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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to say only psychopaths support fox hunting

673 replies

lubeybooby · 10/05/2017 15:51

the kind who would laugh at and enjoy watching kittens being set on fire (animal cruelty especially early in lifeis a marker for psychopathic tendencies)

Because it's just the same as that. Animal cruelty plain and simple.

Imagine a group of thugs chasing a terrified animal to give it a horrible death

Now imagine they are posh people on horseback

VILE

Theresa May makes me angrier every day. Disgusting excuse of a person.

I don't give a shit if you live in the country or anywhere in fact and foxes are a nuisance to you - kill them humanely if you must!

OP posts:
AntigoneJones · 13/05/2017 00:32

oh sorry that was quite a different poster, my apologies Shoes, it was Sheep.;)

ShoesHaveSouls · 13/05/2017 00:32

Is your dd competent enough to hunt shoes?

Is horse-riding competence required to enjoy watching a live animal ripped apart by hounds? No, she rides, but she's never expressed a wish to see that. Riding a horse is a pleasure and a leisure activity without needing to see the death of animal as part of it.

AntigoneJones · 13/05/2017 00:35

My daughter took her pony (bought at a sale, kept in a field) hunting once and they just spent the day standing around, with the odd canter. Certainly she did not see any fox being 'ripped up'.
Possibly drag hunting is more thrilling and would keep more people happy.

5OBalesofHay · 13/05/2017 00:36

Just you say she doesn't and wouldn't hunt so just wondering if she's any good at riding because hunting is quite testing. It's not for the lesson a week novices regardless of your view of it so if she's not at that standard then it's a specious argument

ShoesHaveSouls · 13/05/2017 00:37

Possibly drag hunting is more thrilling and would keep more people happy.

By god, I think she's got it.

AntigoneJones · 13/05/2017 00:40

Grin thanks Shoes

ShoesHaveSouls · 13/05/2017 00:40

Hunting and watching hounds rip a live anima apart does not set the bar to being a good rider, 50Balesof(cruelty)Hay. Not hunting does not make one a crap inept rider. What land are you living in?

You think witnessing the death of a fox makes one a good rider??

ShoesHaveSouls · 13/05/2017 00:44

Perhaps one needs the blood of a fox on one's cheeks before one is a good rider?

Hmm I don't think so.

5OBalesofHay · 13/05/2017 00:49

Shoes have stupidity, if your dd chooses not to hunt that's fine. I just ask whether that's based on a genuine choice or couldn't anyway. Because you raised her being a rider.

Beerwench · 13/05/2017 00:50

Shoes I read 50bales post as asking if your daughter doesn't hunt because she doesn't like hunting, or because she isn't a competent enough rider.

There is a huge difference between riding a riding school horse once a week and jumping 1m on it for instance, to riding across rough country in a group of excitable other horses, or even indeed riding a non riding schoolie - my horse is old but I'd never trust the old bugger with someone not as competent as me.

So no witnessing the fox being caught isn't an indicator of a riders ability - but I would imagine staying in the saddle long enough to do so is!

ShoesHaveSouls · 13/05/2017 00:51

Have stupidity? what does that mean? Are you accusing me of being stupid because I live in the country, am well off, but don't raise my daughter to enjoy the killing of animals for sport?

ShoesHaveSouls · 13/05/2017 00:53

So only riders on a hunt have the ability? Is that it? Is it the red coats and the horns?

SleepOhHowIMissYou · 13/05/2017 00:54

You couldn't be further from the truth Antigone Jones. Prior to starting my family I kept my own horses (full-livery admittedly, I worked full-time) and had ponies from childhood. I was interested in show-jumping primarily (dressage bored the tits off me but was a necessary evil for three day events), placed regularly, and even got my mug in Horse & Hound once. Therefore, being part of the horsey fraternity, I know a fair few people that hunt, for example I have a friend who is married to a Field Master.

Not all horsey people support fox hunting. You are extremely presumptuous to assume otherwise.

Ratatatouille · 13/05/2017 00:54

then have the balls and do the same and admit its more about class than animal welfare!

Eh? Because one poster played into the stereotype a bit? Don't be daft. Of course it's an animal welfare issue.

I also do not agree with anti hunters intimidating people, and hurting horses by hauling on reins, distressing them and hurting their backs by dragging riders off

Again, you are talking about a tiny proportion of people who are against fox hunting. That's not at all representative of the vast majority of people who are against fox hunting.

