travelinjudy Posted August 18, 2013 #1 Share Posted August 18, 2013 I am currently on the Viking Embla Budapest to Bucharst. Today the included tour was the town of Kalocsa, Hungary, and a trip to BakodPutza for a horse show. After the horse show two of us wandered out back behind the barn and saw one of the horsemen mercilessly beating one of the horses who was harnessed to a wagon. The horse started bucking and trying to get away, but couldn't. When he stopped protesting, the guy started whipping him again-for no reason. We were horrified to see the beautiful animals being treated this way. When another employee saw that we were watching, he walked over and calmed the horse down. When the incident was reported, the owner gave a very weak excuse, but it didn't hold up. Several of the horses in the barn had their ribs showing, which indicated that all is not right with the way these animals are being treated. Viking cruise line needs to take a closer look at this tour and reevaluate if it should be retained. Any tour provider that is cruel to animals should not be supported by any cruise line. It certainly ruined the whole experience for us! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nana541 Posted August 18, 2013 #2 Share Posted August 18, 2013 I sure hope Viking is reading your report. Be sure and write on your comment card on the ship also! Did you also share with the CD. Very sad! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexandra cruiser Posted August 18, 2013 #3 Share Posted August 18, 2013 fear many animals in any type production,zoo,circus,etc.are often abused.I prefer to skip these shows,in fact,we have cruise next June that goes to same one and plan to ask about animal treatment during excursion talk.But will NOT GO, just on principle.I know it does nothing to help,but makes ME feel better that I m not promoting this awful behavior in any way. Agree,let Viking know.It MIGHT help,I HOPE.:( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark_T Posted August 18, 2013 #4 Share Posted August 18, 2013 The only difference between what you saw in this instance and any other similar shows somewhere like Romania is that the others may keep things better hidden. When we travel it is always difficult to remember that what we might consider normal acceptable behavior is not going to be the same everywhere else, the wider we travel the more we may see that we would find upsetting. Treatment of working animals, especially horses is going to be very different, especially in a country where horses have a significant role in the meat industry as well. We tend to avoid supporting 'shows' involving trained animal performances, the same way we would never go to see captive marine mammals perform or be forced into close human contact. Well worth letting Viking know what you saw, but don't expect the local authorities to share your outrage and certainly don't imagine that a different animal show can be used without the same going on, but perhaps better hidden from view ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
id est Posted August 18, 2013 #5 Share Posted August 18, 2013 The only difference between what you saw in this instance and any other similar shows somewhere like Romania is that the others may keep things better hidden. When we travel it is always difficult to remember that what we might consider normal acceptable behavior is not going to be the same everywhere else, the wider we travel the more we may see that we would find upsetting. Treatment of working animals, especially horses is going to be very different, especially in a country where horses have a significant role in the meat industry as well. We tend to avoid supporting 'shows' involving trained animal performances, the same way we would never go to see captive marine mammals perform or be forced into close human contact. Well worth letting Viking know what you saw, but don't expect the local authorities to share your outrage and certainly don't imagine that a different animal show can be used without the same going on, but perhaps better hidden from view ... I agree. However it was the best show during our cruise. It'll be very sad it Viking cancels it. There is literally nothing to see in Kalosca. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lahlah57 Posted August 18, 2013 #6 Share Posted August 18, 2013 If that is the best that Kolasca can present especially when animal cruelty was witnessed...skip that city and let them know why!! Witnessing abuse and then someone able to say it was the "best show" after knowing that.......Disgusting!!!:eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
id est Posted August 18, 2013 #7 Share Posted August 18, 2013 If that is the best that Kolasca can present especially when animal cruelty was witnessed...skip that city and let them know why!!Witnessing abuse and then someone able to say it was the "best show" after knowing that.......Disgusting!!!:eek: The show has nothing to do with animal cruelty. Maybe we should stop going to let's say circus or zoo now? There is an employee who should bear responsibility for his cruelty to horses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pully8 Posted August 19, 2013 #8 Share Posted August 19, 2013 thanks for the warning. we avoid animal shows that have the potential to exploit any animal. sadly even people can be poorly treated in some countries. it would not entertain or amuse us to see such a show. if more people avoided such events animals would not be used in such a way. horses