A four-year-old video surfaced this week and a dressage rider deeply apologized for the overuse of a whip. She will not be in the Olympics. There’s blood in the water.
In lesser news, I was at the county fair watching 4-H kids showing miniature horses. Each child had a death grip on their halters and used their knees to push the tense, unhappy, and extremely well-groomed horses. The harsh technique was uniform. It’s clearly how they were instructed and judged. I am a fan of 4-H. And I wish they would modernize their methods.
I’ll state the obvious. I am against any level of cruelty to horses perpetrated by humans. Olympic riders or kids.
May I list my resume? I was a kid who showed sheep at the county fair. When I was older, I was in 4-H, but without means. After leaving home, I eventually began competing horses in Western Pleasure and Reining. I loved being out with my horse, but hated the unnatural biomechanical crippling I saw. If you are critical about the harsh use of bits or horses being ridden behind the vertical, please include some Western horses.
I found Dressage after my horse broke down in Reining. It was learning biomechanics and the fundamentals of dressage that healed and strengthened him. I had to fall in love with dressage. My horses became supple, strong, and calmly energetic. They pulled to go to the arena. Rules say horses must be both relaxed and forward. It is an honorable goal. Not everyone follows the rules, but it’s all right there.
Eventually, I turned pro and worked with young horses. I’d had decades of riding lessons and began giving lessons, always based on dressage fundamentals. I worked with all breeds, not defining the horse or rider by what type of saddle they used. My specialty was better communication with horses.
Call it divine intervention, I got buttonholed by a rescue. When working with rescue horses, they show you how they were trained by revealing where their fears lie. Again, all breeds but most with the memory of harsh handling. I got a front-row seat to see which training methods damaged horses. It was a sobering education. I’ve never seen a dressage horse in rescue.
Now I am approaching the twilight of my career. I’ve traveled internationally as a clinician and I’m incredibly grateful to have had a big sample of horses to learn from. I’d like to share some thoughts.
I am sad to say that we are harsher with horses in the US than I saw in other first-world countries. Our horses show the most extreme Calming Signals I’ve found. Most of the damage is being done to young horses started with fear-based methods. But we barely notice the abuse because it’s so ingrained in our cowboy culture. We think intimidation and anxiety are normal training.
Youth riders in New Zealand and Australia outshine our kids, who are stiff in comparison. Europe has a rich equestrian tradition and, naturally, some rotten apples. Scotland is a nation of trekkers. The US could do better. But couldn’t we all?
If the use of whips is the question, as it was this week, I am most bothered by the weighted racing whips. Research shows they don’t make racehorses go faster, but they are used full force leaving welts while the crowd cheers. In my locale, it seems the most common whip is orange. All whips intimidate, regardless of the name we give them.
Abusive professionals deserve to be criticized; we must set an example. However, I have to mention that the majority of abuse or harsh riding I see is carried out by amateurs who have been taught these behaviors. Like 4-H kids, they may be innocent of malice, but still harmful. I have had clients who, upon first meeting them, made me want to scream with rage at their treatment of their horses. But that kind of emotional reproach isn’t effective. So, I swallow my feelings and try to find a way to draw them to better methods. Yelling never wins converts.
It’s easy to make blanket generalizations about riding disciplines you don’t like, but there is cruelty and kindness in each. It takes no skill to see it. No one needs to be reminded that we love to tear successful women down.
I’m at a Wyoming clinic this week. The clinic organizer here shares her horses. Most of them arrived here as victims of harsh training. I’ve seen them change and grow over time, as the riders have. It’s a healing place for me, too.
The landscape is open, with low hills that somehow roll out to make the horizon even more distant from east to west. At the end of the day, Mister and I walk under an apricot sky. It’s impossible to feel anything but small and insignificant. I’m haunted by the current feeding frenzy. Horse people are famous for eating their own.
Do we abuse horses? Yes. We have all done it and regretted it. Is that why we are so quick to condemn?
Human perceptions are like the sky here. We focus on a detail, a varmint hole, rather than lifting our eyes to the long view. The infinite journey we’re all on with our horses. I hope we are not all judged by a moment in time, the horses or humans, but rather by the arc of our lives. None of us are throwaways.
