The Best Bits

02/02/2025

26/01/2025

"When the nosebands are looser when this trial begins, I would earnestly ask that judges take in an impression of the horse using their right-side brain functions, using feelings and impressionistic capacity, to see if the horse is happy and relaxed. The judges may see more horses with slightly open mouths and relaxed mobile tongues. They may see soft chewing of the bit. They may even see the horses’ teeth a little..."

With the FEI clamping down on tight nosebands this year, Kerry Mack takes a closer look at why the new rule has come about, the importance of regulating noseband tightness, and how the new rule may affect judging...

Read more: https://www.equestrianlife.com.au/magazine/issue-108/clampdown-on-overtight-nosebands/

26/01/2025

Horse Welfare and Performance - A Balance of Technique and Welfare

It’s possible to guide a horse through a jump course or around a dressage arena using purely technical methods—strong aids, tight reins, or gadgets to force compliance.

But at what cost?

Prioritizing performance over welfare can compromise a horse's physical health, mental stability, and emotional trust.

As the horse world and general public are becoming more concerned about horse welfare in this current climate, we must ensure that ethical training methods that prioritize the horse's experience are chosen over just the rider’s goals.

Good horsemanship demands more than technical skill - it requires compassion, understanding, and a commitment to the horse's well-being.

In order to create a true partnership, one where horse welfare is prioritized, we must include the evidence and research that promotes thoughtful training - where communication is clear (from the horse's perspective), and the horse is physically and mentally prepared for the work asked of them.

Ignoring this balance risks creating stress, discomfort, and even long-term harm.

Ethical horsemanship requires personal awareness, education and advocacy for horse welfare first - which can all be very challenging to commit to with the various pressures that come along to ignore this ethos.

Reshaping the horse culture to embrace these standards is part of our vision and mission, through raising awareness, providing reliable educational resources and advocating for a horse-first approach to all ridden horse endeavors.

If you want to learn more about how our platform is tackling this mission, then check out our website at www.equitopiacenter.com

26/01/2025

An In Depth Look at Nosebands - Part Eight of Ten

As we continue to look at nosebands, their origin, intended use and their misuse, we must surely evolve to look at this issue from the horse's perspective?

Why nosebands at all?

Riding a horse without a noseband is entirely possible and is common in certain disciplines and styles of riding.

Without a noseband, there is no pressure on the nasal bones or soft tissues, which can improve comfort, particularly for sensitive horses.

Horses can move their jaws naturally, allowing for behaviors like chewing, licking, and swallowing, which can indicate relaxation.

A bridle without a noseband may be easier to fit and maintain.

Reasons Given for Having A Noseband - Might these need re-thinking?

For horses prone to evading the bit (e.g., by opening their mouths or crossing their jaws), the argument is that a noseband can help stabilize the bit and maintain rein aids.

Furthermore, people people maintain that horses may take advantage of the lack of restriction.

Some competitive disciplines mandate the use of a noseband maintaining that it is for safety, tradition, or functionality.

Bit Positioning: Arguments are made that a properly adjusted noseband can help keep the bit steady in the horse's mouth. Without it, the bit may move excessively if the horse resists rein aids.

Overall, we suggest that the desires embedded in the horse world to "control" horses, and the dedication to finding ways to do so, should be questioned.

We need to start really looking at horse welfare, from the horse's perspective, and how it is consistently compromised by focusing on control and the human agenda.

Look at these photos and tell us that is has any part in equestrian sport.

How does this practice get ignored by the stewards and judges?

Why do riders think this is ok?

How do organizations, all claiming to prioritize horse welfare, see these photos and videos and stand idly by allowing it to happen!

19/01/2025

Do Sponsors of FEI Events Truly Understand What They’re Supporting?

As equestrian sports grow in global popularity, the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) maintains its prestigious position as the governing body of international competitions. However, the FEI also carries a deeply concerning legacy—a culture of turning a blind eye to horse welfare issues and shielding individuals implicated in abusive practices.

