Some of you might have thought The Horror Horse Show dead. But not yet. Life have been busy, busy and filled with other things that has taken time away from putting pen to paper on this particular subject.
But soon... hopefully very soon you will see new additions to the blog. That is the intention at least.
I have been thinking about changing the concept ever so slightly, so as to not focus ONLY on the negative aspects of it all, but actually also point out where I see light in the darkness.
Just a brief sidenote until I return...
...So watch this space
torsdag den 9. september 2010
mandag den 26. oktober 2009
Make Haste - Slowly!
"Make haste, slowly" - is a direct translation of a Danish phrase often used in relation to the training of young horses. Indicating that you have to hurry, but with care, giving the horse time develop and build muscles whilst still making progress.
In my opinion however, lately there has been far to much focus put on the make haste part, and less on the slowly with dire consequences for the horse.
The horse has to be ready for the youngster championships at ages 4, 5 and 6, and perhaps competitions at grand prix level as early as at 8 years of age, thus putting focus only on haste and perhaps less on questioning whether the horse is actually ready for what we ask of it.
This I feel has led riders to focus mainly on the form of the horse. The tendency is to focus more on whether the horse goes in "the correct" outline than whether it is working correctly. Forgetting that even if the correct outline comes from a correctly working horse, it does not equal that a horse in something resmebling the "correct outline" is also working correctly.
I often have the feeling that an unacknowledged checklist exists for what is correct riding:
1) Nose in vertical (or at least approximately) - check
2) Neck up (yeah we know the poll ought to be the highest point, but an each to or from - who's counting) - check
3) Spectacular leg movements (so what if it is only is movement in the front legs, nobody has the time to focus at the hindlegs at the pace we are going anyhow) - check
4) Bouncing back (well it is only the croup going up and down - but again, it is right next to the back - so I suppose it will be alright)
This will give you something which perhaps at a first glance looks like a correctly ridden horse, but at a second glance it ought to be evident that if the outline is forced the correctness is only an illusion.
As with any other things strength and muscle tonus to perform complicated movements takes time. Time that - in the case of grand prix horses - no longer seems available.
Therefore we often see shortcuts in order for the horse to be able to perform these difficult movement. On the dressage arena the horse will perform a variant of the original movement, but instead of the flowing movement which comes from suppleness and strength, we see forced movements created from tension and force from the riders hands and legs. On the showjumping course we also see the results of this focus to get the horse to perform at a younger and younger age, because the horse lacks the strength to actually clear the fences in the proper way we see the horses twist and turn in the air in order to clear fences that it is actually not ready for. Also here force is applied in order to get the horse to meet the wanted ends, again as a shortcut instead of spending more time on the horse' foundational training.
The most alarming thing in all of this is that this illusion of correct riding, has been so widely accepted that it gets harder and harder for people to recognise the illusion for what it is. As this wrong and forced riding becomes the norm, excuses are made up to explain why what we see differs from what it ought to look like, instead of recognising the error in it all.
Since my original focus for this text was actually the training of young horses please take a moment to look at the photos below.
The first photo shows a 5 year old stallion showing in the early eighties:
It later went on to compete at international level.
the second photo shows a 4-5 year old stallion who has been one of the most expensive three years old's sold on an auction in Denmark. Today it is six and shows at intermediate level.
and
The horses ought to be shown in much the same outline, but instead we see that the younger horse (on the photos from 2008) is shown in an outline and so called collection that it is not strong enough to show without consequences such as loss of rythm, dragging hind legs and tension.
All clear symptoms of the greater emphasis on "Make Haste" rather than "Slowly" in the education of this horse.
Do we really want this way of training and showing of the youngster, or ought we not put more focus on "slowly" giving the horse a fair chance to honour what we demand of it, instead of just applying more and more force to compensate for our shortcomings and impatience as a rider.
In my opinion however, lately there has been far to much focus put on the make haste part, and less on the slowly with dire consequences for the horse.
The horse has to be ready for the youngster championships at ages 4, 5 and 6, and perhaps competitions at grand prix level as early as at 8 years of age, thus putting focus only on haste and perhaps less on questioning whether the horse is actually ready for what we ask of it.
This I feel has led riders to focus mainly on the form of the horse. The tendency is to focus more on whether the horse goes in "the correct" outline than whether it is working correctly. Forgetting that even if the correct outline comes from a correctly working horse, it does not equal that a horse in something resmebling the "correct outline" is also working correctly.
I often have the feeling that an unacknowledged checklist exists for what is correct riding:
1) Nose in vertical (or at least approximately) - check
2) Neck up (yeah we know the poll ought to be the highest point, but an each to or from - who's counting) - check
3) Spectacular leg movements (so what if it is only is movement in the front legs, nobody has the time to focus at the hindlegs at the pace we are going anyhow) - check
4) Bouncing back (well it is only the croup going up and down - but again, it is right next to the back - so I suppose it will be alright)
This will give you something which perhaps at a first glance looks like a correctly ridden horse, but at a second glance it ought to be evident that if the outline is forced the correctness is only an illusion.