As a clinician, I go where I’m invited. Sometimes I find myself at barns where all the horses are stressed and in pain. In other places, the horses seem relaxed and healthy. The locations might be therapeutic centers, gaited horse barns, dressage riders, or those who trail ride, but there is one thing they all have in common. People are all more aggressive with their hands than they think they are.
If you want to believe all trainers are cruel, that a bad past incident should kill a career, go ahead and lynch her. I won’t cheer. The horse world is complicated. Owners can punish trainers for going too slowly when they want fast results. I’ve been blamed for “training like a girl” by some but praised by others. We might do good work and the horse blooms, but the client still leaves without a nod.
Trainers are trying to negotiate how to make a living doing what’s best for horses while making clients happy. Most of us give more than we get back.
We want to trust our clients, but they are also our predators. They get frustrated or angry with their horse. If we cannot “fix” it in one session, they might blame us and bad-mouth us on social media. I’m proud of my training approach, but I understand that someone could misread a photo taken out of context or that nasty rumors can cause the same damage as abuse. And I believe accountability is necessary, as well as fairness.
Many of us don’t recognize everyday cruelty, but when we see it labeled online, we jump to condemn it. Every time I see this kind of blood frenzy, I worry. I am a tiny minnow in the ocean of trainers. When I speak to crowds or clinic participants, I know I am judged by each person, and open to being picked over by the same railbirds. It’s always easier to blame than show compassion. Hard to be perfect every moment, knowing a stumble could end a career. As much as I love my job, I also fear it. Seeing the sharks in the water now, I want to quit. The vitriol impacts all of us.
What is that thing they say about casting the first stone? This should be a time for some soul-searching of our own and perhaps follow her example and humbly apologize for the mistakes we have made.
I want to think I’m one of the good guys. When I was her age, there were days when my emotions got the best of me. When I was tired or dealing with real-life problems, and it impacted my horse. I wasn’t perfect every day, but I improved because of my shortcomings with him. Without deserving it, my horse forgave me when people might not have. And now, I do this work to impress that dead horse. I have a debt to pay.
We’re not perfect. It’s true of famous riders, clinicians, and each of us who blindly follow harsh outdated traditions. It’s important to stay humble and continue learning, doing our best to mitigate our mistakes along the way. Horses are forgiving, perhaps more than they should be, and that might be the trait we need to learn the most.
When I see people jump to name-call and judge, I remember that so many of them used harsh methods when we met. My challenge is how can I help their horse and articulate what must be said without blaming or intimidating them? When will we learn tantrums don’t work with horses or each other?
Too often, the abuse is passed from previous generations. Some are more heinous than others, but there is no excuse. It doesn’t matter who started it, we have to stop it. In rescue situations, some threaten the same violence aimed back at the perpetrators. It makes us no better if we lower ourselves to abusing each other.
If you are offended, then never pick up a whip again for any purpose. I did that twenty years ago. Give up the threatening and impatience with your own horse. Also, stop whining and nagging. Get off your sofa and put your words into action. Live by example, and share your training methods. If you want to improve the culture, please post that video so we can all see.
I think of the gladiators slaughtered in the Roman Colosseum. The crowd of railbirds, mostly good people, jeering and signaling with a thumbs down. I worry we have learned nothing from horses at all.
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Affirmative training is the fine art of saying yes.
I’ve been looking forward to what you have to say about this recent situation and you totally nailed it❤️
Thank you Susan.
Been waiting to hear your thoughts on this. I appreciate your thoughts on this!
Thanks, Terri.
As soon as this pinged on my phone, I knew it would be your thoughts on this.
Thank you, Anna.
Nuanced
Compassionate
Crystal clear.
💕
She is a wonderful rider. And the first to win a gold medal wearing a helmet when they were not required. We are all a mash of things.
Oh yes, mash indeed.
Just trying to do better.
As we do. Thanks, Mary
It’s like saying abuse that happened to me in my childhood no longer counts because society has issues. Nope. I hold the perpetrators of the abuse responsible. My hope is that CD is able to reflect on her behavior which certainly was not a one off to use her considerable clout to continue improving awareness of and advocating for the horse.
It isn’t about not holding her responsible, I condone none of it. If she is able to do what you want, she will need our compassion now. Thanks, Linda.
I think a good therapist would help more!
Therapy helped me. I didn’t get a great start in life.