Sponsors of FEI events might see themselves as supporting elegance, tradition, and athleticism, but are they aware of the troubling practices happening behind the scenes? For decades, there have been countless documented cases of horses being subjected to cruel training methods, overuse, and outright abuse—all under the FEI’s purview. Worse still, the organization has often chosen silence or leniency, prioritizing reputations and revenue over the welfare of the very animals they claim to champion.

In an age of increasing transparency and accountability, aligning your brand with an organization plagued by such a history carries significant risks. Consumers are paying closer attention to corporate ethics, especially when animal welfare is involved. The association with equestrian sports may initially project an image of grace and grandeur, but how will it reflect on your brand when customers discover the underlying reality?

If the FEI remains unwilling or unable to take meaningful action against the abuse happening under its nose, sponsors must consider the long-term implications of their support. Do you want your brand tied to a culture of violence against animals? Do you want to explain to your customers why you stood by an organization that protects abusers?

Sponsorship is not just about exposure—it’s about values. In today’s world, choosing to align with organizations that put animal welfare second may send a message louder than any logo on a banner ever could. The question is: What message do you want to send?

Longines Pivo Equestrian Community

19/01/2025

The Ethical Responsibility of Sponsors in Equestrian Sport

Equestrian sport thrives on partnerships—between horse and rider, and also between athletes and their sponsors. But sponsorship comes with a responsibility to uphold the values of the sport, including the welfare of its equine athletes.

Recently, concerns have grown over the culture within the FEI, where rules designed to protect horse welfare are often ignored, and abusive riding techniques are rewarded.

as a prominent equestrian sponsor, surely should have an ethical duty to take a stand.

By aligning their brand with riders under scrutiny, they risk endorsing harmful behavior.

Sponsors must demand accountability, advocate for fair judging, and promote humane training methods.

True leadership in equestrianism begins when sponsors prioritize welfare over profits. The future of our sport—and its horses—depends on it.

Photo by Crispin Parelius Johannessen of GB rider Charlotte Fry on Everdale

16/01/2025

What Does It Take To Preserve Horse Welfare in Ridden Work?

While Friends, freedom and forage define the three basic needs of horses form their natural perspective, what about their welfare when ridden?

Both in the recreational and competitive equestrian worlds, it's imperative to reflect on what truly defines a skilled rider.

Is it the number of medals won, or is it the unwavering commitment to the horse's physical, mental, and emotional well-being?

Recent controversies have shed light on the darker side of the horse world, one where human agendas consistently trump horse welfare.

Incidents involving renowned riders have sparked debates about training methods and the ethical treatment of horses.

We can see the impact of young riders emulating winners without scrutinizing their methods leading to practices detrimental to horse welfare.

Equitation science emphasizes evidence-based training that prioritizes the horse's welfare, advocating for techniques that enhance communication and reduce stress.

As a community, we must ask ourselves: What is the value of a medal if it comes at the expense of our horse's well-being?

Let's make sure we prioritize the well being of our horses first.

Defining the qualities and characteristics of skilled rider must be from the horse's perspective - it is, after all, their experience that defines their welfare!

As part of our Vision and Mission to promote evidence and research based protocols that better define some of the commonly used terms in the horse world, check out our course on defining skilled riding from this perspective:

https://equitopiacoursesonsale.com/qualities-and-characteristics-of-a-skilled-rider/

16/01/2025

'On the bit' is about much more than your horse's head position. It refers to your horse's whole body and way of going.

16/01/2025

Bitless dressage allowed and nosebands and double bridles optional in new Danish rules

Read more via link below

12/01/2025

12/01/2025

08/01/2025

08/01/2025

If you use gadgets still, consider this graphic and whether they really are doing what you want.

Personally I threw all mine out and opt for the Balance Through Movement Method now to get my horses to engage their bodies nd carry themselves in the correct way with the correct muscles.

05/01/2025

Anyone paying a modicum of attention to horse sport the past two years knows that the equestrian industry is on the hot seat—with good reason. We have reached a level of knowledge and understanding of the horse’s brain and how it works, as well as his emotional needs, to require a reset in “tr...

19/12/2024

Proposed recommendations on a double bridle ban in Denmark spark debate in the European Parliament as critics warn of welfare implications