As with any other things strength and muscle tonus to perform complicated movements takes time. Time that - in the case of grand prix horses - no longer seems available.
Therefore we often see shortcuts in order for the horse to be able to perform these difficult movement. On the dressage arena the horse will perform a variant of the original movement, but instead of the flowing movement which comes from suppleness and strength, we see forced movements created from tension and force from the riders hands and legs. On the showjumping course we also see the results of this focus to get the horse to perform at a younger and younger age, because the horse lacks the strength to actually clear the fences in the proper way we see the horses twist and turn in the air in order to clear fences that it is actually not ready for. Also here force is applied in order to get the horse to meet the wanted ends, again as a shortcut instead of spending more time on the horse' foundational training.
The most alarming thing in all of this is that this illusion of correct riding, has been so widely accepted that it gets harder and harder for people to recognise the illusion for what it is. As this wrong and forced riding becomes the norm, excuses are made up to explain why what we see differs from what it ought to look like, instead of recognising the error in it all.
Since my original focus for this text was actually the training of young horses please take a moment to look at the photos below.
The first photo shows a 5 year old stallion showing in the early eighties:
It later went on to compete at international level.
the second photo shows a 4-5 year old stallion who has been one of the most expensive three years old's sold on an auction in Denmark. Today it is six and shows at intermediate level.
and
The horses ought to be shown in much the same outline, but instead we see that the younger horse (on the photos from 2008) is shown in an outline and so called collection that it is not strong enough to show without consequences such as loss of rythm, dragging hind legs and tension.
All clear symptoms of the greater emphasis on "Make Haste" rather than "Slowly" in the education of this horse.
Do we really want this way of training and showing of the youngster, or ought we not put more focus on "slowly" giving the horse a fair chance to honour what we demand of it, instead of just applying more and more force to compensate for our shortcomings and impatience as a rider.
The Blue Tongue That Served As A Red Flag!
Only 7 days ago a four minute and twenty six seconds long video sequence was submitted to youtube.
See video link below.
Now a week later almost 30.000 people have clicked to see the video.
For some reason this video served as the red cloth in front of the bulls eyes, causing outrage and frustration amongst riders at various places on our globe.
For some reason this particular video hit a note that all the other horrible video sequences you can find at youtube had not. Though I would argue that the abuse on display here is no worse than what you can see at any horse show, though perhaps a bit more obvious.
Whatever the reason I am happy, that at least we have some sort of common ground for what is unacceptable. For if we can agree that THIS is far beyond what is acceptable, then perhaps we have the possibility to get the attention of the riding associations - international as well as national.
I hope this will be the first topic on the long list of topics on horse welfare in training and competition that needs to be addressed if we want our equitational sport to survive.
I hope that FEI will not manage to turn the deaf ear, but will be forced to prove that they do indeed put the welfare above all. If you go through one of the older posts in this blog you will find a letter from the FEI where they state that "the FEI code of conduct explicitly states that the welfare of the horse is paramount" -
I hope we will see them actually take this responsibility they have stated for them selves seriously.
On a final note I can mention that since the petition to the FEI to BAN rollkur was released some 10hrs ago almost 700 people has signed it.
See video link below.
Now a week later almost 30.000 people have clicked to see the video.
For some reason this video served as the red cloth in front of the bulls eyes, causing outrage and frustration amongst riders at various places on our globe.
For some reason this particular video hit a note that all the other horrible video sequences you can find at youtube had not. Though I would argue that the abuse on display here is no worse than what you can see at any horse show, though perhaps a bit more obvious.
Whatever the reason I am happy, that at least we have some sort of common ground for what is unacceptable. For if we can agree that THIS is far beyond what is acceptable, then perhaps we have the possibility to get the attention of the riding associations - international as well as national.
I hope this will be the first topic on the long list of topics on horse welfare in training and competition that needs to be addressed if we want our equitational sport to survive.
I hope that FEI will not manage to turn the deaf ear, but will be forced to prove that they do indeed put the welfare above all. If you go through one of the older posts in this blog you will find a letter from the FEI where they state that "the FEI code of conduct explicitly states that the welfare of the horse is paramount" -
I hope we will see them actually take this responsibility they have stated for them selves seriously.
On a final note I can mention that since the petition to the FEI to BAN rollkur was released some 10hrs ago almost 700 people has signed it.
søndag den 25. oktober 2009
Just a bad moment?
We all know the feeling of looking over photos taken from a riding lesson or a horse show, and recognising that some are looking more pleasing than others.
Some represent the way we like to think that we are riding our horse, others broadcasts some of our faults as riders, while others again perhaps shows something we altogether does not like.