are such beautiful and noble creatures they deserve better. for a good example of how well they can be treated go to vienna and see the spanish riding school. a performance not a practice. need to book in advance but fabulous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare franski Posted August 19, 2013 #9 Share Posted August 19, 2013 thanks for the warning. we avoid animal shows that have the potential to exploit any animal. sadly even people can be poorly treated in some countries. it would not entertain or amuse us to see such a show. if more people avoided such events animals would not be used in such a way. horses are such beautiful and noble creatures they deserve better. for a good example of how well they can be treated go to vienna and see the spanish riding school. a performance not a practice. need to book in advance but fabulous. We saw this show earlier this year, and did not witness any cruelty to the horses. In fact, the animals did not appear thin, or poorly treated. We did wander through one of the barns - and except for the fact that the stall areas were a bit smaller than I have been used to (I did spend some time on a farm growing up....) there was nothing that would lead me to think that there was any mistreatment. It is quite distressing to think that there is someone who was mistreating the animals on this farm. I am not convinced that boycotting the show would make the difference you were hoping for, however, as the family relies on the income to make a living --> and to cut the visits from Viking only adds an extra stress to the environment. I hope that the OP will make a comment to the people at Viking. And, I hope that Viking will take the report seriously and discuss it with the people at the show. It may be one employee - and the people at the venue should realize that having this type of employee on staff could affect the income from their show. One thing we did notice on our trip was how hard the people in the countries are working to pull themselves out of a financial "hole" that is not (for the most part) of their making. To make a decision to stop visiting the show - without giving the family the opportunity to "make things right" - is just another hit to them... Just my thoughts here... Fran Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4774Papa Posted August 19, 2013 #10 Share Posted August 19, 2013 I hate to read about cruelty to animals. My Grandfather in Texas had a ranch and a horse for the grandkids. We all learned to ride. I never saw a reason to beat a horse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelinjudy Posted August 19, 2013 Author #11 Share Posted August 19, 2013 fear many animals in any type production,zoo,circus,etc.are often abused.I prefer to skip these shows,in fact,we have cruise next June that goes to same one and plan to ask about animal treatment during excursion talk.But will NOT GO, just on principle.I know it does nothing to help,but makes ME feel better that I m not promoting this awful behavior in any way.Agree,let Viking know.It MIGHT help,I HOPE.:( I did report it to the Viking staff when we got back on board. She was stunned and upset, as well, and sent an e-mail about it to Viking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelinjudy Posted August 19, 2013 Author #12 Share Posted August 19, 2013 If that is the best that Kolasca can present especially when animal cruelty was witnessed...skip that city and let them know why!!Witnessing abuse and then someone able to say it was the "best show" after knowing that.......Disgusting!!!:eek: I agree completely. I think anyone who attempts to justify animal cruelty under any circumstances can attempt to justify other cruelty -- to others, as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare franski Posted August 19, 2013 #13 Share Posted August 19, 2013 I did report it to the Viking staff when we got back on board. She was stunned and upset, as well, and sent an e-mail about it to Viking. It would be interesting to know if it goes any further.... Fran Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexandra cruiser Posted August 20, 2013 #14 Share Posted August 20, 2013 crew member not enough.Who knows if email was really sent.To be on safe side, why don t YOU (OP)send email to Viking and ask for some response.Then let US know IF you get response,and details. I think being pro active,determined by courteous,will prompt Viking to make some changes. Perhaps let horse show manager KNOW complaints made. Will look forward to an update.Thanks for letting us know.;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stratheden Posted August 20, 2013 #15 Share Posted August 20, 2013 Don't Viking read this forum. I would have expected a comment from them on the forum - that they were investigating the complaint as they know exactly which tour the OP is on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexandra cruiser Posted August 21, 2013 #16 Share Posted August 21, 2013 Don't Viking read this forum. I would have expected a comment from them on the forum - that they were investigating the complaint as they know exactly which tour the OP is on. from your cruise list. This is the company I m going on to horse show next yr.Sure HOPE its NOT the same one.Will check and definitely bring this up during pre cruise talks. Pretty sure Viking READS this ,any action taken???:confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelinjudy Posted August 21, 2013 Author #17 Share Posted August 21, 2013 from your cruise