[Gestalt]

What kind of horse flies are some of you talking about? Don't most riders, especially top riders during a show, use some form of pest control? I seriously think this is bizarre. I can't imagine spurring my horse so much I scarred his sides. That is brutal. And if the spurs you are using cause such damage when a horse unseats you, maybe you should get ones with blunt, round ends.

[Eclectic Horseman]

What kind of horse flies are some of you talking about? Don't most riders, especially top riders during a show, use some form of pest control?

I'm talking about biting horse flies. They are not mosquitos and insect repellent is not effective on them. They actually bite out a small piece of flesh, and, yes, they are brutal.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse_Flies

[Kachina]

This call was not made casually or carelessly. We have all seen abuse at home barns, in warm up and in the ring. It takes a lot of integrity and courage to step up and call it as you see it. I for one am hoping that this is the beginning of a trend that finally shuts down this blatant crap.

[Gestalt]

This call was not made casually or carelessly. We have all seen abuse at home barns, in warm up and in the ring. It takes a lot of integrity and courage to step up and call it as you see it. I for one am hoping that this is the beginning of a trend that finally shuts down this blatant crap.

Bazinga!!! And I would have to see the evidence of a fly biting a horse in the spur area and drawing blood to believe that one. Not saying it can't happen, just that I'd have to see to believe.

[Equibrit]

This thread would be a lot different if the rider involved represented another country. IT IS WHAT IT IS.

It would be a lot better if the FEI did not require riders to wear spurs. Then, those riders not able to control their spurs would be able to avoid injuring their horses.

[Isabeau Z Solace]

This thread would be a lot different if the rider involved represented another country. IT IS WHAT IT IS.

It would be a lot better if the FEI did not require riders to wear spurs.

That would be a nice change. They may be all poo-poo about snaffles, but if they are going to come down on people for spur issues, then I imagine at some point someone is going to make a fuss that spurs be optional.

[SaddleFitterVA]

I think that spurs being mandatory at the FEI level is not the problem. There is not a lack of leg control causing these scars and drawing blood.

I have four pairs of spurs that I use in different situations. The only ones that can cause a mark are the smooth rowel spurs, I have done it once, it was a huge buck, did not draw blood, but I went back to the smoother, fatter spurs for a few months because the we were schooling changes and those huge bucks were not uncommon.

Well, I suppose the others could leave some hair breakage if dirty, but it has not been my experience.

[scotchie]

This is a tough one. Bug? Spur? I am glad to see efforts are being made to protect against cruelness and unfortunately some will get penalized for an innocent situation. I am not sure what the answer is.

[poltroon]

If there is blood on the horse, the rules call for elimination, and that's fine with me. I think we can even agree that there are ways that blood can occur in ways that aren't a result of abuse.

What does concern me here is that no one seems all that sure about where the blood was or whether there was a wound. In an era of smartphones, there is no need for uncertainty. The steward or judge can easily take a closeup of the affected area and then a larger shot for context to show where the blood was found, if necessary. Simple and to the point.