The first we will gladly show to friends, and perhaps online as representing the way we ride.
The second group we might share as well, albeit a little bit more reluctantly, we will perhaps learn from them and try to minimize those particular errors the next time around.
But what about the third group. Some of these might of course be simply because the photo is blurred, the horse is caught in a less pleasing part of its movement or perhaps they stand out because the horse looks less than pleased, it is tense and everything looks forced.
Maybe we delete them and dismiss them as just bad moments?
Maybe we ignore them and think that that is always the way it will look if we stop the fluid motion of the horse and split it into unforgiving frames as the camera does when the photographer press the shutter.
For me the question - the question we ought always present to ourselves - is:
How many bad moments should we accept in a riding session?
How bad can a bad moment before it is "too bad" to exist even as a single moment?
When is a bad moment no longer just "a bad moment" but the actual trend? A trend which immediately ought to cause us to look inward and question if this is really the way we want to ride.
Is a bad moment - just that - a bad moment, if we find one in five, one in ten, one in fifty or will it only be acceptable as a bad moment if we find is at one in hundred?
Lastly a question of perhaps a more general kind, why is the such a huge difference in what we see as a bad moment?
For example the photo below: some will find it disgusting and violent to the horse, while others will see it as just normal flexing.
And how many such moments are necessary before it can be deemed as actual abuse?
Well after a little more muddling around I seem to be able to get more photos in - so here we go:
Try posing the same question for the below photos:
And add the questions - if these are not so called bad moments, is it then really what dressage ought to be like? If these photos represent the trend - dressage as it is ridden everywhere - do we not have the responsibility to react on the behalf of the horse?
Some represent the way we like to think that we are riding our horse, others broadcasts some of our faults as riders, while others again perhaps shows something we altogether does not like.
The first we will gladly show to friends, and perhaps online as representing the way we ride.
The second group we might share as well, albeit a little bit more reluctantly, we will perhaps learn from them and try to minimize those particular errors the next time around.
But what about the third group. Some of these might of course be simply because the photo is blurred, the horse is caught in a less pleasing part of its movement or perhaps they stand out because the horse looks less than pleased, it is tense and everything looks forced.
Maybe we delete them and dismiss them as just bad moments?
Maybe we ignore them and think that that is always the way it will look if we stop the fluid motion of the horse and split it into unforgiving frames as the camera does when the photographer press the shutter.
For me the question - the question we ought always present to ourselves - is:
How many bad moments should we accept in a riding session?
How bad can a bad moment before it is "too bad" to exist even as a single moment?
When is a bad moment no longer just "a bad moment" but the actual trend? A trend which immediately ought to cause us to look inward and question if this is really the way we want to ride.
Is a bad moment - just that - a bad moment, if we find one in five, one in ten, one in fifty or will it only be acceptable as a bad moment if we find is at one in hundred?
Lastly a question of perhaps a more general kind, why is the such a huge difference in what we see as a bad moment?
For example the photo below: some will find it disgusting and violent to the horse, while others will see it as just normal flexing.
And how many such moments are necessary before it can be deemed as actual abuse?
Well after a little more muddling around I seem to be able to get more photos in - so here we go:
Try posing the same question for the below photos:
And add the questions - if these are not so called bad moments, is it then really what dressage ought to be like? If these photos represent the trend - dressage as it is ridden everywhere - do we not have the responsibility to react on the behalf of the horse?
FEI's initial response to the "Blue Tongue" - Mia's letter
Fei's Response to a letter concerning the extended use of hyperflexion and one of the consequences of this type of riding on the horse' tongue as seen in this video sequence on you tube (original letter can be found below):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hIXGiV4N4k
Dear Mia Balint,
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We see this as a very serious issue, and will follow up immediately. Our main concern should always be the welfare of the horse.
Our Steward Manual has following wording about hyperflexion, in addition to the general text about abuse of horses: Hyperflexion
Providing that a horse is fit and well and not suffering from any back or neck injuries orailments there are no known clinical side effects specifically arising from the use of Hyperflexion.
However, there are concerns for the horses’ well-being if the technique is not practiced correctly.
The FEI does not permit excessive or prolonged Hyperflexion in any equestrian sport.
We have just received a copy of the video, and will study it and take necessary action.
Please rest assured that an abuse will not be tolerated.
Best regards
Trond Asmyr
Original e-mai from Mia
Regarding World Cup in Odense, Denmark.
I am an outraged spectator of the World Cup Dressage shown on video.
I have just watched a videoclip showing Patrik Kittel hyperflexing/rollkur'ing his stallion Watermill Scandic HBC on the warm up arena, and I am absolutely shocked with what I have witnessed.
