being lunged at the 2007
European Pony Championships by trainer Coby van Baalen
and 15-year old rider Angela Krooswijk, has caused
heavy reactions from the Dutch Equestrian Federation
and Dutch Animal Welfare Society. The Swedish magazine
Tidningen Ridsport published a series of photos of
Power and Paint set in the rollkur position with draw
reins on the girth. Van Baalen released a statement
that it was a momentary situation quickly corrected,
but the French photographer of the photos, Gilles Levesque,
stated that the pony was in the rollkur position the
entire lunge session (approximately 15 minutes).
The Dutch Equestrian Federation (KNHS) has started
an investigation into this situation. KNHS prosecutor
Mr. Aukje Kroondijk
has been assigned to conduct an investigation. "To
the KNHS, animal welfare should the starting point
for every business in horse sport."
The Dutch Animal Welfare Society has also issued a
statement that they find these photos shocking an an
infringement on animal welfare. "Animal welfare is
very concerned about the way horses are being treated
in equestrianism. Last week, the horse world was shocked
by photos of a pony which seemed to be abused by bitting
him with the chin against the chest," Dutch Animal
Welfare released in a statement. "The deliberate training
of horses and ponies in this way happens regularly.
It's an extreme form which is called "Low, Deep and
Round" in the horse world, a practise which raises
major questions with us. Animal Welfare believes that
this abuse is only the tip of the iceberg as 400,000
horses are currently in the horse business in The Netherlands."
Dutch minister Verburg will be release a mission statement
on animal welfare in the Dutch government mid October.
Animal Welfare hopes that minister Verburg will pay
attention to these practises and decide for the welfare
of the animal.
Related Links
Statement Concerning Rollkur Photos of Power and Paint
Dutch Animal Welfare: Misstanden paardensport: slechts
topje van de ijsberg bekend
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