In an age where we have unlimited access to information, you could be duped into believing that owning, caring for and riding horses should be easier than ever before. With 2024 being an Olympic year and a lot of emphasis on equine welfare and whether or not equestrian events will even be seen in future Olympic Games, it has become clearer than ever that access to knowledge does not mean people make use of it. You can “lead the horse to water”, as it were…
Equestrianism is steeped in tradition and since the days of Xenophon, these traditions have been handed down from old horsemen to newer generations. While a lot of what Xenophon said about horses more than 1500 years ago, still makes sense, a lot of it is no longer relevant, seeing as we no longer train horses for the purposes of war. What makes us good horsemen and -women in 2024, is questioning what is relevant, and what is detrimental to our horses’ wellbeing. We all want what is best for our horses, we just have to figure out how to do that.
This brings me back to the wealth of information and mis-information that is out there. Things can get overwhelming very quickly. You need to have the feet checked and balanced, teeth done, you need your saddle, bridle and bit professionally fitted. You need to have bodywork done and then you haven’t even started training or riding! And the range of varying opinions is staggering.
While a lot can be gleaned from older generations with more practical experience, I don’t think it is wise to blindly accept what people are telling you, simply because they have been doing it for longer.
As an example, I had a first-time horse owner ask me for help with her horse. The more experienced yard owner was telling her that the horse was just being disobedient and needed discipline for not wanting to walk into a closed space. She felt the horse was scared, but because of her lack of horse knowledge, she didn’t feel comfortable going against the advice she was given. At the same time, she wasn’t comfortable with the given advice either! My recommendation to her was to follow her gut. If she felt the horse was showing signs of fear, there was no point in pushing her beyond what she and the horse was comfortable with. I told her to take a step back and do what she, as the owner, felt comfortable with. And it worked! Instead of forcing the horse to walk into a stall by coercion, she took her time and built up her own relationship with her horse. Once that was established, there were no further issues with the horse not going in.
This is not to say that people with no experience should always do what they “feel” is best and disregard well-intentioned advice. It is just an example of how tricky these situations can be!
If you want to do what is best by your horse, it is important to have knowledge of horse behaviour. Learn to read when they are uncomfortable or in pain. Horses are horses and the greatest respect you can show them is to remember that and treat them as such. They do not reason like people and they do not necessarily learn the way people would. Understanding how horses learn will improve your horse’s welfare as well as the relationship you have with your horse. Take the time to find reputable sources such as the International Society for Equitation Science and World Horse Welfare and make use of their numerous resources. Make sure whatever source you follow they are not just someone with a big opinion, but that what they are saying is backed up by sound knowledge. The internet, just like the yard, is filled with people with big opinions. Get to know your horse and do what is right for him or her.
Don’t be afraid to question people on the advice they give. Ask them why they do things the way they do, or why they prefer certain methods or pieces of equipment. If they are offended by questions, they probably haven’t taken the time to think about it themselves. Most people will welcome the conversation; after a lifetime of riding and working with horses, I still hold very stimulating conversations and debates with people who agree with me and with people who don’t. Be willing and open to change your mind. Sometimes something works for one person because of who they are or the discipline they ride in and won’t necessarily work for you, but if you understand the reasons for doing things, it makes it easier to discern good advice from bad advice. There is no point in trying to convince a showjumper that a trail saddle would fit his horse better. If you don’t have the light hands a more experienced rider has, you probably couldn’t ride with the same bits as they do and get the same results.
Don’t get stuck. Don’t be afraid to start doing something differently if you think that may work better for you and your horse at your current level. Be willing and open to experiment and experience new things. You might just like it!
The best horsemen and women I know, have one quality in common; they are flexible. They can read the horse in its current environment and adapt accordingly, sometimes without even realising that they are doing it. It takes a lot of practice and a lot of time and while it comes more naturally to some, it is a skill that can be acquired.
Most of all, remember why you are doing it – because you enjoy the company of the horse. And never forget what a privilege it is for us to sit on their backs and experience the connection between human and horse.
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