LOVE ANGELES

ANOTHER CAVALIA UPDATE, FEB 2

Last week we posted an update to the article on Cavalia we published (click here to read about it) which described an incident that was witnessed by one of our readers who was attending the show live in Burbank on January 25th. This week, we received an email from Cavalia's art director, Normand Latourelle bringing clarification to the mishap as well as assuring us that the treatment of the horses by the team is of the utmost importance.

In all fairness, we believe that it is our duty to share with you the information passed onto us by an official representative of Cavalia.

READ THE LETTER BELOW: 

"Dear Love Angeles, On behalf of the cast and crew of Cavalia, I am writing you about the performance one of your reader attended on January 25th.  We understand his or her concerns and would like to share some information about what happened. 

First and foremost, we want to let you and your readers know that the horses and performers are all fine. The two horses that slipped and fell during the Roman Riding segment were immediately walked out of the stage and were looked at by their trainer and one of Cavalia’s two full-time veterinary technicians. During the intermission which immediately followed, our technical crew worked on the slippery spot. In retrospect, they did not correct the problem properly. Thinking all was well, the second act started and the show continued. Another incident happened at the same location during the last part of the show, a Liberty act, where nine horses are running totally free with their trainer using only voice commands and hand signals to communicate. As you can imagine slowing down nine horses playing and running free on a  huge stage is not something that can be done instantly. Once the horses slowed down, she walked them on stage and ensured that they were all fine. She then made some adjustments, shortening the act and making sure the horses would not go back on the slippery spot. All and all, I believe Cavalia’s artists acted in the best interest of the horses, handling this unfortunate situation with calmness and good judgement. 

Right after the show, Cavalia’s technical crew began an immediate investigation of the stage and footing that lasted well into the night as well as the following day. Numerous tests were performed and an extensive evaluation took place, as our crew worked to get to the bottom of the problem. The water absorption rate of a substance used in the footing (obtained locally) proved to be the issue. Changes and adjustments were made so the problem won’t reoccur. I assure you that the well-being of our horses is our first priority whether it’s on the stage, in the stables, or on their vacation.  It is our main objective to keep our horses safe, healthy and happy and we put all possible efforts into fulfilling that goal."  

Normand Latourelle, Artistic Director

Cavalia Update

The other week we published the an article on the show Larry King considered to be "the best show he had ever seen." One of our readers wrote in with the following comment, in case you'd like to know:

"I just walked out on Cavalia. Truly beautiful but inhumane treatment of horses. How? Well, during a segment where individuals were straddling two horses at a time and racing around the stage two by two, the third set of horses fell, other horses stumbling around them. The show stopped for a minute while the injured pair were led off with at least one dragging his rear hind leg. The show went on. Then during a segment with 9 white horses performing beautifully without riders, they were sent around the stage and started stumbling in the very same spot as the pair. The audience could see there was a "pothole" in the floor. One after another stumbled. The "trainer" did nothing to stop them. Then one horse fell. And another. And another. Still nobody stopped the show. If you love horses, do not support this show!"

And I was planning on seeing the show before it left Burbank:(

Cirque Du Saddle: Why Cavalia Might Be Alright

Source: Dogtime.com: 

[A horse is a horse, of course, of course... unless it is part of Cavalia, a breathtaking spectacle of equestrian arts performed under a 100-foot-high big top. Often called the "Cirque du Soliel of horses," this lavish multimedia spectacle was founded by one of Cirque's founders, Normand Latourelle, yet the unique combination of horse and human feats makes this show unlike any other. Fifty horses comprise the animal team, who perform with graceful human counterparts in dressage, trick riding, flying sequences, ball balancing , bungee jumping and intricate, ballet-like choreography. What really takes your breath away --- aside from musical score, lighting and sounds effects, costumes and setting --- is the human-equestrian connection. If you never cared for horses before, this will certainly change your mind.] excerpt via LAWeekly

"If you've been fortunate enough to attend this display of freeform horsemanship, you'll second this glowing review: The horses thunder around and across the stage, they line dance their brand of dressage as well as the Lipizzaners do, and they display their near-immaculate moves with hands-free commands. All this with an impressive 1:1 ratio of stallions to geldings. (no mares to fight over.)

Best of all, the 60-plus horses travel in luxury, are attended to with the same precision that obviously attends their training, and generally get treated like family.

But that hasn't kept some of the more off-center animal rightists from offering their opinion on the subject. Some apparently hold that it's disrespectful to force animals to perform. How do I know?

Below is a Q I received via email last week. Following it, I've printed the answer I included in last weekend's Miami Herald article on the subject. Enjoy and feel free to offer your opinions in the comments section...

Q: Could you spend some time explaining that people should not spend their money on circuses? I’m sick of seeing the animals treated so poorly at these venues. I used to think Cirque de Soleil had it right until this Cavalia thing. Please tell people not to support the inhumane treatment of animals at shows like this.

A: Agreed. From a veterinarian’s point of view, I would hasten to support your contention that a wild animal’s welfare is not best served in a circus setting. Even if these outfits treated animals in the most humane manner possible, the less-than-serene atmosphere of a circus environment, along with its typical transience, is not suited to animals whose natures are not conducive to excitement and whose basic health is undermined each time they travel. Moreover, I believe it humiliates wild animals to force them into this kind of human servitude. It’s disrespectful. And let’s not forget that circuses offer the wrong impression when it comes to teaching children that wild animals should be respected and protected. Though it may entertain them, it can’t possibly do kids any good to see wild animals treated as nothing more than objects of amusement. Was that what you wanted me to write? It wasn’t hard. I buy all these arguments and more. Though I consider myself a moderate animal welfarist, you might actually count me on PETA’s side of things on the subject of wild animal shows as part of circuses. 

But here’s the catch: You won’t catch me dissing Cavalia in the process. Though I haven’t yet attended the horse-themed, circus-like spectacle my intrepid veterinary sources inform me that the treatment of these horses is beyond compare. It’s also my take that the recruitment of horses for shows such as Cavalia’s cannot compare to the use of wild animals (such as elephants and tigers) in circuses. Horses have been domesticated by humans for thousands of years and, as such, their longstanding relationship to humans as both workers and companions means they train well, travel well, bond with humans and––in most cases––clearly enjoy their work.Though the most militant animal rights groups may disagree with me (and so might you), I’ve got no beef with Cavalia. The horses are pampered and out of harm’s way. What’s more, the show is all about the bond we share with our fellow animals. Can’t argue with that, either.

Cavalia Live in Burbank every week Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday from Wed., January 19 until Sun., February 6