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| Horse tug of war called off after welfare concerns raised | Horse tug of war called off after welfare concerns raised |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Tug of war bouts at the Royal Cornwall Show involving shire horses have been called off, show organisers say. | Tug of war bouts at the Royal Cornwall Show involving shire horses have been called off, show organisers say. |
| Seven-year-old shire stallion George, of the Lizard Stallions company, had been involved in bouts against rugby players on Thursday. | Seven-year-old shire stallion George, of the Lizard Stallions company, had been involved in bouts against rugby players on Thursday. |
| They were criticised on social media with comments the animal look stressed. | They were criticised on social media with comments the animal look stressed. |
| Lizard Stallions said it never put animals in danger. Show organisers said displays would not feature other bouts after they had "considered comments". | Lizard Stallions said it never put animals in danger. Show organisers said displays would not feature other bouts after they had "considered comments". |
| 'Shocked' by display | 'Shocked' by display |
| One-tonne stallion George was involved in bouts with players from the Cornish Pirates. | One-tonne stallion George was involved in bouts with players from the Cornish Pirates. |
| However, the bouts were criticised on the internet. | However, the bouts were criticised on the internet. |
| Nicki Yaxley said on Facebook she was "Saddened to see a horse having to take part in a tug of war, it must be stressful for the animal." | Nicki Yaxley said on Facebook she was "Saddened to see a horse having to take part in a tug of war, it must be stressful for the animal." |
| Zoë Brotherton said she was "Shocked by your display at Royal Cornwall Show. I hope you'll reconsider ever doing this stunt again!" | Zoë Brotherton said she was "Shocked by your display at Royal Cornwall Show. I hope you'll reconsider ever doing this stunt again!" |
| Responding to comments on Facebook, the company - which provides shire horse experience days, horse-drawn carriages, and wedding transport - said shires had undergone 1,000 years of breeding to pull loads and "this is George's job five days a week during our busy period". | |
| It said: "He weighs just over a tonne and believe me when I say, if he didn't want to do it he wouldn't." | It said: "He weighs just over a tonne and believe me when I say, if he didn't want to do it he wouldn't." |
| It added: "We care considerably for our horses and would never put them in any danger. We are surrounded by very experienced animal professionals and no concerns have been raised by them." | It added: "We care considerably for our horses and would never put them in any danger. We are surrounded by very experienced animal professionals and no concerns have been raised by them." |
| On Twitter, Royal Cornwall Show organisers said: "We have considered comments some made regarding the Lizard Stallions. Their display will no longer include the tug of war challenge." | On Twitter, Royal Cornwall Show organisers said: "We have considered comments some made regarding the Lizard Stallions. Their display will no longer include the tug of war challenge." |