Someone was asking about a "push-pad".
This is a pretty good shot of one and shows how the straps can be adjusted to fit different elephants.
These were used to protect against nails or bolts protruding from the vehicle.
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The above great information about a by gone piece of equipment(push pad) was posted with this picture on the "history channel." I find it most perplexing that if there is a picture of an old cage wagon with a lion in it, folks can not only tell you the dimensions of the cage, but what kind of steel was used for the bars, where the wheels were purchased at, and how many cans of paint and what kind was used to get it ready for the opening show in 1935. But ask them, "that's interesting, but what about the knot on the lions head?" They turn instantly deaf, and look down to see if their shoes are tied. As deal when they start telling you about such and such show, and how great the animals are looked after, and how the animal rights folks all suck with their lies. When you ask, "how do you know such and such takes such great care of their animals, and you aren't just hanging "friend paper", they huff up and say, " because I know, I can tell. I have been around this deal long enough, since 1951 mind you, and I am almost an expert." Then when something like Ned happens, and you ask, "didn't you see that there was something wrong with that animal when you were watching the performance?", they do a flip flop and start whining, "gosh, how did you expect us to notice anything like that? We are not experts, you know."
The paralyzed trunk issue apparently is something everybody knows about and jackpots about. It has been brought up about a half dozen times on the "history channel." Usually to cast an aspersion on another person, unfounded which is normal procedure in a world full of phony paper. Logan suggested scientific studies done in the Circus, which is as close to laughable as anything can be. Right now we are busy pleasing the uninformed with exercise/hot pens to worry about any valid scientific studies, remembering unless it concludes we are doing nothing wrong it is no good anyway and usually only "anecdotal research" is any good.
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Here are the comments with the above picture:
I suggest it doesn't make any sense, and is more of a patch, unless we decide what "continually" means. First of all, very little nutrition/food value is gained from the "occasional" tree that is uproot and/or pushed over, and we can only assume "other uses" refers to the less "occasional" bull in musth, or angered herd uprooting and/or pushing over a tree with their feet as well as head, that is of an immature enough state to be destroyed.
Find out if "continually" means pushing 10-12 trees a day from the train to the lot 7 days a week in the course of 35-50 years? Or if it means the maybe half dozen a month that the animals we have "seen on film" may push over, again with their feet as well as pulling, not just pushing with their trunk, in that same 35-50 year period? You would think it would be a major issue in the logging industry, and worthy of study to find out a cause or a cure. Although it is mentioned, almost in passing, I can find no studies ever being done, suggesting it is such a none issue there has never been a need for study.
Wade Burck
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As I assume Carl is not an elephant trainer I did not address this next question to him, but I will address it to elephant people here. Looking at an elephant dead on, from the middle of his forehead to the end of his trunk and around, back in the wild and wooly days what part of this "area" was disciplined the most do you suppose. When you hear the historical accounts of run aways, herd fights you can rest assure this area got a working over. I asked this before in a discussion and I will ask it again, "does anybody know of an elephant under the age of 20 with the "affliction?" Don't try to convince me it is an age thing, better you just accept we are doing things in a better more compassionate way today, generally. Note the "push pad" is for protection from "nails or bolts on a wagon." I wonder what was used to protect from a hook/ankus in unscrupulous hands? Seems like it would have the same effect as a "protruding nail or bolt." There is nothing wrong with making mistakes and learning from it. The crime is in not learning from the mistakes, and striving for a new understanding.
I love Dressage, and I used to think one of the greatest at it was a women name Anky Van Grunsven. She is extremely popular, being blessed with being born "cute and charming." There is a new "training" method used with Dressage horses called Rollker, and we have discussed it in the past. If you understand it, no way can it not cause physical as well as mental damage to a horse. I was stunned when I learned not only does Ms. Van Grunsven endorse the practice, she uses it in her daily training regime. They are currently doing studies to ascertain what if any permanent damage may occur pushing a horse into a Rollker head set, particularly to the thorax. Until they do, I will always look at Van Grunsven with a different eye, and I know I won't be hanging any more paper for her. But that is just my opinion.
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Question: I have heard that elephants who were used for pushing a lot would in later life loose control to curl their trunks up or carry show people in them. Is there any truth to this Buckles?
Carl
24 November, 2008 12:30
I've also heard that doing a head stand will produce the same effect.
Everyone has seen films of elephants continually pushing over large trees for food and other purposes, it's a natural habit.
So in short, I don't know.
Is the issue the location of the nerve bundles being in a location where they might be damaged?
Thank you for the answer Buckles. Your comments about trees and their natural dealings in the wild makes sense.
Carl