Inquiring Minds Want To Know......

 I get a large number of these types of emails from folks, who sadly wish to remain anonymous, given the unfriendly atmosphere of the family friendly circus, should you disagree with them.   These folks are truly interested in facts, and respect that I am not going to tell them what they want to hear.  I will tell them what I think, based on what I have experienced/seen.  That said:

Is it just me? What do you think of this?

1. The fanatical animal rights movement can trace its roots to England.
2. The Olympic Equestrian events are the only games that use animals.
3. The horses travel to England from all over the world in beautiful stalls, access to fresh water and feed. They are accompanied by their trainers constantly. The majority of the horses are flown to England in first class style via specialized jets coordinated by FedEx.
4. Circus animals are also transported in beautiful stalls, access to fresh water and feed and are accompanied by their trainers. 
5. I haven't seen any animal rights protesters in the media,regarding the Olympic horses.
6. The web site Mother Nature Network reached out to PETA and several other AR groups for their view on the horse transportation. ALL OF THEM REFUSED to comment. When have you heard of the animal rights fanatics refusing media attention?

From this moment on, when I am questioned about the transport of circus animals I will reply, "Just like the beautiful horses in the Olympics and the Kentucky Derby, circus animals travel in custom designed compartments, with constant attention from their trainers."

Worth a few minutes to read:

http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/stories/how-do-horses-travel-overseas-to-the-london-olympics

"1.  That is correct.  An account of the movement can be found in an incredible movie titled, AMAZING GRACE.  Slavery and the horse Black Beauty had a lot to do with the thinking at the time."

"2.  That is correct also, although The Elephant Team did post this: 

  

BBC News - Flag-waving Elephants join Olympic torch relay

  

This article has many negative comments, please take a minute and let's get some positive ones. They are having a hard time with activists as well.

I am not sure if they were advocating and supporting using elephants for this silly, silly purpose or advocating and supporting letting an animal beat and slap the ground with your countries flag as a way of showing respect and support.  Your guess is as good as mine." 

"3.  For the most part this is a correct statement, except they are not 'accompanied by their trainers constantly.'  Normally the trainers fly first class to the events via an accompanying flight, arriving later.  From the link you provided: 'The horses are accompanied by a veterinarian and groomers who know the animals well.' "

"4.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  If you are suggesting, anything like a show horse is transported in, with a few rare, rare exceptions, Sylvia Zerbini and Gary Johnson come to mind, no.  The circus animals are normally accompanied by the trainer because the trainer is required to drive the vehicle, usually for no extra compensation, and a CDL often being more important then the skill of the individual.  I drove the animals for over 25 years and did not receive a penny for driving.  It was required(no first class flight for a circus trainer).  In the case of privately owned animals it is also more economical to drive yourself instead of hiring a CDL driver.   That is why you are there with the animals, to see to the watering and feeding while you are fueling the trucks.  Don't attempt to make it more then what it is."

"5.  That's probably because the Olympic horse's are governed by the FEI and are held to a certain standard that they must abide by.  Break the rules, your out.  The whole isn't affect by the actions of one.  Anything similar to the FEI or a governing standard in the world of traveling circus animals?"

"6.  Normally when they don't have a leg to stand on.  Again see # 5.  FEI addresses any issues that may arise, they don't ignore it or hope it disappears.  It won't.(Any one responded to my question about certain videos that are available.  Odd, because there are a lot of elephant trainers on The Elephant Team?)  They also don't have a bunch of nitwits on the web professing to be experts endorsing their policies or giving the impression they are representatives of the organization.  The circus has enough of those nitwits to fill volumes, spouting enough ignorant misinformation to make the whole industry look like it is made up entirely of morons."

From this moment on, when I am questioned about the transport of circus animals I will reply, "Just like the beautiful horses in the Olympics and the Kentucky Derby, circus animals travel in custom designed compartments, with constant attention from their trainers."

"If you do, you won't be doing the circus and it's animals any good, see #6 above."