The video shows Patrik pulling so hard on the curb-bit reins so that the horses' tongue is completely blue, hanging from its mouth like dead tissue. He is performing this abuse for a duration of approximately 2 hours, and as a passionate horselover, amateur rider and law student I simply cannot accept this.
This kind of training is an outrage, it is violent, it is cruel abuse and it makes me sick to my stomach that you, the FEI, do not have the guts to enforce your own rule set, in which you in article 1 on page 10 write that:
1. At all stages during the preparation and training of competition horses,WELFARE must take precedence over all other demands. This includes goodhorse management, TRAINING METHODS, farriery and tack, and transportation. (My highlights)
In this case I am confused and angry that the FEI still has not forbidden the use of rollkur/hyperflexion, when it is obvious that the horse is experiencing pain and anguish during this, plus the riders are apparently using this strained position on the horses for long periods of time.
You have to take a stand now - the riders performing abuse on their horses in the manner of Patrik Kittel's deed on this video should result in penalties and not a turning of the FEI-cheek.
In case no action will be taken to ensure that this horse abuse will not take place at showing events without intervention from equestrian authorities, I will make it my principal goal to send this video clip - among pictures and other videoclips of top riders performing abusive training on their horses - to the riders' sponsors AND a very powerful network in the U.S. lead by a woman named Martha Stewart, to make sure it will be known worldwide that consumers should not buy products or services from these sponsors, as the sponsors are supporting a cruel sport in favor of animal abuse.
I hope you will take this seriously.
Mia
Thanks to Mia for letting me share her correspondance with the FEI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hIXGiV4N4k
Dear Mia Balint,
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We see this as a very serious issue, and will follow up immediately. Our main concern should always be the welfare of the horse.
Our Steward Manual has following wording about hyperflexion, in addition to the general text about abuse of horses: Hyperflexion
Providing that a horse is fit and well and not suffering from any back or neck injuries orailments there are no known clinical side effects specifically arising from the use of Hyperflexion.
However, there are concerns for the horses’ well-being if the technique is not practiced correctly.
The FEI does not permit excessive or prolonged Hyperflexion in any equestrian sport.
We have just received a copy of the video, and will study it and take necessary action.
Please rest assured that an abuse will not be tolerated.
Best regards
Trond Asmyr
Original e-mai from Mia
Regarding World Cup in Odense, Denmark.
I am an outraged spectator of the World Cup Dressage shown on video.
I have just watched a videoclip showing Patrik Kittel hyperflexing/rollkur'ing his stallion Watermill Scandic HBC on the warm up arena, and I am absolutely shocked with what I have witnessed.
The video shows Patrik pulling so hard on the curb-bit reins so that the horses' tongue is completely blue, hanging from its mouth like dead tissue. He is performing this abuse for a duration of approximately 2 hours, and as a passionate horselover, amateur rider and law student I simply cannot accept this.
This kind of training is an outrage, it is violent, it is cruel abuse and it makes me sick to my stomach that you, the FEI, do not have the guts to enforce your own rule set, in which you in article 1 on page 10 write that:
1. At all stages during the preparation and training of competition horses,WELFARE must take precedence over all other demands. This includes goodhorse management, TRAINING METHODS, farriery and tack, and transportation. (My highlights)
In this case I am confused and angry that the FEI still has not forbidden the use of rollkur/hyperflexion, when it is obvious that the horse is experiencing pain and anguish during this, plus the riders are apparently using this strained position on the horses for long periods of time.
You have to take a stand now - the riders performing abuse on their horses in the manner of Patrik Kittel's deed on this video should result in penalties and not a turning of the FEI-cheek.
In case no action will be taken to ensure that this horse abuse will not take place at showing events without intervention from equestrian authorities, I will make it my principal goal to send this video clip - among pictures and other videoclips of top riders performing abusive training on their horses - to the riders' sponsors AND a very powerful network in the U.S. lead by a woman named Martha Stewart, to make sure it will be known worldwide that consumers should not buy products or services from these sponsors, as the sponsors are supporting a cruel sport in favor of animal abuse.
I hope you will take this seriously.
Mia
Thanks to Mia for letting me share her correspondance with the FEI
torsdag den 22. oktober 2009
Let there be light
When referring to the Dark Ages people normally think of it as a thing of the past.
Images of windy moors and huddled figures striving against the wind will inevitably materialise in our minds, intermingled perhaps with more romanticised ideas of fair maidens and heroic soldiers from the court of the high kings. The sound of hoof beats, the clinking sound of sword against sword, a lone owl hooting amongst rustling branch under a foggy moon. The moist smell of moss grown towers attached to sturdy castles. All things that sparks the imagination. But the truth of that epoque was most likely a lot less thrilling than any picture painted by a novelist telling a story from that time.
