You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink.
No one can be oblivious to how the internet and social media has recently led to a proliferation of diverse activist movements on an unprecedented global scale.
Before modern activism, society saw genuine cause driven movements focusing on accepted and non-divisive social issues. But our world has changed. Now we appear to be seeing activists promoting specific agendas through public shock tactics seeking to elicit negative responses on topics such as racism, trans-rights, gender identity, wars, climate change, voting rights, the list and trend is fast growing.
Many movements seem to urge the public to destroy statues of historical leaders, throw paint on works of art, burn history books, rewrite literature read by children and show disregard for religious preferences. We understand new age activism claim their messages are based on “inclusivity and diversity” and ethical social concerns, yet their agendas often appear misinformed, controversial and polarizing. As a consequence, many see on the internet widespread expressions of hatred, disgust, anger/fear and contempt as some of the public perceive what many activist groups promote as moral and ethical offences to the values of our society.
We live in an age where public opinion is consistently fueled to comment and oppose issues, yet with limited understanding or information on the real issues. In this way a movement of the masses unfolds, and the various agendas seem to be pushed forward with minimal opposition. Anyone who expresses an opposing view to these mass movements is what many refer to as “cancelled” or labelled an extremist of some form.
And so, in this socially divisive climate, activism reaches the equestrian sports. Whilst none of us can be entirely certain on the anti-equestrian activists’ purpose, it seemingly focuses on reducing farmed, sport and companion animals, including horses. There is a great deal of public commentary that many of these groups actively support and implement euthanasia as the solution to “the problem”[1].
In Paris 2024, it is becoming clear to many that groups such as PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) appear intent on attracting media attention by using the current Olympic Games as a stage for drawing attention to accusations made against some of the world’s top riders, with an openly stated goal of banning equestrian sports from the Games[2].
As the Austrian Equestrian Sports federation (OEPS) put it, in the defence of one of their top riders dragged into the debacle allegedly without evidence, “This is a witch hunt like in the Middle Ages …”[3]. The recent conduct of PETA and other groups is being exposed by some for their strategic and deliberate manipulation of the equestrian reality aimed at stoking uninformed public outrage. Horse and rider combinations are being banned, disqualified and suspended as riders, our industry regulators and organisers apologise in a frenzied and collective fear for the future of equestrian sports. Not a thought or mention of the years of partnership and dedicated teamwork between horse and rider to participate in the Games, as in all Olympic sports. The riders, now portrayed as villains.
If we step back for a moment, a one-sided portrayal of exceptional situations seems now to be portrayed as the equestrian norm, strategic “viral” videos and storylines appear, many with limited context and with little or no right of response. Lives, careers and reputations damaged at the click of a mouse. Not one impartial or kind word for the great majority who know that equestrianism is a life-long passion, that the bond between horse and rider is built slowly, patiently and always with love and care.
That you can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink (yes “him”, not “it” or “they” or any other ill-suited pronoun). That a horse is a sensitive, intelligent and strong being; that you cannot make a 600kg being do what you want against their will, by force or ill-treatment. You will always lose and that is not the point of equestrianism anyway. Anyone who is a true equestrian knows that, but it would seem that the activists do not. No horse and rider combination reaches the Games through brutality, as is being suggested.
A moment to summarise what some activists say about the human relationship with animals, including horses: “we remove animals from their natural habitat and social structure”; the sport “involves the animal in performances that are foreign to their natural behaviour”, “we must understand that animals are living beings and may have, feelings, such as human beings”, “all forms of sport and entertainment that exploit animals where they suffer should be banned”, “using animals in sports and entertainment is an abuse of our position of responsibility and brutalises society towards animals and nature”, “For the animal who are forced to participate in them, these activities are no game – they are about survival”[4].
It is not clear who assists in the preparation of the agenda’s narrative, but the authors appear unaccustomed to being around or creating relationships with horses, sounding almost business like in their policies. In today’s society one sided positions with limited room for debate should be questioned, history should have taught us that by now. Not one of the above quotes actually comes near to depicting the bond created between horse and human, a bond which is millions of years old. The Horse and his human are one of the longest love affairs to survive history dating back to Alexander the Great’s horse Bucephalus[5], and beyond. Almost every rider sees their horse as a friend, companion and partner.
Horses have had many roles throughout history, and an attentive historian would explain that these roles almost always involved an emotional bond of some form with humans. The emotional bond, empathy and close relationship between horse and man was further developed in sport – we do not need them for transport or combat anymore. An equestrian knows that if a horse does not trust you, he will not drink your water.
