Er mulig å skape en sport der alle hestene har det bra?

Dagens gjest, Ann Kristin Skogly, tok kontakt med meg i kjølvannet av OL i Paris i 2024, og vi hadde litt mail-utveksling frem og tilbake. Det viste seg at hun holdt på med en vitenskapelig artikkel og hun lurte på om det var mulig å få innsikt i dataene jeg hadde samlet inn fra tapre lyttere i et forsøk på å kartlegge hvordan hestene som deltok under Ol egentlig hadde det. Kort sagt spurte jeg lytterne om de så flest lykkelige atleter eller flest slaver av berømmelse. Men å dele disse dataene med tredjepart var ikke mulig uten å innhente samtykke. Så jeg kunne ikke gi Ann Kristin mer enn noen korte overskrifter. Men det jeg fikk tilbake, noen måneder senere var langt mer enn overskrifter...

Det var en utførlig skrevet vitenskapelig artikkel som tok for seg noe som virkelig er verdt å snakke om. Særlig i disse dager. Den er så absolutt egnet til å si noe om hvorfor endringer til det positive for hestenes velferd i sporten tar så ulidelig lang tid – og som ikke minst inneholder den et talende diagram som virkelig treffer spikeren på hodet...

Hør episoden her og les artikkelen til Ann Kristin Skogly under.

Here goes:

A Systems Thinking Approach to Addressing Harmful Training Practices in Equestrian Sports

Abstract—The welfare of horses in equestrian sports has become a critical issue, particularly as reports of harsh training methods continue to emerge at the highest levels of competition. This paper employs a Systems Thinking approach to explore the complex network of factors that contribute to the persistence of these practices, despite existing regulations and growing public concern. By examining the roles of various stakeholders, psychological and biological influences, and the systemic forces at play, this study seeks to identify potential pathways toward more humane training methods. The analysis is supported by a stakeholder interest map and a systemigram, which together illustrate the interconnectedness of these factors. The findings suggest that addressing this issue requires a holistic approach that includes regulatory changes, education, and a shift in cultural and ethical standards within the equestrian community. Ultimately, the adoption of humane training practices is essential not only for the welfare of the horses but also for the future of the sport.

Index terms–Systems Thinking, Systemigram, Equestrian Sports regulations, Equine Welfare.

1. INTRODUCTION

The importance of horse welfare in equestrian sports cannot be overstated. As public awareness of animal welfare increases, the equestrian community faces mounting pressure to ensure that horses are treated with care and respect throughout their training and competition careers. Reports of top international riders resorting to harsh training methods have highlighted significant welfare concerns. This has led to high-profile incidents where riders have been excluded from their national teams or major competitions due to the mistreatment of their horses. The increasing frequency of these incidents raises important questions: Why are some of the top international riders, who are expected to uphold the highest standards of horsemanship, using such harsh methods? And why is it so difficult to stop these practices, despite the growing public outcry and existing regulations? These questions are central to the future of equestrian sports, which must evolve to meet modern ethical standards if they are to maintain public support and uphold their reputation as humane and graceful disciplines.

In this paper, we will explore the reasons behind the use of abusive training methods by top international riders using Systems Thinking—a comprehensive approach that involves understanding how different parts of a situation or system are interconnected, how they interact with one another, and how these interactions contribute to the behavior of the whole system. By adopting a holistic view, we can gain valuable insights into the complex dynamics that drive these harmful practices. We will examine the challenges in preventing such practices and assess the effectiveness of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) regulations in safeguarding equine welfare. Additionally, we will consider the broader cultural and systemic factors that may contribute to the persistence of these harmful practices.

2. OVERVIEW OF EQUESTRIAN SPORTS, TRAINING, AND FEI’s ROLE

Equestrian sports include various disciplines where horse and rider work together in events like show jumping, dressage, and eventing. In show jumping, horses must navigate courses with obstacles, requiring agility and precision. Dressage highlights the horse's training through precise, ballet-like movements, where judges score each movement, considering factors such as the horse’s obedience, the rider’s skill, and the overall harmony between them. Eventing, known as the "triathlon" of equestrian sports, combines dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. Training for these disciplines is intense, focusing on building the horse’s strength, agility, and responsiveness through exercises that enhance their physical condition and mental focus.

