Beyond Judgment (WAS: Help! Our school is planning pony rides!)

October 27, 2009

Hi Ajay,

I agree wholeheartedly with what you express in these two posts. It is SO easy to paste judgments and labels on the foreheads of others we've never met and with whom we've never spoken. We have another option, which is to talk with these people, just as you suggest, perhaps to visit them, to see for ourselves what they are doing, to find out where the animals came from, and so forth.

Ajay [ajayboots]

Tuesday, October 27, 2009 10:08 AM

Cc:

Re: Help! Our school is planning pony rides!

On the other hand: exposure to non-domestic pets, like ponies, cows, pigs, goats, etc. is a valuable learning lesson for young kids. Once you've petted a little billy goat, or a cute calf, it's harder to look at meat the same way.

If the ponies are treated humanely, how are they any different from cats and dogs? You should give the vendor a chance, but your mind is already made up ("I don't know this vendor, but have my doubts"). Enquire about his/her practices, observe how the ponies are treated, and then make up your mind.

Ajay

Ajay [ajayboots]

Tuesday, October 27, 2009 10:43 AM

Cc:

Re: Help! Our school is planning pony rides!

I understand where you're coming from.

But it is not cheap to care for animals.

Who will pay for the animals' upkeep?

Many times these animals are actually rescue animals, rescued from circuses, etc. So even though they have to work, at least they're being taken care of. The alternative? Put them down.

Ajay