Life expectancy was short; diseases killed the masses, hunger and poverty ruled for the majority. Little freedom of the mind, or freedom of speech unless you had enough money or military power (or both to be sovereign). Illiteracy, which hunts, priests of possessions and power doing as they saw fit without further consequence. An all dominating church dictating what knowledge was acceptable and should be distributed and as well, what knowledge was to be kept locked away at all cost. Leaving most to rely on superstitions; religious as well as other kinds.
We are intrigued by this dark period for mankind but also thankful that it has passed, and that knowledge and the hunt for knowledge is an integrated part of our lives.
But the Dark Age really a thing only of the past?
Of course if we look at the society at large it has, or so we like to believe.
Some truth of course there is to that statement. Our society is an enlightened society, where great stock is put on knowledge.
Also knowledge has never ever been more readily available than it is now. An internet connection, a laptop... and with one click. Wham bam knowledge and information of any kind can be brought to you.
But has this free access to information and knowledge perhaps made us lazy and lax, or is it just becoming more apparent how much we still base our lives on superstition and habits because information to pierce through the veil of unfounded knowledge is available if you care to look?
Or are we perhaps just so used to our society peeing seeped with well founded knowledge that the black spots are harder to see. especially if those black spots are camouflaged behind a veil of glitter, glamour and glorious words of man and horse in beautiful coexistence.
I don't know!
From my point of view however we are still in a dark age, at least when looking at the topic of interest for this blog - horse training and the execution of equestrian sports.
We like to believe that the way we train out horses is knowledge based, but is it really?
Everybody speaks of lightness, but none - or at least just the very few - practise it! Everybody speak of dressage as a beautiful dance between the horse and its rider - but is it in reality just a horse which have been brought to a point where it has no alternative but to do as the rider bids due to forceful methods and unyielding aids.
A general trend is that the horse is being treated as if it has the same ambitions and goals as those of the rider, or at least as if it has any sort of responsibility towards the rider’s wish to reach his goals.
A big illusion, based on all those involved’s failure to open their eyes and face up to what is actually going on. Failure to understand that even if the words seems right, if the action put behind them is not, then it cannot be the way forward. Can it be true that even in these enlightened days, that the training of horses and the autocracy surrounding horse training bare striking resemblance to the way of life in medieval times?
We do not have feudal lords as such, but we have horse trainers with much the same power in their training yards
We have what can be looked as at the feudal church in the world of horse riding - the judges and the equestrian organisations who by turning a blind eye to what is really going on at the showground, and also the extent of the problem legalises the abuse and makes it widely accepted. Much like I would think the church would have turned its back to any opinion that went against its own belief in the Dark ages.
Most riders believe in the authority of the words spoken by those who ought to be knowledgeable such as the trainers and judges. Like the priests in the dark ages their words are considered the law in respect to horse training, and dare anyone point at the obvious truth that none of the beautiful words used to describe horse riding and interaction with the horse are actually put to practice, they will be burned at the stakes like any heretic would have been a millennium or so ago.
So my wish.
Let there be light. Let knowledge banish the rusted beliefs and traditions that are practiced widely today. Let us consider the welfare of the horse, and let us not compromise its welfare due to our own vanity and unwillingness to accept that the world might indeed be round.
A good weekend to you all, and remember, if you have anything you would like to have broadcast on this blog, don't hesitate to submit your material to the e-mail address stated in the top right corner.
Any suggestions and feedback as to current and future content of this blog will also be appreciated.
Images of windy moors and huddled figures striving against the wind will inevitably materialise in our minds, intermingled perhaps with more romanticised ideas of fair maidens and heroic soldiers from the court of the high kings. The sound of hoof beats, the clinking sound of sword against sword, a lone owl hooting amongst rustling branch under a foggy moon. The moist smell of moss grown towers attached to sturdy castles. All things that sparks the imagination. But the truth of that epoque was most likely a lot less thrilling than any picture painted by a novelist telling a story from that time.
Life expectancy was short; diseases killed the masses, hunger and poverty ruled for the majority. Little freedom of the mind, or freedom of speech unless you had enough money or military power (or both to be sovereign). Illiteracy, which hunts, priests of possessions and power doing as they saw fit without further consequence. An all dominating church dictating what knowledge was acceptable and should be distributed and as well, what knowledge was to be kept locked away at all cost. Leaving most to rely on superstitions; religious as well as other kinds.
We are intrigued by this dark period for mankind but also thankful that it has passed, and that knowledge and the hunt for knowledge is an integrated part of our lives.
But the Dark Age really a thing only of the past?
Of course if we look at the society at large it has, or so we like to believe.
Some truth of course there is to that statement. Our society is an enlightened society, where great stock is put on knowledge.
Also knowledge has never ever been more readily available than it is now. An internet connection, a laptop... and with one click. Wham bam knowledge and information of any kind can be brought to you.
