The course states (chapter „Social License to Operate“, page 3) that the horse industry is increasingly losing public acceptance. This is largely due to the increasing number of negative headlines in recent years where horses have been mistreated or exploited. You write that it is important to keep self-reflecting, even though these media reports are often taken out of context and often do not reflect the true events. Why is this self-reflection important?
While these images are often seen by the broader public as evidence of mistreatment (and clearly are presented as such by the media – otherwise it wouldn’t be worth a headline), the equestrian world has long tended to be quick to get defensive and make excuses – e.g. „it’s a single case“, or „it’s not that bad – the public just wouldn’t understand“, etc. This is problematic for two reasons: firstly, because behind every picture there often is an actual problem that deserves critical reflection (current examples of this – the visibly overwhelmed horse at the Olympic pentathlon in Tokyo, or the fact that a show jumper bleeding from the nose at the same competition was not stopped immediately). Secondly, the attitude „they don’t understand and therefore shouldn’t judge“ is very dismissive – everyone judges things they don’t understand or only understand superficially with their gut feeling or has a personal perception. The actors involved therefore have the task of educating the public or presenting in a credible way the steps that are being taken to ensure that this no longer happens – something that, in both cases, has happened.
The COFICHEV document also states that negative incidents have not decreased in recent years, particularly in top-level sport, despite awareness already being raised. Do you think riders are not taking the issue seriously enough, or what is the reason for this?
To be honest, yes – I think many riders (and their immediate environment) find themselves in a kind of „bubble“, especially in top-class sport. They sometimes find it difficult to look at things from a necessary distance. Somewhere there are limits to educating the public and it becomes necessary to change behavior in the interest of the animal and public opinion. Take, for example, the debate about the use of the whip in racing. Those involved in the sport understandably argue that modern whips do not cause unnecessary pain to the horse, and that whips are a well-regulated necessity to get a horse safely to the finish line. But… the fact is, from the outside it looks as if a person is sitting on a horse and beating the horse to make it run faster; and this has a disturbing effect on many people despite all attempts to explain it! This raises the question of whether the equestrian world should be giving serious thought to whether the sport really needs these whips instead of frantically defending their use. There are similar issues in show jumping that could definitely benefit from a more detached approach.
On the next page of the course you write (chapter „Social License to Operate“, page 4) that another reason for the decline in public acceptance is the negative impact of the equestrian industry on the environment. One example you give is the CO2 emissions caused by the transportation of horses to international events, but also by the construction of the infrastructure. Do you see a need for action here?
This is a difficult topic. There is no getting away from the fact that the construction of large, temporary infrastructures such as sports stadiums, stables and the associated catering buildings is not particularly environmentally friendly. The repeated use of existing infrastructure, as in Dielsdorf, is somewhat different. The fact that the numerous international tournaments turn the four-legged athletes and their riders into „frequent flyers“ has recently been well commented on in major equestrian magazines. Whereas in the past it was only the major championships such as the Olympics or World Equestrian Games that necessitated long journeys, nowadays in top-level sport horses are on long journeys by plane or truck almost every weekend. With the current development of the sport, this is difficult to prevent. The FEI and the organizers are making a lot of efforts to reduce this CO2 footprint, but it is also important that this is done well and credibly so that it is not just „greenwashing“. There is certainly room for maneuver in the immediate surroundings: For example, every rider can ask themselves whether it is really necessary to transport one or two horses to the show in the neighboring canton in a large truck, or whether the trailer on the car would not be enough.
The course states (chapter „Overriding interests and appropriate use of a horse“, page 1) that to ensure that the interests of the horse are upheld, it is necessary to take ethical principles seriously. Furthermore, the treatment of equines should be based on respect, honesty and moral uprightness. Do you think the equine industry as a whole is on the right track to realize this?
It is very pleasing that the topic is now being taken very seriously by many individuals and organizations – this blog post is a good example of this. Another positive development is that discussions about horse welfare are not just limited to forms of husbandry, but also include questions about management and use. Credible efforts are being made from many sides to put the horse and its needs at the center of attention and also to address difficult topics – including the use of horses in top-class sport. In my view, these efforts should be a little bolder. I would very much welcome it if the status quo was shaken up a little more – even if the conservative circles in equestrian sport find it difficult to let go of old traditions (a current example of this is the debate on the compulsory use of the curb bit in dressage)! In the sense of proactively „acting“ and not just „reacting“ to public pressure.
The COFICHEV document also states that a lot is demanded of horses, especially in top-class sport – not only is a more intensive athletic performance required, but also an adaptation to different conditions of keeping and handling them. Does this mean that the top-class sport industry is under even more pressure to do justice to the horse?
Of course, no other horses are exposed to as much physical and mental stress as horses in top-class sport. This is often justified with a high quality of care (the best feed, the best health care, the nicest stables and a personal groom, etc.). But to be honest, most horses would probably prefer not to be in a golden cage, but to have a few hours of freedom every day and to be able to be outside in all weathers with a few four-legged companions. It is precisely here that a balance must be struck – without a horse, there is no equestrian sport, which is why it is particularly important that these horses are kept and managed in a way that meets their individual needs. A happy, balanced horse often tolerates the stresses and strains of sport (and associated activities) better than one that is already stressed by nature. There are already some examples of four-legged top athletes who are kept (at home) in very horse-friendly conditions, and others who are at least allowed to enjoy regular „time out“ in the field.
