10/08/2024
There is so much being written about recent events and I've been watching and mulling it over for a few days.
What I'm seeing is either, "utter horror and surprise. Support in a warped way that suggests we look at how bad they are though over there, in whatever other sport they choose, and this wasn't as bad as that.
Seen worse on livery yards. Least the horses aren't fat and have laminitis.
Everyone makes mistakes and others throwing Charlotte under the bus to divert attention.. "
What she did was very wrong and not for a second do I think it's a one off but this post isn't aimed at her, but all of us..
We have to stop turning a blind eye , to stop handing over responsibility to people who's standing and status do not mean they know better than us when it comes to horse welfare.
How about we all look at what is going on all around us. On the livery yards we are on. At the trainers and professionals we use and start to be your horses advocate. You are their guardian and what ever level you are riding at, we should always question any one who we ask for help with them.
On a daily basis I hear of how horses are "lazy" "taking the p*ss" "mareish" "opinionated" " sharp" "spooky"etc etc with no thought for the why, just a negative consequence for the horse.
It's endemic.
The way we view horses has to start to be different from ground level, to make changes all the way up to the top. The FEI routinely turn a blind eye. The photos of showjumpers and dressage horses in Paris already coming out show that.
So the tide needs to change around us and to push back at those who should know better and choose not to see.
Not to idolise them.
To stop and really look at the photos of them, see the blue tongues the pain expressions, the poor muscling , the lameness,the learned helplessness..
To speak up..
Winning medals should not deserve the adoration through blinkers that human nature appears to think it does. But also niether should being a professional at any level, mean they know better than you.
Being paid, so therefore professional, does not mean they know better. No one is above question and your horses is the only expert and their opinion the only one that matters.. they all communicate, it's our job to learn to "listen" to them.
Whether it's someone at Olympic level or teaching on the local livery yard, everyone should be held accountable.
It's not ok to strap the mouth up tighter with nosebands as the horses dare to express their discomfort.
To use stronger bits to make us feel safe when the bit is causing your horse pain.
To teach its normal for horses to take 15 mins plus to "submit" every time we ride.
For trainers to make people who do question, feel like they are just soft and the reason their horse is a "t"at". That's human bullying as well as equine..
To teach kids their ponies are lazy and need a smack, or to get them "on the bit" by seesawing on their mouths. That applies to adults too..
To ride horses behind the vertical as the dressage judges keep saying "not round enough"..
To accept the amount of broken horses, physically and mentally, around us because of what humans have done..
To accept horses needing rehab at only 5 years old when should just be starting their ridden lives,not already be broken from it..
For livery yard culture of bullying anyone who is different and doesn't follow the mainstream..
I could go on..
Being a competitive rider/professional does not mean they know better, or their care for their horses is superior.
It means the judges somewhere told them they are doing it right, and rewarded it with prizes. Let's stop putting our horses wellbeing in the hands of someone sat in a judges box..
Nor does the fact a person has been riding from more years than you've been on the planet and you only riding a few, mean your opinion and feeling on a situation must be wrong.. time spent with or money earnt from horses,does not mean the have knowledge that's ethical and horse centred..
We can compete and keep our horses at the top of our priority, but we have to accept the judges may mark this down. I have and I know how frustrating this is but no one will ever make me ride or train people differently to gain more marks, if it's not prioritising the horses physical and mental state.
I have met and worked with wonderfully kind top competitive riders, who's horses wellbeing is an absolute priority and don't use aversive methods, but they are constantly questioning and evolving to be better for their horses.
There are judges out there that see good horse focussed training, but when what's rewarded at high level is seen as gold standard it's hard to go against the tide..
It's time for change and I even thank that whistleblower for showing the video to the press.
I don't care if it's sour grapes, the victim feeling they couldn't share before, someone trying to wipe out the competition, or whatever else theory people are coming up with.
It's not where our energy should now be. In-fighting whilst the public watch on and see nothing change.. It's not equestrians who will be behind the push for the banning of horse sports, but it'll happen while the collective focus is on falling out with each other and not accepting responsibility and making changes .
Our energies should be on the sad reality that this is going on, everywhere and we cannot carry on choosing not to see/ speak up.
How we are going to show the public this isn't what we do if we really love horses and that money and medals are never worth more than them..
I'm hoping what's in the news will be a positive, as we needed a catalyst for change. I'm hoping this is going to open peoples eyes and also give them confidence to question "professionals".
I'm hoping the people who always apologise to me as they are "only happy hackers" but who's horses are happy and not sore, stop apologising..
In hope...
Ruth
