Blair Horse Trails 2023 Dressage warm up made me want to cry.
The video was created from a 5 hour visit to Blair in which I did many things beside look at the warm up, but did go past on several occasions briefly.
So many horses exhibiting the following:
Multiple pain indicators
Atrophied muscles
Extremely tight nosebands
Low body condition score
Noticeable gait deficits
Pain face
Negative reinforcement through aids
Horses being schooled with their head behind the vertical
Horses competing above the level that they are able to perform the moves of
All these things create a safety hazard when in the cross country phase beside the welfare issue already present.
But today I am focusing on an issue I saw in every horse – their relationship to contact.
Riders riding with their hands low down near the saddle, pulling horizontally on the bit, creating a nutcracker action and compressing their horses tongues - I used to ride like that – because that was what I was taught. But it did not make my horse go well and it was not enjoyable for either of us.
Riders with their hands at a proper position, but their heels out front quite clearly bracing against the horses mouth. I also used to ride like that and felt like I had very little control or finesse to anything we did.
Riders wiggling the bit furiously with micro movements to keep the horse from grabbing onto the bit and leaning on their forehands. I used to ride like that too.
Riders with spurs on a horse that is not actually moving forward with impulsion so is being chased, but also being grabbed and pulled back by the bit to create an outline.
Riders schooling their horses overbent so when they go in the ring and ‘lift’ naturally from the excitement they are then ‘on the bridle’. I used to ride like that too ☹
There are more examples, but the common theme is that there is no established way to create a relationship to the contact that the horse finds a soothing, relaxing experience.
Even soft hands have terror at the end of them because soft hands, used in the wrong direction or accompanied by jabs from the spurs can be very painful for the horse.
Their brains are created to keep their body safe, so when we ride them and they experience pain from one area it does not necessarily stay in that area if other things are happening at the same time.
Example:
Light contact with a horse.
Horse is jabbed with spurs and jumps forwards into the contact
The contact with the bit on the bars as a result of the jab is associated by the brain with the pain of the spurs.
The horse now associates the bit with pain.
If you find this interesting I thoroughly recommend the book Horse Brain, Human Brain, by Janet L. Jones PhD
So back to Blair, almost…
What do you do when you hurt yourself? GRIMACE
The more it hurts, the bigger the reaction, clench teeth, purse lips, pull lips back eventually pushing them off the teeth, expose teeth and curl your tongue to the back of your mouth while you open your jaw.
It is a REFLEX.
These horses are exhibiting a reflex that is a direct response to pain.
Every single horse has issues with their relationship to the contact represented by;
***NEEDING TO USE A NOSEBAND TO ALTER THE MOVEMENT OF THE MOUTH AND/OR JAW***
*Mouth opening
*Nosebands of all varieties done up far too tight
*Cavesson nosebands done up tight 1cm from the cheek bones
*Tongues protruding from side of mouth, waggling and sticking out
*Bucking
*Rearing
*Head tossing
*Lips being drawn back
*Tight through the jaw/hyoid/throatlatch
*Teeth exposed
*Tightness zygomaticus (above the corners of the cheek) giving a sucked in appearance of this area. The function of Zygomaticus is to retract the corner of the mouth – not a surprise this is dysfunctional in so many horses!
Did you know that Following constructive debate at the FEI round-table conference at the IOC Headquarters in Lausanne today on the 9 February 2010 (!!!!), the consensus of the group was that any head and neck position of the horse achieved through aggressive force is not acceptable.
The group redefined hyperflexion/Rollkur as flexion of the horse’s neck achieved through aggressive force, which is therefore unacceptable. The technique known as Long, Deep and Round (LDR), which achieves flexion without undue force, is acceptable.
The group unanimously agreed that any form of aggressive riding must be sanctioned. The FEI will establish a working group, headed by Dressage Committee Chair Frank Kemperman, to expand the current guidelines for stewards to facilitate the implementation of this policy.
Have you heard of any riders being sanctioned? Is there a sanction list? Not that I can find…
It is time to take action and we all need to do this. There were supposed to be FEI stewards watching the arena – where were they? Why is this being allowed on such a mass scale?
The Steward’s code of conduct has this as it’s first point:
The FEI Dressage Steward is appointed to ensure a level playing field and Horse welfare at International Competitions or Events in accordance with the FEI Rules and Regulations.
Key responsibilities All Levels:
· To respect the FEI Officials Code of Conduct
· I will act in an appropriate and respectful manner towards humans and animals, paying constant attention to their safety and I will carry out all duties in a professional manner.
· To ensure that horses are treated according to FEI Code of Conduct for the Welfare of the Horse at all times while present at the Event venue.
1)General Welfare: b) Training methods Horses must only undergo training that matches their physical capabilities and level of maturity for their respective disciplines. They must not be subjected to methods which are abusive or cause fear.
2)Fitness to compete: a) Fitness and competence Participation in Competition must be restricted to fit Horses and Athletes of proven competence. Horses must be allowed suitable rest period between training and competitions; additional rest periods should be allowed following travelling.
b) Health status No Horse deemed unfit to compete may compete or continue to compete, veterinary advice must be sought whenever there is any doubt.
f) Misuse of aids Abuse of a Horse using natural riding aids or artificial aids (e.g. whips, spurs, etc.) will not be tolerated.
· To ensure that all areas of the venue including, but not limited to, stables, transit paths and arenas are safe and hazard-free.
· To act on any incidents or infractions to of the rules, and reports these to the Chief Steward
It is apparent by what we are seeing online and in person that this is not happening.
· To assist during the Horse Inspection (Holding Box)
· To oversee all practice arenas (training, lunging and grazing area, and round pen)
· To ensure the correct use of saddlery and dress
I did not see the steward once in around 90 minutes of walking by and watching the warm up at different times, there needs to be much more of a presence during the competition times I the warm up.
At Blair 2023 – the FEI Chief Steward was Fiona Muirhead – fionahead2@aol.com
The FEI Assistant Chief Steward was Victoria Lewis, I cannot find a contact for her.
The FEI Stewards were Frances Hay Smith – f.haysmith@btinternet.com , Helen Bowler, Richard Nesbitt, Sally Swiers and Doris Ridet – I can only find one contact for any of these people.
Please email them expressing your opinion and attach a link to this blog and video of examples from Blair this year.
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