Research[6] has shown that horses and humans have developed a unique way to communicate with one another, a kind of third language, neither fully human nor fully equine – a way of communicating that’s reliant on touch, emotional connection and becoming attuned to physical movements[7].
It does not involve humans relying on the threat of fear or violence to bend horses to their will. Instead, it is a symbiotic and dynamic process that recognises horses as sensitive, decision-making beings.
Doing so involves a melding of both bodies and emotions, with humans and horses both developing a high level of bodily control, communication and sensitivity. It’s an empathetic physical dialogue, with the goal of having two bodies operate as a single unit. Where are the activists mention or understanding of this?
Where is the mention of equine therapy for children and adults with special needs – that nature and our horses contribute positively to the cognitive, physical, emotional and social well-being of individuals with special needs, and all individuals, and that the horses also benefit from and understand these relationships. In an age of apparent concern for mental health, where is the activist’s acknowledgement and promotion of the EPI Model: a Psychotherapy Model of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy & Equine Assisted Learning [8].
Do we have abuse, neglect and ill-treatment of horses in equestrianism? We do, unfortunately, as in all sports and walks of life. Do we have abuse, neglect and ill-treatment in all relationships from family, work, friends and romantic? We do – do we ban families, jobs and relationships generally? No, we have rules and legal consequences to deal with these situations. As do we, in our equestrian world.
The way to share an activist message is not by damaging the reputation of some of the world’s most accomplished riders, who have done more for us and our horses than misinformed and sensational activism ever will. There are very real and serious consequences to this conduct.
It appears that world leading riders are being used as scapegoats without enlightening a layman public of what our sport is really about and how we relate to our horses. Agenda driven activism and never having worked with horses suggests that these groups have no way of informing the public. Activities are limited to only following and spreading their message and eliciting negative and hateful reactions globally from public opinion. This seems ultimately to be reckless and negligent behaviour.
If activists were only concerned with the welfare of the horse, they would participate in the equestrian world, try to learn what equestrianism is, they would speak to the riders instead of villainising them, work with our organisations and guardians in a cooperative, peaceful and constructive manner. This is not what we see happening. This is not the spirit of equestrianism, nor will it benefit the welfare and future of our horse.
Equestrianism, steeped in history, will not allow itself to be cancelled, silenced or shut down. It is not a modern-day trend nor is it based on an agenda. It is a deep-rooted historical relationship between horse and human. It is the power of two of nature’s species combining based on trust, understanding, love and mutual respect. It is who we both are.
“Without the horse, none of this would be possible. We owe them our lives. They give us so much and ask only for basic kindness in return. I believe that horses and humans have a connection that draws us to each other. I believe, in their own way, they know we need them, and they are pleased to be our partner, whether it be in work or sport. We need to remember never to take advantage of this privilege of working and living with horses for granted. To never lose our appreciation for what they have given us throughout the history of time, and to be sure that their relevance in our society does not fade away. This is our greatest responsibility as equestrians.” McLain Ward, 2017 USEF Equestrian of the Year
Claudia Rosa Santos.
The author confirms no conflict.
[2] https://www.peta.org/blog/olympic-games-equestrian-cruelty/
[3] https://www.worldofshowjumping.com/en/News/World-no-three-Max-Kuhner-accused-of-using-illegal-training-methods-as-PETA-continues-its-campaign-against-equestrian-sports.html [4] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/case-against-animal-sports-call-ethical-treatment-anumeenacare. The same or similar language is repeated on sites managed by PETA, newspapers, research centres, various national institutes of health, amongst others. No comments in this article or expressed on any other matter except equestrianism.
[5] https://www.worldhistory.org/Bucephalus/
[6] Riding: Embodying the Centaur, Ann Game, School of Sociology, University of New South Wales, 2001, Sage Journals.
[7] “Touch forms the foundation of the powerful human-horse relationship”, Keri Brandt Off, Professor of Sociology and Gender and Sexuality Studies, Fort Lewis College, 2018
[8] https://www.equinepsychotherapy.net.au/about-equine-therapy/the-epi-model/
Claudia Rosa Santos is not employed by, does not consult, own shares in or receive funding from any organisation that would benefit from this opinion article.
It is drawn to the reader’s attention that third parties may take steps to change or delete certain quotes and references in the footnotes to this article after its publication. The author takes no responsibility for this and Equisport has archived copies of these links as they appeared on the date of publication for future reference.