In this update, we have ‘Partnership worth a Medal’ from the Polish Equestrian Federation Conference, and ‘Progress?’ where we ask if the FEI will act on the recommendations of their own Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission.

PARTNERSHIP WORTH A MEDAL

Veterinary surgeons Alina Palichleb, DVM, and Eva van Avermaet, DVM, give us their take-aways from this conference that was organised by the Polish Equestrian Federation after an original idea from Alina Palichleb

 

Standing My Ground

Eva van Avermaet

Some time ago, the founding members of the Collectif Pour les Chevaux and I adopted the statement by the International Society for Equitation Science (ISES), which is based on the analysis of scientific studies of different head and neck positions. Hyperflexion is defined as any neck flexion placing the horse’s nose behind the vertical, which has been proven to have no positive effect on performance and to be detrimental to the horse’s well-being. Numerous, more recent scientific studies have confirmed this statement from 2015. The ISES statement does not include a judgement on whether hyperflexion is abusive or not. We, the Collectif Pour les Chevaux, state that we must avoid taking and holding the horse’s nose behind the vertical – whether the neck is high or low, and whether the rider’s aids are neutral or aggressive – because hyperflexion is at best unnecessary and burdensome, at worst counterproductive, and in certain situations, abusive.

The vertical is the limit not to be exceeded. The scientific studies, as well as our education, our experience, our common sense, and our profound love and respect for horses, all lead us to firmly stand our ground in this matter. What we have observed for years on competition grounds, in several institutions, in riding schools and training facilities, as well as in images circulating everywhere, convinces us that the horses need us to stand firm in this matter.

During the courageous and indispensable conference ‘Partnership Worth a Medal’, organised by the Polish Equestrian Federation after an original idea from Alina Palichleb, DVM, I was happy to see our position being confirmed once again by yet another experienced professional of the horse world. 

Krzysztof Skorupski, DVM, also drew attention to the importance of riders not continuously hanging onto the reins. It was like music in my ears to hear him warning against this wrong but generally accepted  idea that riders must keep constant tension on the reins. The photos he showed of riders’ hands not holding on to the reins and the horse’s mouth were just beautiful. In these circumstances, hyperflexion can easily be avoided. I was happy to hear that Dr Skorupski has trained many Polish instructors and taught many children.

As always, everybody agreed that education is key, and that the continuous flow of images of hyperflexion must stop in order to start the process of re-establishing correct riding as the norm. We also agreed that children are the future. They must be taught the correct way of working with horses from the very beginning.

On the sidelines of the event, someone asked me to stand down and demanded I accept a limit of 10 degrees behind the vertical. I will not give in to this kind of pressure. I will stand my ground in this matter because it is the only way to efficiently protect horses against the generally accepted, applauded, and unnecessary discomfort and abuse of sport horses.

It is ridiculous to belittle me by telling me my point of view is emotional. It is not ‘emotional’, nor is it ‘just my point of view’. It is merely common sense, scientifically backed, and confirmed by professionals showing it is possible to avoid hyperflexion by correctly training a horse. Belittling me over this implies belittling all the other professionals in the horse world who agree that we should at all times avoid taking and holding the nose of the horse behind the vertical.

Olympic riders should be able to avoid hyperflexion; otherwise, they do not deserve to be at that level. The conference confirmed our fear that it is too late to retrain the selected horses and riders for the Paris Olympics, but that it is not too late to establish correct riding for all the competitions following the Paris Olympics, and to show the world that the entire horse industry is capable of completely changing the status quo of hyperflexion, blue tongues and brutal riding in less than two years. But for that to happen, the FEI must enforce the rules, and the riders and trainers must change their ways. Now. If the conference gave me much hope, observing the warm-ups of the dressage tests during the FEI World Cup in Amsterdam two days after the conference, put my thoughts right back in place. Looking at those FEI stars, those so-called elite riders, it should be clear there is no room for dreamers or naïve people here: there is no hope left that the change will come from the high-level competition riders, trainers and officials. The FEI won’t move, until it is forced to do so.

I will stand my ground for the horses, the good instructors, and for the children who should be able to experience the same thrilling feeling we all had, strolling and galloping around on horseback. It is not us who should give way – it is up to the FEI, their officials, the Olympic riders and their trainers to change.

