Ahimsa Equine

03/15/2025

𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐄𝐈’𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠?

Another initiative. Another promise. Another well-meaning attempt to address equine welfare in horse sports. But will it actually work? Or will this, like so many before it, be reduced to nothing more than pretty words on a forgotten press release?

Dr. Andrew McLean’s partnership with the FEI is a major stepbone that brings equitation science to the forefront. But for those of us who have spent years fighting for better treatment of horses in sport, skepticism is warranted. How many times have we seen committees form, reports get published, and yet, behind the scenes, nothing really changes?

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘃𝘀. 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲

The biggest obstacle? Tradition. The equestrian world is steeped in it. Riders, trainers, and judges have spent their lives operating on “what’s always been done.” Some are open to change, but many see modern science-based training as a threat rather than a solution.

We already know that the evidence is there. The ISES First Principles of Training are backed by research that proves they improve welfare and performance simultaneously. We know that horses learn better when they are trained with clarity and reinforcement rather than force and coercion. Yet, despite this, the resistance to change is fierce.

And let’s be honest, the FEI itself has been painfully slow to act on welfare concerns in the past. Rollkur? Years of outcry before they took action. Tight nosebands? Still rampant, despite growing evidence of their harm. Hyperflexion, excessive pressure, questionable training methods, these things still show up in warm-up rings at the highest levels of sport.

Will 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗘𝗜 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗘𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲?

Here’s where the real test lies. It’s not enough to introduce principles. They have to be enforced.

• 𝙒𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙟𝙪𝙙𝙜𝙚𝙨 𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙯𝙚 𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙨?

• 𝙒𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙨 𝙗𝙚 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 (𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜) 𝙩𝙤 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙖𝙗𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜?

• 𝙒𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙤𝙥 𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙗𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙙 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚, 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮’𝙧𝙚 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣 𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥 𝙙𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙜𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙢𝙚𝙙𝙖𝙡𝙨?

If the answer to these questions is no, then this collaboration, despite all its potential, will be nothing more than another empty gesture.

𝗛𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝘃𝘀. 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆

For those of us fighting for equine welfare, this partnership is both exciting and frustrating. Exciting, because Dr. McLean’s influence could push real, science-backed change into mainstream training. Frustrating, because we know change in equestrian sport is slow, and it’s up against deeply ingrained resistance.

So will this work? It depends. If riders, trainers, judges, and governing bodies actually listen, if they embrace what equitation science is telling us, then yes, this could be the shift we’ve been waiting for.

But if the FEI fails to enforce its own welfare commitments? If it continues to protect top riders at the expense of horses? Then this will be just another disappointment in a long line of missed opportunities.

The horses don’t get a say in this. It’s up to us to make sure this isn’t just another failed promise.

Good Luck Dr. Andrew McLean, you’ll need it and don’t be influenced by brown envelopes. 💰

03/14/2025

Some hope? behavior science gets a seat at the FEI table!

Dr. Andrew McLean is proud to announce his collaboration with the FEI in advancing their commitment to equine welfare.

“I’m pleased to be working with the FEI regarding their equine welfare commitment. My remit is to foster the uptake of the ISES 'First Principles of Training' to promote optimal welfare and sustainability in horse sports. Equitation science offers unique potentials for achieving the goals of horse sports, yet within the framework of a good life for horses. It is now more important than ever that riders, trainers, coaches and judges need to know what they don’t know”. - Dr Andrew Mclean

03/10/2025

What is “just conformation,” and what is possible with a whole-horse approach to care, training and rehabilitation?

03/08/2025

Quick question, are custom saddles better?

03/04/2025

Imagine!

02/02/2025

Learn from Susan & Ken — how to joyfully and eagerly disagree with your colleagues.

Disagreement is an opportunity for connection and learning among colleagues who share your values!

01/26/2025

Neoprene: “easy to clean, sticky and grippy, heat resistant, and shock-absorbing.” Translation: “rips your horse’s hair out, traps heat and non-wicking, if you need it to stop your saddle slipping…your saddle doesn’t fit.”

01/26/2025

“So again, why use force?”

01/19/2025

Looking to build community and keep yourself consistent and accountable in 2025? Join us for collaborative virtual clinics one day each season. 8 private lessons with students of all levels, all over the world, followed by a discussion about contemporary topics in the horse world - Training as Rehabilitation, Welfare and the Dressage Competition World (making actionable change), Dressage Training for other Disciplines, and Unmounted Horsemanship, respectively.