There ought to be a law! I’m a novice when it comes to passing laws in our Congress. Here’s what I have found:
In September 2021, the House introduced HR 5441, the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act (PAST Act). It passed the House in November 2022 and was sent and received by the Senate, where it seems to have languished all that time.
As recently as March 2024, Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Mike Crapo (R-ID), reintroduced the PAST Act. “Horses are a quintessential part of Virginia’s culture and history, and they deserve comprehensive, enforceable protections from abuse of any sort,” said Sen. Warner. “I am proud to reintroduce the bipartisan PAST Act to strengthen protections against horse soring and crack down on the perpetrators of this disturbing abuse.”
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2024/3/warner-crapo-reintroduce-bipartisan-past-act-to-prevent-horse-soring
At the bottom of this link, there is a listing of the senators who have signed on to the Senate version of the act. If you don’t see your senators listed, you could contact them directly asking them to sign on and push for its passage. Once the Senate passes it, it will then go on to the President’s desk for signature. IMO, the Congress passes bills and the President signs them into law.
You can find your Senator on this website: https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm?Class=1
Hope this helps!
Thanks Lynell. Hasn’t this bill been passed and repealed? So curious about this money trail.
Lynell, I’m not sure how many times this Act or another earlier version of it has been attempted. Big Ag and the livestock industry are mainly responsible for not allowing it to go anywhere. Seems they might fear changes to THEIR bad ways if something was actually done for the horses. Its not only the Soring issue, its the slaughter issue, the transportation issue (of slaughter horses). The slaughter industry isnt quite what it was a few years ago when there were over 100,000 horses – domestic & wild – being trucked either to Canada or Mexico. Several Canadian slaughter plants are now closed or close to it – the number being shipped to Mexico is I believe down to the hundreds or low thousands (I’m sure its possible to find exact numbers online). Frankly,, I dont think the US has many bragging rights when it comes to horse (or animal) slaughter – we just send them away!
Have to ask – what kind of country is this that throws away horses into the slaughter pipeline only to get the last few dollars and cents from them? Take a look at the shape some of these animals are in when a rescue does buyouts (buying truckloads of horses being sent to auction). Far too many only get “the last act of kindness” because someone didnt take responsibility for an animal’s life.
And to polish this rant off – presently the BLM (our GOVERNMENT) is rounding up Wild Horses & zeroing our their HMAs – the number that have died during the Nevada roundups now ongoing is much higher than before. This would be an issue that needs eyes on it right now.
Yes, its is a shame to see this gal who is such a great rider put herself in this position – period. Thats all I can say!
Anna, I do apologize for going on about this – this truly isnt what the post was about – sorry.
Never apologize for this, Maggie.
Thanks, Maggie. I hear you. FWIW, and in my opinion, changing minds as Anna is so valiantly doing will go much further for horses than enacting laws. And yet I will still persist. It’s all I have to contribute.
I was watching the horse and listening to people chuckling in the background… I tend to agree with Janet Jones (article in Horsenetwork re. below). She’s the author of Horse brain, Human Brain, 2020.
« On a personal note, I dislike having to add greater publicity to Dujardin’s behavior by writing this article. Many horse trainers and equestrian authors remain silent in the public eye, to save themselves criticism from within. But we cannot turn away from issues of equine welfare and social license.
Most of us ride horses because we love them, and we take pride in offering them the best possible care. Horse and human brains operate in radically different ways. When we understand how those brains interact—for better and worse—we can make more responsible decisions for equine welfare. »
Thanks, Prita. I appreciate JJones, but she is wrong in this instance.
Truth be told… all equestrian icons have clay feet. Too much money, sponsors, tv rights, ginormous expectations of glory, fame, money and medals…too little TIME and patience… Horses simply don’t stand a chance. Elite child athletes destined for the Olympics don’t stand a chance. The system supports brutal training methods, intense physical strain, psychological abuse, sexual abuse… broken minds, broken bodies… unless we advocate for them. We have a duty of care faced with a monstrous, cynical system that grinds, crushes and spits out the bones.
Michael Phelps and Simone Biles testify to ALL of the above in a poignant documentary by Pierre-Emmanuel Luneau-Daurignac, Cineteve productions, France, 2024. It featured on Arte, a French-German tv channel a week before the Paris Olympics opening ceremony yesterday… which was indeed brave and ethical.