The highest prices for elite horses can reach USD 10 million, though most sell for lower amounts in the millions, reflecting their exceptional value in the sport [1]. As a consequence, the horse-rider relationship has become more commercialized [2], meaning riders often do not own or raise the horses themselves; instead, sponsors or horse owners purchase the horses. If a rider doesn't perform well, they may risk losing the horse to another rider. This commercial aspect emphasizes financial returns and competitive success, turning the partnership into a business venture. In addition, the careers of elite horses are relatively short, often just a few years. This means that top riders must continually acquire new horses to stay competitive at the highest levels, further intensifying the commercial pressures within the sport.

FEI is the international governing body for equestrian sports, responsible for regulating these disciplines to ensure fair competition and the welfare of the horses involved.

3. CHALLENGES IN TRAINING PRACTICES USED IN EQUESTRIAN SPORTS

Equine sports place significant demands on horses, requiring them to perform precise and strenuous activities that demonstrate their training and obedience. These performances result from intense training regimens aimed at perfecting the horse's responsiveness and ability to perform under pressure. While these practices are designed to enhance performance, they can lead to serious physical and psychological stress if not managed correctly [3], [4]. Despite existing guidelines, several challenges persist in safeguarding horse welfare at the highest levels of equestrian sport. Key concerns include:

• Mouth Injuries and hyperflexion of the neck: Reins are crucial for controlling a horse’s movements in equine sports. However, harsh or uneven pulling of the reins can cause injuries in the horse’s mouth, such as lesions and bleeding [5]. A related issue is the use of hyperflexion, often called "rollkur," where the horse’s neck is aggressively flexed and can lead to long-term damage on the cervical vertebrae [6].
• Tight Nosebands: Another significant welfare concern is the use of excessively tight nosebands to mechanically close the horse's mouth. This practice can cause severe discomfort and damage, including restricted blood flow, which may result in the horse's tongue turning blue and potentially leading to long-term harm [7], [8].
• Use of Negative Reinforcement and Punishment: Negative reinforcement and pain-based techniques, such as the over use of spurs (pointed metal tools on a rider’s boots) and whips, are common in modern equine sports, which in turn can lead to immediate and long-term welfare issues [9]. 

A. Welfare Incidents in Elite Equestrian Sports

A recent controversy involving a prominent Olympic dressage champion has brought significant attention to issues of abuse in equestrian sports. In July 2024, a video emerged showing the champion whipping a horse more than 20 times in one minute during a coaching session [10], leading to a ban from the Paris Olympic Games and all international competitions. Although the individual claimed the actions were out of character, this incident highlights the ongoing problem of abuse in equestrian sports and has reignited the debate over the ethics of subjecting horses to such intense pressure. The same rider was also eliminated from the European Championship in 2019 due to blood found on her horse [11]. Other cases in 2024 include allegations against a prominent Austrian show jumper for striking a horse’s legs [12],  an official warning issued to a Brazilian rider for using hyperflexion and rollkur, several riders eliminated from the Paris Games for welfare violations [13], and two top Danish dressage riders faced bans for excessive whipping and other painful methods [14],[15]. The suspension of a leading U.S. dressage rider [16] further illustrates that the issue of harsh training methods and abuse is not isolated but is widespread at the highest levels of equestrian sport.

4. A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO EVALUATING THESE CHALLENGES

In addressing the problem of harmful training practices in equestrian sports through a Systems Thinking approach, it is important to consider the complex web of stakeholders, psychological and biological factors, and systemic influences that contribute to the persistence of these practices. This allows us to understand how various interconnected factors perpetuate the use of harsh training methods in equestrian sports.

 A. Stakeholder Influences

A stakeholder interest map is a visual tool used to identify key stakeholders based on their level of interest and influence. In equestrian sports, it helps clarify how groups like riders, trainers, and animal welfare advocates are positioned, showing who has the power to affect changes in training practices and who is most concerned with horse welfare.