But has this free access to information and knowledge perhaps made us lazy and lax, or is it just becoming more apparent how much we still base our lives on superstition and habits because information to pierce through the veil of unfounded knowledge is available if you care to look?
Or are we perhaps just so used to our society peeing seeped with well founded knowledge that the black spots are harder to see. especially if those black spots are camouflaged behind a veil of glitter, glamour and glorious words of man and horse in beautiful coexistence.
I don't know!
From my point of view however we are still in a dark age, at least when looking at the topic of interest for this blog - horse training and the execution of equestrian sports.
We like to believe that the way we train out horses is knowledge based, but is it really?
Everybody speaks of lightness, but none - or at least just the very few - practise it! Everybody speak of dressage as a beautiful dance between the horse and its rider - but is it in reality just a horse which have been brought to a point where it has no alternative but to do as the rider bids due to forceful methods and unyielding aids.
A general trend is that the horse is being treated as if it has the same ambitions and goals as those of the rider, or at least as if it has any sort of responsibility towards the rider’s wish to reach his goals.
A big illusion, based on all those involved’s failure to open their eyes and face up to what is actually going on. Failure to understand that even if the words seems right, if the action put behind them is not, then it cannot be the way forward. Can it be true that even in these enlightened days, that the training of horses and the autocracy surrounding horse training bare striking resemblance to the way of life in medieval times?
We do not have feudal lords as such, but we have horse trainers with much the same power in their training yards
We have what can be looked as at the feudal church in the world of horse riding - the judges and the equestrian organisations who by turning a blind eye to what is really going on at the showground, and also the extent of the problem legalises the abuse and makes it widely accepted. Much like I would think the church would have turned its back to any opinion that went against its own belief in the Dark ages.
Most riders believe in the authority of the words spoken by those who ought to be knowledgeable such as the trainers and judges. Like the priests in the dark ages their words are considered the law in respect to horse training, and dare anyone point at the obvious truth that none of the beautiful words used to describe horse riding and interaction with the horse are actually put to practice, they will be burned at the stakes like any heretic would have been a millennium or so ago.
So my wish.
Let there be light. Let knowledge banish the rusted beliefs and traditions that are practiced widely today. Let us consider the welfare of the horse, and let us not compromise its welfare due to our own vanity and unwillingness to accept that the world might indeed be round.
A good weekend to you all, and remember, if you have anything you would like to have broadcast on this blog, don't hesitate to submit your material to the e-mail address stated in the top right corner.
Any suggestions and feedback as to current and future content of this blog will also be appreciated.
onsdag den 21. oktober 2009
Communication with the FEI.
The photos in the post below is just a small subset of the photos I've taken during the last year or two. Photos which I deem to show what is clearly horse abuse. But of course not all shares this opinion.
The below is the full mail correspondance I've so far had with John Roche of the FEI. My new pen friend. I wonder when he will tire of that title - if he is even aware of having been promoted to that elevated position.
Well here goes:
First of my e-mail from back in may directed to FEI:
As members of the FEI jumping and welfare committe respectively, I direct this e-mail to you. As a hobby photopgrapher and a great fan of equitational sport, I often spend time at showground at various places in Denmark, and so also at the CSIO Show in Bernstorffsparken in Copenhagen.
However, much as I enjoy the thought of competition with rider and horse in perfect unison, the reality of what is going on the verious show ground is more often than not in stark contrast to this idylised picture that the equitational sport wants to paint of its own sport.
Therefore Based on my photos from the warm up arena I have some questions for you regarding these photos in relation to article 243.1 of the FEI show jumping rule set
Article 243 ABUSE IN TRAINING OF HORSES
1. All forms of cruel, inhumane or abusive treatment of horses, including,
but not limited to the various forms of rapping, are strictly forbidden in all
exercise and schooling areas as well as elsewhere on the grounds of the event
(241.2.6, 241.2.9. and 241.2.10).
My first series of photos shows the Danish rider Tina Lund using "Walk rapping" as part of both general warm up, and warm up to the jump off. The photos included in this e-mail are from the warm up to the jump off. There was a steward present at the warm up ground, but didn't show any reaction to this until it had transpired several times, and then only told the rider that she had to ride towards the pole in a straight line. (Photos 1093 -> 1097)
In addition the photos (824-826 + 839-841) shows the Dutch Rider Willem Greve applying the same technique to his horse. What are your comments to these photos? And since any kind of rapping is prohibited according to your own rule book, why is this not stopped immediately?
Apart from the above mentioned photos I think that my next series of photos put spotlight on some of the other welfare issues that we see in equitational sport today.
Photos (027 -033 -035 - 055 -059) shows a Danish rider (Andreas Schou) using a draw rein on his horse.. On these photos it clearly shows that the draw rein which is meant to be used as only an "correctional secondary rein", is here used as the primary rein.
