*Opinion* Not my sport: if horse abuse is going on, it’s not 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 couple of partnership, and a bond with an equine associate. It’s a bond I really imagine advantages each horses and people – when all the pieces is okay.

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

I wish to suppose all of us fortunate sufficient to have the ability to trip began and keep on 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, for those who see sure issues at exhibits and in public, what’s occurring in personal? I believe all of us should be always questioning our beliefs and practices, and committing to do one of the best we presumably can by our horses as a result of it’s the solely proper factor to do.

However there’s additionally the risk 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 can be put in place by individuals who don’t perceive horses, and we might very nicely find yourself not having the ability to trip in any respect.

Anybody who’s discovered to have abused horses in any approach, particularly prime 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 forestall them doing just like every 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 hold it.

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

I additionally firmly imagine that many horses thrive on being ridden and competing. I simply hope that may proceed, for generations into the longer term.

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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. Enthusiastic about equine welfare and exposing the reality, Eleanor has reported on all points of the trade, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage guidelines to mules. Her sport of selection is showjumping, through which she competes her personal horses, and he or she additionally enjoys reporting at native leaping exhibits by means of to worldwide championships.