Horse Tripping – Really?
Friday, August 15th, 2008
I know we’ve (I’ve) been dealing a lot here lately with horse cruelty/welfare issues, and so I hope you don’t think I (citizen.K) is turning soft. PETA and I are not friends.
But, having just recently learned about a ridiculous “cultural” ritual called horse tripping I was astonished to see this practice isn’t just automatically outlawed under animal cruelty statutes.
Horse Tripping Is…
- The practice of Charros (or Mexican cowboy’s) by wherein they lasso the legs of a galloping horse so they trip, fall, and often times sustain a fatal injury.
Ummmm…again, why is horse tripping not automatically illegal due to laws already protecting animals from abuse and inhumane treatment?
Weak Answer
Apparently, the question with banning this practice, in some states, is that there are politics involved. Apparently most politicians in states where horse tripping is coomon are afraid of alienating ethnic VOTERS by passing a law they feel would signify a singling out a specific group.
Grrrrrr.
Supporters argue that horse-tripping events are an important part of Mexican history and culture.
I’m appalled the legalities of horse tripping is even a question. I am even more appalled that legislation banning horse tripping has died on Arizona’s Senate floor (shame on you, Arizona).
I, for one, cannot believe there is such a huge group of people trying to stop slaughter yet few people campaigning against horse tripping (torture). I personally would rather see a horse go to slaughter than end up at one of these rodeos. Sure, there are fewer horses involved in horse tripping, but abuse is still abuse.
There really needs to be an additional bill passed to make the incredibly sick practice of horse tripping illegal?
If citizen.K were so inclined to re-take up the law enforcement badge (with an eye for animal cruelty investigation), banning horse tripping would be the first stop on my docket.
Tags: horse tripping
