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.