By BAYLEE MURRAY
Sheridan High School Student
Editor’s Note: The Sheridan Student Column is brought to readers by Sheridan High School’s 10th grade English class, taught by Abigayle Williams.
A question that pops up constantly in today’s society: Are animals being treated humanely? Humane is a very vague term. I see humane as the animal has a shelter or clean living space, food, and water. Other people may see humane as the animal has a clean living space, warmth, food, water, and a bed. People will see the term differently, regardless of their experience with certain animals. However, according to dictionary.com, the definition of humane is showing compassion or benevolence. PETA, People for Ethical Treatment of Animals, is referenced very often when discussing the humane treatment of animals. PETA this, PETA that: I think the reason is that people have become too compassionate and personify things that are not a person.
A big issue with “inhumane treatment” is the circus. Are circuses inhumane or do the animals enjoy what they do? I say it is a little bit of both. If you watch the animals and have basic knowledge of common animal behavior, it is easy to see that they, generally, greatly enjoy what they are doing. I’m not saying the training is humane because I have watched several training sessions with horses, and many trainers become frustrated and can, in some cases, lash out at the animal. However, I have worked with a few horses and watched other trainers work with horses and they are typically very patient and refrain from becoming aggressive with the animal(s) they are working with. From experience, training any animal can be frustrating and is often time-consuming, but if you take your time and communicate effectively with the animal, then the animal will learn what you are striving to teach it. Similar to relationships with other people, if you treat an animal with respect, it will respect you. Nevertheless, I understand why many people think it is inhumane: the animals are kept in cages. I see the cage as a barrier between me and the lion or tiger because the animal may become angry and lash out at me.
Animals are unpredictable; they have minds of their own. They will act out. If you haven’t seen the news recently, PETA asked that the cages on the Nabisco animal cracker boxes be removed. I don’t know if you remember seeing any of those animals coexisting in peace but I don’t. I don’t remember ever seeing a gorilla live with a giraffe in the wild. Also, I’m pretty sure the lion would’ve eaten the zebra by now. Yes, I do understand what the statement is, but if you are going to make a statement it is imperative that the statement is accurate, especially one made on such a large scale. Some circuses may have inhumane practices, but that does not mean every circus is inhumane. Every sport or event that involves animals will have one event ruin the sport for everyone because they treat potentially animals in an inhumane way.
Rodeos are another big topic of inhumane treatment toward animals. I read the ASPCA’s (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) position and policies on different topics. I was most interested in their position toward the rodeo. Their webpage says they are opposed to anything that can potentially cause harm or stress to the animal. If you know anything about horses or bulls in the rodeo, you would know that these animals are bred to buck and run. The bloodlines are what makes the animals amazing for the practices in rodeo. The majority of the broncs are bred into the bloodlines or they are horses that someone could not train, so instead of sending them to the kill pens, they send them to the rodeo. The bulls genuinely enjoy what they are doing. The ASPCA also says the organization is opposed to children’s rodeos. At children’s rodeos, the children are mutton busting, goat tying, riding calves and doing some barrel racing. The children in the rodeo have no intent of harming these animals. If anything the rodeo events teach the children responsibility.
When the ASPCA is challenged on its stances, it next turns to the causes of stress. Animals are going to feel stressed in new and unfamiliar environments. Just like if you go to a party at a friend’s house, that is a familiar environment but there are more people than you are used to. Since rodeos are still popular events there are going to be plenty of people there. The new people are what usually cause stress to the animal. Whether it is showing, rodeoing, or just performing for people in general, the animal is going to be stressed because there will always be new people around.
As an experienced horse shower, I have very strong opinions about the ASPCA’s position on the topic. Horse shows were my “life” when I was younger. I have shown horses for five years. In my experience, the animals I saw and showed were never mistreated or harmed. I stand with ASPCA on one topic: I do not agree with the mistreatment of any living creature. Some of the horses’ actions may require a disciplinary response. Horses try to get away with anything they can, and most don’t know their size. Since they are massive, in size and weight, you have to correct the behavior quickly as to not let them harm you. Yes, I have come out of many shows with bruises from bites and kicks; however, there is nothing you can do about that. The “stress” that people assume they are seeing is usually on contesting night. On contesting night, the horses get riled up because there is intense music playing with the combination of crowds, and this induces excitement within the horse.
Additionally, when you see experienced barrel racing horses go into the pen, they are side-stepping. The side-stepping allows the rider to maintain control until she is ready to enter the pattern and start the clock. Most people do this as a way to stay on an overly excited horse. I say they are excited because if we took off the horse’s tack and put them in an arena with barrels, they will run the pattern as if they had a rider on their back. This proves that these animals enjoy what they are doing.
At most shows, you see a horse is partnered with a young girl or boy; this gives them responsibility for the animal and the companionship of a lifelong friend. The one thing that causes stress to animals is not having their partner near them. I have seen many horses depressed because they cannot smell or see their human friend. Most won’t eat or drink until they have something near them that smells like the child. I have had many animal friends throughout my time showing: My favorites were my once in a lifetime horse, Thunder, and the mare that instantly connected with me, Missy.
This year death weighs heavy on my heart, as I have lost a few of my animal friends. My personal horse, Thunder, was euthanized on July 20, 2018. I firmly stand with the ASPCA on its position with euthanasia. The ASPCA believes euthanasia is perfectly okay as a last resort, end-of-the-road option. In my case, Thunder would not stand up for long periods of time. If you know the basics of horses, you know that horses don’t lay down often. I made the decision, as I am the rightful owner, to euthanize him. I believe if the animal is in pain, we should try our best to diminish the pain. If we cannot do that with surgery or pain relievers, the animal should be euthanized. Unnecessary pain should never happen to an animal.
In conclusion, I am not against the ASPCA or PETA in any way. I believe people have a right to their opinion, even though I may think they are wrong. I am open-minded to new views on these topics. Unnecessary pain or stress is never acceptable. However, keep the animal’s behavior in mind when watching the next rodeo, circus or horse show you go to and don’t be too quick to judge.