What consequences do you think this have fore the horses welfare? And how do you see this in relation to the above mentioned paragraph 243.1 in the FEI rule book about "Abuse in training of horses"
Photos (071 - 1018 -1020 - 2022) shows the Swedish rider Sandra Carlsson on her horse Spike Jones using a "Tongue Lifter" or whatever it is called. Even if the bit and the additional device is not technically prohibited by the FEI Rules, then how do you see the use of such a contraption on the horse in relation to paragraph 243.1?
And lastly what is FEI's opinion as to the type of riding displayed in photos 275, 301, 306, 309, 318, 326, 327,328.
The debate of hyperflexion is one I know has been top on the agenda several times at FEI, leading last year to the ban of hyperflexion as a training method. A ban which was later, to some extend retracted.
Nevertheless, I would like to know your opinion as to this training method as applied on these photos in regard to the above mentioned paragraph 243.1? In my opinion all of these go well beyond the line of what is acceptable treatment of a horse in a competition or ordinary training session, as all the horse shows dire signs of discomfort and/or stress.
And if FEI does not deem riding such as this as unacceptable, then what is? And what means should we in general tolerate in order for the riders to obtain their ultimate goal of winning the prize? I am looking forward to read your comments/answer.
Second - the response I received yesterday:
Many thanks for your e-mail and my apologies for my belated reply.
Indeed the FEI is certainly not turning its back on anything that could be considered against the welfare of the horse. As I am sure you are aware, the FEI code of conduct explicitly states that the welfare of the horse is paramount.
Since the beginning of this year the FEI has been restructuring the stewarding system for all disciplines. We are currently revising each of the steward manuals. Work has just commenced on the manual for Jumping. During the course of this revision consideration will be given to removing the walking pole.
In relation to hyper flexion of the head and neck we will speak with the rider involved and also the steward on duty at the time.
As for the piece of mouth equipment used to keep the horses tongue under the bit it is difficult to say from a photo if this was too tight but in any case we will also cover this issue during the revision of the manual, as this is really a judgment call on the part of the steward officiating at that particular moment.
With regards to the draw reins from the photos attached neither the horse’s head nor neck is being hyper flexed so I do not see this as a possible abuse even if the draw rein is being used as a the primary rein.
We take this opportunity to thank you for drawing our attention to these issues which as I have explained will be followed up.
Yours sincerely,
and lastly my response - also dated yesterday:
Thanks for your answer, even if it was late in coming.
If more photodocumentation is needed around the hyperflectating rider, I have around 50-60 photos where the horse is forcefully bended.
Your letter gave rise to a few additional answers that I hope you will be kind enough to answer as well.
1) regarding the device in the horses mouth, and whether it is tightened too much: When the horse in the photo shows what i would deem as considerable discomfort, wouldn't it be better to presume, that it is too tightly bound, rather than the opposite, since FEI puts such a high prize on horse welfare? (further photos attached)
2) regarding the use of the draw rein as the primary rein. Why is this use of the draw rein only a problem if the horse is subject to hyperflexion? Does the horse not give signs of considerable discomfort even if it is not overly hyperflexed? How hyper flexed should it be in order for it to count as hyperflexed. would my further attached photos be consider too much?
3) If FEI puts the horse welfare paramount, which I am happy to learn, then what is the FEIs opinion of this video released to youtube after the FEI worldcup competition this week in Odense: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hIXGiV4N4k
I understand that the steward guides have only been in revision for a year, but when would FEI strive to have these more horse friendly guidelines implemented amongst the actual stewards? Looking forward to your response.
The last link here is the video posted to you tube courtesy of www.epona.tv. I have a different post planned concerning this video so will not put further attention to it just now... even if I hope it will blow more fire in to embers they got glowing this spring.
The photos which I am refering to in this post I will strive to get online and include in a separate post.
The below is the full mail correspondance I've so far had with John Roche of the FEI. My new pen friend. I wonder when he will tire of that title - if he is even aware of having been promoted to that elevated position.
Well here goes:
First of my e-mail from back in may directed to FEI:
As members of the FEI jumping and welfare committe respectively, I direct this e-mail to you. As a hobby photopgrapher and a great fan of equitational sport, I often spend time at showground at various places in Denmark, and so also at the CSIO Show in Bernstorffsparken in Copenhagen.
However, much as I enjoy the thought of competition with rider and horse in perfect unison, the reality of what is going on the verious show ground is more often than not in stark contrast to this idylised picture that the equitational sport wants to paint of its own sport.
Therefore Based on my photos from the warm up arena I have some questions for you regarding these photos in relation to article 243.1 of the FEI show jumping rule set
Article 243 ABUSE IN TRAINING OF HORSES
1. All forms of cruel, inhumane or abusive treatment of horses, including,
but not limited to the various forms of rapping, are strictly forbidden in all
exercise and schooling areas as well as elsewhere on the grounds of the event
(241.2.6, 241.2.9. and 241.2.10).