It is not setting the vertical as the limit that is too demanding. It is our wish not to see hyperflexion in Paris that is too demanding, as up till now, the Olympic teams and judges have not listened to those who have been asking them to change the status quo for years. They did not listen. They seem incapable of changing. And now it is too late.

The accomplished Polish showjumper Daria Kobiernik, who was at the conference as well, is also constantly seeking to make things better.

So why can’t the so-called ‘elite’ dressage riders?

STAYING FOCUSED ON THE CORE PROBLEMS by Alina Palichleb, DVM

It is extremely important we stay focused on the core problems we have in the equine world.

 

We have had numerous meetings to plan this event, and we all agreed that there is a significant risk of getting distracted by problem-solving ideas that do not address the main issues horses face when interacting with us: our challenges of learning the feel, training the eye, maintaining balance and fitness, and developing the appropriate toolkit for the work.

 

Let’s face it –  it requires a massive amount of dedication and hard work to get things right in the saddle and it is a never-ending journey. We should acknowledge that each rider is on their own path of development, so their current performance might not be their best, but it could still be their personal best to date.

 

However, let’s not abuse this notion, particularly with regard to the very top riders. The point is that the moment you refuse to learn, you choose to take shortcuts and turn towards a violent approach, and condemnation and sanctions will come. 

 

After this conference, we aim towards shaping the existing environment by setting firm boundaries, but also offering riders a chance to learn better before those sanctions will take effect. We do know the constraints that need to be solved – educating trainers and officials. And our main focus will remain on learning theory and behaviour in horses, and correct biomechanics of equine movement.

 

As for us riders, the focus will be on learning to overcome our own restrictions, helping to build a framework for sustainable training, and developing a healthy body and mind.

 

The conference received incredibly positive feedback, with a palpable feeling of relief that a “tight nosebands” type of discussion did not overtake the lectures.

 

It was an especially humbling feeling to go through a confession process with speakers, and instead of leaving us in a vicious circle, the discussions allowed us to find a successful way out. It helped connect everyone in their horsemanship journey whether they were in a state of feeling guilt, shifting from an unconscious state to an open-eyes state, getting unstuck or confirming hidden feelings waiting for the trigger point to start the change.

 

This conference was meant to be a lighthouse that will keep guiding us to safe shores – which is happy athletes. In this scenario, the rider will probably look highly focused on their partner, a horse that is moving in balance and beautiful harmony under the saddle. Let’s be thankful that we have amazing individuals to learn from and let’s hope that all the tiny pushes will eventually start to lead to a bigger impact of positive changes.

PROGRESS?

WILL THE FEI ACT ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THEIR OWN EQUINE ETHICS AND WELLBEING COMMISSION?

By Milly Shand

 

In June 2022, and in response to growing public concern, the FEI instigated an independent ‘Social Licence’ Commission to address societal concerns related to the use of horses in sport.

The Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission (EEWBC) includes notable animal welfare and behavioural scientists, a rider, a vet and FEI officials. It was tasked with addressing societal concerns, creating a blueprint for future-proof equestrian sports and providing independent advice and recommendations to the FEI to ensure equine welfare is safeguarded through ethical and evidence-based policies and practices.

 

The commission has been transparent and open in its international investigation  and publication of recommendations – with their work clearly documented and shared on their website. They have completed their 18-month mandate, and Professor Natalie Waran (Chair of the EEWBC) delivered their final report ‘A Good Life for Horses’ to the FEI Hybrid General Assembly in Mexico City in November last year. The report points out six areas of focus identified as being important to equestrian stakeholders. It includes 30 recommendations developed by the Commission with the use of scientific literature, extensive public and equestrian survey information, as well as stakeholder feedback. It is now being considered by the FEI and will form part of the discussion and proposed way forward to be presented at the 2024 FEI Sports Forum in Lausanne in April this year 

 

The recommendations are grouped into five key areas: To Be a Leader, to Be Trusted, to Be Transparent, to Be ProActive and to Be Accountable, notably stating that ‘the FEI will play a critical role in advancing equine welfare globally by setting an example to Be a Leader that others aspire towards’.

 

The commission should be congratulated on their body of work. However, it remains to be seen if the FEI, presently demonstrating scant concern for horse welfare, can adopt and act upon such lofty ideals. 

 

If horse sports are to survive, then the FEI need to heed the EEWBC. But so far we have only seen the FEI and their stakeholders resisting any genuine positive change.