The Bedale Hunt

[pat2604]

Just interested in your thoughts on this.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-58611030

[Prudie]

I saw this yesterday. My first thought was who in their right mind would send a 2 year old out with a hunt when even the most docile ponies can get over excited? But then I don't know all the facts and am open to other views.

[davebro]

I think if you're going to put a 2 year old on a horse then there should be better supervision than appears to have been provided here. I'm sure the parents are devastated and will feel the guilt for the rest of their lives - and rightly so.

[pastafreak]

I saw this yesterday and also wondered who in their right mind allows a toddler to ride in a hunt? Granted, she could have fallen off a pony anywhere, but this just seems tragic.

[pat2604]

Agree with all three of you. No details given though. My first thoughts were that a two year old shouldn't be at a hunt meeting, on or off of a horse/pony.

[Stickybottle]

I saw this too
You have to wonder at the mindset and ideology of these people
A needless tragedy

[pat2604]

More details. Not an official hunt meeting, but I still am of the same opinion.

https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/19589784.bedale-hunt-devastated-girl-two-dies-fall-pony/

[anneasquith]

Tragic accident or abuse ?

[tiggerblue10]

Why would anyone take a two year old child on a hunt and why was there a hunt going on in the first place? I thought they were illegal?

[pat2604]

Just thoughtless Anne. I hate to say it Anne, but living in a rural and hunting area, some of the wealthier farming country folk are quite careless about their children's safety.

[calmck]

I cannot understand how a two year old was on a pony with no adult at her side. One trip, stumble or sudden move and any young child will fall of a horse. They don't have the thought process to try and save themself from falling. At our pony club any child under 5 has an adult with them at all times and a parent must stay around while the child is there.

[pat2604]

Tigger if you read my second link, it says it wasn't a formal hunt. Hunting is allowed, but not involving foxes. However, I can assure you that they do involve foxes!!

[pat2604]

https://www.league.org.uk/hunting-act

[burlyshirley]

They hunt foxes because that idiot Blair left a loophole open saying that they could 'drag' hunt !! They jumped on that and insist, whenever anyone queries them, that they are 'drag' hunting, when even the dumbest amongst the populace knows that they are in fact still hunting foxes. As usual, it isn't policed and yet back in the day when I was much younger and was a hunt saboteur, you couldn't move for police keeping an eye on US !!

[burlyshirley]

Poor little child.

[anneasquith]

Pat. Hi , surely if people are careless about their children’s safety that is child abuse ? Irrespective of wealth ?

[pat2604]

I have had several entracations with the hunt round here over the years. Not lately, but they come right at the back of our house. They care not what they disrupt. Very arrogant uncaring people. And their followers block the road! Hate them all!

[steg]

My mothers side of ‘the clan’ came from the borders, most could ride horses before they could walk.. some places it just traditional

[burlyshirley]

And the hunting dogs have often killed pet cats over the years as well ! Also, they have very little regard for their hunting dogs. I often saw some with bad injuries or limping painfully, but when pointed out to them they either just shrugged, told us to mind our own business or laughed at us. I'm with you pat - I hate them too !!

[tiggerblue10]

This for some reason reminds me of the child that was killed whilst riding her quad bike given to her as a present for Xmas. More money than sense.

Poor mite!

[pat2604]

Yes Anne, I agree. Most of the wealthy gentry farmers round here employ nannies and there children go to boarding schools at 7. They actually don't parent as such!