list.This is the company I m going on to horse show next yr.Sure HOPE its NOT the same one.Will check and definitely bring this up during pre cruise talks. Pretty sure Viking READS this ,any action taken???:confused: I have been waiting to write, hoping to hear something from Viking. Besides informing a crew member, I wrote an e-mail to Viking, myself. I haven't heard a thing so far.:(. It's hard to believe they wouldn't respond to something like this. If I don't hear anything before, I will call them when I get home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viking Cruises Posted August 22, 2013 #18 Share Posted August 22, 2013 Dear travelinjudy, Our apologies for having just now seen your posts. We appreciate how proactive you have been in reporting this incident and while we’re confident that your feedback has been shared by your ship crew and by the team that received the email you sent, we wanted to let you know that we too have passed it along to the team who works with our local partners. We’ve asked our Customer Relations team to reach out to you to discuss your trip when you return home and in the meantime, if you would like to contact us directly, please know we’d be happy to hear from you at TellUs@vikingcruises.com. Aside from this upsetting incident, we do hope you have enjoyed the rest of your journey on Viking Embla. Thank you for being our guest – and thank you again for alerting us. Very best, Viking Cruises I have been waiting to write, hoping to hear something from Viking. Besides informing a crew member, I wrote an e-mail to Viking, myself. I haven't heard a thing so far.:(. It's hard to believe they wouldn't respond to something like this. If I don't hear anything before, I will call them when I get home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
79ti Posted August 24, 2013 #19 Share Posted August 24, 2013 Most river boat cruise lines visit this 'horse farm'. We saw the show while on the Avalon Prague to Bucharest cruise. It is terrible to know that the animals are treated this way but I really don't think every tour group or even just Viking cancelling this tour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarumistdieBananekrumm Posted August 24, 2013 #20 Share Posted August 24, 2013 please send me name of the tour and operator and location; we have horse contacts right on the Austrian/Hungarian border who might be able do something meaningful about it .. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stratheden Posted August 24, 2013 #21 Share Posted August 24, 2013 This link may help you. http://cruises.about.com/od/danuberivercruises/ig/Hungarian-Horse-Show/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osnab Posted August 24, 2013 #22 Share Posted August 24, 2013 thanks for the warning. we avoid animal shows that have the potential to exploit any animal. sadly even people can be poorly treated in some countries. it would not entertain or amuse us to see such a show. if more people avoided such events animals would not be used in such a way. horses are such beautiful and noble creatures they deserve better. for a good example of how well they can be treated go to vienna and see the spanish riding school. a performance not a practice. need to book in advance but fabulous. Excellently worded. Felicia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osnab Posted August 24, 2013 #23 Share Posted August 24, 2013 Dear travelinjudy, Our apologies for having just now seen your posts. We appreciate how proactive you have been in reporting this incident and while we’re confident that your feedback has been shared by your ship crew and by the team that received the email you sent, we wanted to let you know that we too have passed it along to the team who works with our local partners. We’ve asked our Customer Relations team to reach out to you to discuss your trip when you return home and in the meantime, if you would like to contact us directly, please know we’d be happy to hear from you at TellUs@vikingcruises.com. Aside from this upsetting incident, we do hope you have enjoyed the rest of your journey on Viking Embla. Thank you for being our guest – and thank you again for alerting us. Very best, Viking Cruises I personally appreciate the response, but can you tell me if anyone from Viking is going to do anything about it? If the OP was able to walk back and see this with such ease, can someone from Viking pop in unannounced after the show? What about the ribs showing on the other horses? Can this be investigated as well? It is a shame that a family is struggling and needs to make ends meet, but I for one will not support this kind of behavior, and I would like to know if anyone from Viking does anything except for the thank you email. Felicia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelinjudy Posted August 25, 2013 Author #24 Share Posted August 25, 2013 please send me name of the tour and operator and location; we have horse contacts right on the Austrian/Hungarian border who might be able do something meaningful about it .. . Hi, I hope you saw the link at the top of this page--it is the show we saw on our tour. It would be wonderful if you could contact someone over there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pushka Posted August 25, 2013 #25 Share Posted August 25, 2013 Animal cruelty should not be tolerated in any culture. It is also one reason why I refuse to go to circuses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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