Equine Images with Crispin Parelius Johanesson and Epona tv on utube deserve a shoutout as well.
I’ll go find it.
Thank you Anna for sharing your thoughts on this matter it was very fair and humble. I totally agree with you and it is important that we reflect on our actions and learn constantly.
Thank you.
Always learning! Thank you, Veronika
I looked forward to reading your take Anna.
In this age of ubiquitous camera phones, the 24/7 news cycle + everyone having their own online platforms (for better or worse) – folks with the status and recognition that CD has must realize that their every move will be documented, judged and disseminated – often out of context – and the repercussions will impact their careers forever. Certainly not condoning CD’s use of the whip in that video. I wonder how many horseman can honestly say they have never interacted with a horse out of anger or frustration? I certainly can’t. You can only seek their forgiveness and strive to do better going forward.
It is hard to imagine that a trainer consistently using abusive training methods could achieve the harmonious results CD had with Valegro and her other mounts. I believe her immediate, voluntary withdrawal from the olympics, limiting the impact her actions have on the rest of the GB olympic team – speaks to her character. We’re only human after all…
So very true!
Thank you. Carl, Charlotte, and others in that circle break all the “usual” training rules; they are the good guys. They make the best target.
You are right, their horse’s calming signals don’t lie. Thanks so much.
Thank you for saying this. You have put my thoughts into words beautifully. I am currently laid up from a horse accident that was totally my fault. The next time I will be listening with my eyes on the horse and pray I do a better job. We all have a past that is less than stink free with horses. Those who shout the loudest are sometimes the ones who smell the most.
Thanks, my horse sister. Heal well, we need you.
Modern dressage is not the dressage you and I learned in our youth, Anna. Modern dressage is about behind the vertical, Rolkur, crank nosebands, wringing tails, bloody mouths and sides. This current attack is not so much against this one individual, I feel, but against the whole body of abuse now showing up in dressage that the FEI refuses to address. I think it was timed to really get their attention. Many people are sick of the abuse and if it takes a sledgehammer to get the powers that be attention, so be it. This is not classical dressage. I don’t know what it is but I know horses are suffering.
Thanks, Cheryl. I think those really dark days of dressage have passed. I was as unhappy as you. But I went to WEG last year and didn’t see a second of Rolkur. I think there is a culture war going on in dressage, and the classical side is winning. Or it was…
Abuse is ubiquitous whether perpetrated against humans or animals. It’s always wrong. Negative consequences for the abuser may be our only way to limit abuse’s pervasive presence, but can those consequences be delivered with compassion? I hope so, because punishment without compassion doesn’t teach the abuser an alternate way to interact.
Anna, you have been sharing, without visible judgement against perpetrators, a more humane way to be with horses. Though you are free to think and feel negative thoughts about cruel behavior, your educational approach to sharing allows current or former practitioners of rougher techniques to forgive themselves and move forward to embrace a better way. The process is slower than we all would like, but it’s working. Thank you!
Thanks, Laurie. Much slower than I’d like, for sure. Stooping to their level, mimicking their nastyness, only harms us. I’d see people threatening the violence abusers showed to horses and think we were a lost species. And thank you.
Indeed, our journey with horses is rarely smooth without nasty bumps and dips. When I think of how I was as a teenager (who knew everything!) I am appalled. Thank God we are capable of learning a better way.
What concerns me is how the youth are taught (or not taught) to behave with horses. Well-meaning non-horsey parents yell instructions from the rail that are nothing less than brutal. They want to see their child win.
I had to quit coaching 4-H because I couldn’t watch them run a blind pony in jumping figure-eight and other games. The ‘requirements’ for the Training Class is for the child-trained four-year-old horse to be shown doing flying changes in a curb bit.
There is a huge opportunity for kids to learn through 4-H, but I won’t help as long as the rule book is just plain wrong!
The Olympic watchdogs are trying to educate, but I think they are missing the mark. I’m not sure that sacrificing one of the best is helping at all.
The competition we all crave drives the frustration and then the abuse.
Thank you, Nancy. Watching those kids uniformly manhandle the mini horses did me in. Like you, I did some 4-H events here. I wanted to coach their trainers, teaching the worst practices. How can it change if our kids learn this way?? And I’m really preaching to the choir now! How do we let kids “train” anything??