My first series of photos shows the Danish rider Tina Lund using "Walk rapping" as part of both general warm up, and warm up to the jump off. The photos included in this e-mail are from the warm up to the jump off. There was a steward present at the warm up ground, but didn't show any reaction to this until it had transpired several times, and then only told the rider that she had to ride towards the pole in a straight line. (Photos 1093 -> 1097)
In addition the photos (824-826 + 839-841) shows the Dutch Rider Willem Greve applying the same technique to his horse. What are your comments to these photos? And since any kind of rapping is prohibited according to your own rule book, why is this not stopped immediately?
Apart from the above mentioned photos I think that my next series of photos put spotlight on some of the other welfare issues that we see in equitational sport today.
Photos (027 -033 -035 - 055 -059) shows a Danish rider (Andreas Schou) using a draw rein on his horse.. On these photos it clearly shows that the draw rein which is meant to be used as only an "correctional secondary rein", is here used as the primary rein.
What consequences do you think this have fore the horses welfare? And how do you see this in relation to the above mentioned paragraph 243.1 in the FEI rule book about "Abuse in training of horses"
Photos (071 - 1018 -1020 - 2022) shows the Swedish rider Sandra Carlsson on her horse Spike Jones using a "Tongue Lifter" or whatever it is called. Even if the bit and the additional device is not technically prohibited by the FEI Rules, then how do you see the use of such a contraption on the horse in relation to paragraph 243.1?
And lastly what is FEI's opinion as to the type of riding displayed in photos 275, 301, 306, 309, 318, 326, 327,328.
The debate of hyperflexion is one I know has been top on the agenda several times at FEI, leading last year to the ban of hyperflexion as a training method. A ban which was later, to some extend retracted.
Nevertheless, I would like to know your opinion as to this training method as applied on these photos in regard to the above mentioned paragraph 243.1? In my opinion all of these go well beyond the line of what is acceptable treatment of a horse in a competition or ordinary training session, as all the horse shows dire signs of discomfort and/or stress.
And if FEI does not deem riding such as this as unacceptable, then what is? And what means should we in general tolerate in order for the riders to obtain their ultimate goal of winning the prize? I am looking forward to read your comments/answer.
Second - the response I received yesterday:
Many thanks for your e-mail and my apologies for my belated reply.
Indeed the FEI is certainly not turning its back on anything that could be considered against the welfare of the horse. As I am sure you are aware, the FEI code of conduct explicitly states that the welfare of the horse is paramount.
Since the beginning of this year the FEI has been restructuring the stewarding system for all disciplines. We are currently revising each of the steward manuals. Work has just commenced on the manual for Jumping. During the course of this revision consideration will be given to removing the walking pole.
In relation to hyper flexion of the head and neck we will speak with the rider involved and also the steward on duty at the time.
As for the piece of mouth equipment used to keep the horses tongue under the bit it is difficult to say from a photo if this was too tight but in any case we will also cover this issue during the revision of the manual, as this is really a judgment call on the part of the steward officiating at that particular moment.
With regards to the draw reins from the photos attached neither the horse’s head nor neck is being hyper flexed so I do not see this as a possible abuse even if the draw rein is being used as a the primary rein.
We take this opportunity to thank you for drawing our attention to these issues which as I have explained will be followed up.
Yours sincerely,
and lastly my response - also dated yesterday:
Thanks for your answer, even if it was late in coming.
If more photodocumentation is needed around the hyperflectating rider, I have around 50-60 photos where the horse is forcefully bended.
Your letter gave rise to a few additional answers that I hope you will be kind enough to answer as well.
1) regarding the device in the horses mouth, and whether it is tightened too much: When the horse in the photo shows what i would deem as considerable discomfort, wouldn't it be better to presume, that it is too tightly bound, rather than the opposite, since FEI puts such a high prize on horse welfare? (further photos attached)
2) regarding the use of the draw rein as the primary rein. Why is this use of the draw rein only a problem if the horse is subject to hyperflexion? Does the horse not give signs of considerable discomfort even if it is not overly hyperflexed? How hyper flexed should it be in order for it to count as hyperflexed. would my further attached photos be consider too much?
3) If FEI puts the horse welfare paramount, which I am happy to learn, then what is the FEIs opinion of this video released to youtube after the FEI worldcup competition this week in Odense: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hIXGiV4N4k
I understand that the steward guides have only been in revision for a year, but when would FEI strive to have these more horse friendly guidelines implemented amongst the actual stewards? Looking forward to your response.
The last link here is the video posted to you tube courtesy of www.epona.tv. I have a different post planned concerning this video so will not put further attention to it just now... even if I hope it will blow more fire in to embers they got glowing this spring.
The photos which I am refering to in this post I will strive to get online and include in a separate post.
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