The stakeholder interest map in Fig. 1 reveals that riders, trainers, judges, horse owners, horse owners (sponsors), and governing bodies hold significant influence and, in many cases, a high interest in promoting humane practices. Despite their potential interest, many of these stakeholders do not focus sufficiently on welfare issues. For the sport to continue sustainably and maintain public support, a significant change is needed within this group. If these influential groups actively prioritize horse welfare, it would set a new standard across the industry. For instance, event organizers and sponsors could begin to favor riders and trainers who are known for their commitment to animal welfare, thereby pushing others to improve their practices or face exclusion from major competitions. This shift would help address the ongoing welfare issues and reduce negative media coverage, ultimately benefiting the sport's reputation and longevity.

Meanwhile, animal welfare advocates, who have a high interest in promoting better treatment of horses, often have low influence within the system. This imbalance contributes to the persistence of harsh training methods, as those with more influence may prioritize performance and tradition over welfare concerns.

 B. Systemic Drivers

Using a systemigram, we can map out the problem domain and its relationships, helping to understand the complex dynamics in equestrian sports and visually show the important parts of the system and how they interact, making it easier to see how different factors are connected.

The systemigram in Fig 2. shows how stakeholders, financial incentives, cultural influences, performance expectations, high pressure environment and regulations work together to keep harsh training methods in place. It highlights that these methods persist not just because of individual choices, but because of larger systemic forces. By showing these connections, the systemigram reveals feedback loops, dependencies, and key pressure points that might not be obvious when looking at each part separately. This makes it an important tool for finding the root causes of ongoing problems and for planning strategies to address them effectively.

The main sentence in the systemigram begins with the equestrian sport, showing how riders use harsh training practices that in the end can harm horse welfare.

One of the key dynamics emerging out of the brown Competition node is the increasing difficulty of equestrian competitions, as shown with light red arrows. Over time, equestrian competitions have become increasingly difficult, with higher hurdles, longer courses, and tighter time constraints, pushing both horses and riders to reach even greater levels of performance [17]. This rising difficulty adds to the already intense pressure which can lead to the continued use of harsh training methods. The growing demands of competition, combined with financial incentives and the desire to win, increase the pressure on riders and trainers to focus on performance rather than on welfare. Additionally, illustrated with a brown arrow, the priorities of judges in dressage competitions significantly influence riders' training practices. When judges award high grades to horses showing signs of distress or problem behavior, it sends a message that high performance is valued over horse welfare. Relaxation in the horse and the connection, willingness and positivity between horse and rider may be overlooked in favor of achieving competition results. This emphasis on meeting the judges' grading criteria can push riders toward harsher training methods.

The commercialization of the horse-rider relationship worsens the problem because it turns the bond between horse and rider into more of a business deal, indicated by the red arrows in Fig. 2. Instead of being seen as partners, horses are often viewed as tools to achieve success. We can see how commercialization highlights the importance of making money, which then increases the pressure for high performance. This pressure can lead to the use of harsh training methods, which in turn, fuels even more commercialization, creating a negative feedback loop. This shift means that the relationship is more focused on financial and competitive goals rather than on mutual respect and care for the horse. This change can raise ethical concerns and leads to less emphasis on the well-being of the horses involved [18].

The green arrows illustrate how observers—such as the audience or officials enforcing regulations—play an important role by reporting abuse to the media or FEI. When the media covers cases of horse abuse, it can create public pressure that pushes riders to use more humane methods, showing the media’s ability to promote better practices. Reports to the FEI can result in penalties that affect a rider’s finances and career, encouraging them to avoid harsh techniques. Negative media coverage can also lead to stronger regulations and better enforcement of existing rules. This creates positive feedback loops that can help address the problem and promote better treatment of horses. But even though FEI has taken steps like banning rollkur [19] in competitions and checking noseband tightness, these actions haven’t fully stopped harmful practices. And some of these measures are lacking, inconsistent, and not always enforced, which reduces their effectiveness in protecting horse welfare [20], [21].

Cultural factors in equestrian sports are also significant, indicated by the lavender arrows. Deeply ingrained traditions and beliefs among trainers and riders often cause them to stick with certain training methods, even if they are harsh, because they genuinely believe these methods are crucial for achieving success. This cultural mindset can help explain the cognitive dissonance [22] that occurs when riders defend harsh methods. Even when confronted with clear evidence of the harm these methods cause [23], [24], riders may experience a mental conflict between their long-held beliefs and the reality of the harm. To resolve this discomfort, they may justify or downplay the negative effects, which in turn creates a feedback loop that reinforces and maintains these harmful practices.