I will be your instructor, and discussion moderator. This is a great opportunity for students who might not otherwise have access to a like-minded instructor locally. The purpose of this clinic is for all participants to try and be present at all four sessions, to build community and support one another's growth. Please do not sign up for this clinic if you don't think you will be able to attend consistently. Because this clinic is in a virtual format, you will need a decent internet connection or cell service, a bluetooth headset is suggested, and either a Pivo, Pixem or friend to film. Anyone who would like to participate and hasn't done virtual lessons before, feel free to contact me directly and we will test your tech prior to clinic day. Other than the tech aspect, all levels and disciplines welcome. The only requirement is that you are interested in learning more about French Classical Dressage and ethical horsemanship.

https://virtualclinicswithmaxgoodman.splashthat.com

10/14/2024

Behavior is our superpower! We have evolved to change our outcomes using our behavior.

It is our responsibility as caretakers and trainers to empower our learners to change their outcomes using their behavior — as is their biological endowment!

(Words and ideas credit to Drs BF Skinner, Susan Friedman and Viktor Frankl, among other giants🙂)

.friedman on Instagram


We've come this far together, let's go father on IG. A little stream of consciousness ... wait! What's that look like?

https://www.instagram.com/p/DA9CsJaPu0y/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

10/09/2024

When it comes to ensuring your horse's comfort, saddle fit is key. But there are plenty of misconceptions floating around, and we're here to set the record straight. One of the most common myths is about saddle padding.

👎 Myth: More padding means a better fit.

👍 Fact: While it might seem logical, adding more padding cannot fix a poorly fitting saddle. In fact, excessive padding can create new pressure points and cause discomfort. A correctly fitted saddle should not require additional padding for comfort.

Want to make sure your saddle fits properly? Let our expert saddle fitters help you find the perfect fit for your horse, no extra padding required. Contact us today for a professional fitting.

10/09/2024

I am often asked how I continue to forge forward, through evolving ethics, in the face of criticism or *potential* criticism. Am I not worried what other people will think?

In answer: who are the ‘other people’?
Failing to produce societally approved “results” in a corrupt system that incentivizes harsh, abusive training speaks only to an unwillingness to compromise our values for social approval.

That failure of ‘production’ is a success in ethical training. Just ask the horses.

Great post from Milestone Equestrian below.
“But, here’s the thing about shifting value systems: I no longer value myself with the system that people attempt to use to devalue me.”

Shifting value systems can lead to an uncomfortable “in between.”

An in between where your self worth is more easy for others to exploit and damage.

When you stop prioritizing riding to the point where you are willing to work your horse through high stress and possible pain, people may try to label you as a less serious rider.

They’ll use your new priorities as a reason to degrade you as a rider.

And it’s easy to internalize this and take it personally.

But, really, their reaction is all about them.

If riding is what they want to believe makes someone a superior horse person and “riding them through it” is something to be proud of, they need to degrade the people who don’t want to take pride in that.

The people who are prioritizing how their horse feels.

They need to make you feel small so that your decision to forego instant gratification doesn’t bring out any internalized guilt in them.

I rode Milo through a ton of high stress for years.

Through painful hoof issues, through chronic anxiety.

I did so because I believed riding out all of his bucks and antics was a sign I was a good rider and trainer.

Just because I COULD do it doesn’t mean I should’ve.

When I honestly remark on that journey, it exposes buried feelings in others.

When I remark on coercive equipment I used to try to quiet his behavioural responses, it exposes similar tactics others may be using.

Tactics that they don’t want to reflect on in the same light I am currently doing.

So, to discredit the perspectives of people like myself, they must regard us like “nobodies.”

I’m not showing right now, so my opinion doesn’t matter to them.

I’m not rushing young horses up the levels and getting them to do spectacular feats that may cost their bodies in the future, so they’ll declare me as “lacking” in some capacity.

But, here’s the thing about shifting value systems:

I no longer value myself with the system that people attempt to use to devalue me.

I don’t find my self worth in a show record, in how high my horses are jumping, how often I ride or whether or not the riding we do looks impressive to others.

I find my self worth in trying to be as considerate as possible to my horses.

In playing the “long game” in training and doing better as I learn more.

In not perpetually repeating the same mistakes.

I find my self worth in mutual self regulation between my horses and I.

In the trust that I instil in them.

And my self worth isn’t a currency that other people create the value of.

They don’t control it.

An important lesson during shifts within your journey is recognizing you can always come home to yourself.

09/19/2024