Prince Fluffy Kareem (PFK) has shared horrifying photographs of a horse with a half-severed tongue to highlight the damage a “dancing bit” can cause.
The 10-year-old stallion was taken to the Cairo-based animal rescue, which has recently come under new management, for treatment after an inexperienced rider had ridden him in the bit. He was treated and went home, to return for daily checks.
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Emma Thompson, president of the UK-registered charity, told H&H the world of “dancing horses” is for entertainment; they will appear at weddings, for example, as a sign of wealth.
“This bit is the way they’re trained,” she said. “From the outside, all you can see is the ring, which goes under the jaw, with the flat bit sitting on the tongue.
“This beautiful stallion’s tongue had almost been severed off completely. These bits are horrendous and despite some believing they are ok in the right hands, it’s our belief that they are never ok.”
“If a horse comes in who needs our help, we’ll deal with it. We’re getting a reputation now that we can be trusted, so we’ve dealt with this one, and this horse won’t be able to be ridden in this bit again, but how can we change this?
“We’ll use these pictures to show anyone else who does come in with a dancing bit, it’ll be our way of educating them. The owner of this horse is devastated; I understand he lent him to someone and he came back like this. The fact he brought the horse to us instead of leaving it or trying to do something himself is what we’re focusing on.”
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Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.
