> The results from the "Welfare Cafe" at the last FEIF conference.
Thanks for this, Mic. Very interesting! This is basically a synopsis of comments from a roundtable? and not an official standing of FEIF at this point? In any case, it's good to see the thoughts and comments aligning with our work for the past almost dozen years. At first we were laughed at, but now it seems that the light is on, and that's a good thing! Congratulations to everyone who has played a part in getting us to this point! Judy http://iceryder.net http://clickryder.com Page 1 The Welfare Cafe Page 2 World Cafe People engage deeply when they feel they are contributing their thinking to questions that are important to them. Each participant in the Cafe represents an aspect of the whole system's diversity and as each person has the chance to connect in conversation more of the intelligence inherent in the group becomes accessible. Page 3 World Cafe At the FEIF Conference 2008, all participants were invited to participate in the World Café under the motto "Welfare of the Horse" The results are presented on the following pages. Page 4 Support requested from FEIF Educate: judges trainers, leisure riders, new owners Education materials on FEIF website Develop a competence certificate or drivers'license for new owners Revisit FIPO: look at overall impression of horse, less emphasis on lift Look at the bio-mechanisms of the horse with the guidelines Streamline FIPO&FIZO to be more consistent in horse we aim for FEIF need to support judges to give yellow/red cards Provide articles for country magazines on welfare Link to each country website to say when something new is happening Page 5 Support requested from FEIF FWVC to do a study on correct position of saddle Produce booklet on general horse welfare issues Produce a PowerPoint presentation on CD to be translated into all FEIF languages Publication of bad behaviour Better warning system for sport and breeding Inform people about horse welfare Create certificate for good horsemanship Judges need to be more strict at big events in accordance to welfare Pay more attention to the role modelling of elite riders Look at harsh riding at all levels. Not more rules, but control of rules Ask for EU money to finance projects on welfare Page 6 Your Commitments I will stay curious in my search for improved and new communication methods, so that my teaching and instructing will be more and more positive and effective I want to improve and develop my knowledge and competences around welfare of the horse I will incorporate more informative and educational articles into our magazine. I will also endeavour to improve my own education regarding all aspects of horse ownership and riding I will loose weight and improve my fitness for the benefit of my horse Page 7 Your Commitments I will see our horses like a friend I want to listen more to what my horses tell me I will initiate a group responsible to the board to form an educational programme to be used to further knowledge to our members on the subject of horse welfare I will more carefully observe and discipline bad treatment of the horse during a breeding evaluation I will focus more on whether the horse is stressed or overworked during a test Page 8 Your Commitments I will be even more aware of the horses welfare in training of both horses and the riders I will help others in taking better care of the horse I will be open minded and always try to improve knowledge I will write articles about basic items having to do with good horse keeping I will continue with integrating welfare with our associations action plan when possible Page 9 Your Commitments I will educate and inform people I will take lessons to improve my own riding skills I will continue to ride my horse with an awareness of his needs and bring out the best in him. I will through my teaching bring a better understanding of the right way to ride the horse I will be more understanding of people who don't know better in their relationship with the horse Page 10 Your Commitments I will work towards a better understanding of the horse and a better training I will look that the horses have correct stables I will continue to love my horses and treat them with deep respect. I want to further train them while developing their personality I will listen to my horse and not break his spirit and heart I will continue educating myself further I will listen to the horse before using it Page 11 Your Commitments I will understand my horses needs better and try to fulfil them I will stand up for horse welfare in my country I will raise the horse in its natural environment and train them according to good horsemanship I will be a good example to others I will repair damaged fences, check horses mouths for injuries and ride with increased sensitivity Page 12 Your Commitments I will sell many of the horses to the right persons so I can have more time with the horses left I will go at 7 am to the stables and give them food I will not take the nature from the horse, but learn to be natural with the horse I would like to give more information on the welfare of the horse to the members I will continue to draw attention to horse welfare at all levels and will continue to push judges forward and improve procedures and forms Page 13 Your Commitments I will continue to spread knowledge about the horse and improve my own knowledge as much as possible I will motivate others to get knowledge I will for the good of the horse support the welfare of the horse in the magazine and on the web I will continue to take riding lessons for the welfare of my horse I will think of new education in particular for newcomers about treatment, feeding etc. Page 14 Your Commitments I will turn out my horse more often with others I will spend one hour a week reading a book on training or watching a DVD on training I will keep a listening heart I will not be afraid to speak our for horse welfare I will do all things in the best way I can, I will always be open to learning more to help all the horses I come into contact with I will stay open minded to the subject and always try to improve I will produce more articles about the subject Page 15 Your Commitments I will stop riding! I will develop a training system for children I will try to help people more who are new to the breed (education and mentoring) I will improve education to understand the behaviour of the horse focus on good horsemanship I will put even more emphasis in my teaching on the issues of horse welfare. I will feed the riding horses forage several times a day Page 16 Your Commitments I will look for help to understand my horses better and give this knowledge to all my students without arrogance I will be an example for my riding students I will teach my students good horsemanship I will more often give 0.5 extra for good horsemanship I will improve the breed I will publish about good and bad examples of horsemanship in our national magazine
