*Opinion* Not my sport: if horse abuse is going on, it isn’t okay

What is going on to our sport? Lately there have been a number of suspensions in equestrian sports activities, to do with allegations of abusive practices of 1 type or one other.

Not one of the investigations has concluded so nobody has been discovered responsible of something. But when they’re, this isn’t okay, and this isn’t my sport.

My sport, my lifestyle, as is the case for nearly all of us fortunate sufficient to have horses in our lives, is a few partnership, and a bond with an equine accomplice. It’s a bond I actually consider advantages each horses and people – when every part is okay.

I’ve seen somebody questioning whether or not the calls for of the game, and the standard of efficiency, at high stage is driving some riders to hold out inappropriate coaching strategies. That shouldn’t even be a query in anybody’s thoughts. If you need to do issues like these which were alleged to win, why would you wish to win, whether or not that’s a 1.10m at a neighborhood present or an Olympic medal?

I want to assume all of us fortunate sufficient to have the ability to experience began and stick with it due to a love for horses, and that those that do love their horses would condemn abusive coaching strategies and practices always.

There are two large points right here. One is what’s being alleged, and as individuals have stated, in the event you see sure issues at exhibits and in public, what’s taking place in non-public? I feel all of us should be continually questioning our beliefs and practices, and committing to do the most effective we presumably can by our horses as a result of it’s the solely proper factor to do.

However there’s additionally the menace to our future. If abuse is going on, we won’t have a sport. The general public won’t belief us to care correctly for our horses’ welfare, so restrictions will probably be put in place by individuals who don’t perceive horses, and we may very properly find yourself not with the ability to experience in any respect.

Anybody who’s discovered to have abused horses in any manner, particularly high riders who’re the showpiece of our sport to the world, is contributing to an finish for all of us. Anybody discovered responsible of such issues needs to be vastly sanctioned, to stop them doing much like some other horses, and to behave as a warning that this isn’t tolerated, by the remainder of us within the sport and the broader public who will decide whether or not we maintain it.

I feel, and I hope, that the tide is popping, that individuals are beginning to realise what’s not okay.

I additionally firmly consider that many horses thrive on being ridden and competing. I simply hope that can proceed, for generations into the long run.

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H&H information editor

Eleanor is an skilled journalist who spent over eight years working for native and nationwide newspapers earlier than becoming a member of H&H as information editor in March 2016. Obsessed with equine welfare and exposing the reality, Eleanor has reported on all facets of the trade, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage guidelines to mules. Her sport of selection is showjumping, during which she competes her personal horses, and she or he additionally enjoys reporting at native leaping exhibits by means of to worldwide championships.