When Friends know better than the FEI

Last night I posted on Face Book the shame I am feeling at any association I have (by default or definition) with the Equine world and in particular people who are supposed to know what they are doing - and clearly do not!  

This was in response to the images of a Danish Dressage horse marked by spur dents in his side, and being ridden with a blue tongue; the circulation cut off by a double bridle. 

The horse is called Akeem Foldage.

The International Grand Prix rider is Andreas Helgstrand.

Here are some of the images shared via social media:

Andreas Helgstrand

international Grand Prix rider Andreas Helgstrand

international Grand Prix rider Andreas Helgstrand

The reported Facts:
 

• The photos were taken at an event that took place in front of the President of the Danish FEI and on site Vet.
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• The rider was that President's son. 
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• The horse's owner was present and watching.  
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As no onlooker, rider, owner, vet or trainer was blind or blinkered Ive been asking myself ...

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• Do those three people feel shame or remorse?  
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• Will they change their riding or training methods? 
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• Will they be humbled by public reaction?
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• Will they pay attention in the future to a horses' needs?   
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• Can they see the damage for themselves or are they fast asleep?
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• Are they capable of opening their eyes and seeing the living animal in front of them injured by spurs and force?
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• Can they learn?
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• Will future role models emerge with a wallet, ability and a heart or conscience? 

It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the inhumanity of our own species.  To feel outrage at the ego of any man and his apparent obsession with either fame, winning or just plain 'showing off' that results in such actions, without conscience or consequence.

I hope beyond hope that there is a consequence for this public display of the worst aspects of dressage - which is NOT a picture of horse and human in balletic harmony. 

I have lost faith in mainstream vets over the last 12 months and wonder if in future horses and horse welfare would not be better served by the presence of an Animal Welfare Officer at events instead of, or alongside the Vet?

 If the Welfare Officer can't find the Vet please send him to look in the 'sight impaired seat section'!

I have commented before on a post about the worry of 'bad people' in the world outnumbering the 'good ones'.  I don't want to dwell in a zone of negativity,  so to provide a balance, I recently had two great encounters with fellow livery friends.

This is what they shared with me about a recent break through moment each one had:

The first was a text conversation that went like this (my comments in green, my friend's in white):

we carried on..

So, as we have said before "less is more" when it comes to horses and really understanding how to be equals and show respect and appreciation or love for them.

Whilst usually I am not a fan of resorting to a new gadget to fix an issue, this lady intuitively went to a different bridle contoured around the shape of the horse's head and location of it's veins.  Instead of clamping her horse's mouth shut tight or getting a stronger bit (which many people would opt to do) - she backed off, did the opposite and got a terrific result back!

My second encounter over coffee at Starbucks was to hear of another friend who has decided to go Bit less.  Having ridden her dressage horse for ten years and learnt to accept her horse's tongue hangs out of the side of her mouth, she made the discovery that when lunged in a head collar.... no floppy tongue!

Unlike the FEI or Vets,  her eyes were wide open!  She actually saw this change in behaviour in her horse and questioned why?  She stopped, and thought.

As a result of connecting the dots, she is now on a new path of bit less riding, and a new path of connection with her horse.  She is listening to her horse and all she had to do to be able to hear her horse, was put her own ego to one side and make the following 2 decisions:

1 - not to worry or care about what others think or say of her decision

2 - not to pressurize herself to compete, get her horse fit or comply with any other expectation carved out by onlookers

Good for her, and even better.... "good for her horse!"

I recently wrote about the hypocrisy (as I saw it) of an event labelled 'for the good of the horse', I can honestly say that in my opinion, these two ladies have done more for the good of their horse than any "Horseman Calling" Competition. They are both examples of great role models for future owners and riders.

Maybe competitions are at the root of a lot of our troubles.

Maybe in the future we need to walk a lone path, rather than do what everyone else does.  Perhaps chosing the road less trodden will allow us to find freedom from unhealthy comparison and ego driven competition.

I am deafened by the enticing prospect of horsey people getting closer to a connection with horses by following the kind hearted actions of friends, and not the 'stuff and nonsense' of the FEI, BHS or any other form of organised body of Negligence.