Tbh, from someone pretty much who was anti hunt I've been pushed to on the fence by the anti hunt mob

Well what a ridiculous reason to form an opinion on something - by allowing your judgement to be clouded completely by the actions of a few individuals on one side of the argument. Especially when those actions have no bearing on the issue itself (i.e. even if some sabs are acting illegally, that doesn't change the ethical issues surrounding fox hunting itself and should not influence anyone's opinion on the act of fox hunting).

ShoesHaveSouls · 13/05/2017 00:56

Not all horsey people support fox hunting. You are extremely presumptuous to assume otherwise.

Exactly my point. It's just another defection technique - "Oh you hate horsey people" - no, we don't - we hate the barbaric killing of another animal for sport.

Ratatatouille · 13/05/2017 00:59

It's worth pointing out as well, there's a good chance that people bring derogatory comments about class into it because they are just angry at the situation and it's a way of expressing that. If there were an equivalent that was perceived to be working class then I'm sure people would be making comments about chavs etc. It's a way to sling a bit of an insult. But it's a red herring in my opinion and it doesn't mean that the argument is about class at all. It's an emotive subject is all.

Beerwench · 13/05/2017 01:01

"So only riders on a hunt have the ability? Is that it? Is it the red coats and the horns?'

Well doesn't that stand to reason? A rider without the ability isn't going to stay on the horse or in control long enough to keep up and/or deal with the obstacles. Just as someone without the ability to ride at a 3* x country event won't make it round either (for example)

"Not all horsey people support fox hunting. You are extremely presumptuous to assume otherwise."

Totally agree with that statement, I've had assumptions made that I follow hunting because I have a horse, and must be a TIFF. Utter rubbish.

SleepOhHowIMissYou · 13/05/2017 01:02

And drag hunting was mentioned upthread but I suspect that this is rather "organised fun" and lacks the thrill of the chase that fox hunters crave, as well as the status and pomp. I've never been myself but assume it's similar to point-to-point (which I have done).

Oh, and yes, while the fox is being scented apparently there is rather a lot of standing about I understand, however, I'm not sure that standing about waiting is the attraction.... although we are British, we do love a queue don't we?

AntigoneJones · 13/05/2017 01:03

I think the drag hunt is more fast and furious, like team chasing, not for the faint hearted.

ShoesHaveSouls · 13/05/2017 01:06

It's the thrill of a kill they want.

Barbaric and unnecessary. Steeped in tradition my arse, steeped in cruelty. They're exactly the same people as Walter Palmer who killed Cecil - just want to kill. It's a personality defect to want kill for fun.

Beerwench · 13/05/2017 01:08

"on something - by allowing your judgement to be clouded completely by the actions of a few individuals on one side of the argument. Especially when those actions have no bearing on the issue itself (i.e. even if some sabs are acting illegally, that doesn't change the ethical issues surrounding fox hunting itself and should not influence anyone's opinion on the act of fox hunting)."

It shouldn't? Even though I've been personally affected by the actions of a 'few individuals' you've obviously missed the post I made about what I encountered from so called animal lovers when I was nothing to do with the hunt, and the other places where I say that I haven't been, don't want to go and don't think it's a particularly effective way of fox population control - if indeed that is needed (have added that last sentence here)

What's the matter Rat - can you not accept that everyone on the anti hunt side I'd not an angel?

ShoesHaveSouls · 13/05/2017 01:12

'The Hunt' is the last place that can preach to animal lovers, beerwench. Get over yourself.

AntigoneJones · 13/05/2017 01:14

but you must admit, Shoes, some of the sabs are no better.

ShoesHaveSouls · 13/05/2017 01:14

I mean, the clue is in the name - "the Hunt". They're hunting, chasing a wild animal in order to watch it killed by hounds for sport. It's indefensible in this day and age.

ShoesHaveSouls · 13/05/2017 01:18

Sabs are definitely "better". No doubt. They're trying to stop you in 1)unspeakable cruelty in the name of sport and 2) breaking the law.

I thought it was interesting when a poster way upthread talked of the hunters being on the wrong side of the law - when they had always thought of the hunt sabs as being 'left wing scum' - before that.

I will be disgusted if TM gives this time in the HOC while Brexit and so many other issues are pressing.