Indicated by the blue arrows, biological factors, such as the subtle pain behaviors exhibited by horses, complicate the identification of distress. Horses often display pain through understated behaviors like changes in posture or subtle facial expressions, making it challenging for those involved to recognize and address welfare issues promptly [25], [26]. This lack of overt signs of distress can lead to the perpetuation of harsh methods, as the consequences are not immediately apparent to the person applying them or to spectators.

In conclusion, the systemigram maps the important interconnected factors that maintain harsh training practices in equestrian sports. By highlighting the roles of stakeholders, economic pressures, cultural influences, and regulatory challenges, it reveals how these practices persist due to systemic forces.

5. DISCUSSION

The discussion on how to tackle the issue of harsh training methods in equestrian sports is important, as it directly affects the well-being of horses and plays a key role in shaping the future of the sport. With the help of a stakeholder interest map and a systemigram, we have seen that different factors are connected and contribute to the ongoing use of these practices, and that many stakeholders, such as riders, trainers, judges, sponsors, and governing bodies, play a role in keeping these methods in place. The pressure from competition, financial rewards, and cultural traditions create a high-stress environment where performance is often valued more than the welfare of the horses.

And even though FEI has rules in place to protect horses, these rules are not always enforced consistently. It’s crucial to set clear and specific rules about what is allowed and what is not. This will help all riders, no matter their status, to understand and follow these rules, removing any confusion and encouraging compliance, especially as competitions become more demanding.

We have also found that judges play a significant role in shaping training practices, as their decisions on which riders are successful are influenced by the performance criteria they prioritize. By placing a higher value on the performance of harmonious horses, judges can positively influence training methods, encouraging practices that promote the welfare and well-being of horses.

It is clear that commercialization makes the problems in equestrian sport worse. The relationship between horse and rider is becoming more about money and success, placing horse welfare at a lower priority. To address this, the sport needs stricter regulations and better education for stakeholders to ensure that horse welfare remains a key focus.

The role of the media is also important. When horse abuse is reported and covered in the media, it can create public pressure that encourages riders to use more humane methods. However, the effectiveness of these measures is weakened when the rules are not enforced properly or when observers don’t report abuse out of fear of backlash.

Moreover, the role of riders is vital in advocating for horse welfare. When respected riders lead by example and speak out for humane methods, they can help steer the culture in the right direction and influence the next generation of riders. Many top riders take excellent care of their horses, and if they publicly promote these practices, they could serve as role models, showing that the well-being of horses and competitive success can go hand in hand.

It is also clear that detecting pain in horses can be difficult because they often show it in subtle ways. Research and education on how to better recognize these subtle signs of pain can play a big role in improving the situation. By educating key stakeholders, such as riders, trainers, and judges, to better recognize signs of pain and stress in horses, they will be equipped to prevent harmful practices in the future.

Finally, FEI has increased its focus on horse welfare by committing over USD 1 million to a new equine welfare strategy [27]. This investment highlights the need to address the issues discussed in this paper. But its success depends on how well it tackles challenges like resistance to change and commercialization pressures.

 6. CONCLUSION

In conclusion, addressing the issue of harmful training methods in equestrian sports requires a comprehensive approach that considers the complex interplay of factors within the sport. By using Systems Thinking, it becomes clear that these methods are sustained not by isolated actions but by a network of systemic forces, including cultural traditions, economic pressures, and inconsistent regulatory enforcement. To break this cycle, it is essential to focus on the key leverage points identified in this analysis. First, stricter FEI regulations must be established and consistently enforced to create clear standards across the sport. And judges play a crucial role in ensuring these regulations are applied fairly during competitions. Another important step is promoting humane training practices, particularly among top riders, who have a strong influence on others. Finally, encouraging spectators to report incidents of abuse can provide an additional layer of accountability, helping to uphold the welfare of horses and enforce proper conduct.

By focusing on these important areas—clear rules, fair enforcement, advocating of humane training methods, and community involvement—the sport can meet modern ethical standards, protect horse welfare, and maintain public support for equestrian disciplines. 

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