I have worked in the Arabian industry and have first hand experiance with the gingering. I refused to put ginger in the anus of the horses in my care (hmm no wonder I left that industry) I would put a little on the underside of the dock but still cringed at that. I have seen other “trainers” that use tooth brushes to apply the ginger, not only in the anus but in the vaganil opening of mares when the anus no longer did the trick.

Nicking of tails in some show pony registries has been outlawed, but the use of bustles to “train” the tail to be permenently raised is still used. (I don’t like that either)

I prefer my stock to be natural. I see some changes in the mini (AMHR) registry that is opening the door to the naturally gaited horses to have their head set in a more natural manner. We added a western pleasure driving class for those minis, so they no longer have to be checked extremely high and tight. I am pushing for that division to be carried into the Shetlands, so those that have a more natural low headset can compete without the extreme checking in harness.

Cruelity is an individual opinion and as a breeder and owner and showman, I have chosen not to support the breeds and divisions in which I find instances of cruelity (in my opinion) I quit the AQHA years ago when although low head carriage was in the rule book to be a disqualifying event (poll lower then the withers) and judges were still placing the peanut rollers. I left the Arabian industry when I saw the abuse to halter horses in show preperation and schooling. (not many champion halter Arabs go on to be great undersaddle)

I am quite happy in my little world of the smaller equine, and besides I can feed 2-3 minis and shetlands for what it costs to feed 1 big horse. Now that is a way to get around the hay shortage and feed prices.