The Revolution in Horsemanship

Revolution starts with chaos and is not usually peaceful. Our most modern revolution in horsemanship started with the advent of smartphones and instant video access. In an era where every moment can be captured on screen, even the best trainers in the world are subject to interpretation and some heroes of the sport begin to fall due to public criticism.

Over the last two decades we have watched a few great horsemen fall flat in the public eye, scrutinized by video feedback and commentary about their abusive or, bordering on abusive, techniques. The most recent is the famous Charlotte Dujardin, Olympic gold medalist.

In a short video captured four years ago, a student witnessed her using her training whip too aggressively in a training session. The video came out just before the 2024 Olympic games in Paris, causing the resignation of another elite in the sport.
I have my own comments regarding her experience I'd like to share and then move on to other trainers over the last twenty years that have also fallen. But the real point of the article here is not to criticize the trainers or their critics. It's to open your eyes to the fact that our horse industry is at risk. There is a revolution in the works and there is only one way we survive it.

That way, that path, is educating the novice public eye, about the ethics of riding, training, and owning horses, in the proper ways that encourage harmony with horse and harmony in the eyes of our peers. And that path also must outlay the real consequences of letting the industry die. Because if we don't find a way to teach and demonstrate positive and progressive models of horse ownership and riding, we will lose this battle and lose our rights to experience these animals in our world.

As we speak, there are petitions to remove horses from the Olympics all together and to ban competitions in certain cities, outside of the Olympic games. That pressure will not die out organically. We need to draw close and see past any differences.

                                         Horse people are natural fence builders. Now, more than ever, we need to be bridge builders.

The public eye wants us horse lovers to be upfront and honest and clear regarding abusive strategies. This is something we can do together.

My first comment about Charlotte is that she owned her moment. She didn't hide it or lie. She admitted her wrongdoing even though it was four years ago, and she claims to be on a better path. That ownership is paramount. And I will do the same. I have always encouraged upfront honesty about our imperfections because bridges are built with relevant truths. I have not always been kind with horses. I can think of half a dozen instances over the course of my early career where I found myself frustrated with horses, and as a result, too fast and too firm. And you can rest assured, I'm not the only person who ever got frustrated with their horse. Maybe you have too.

But we grow, don't we? We learn to do better. We must. It's on us, the horse lovers and trainers in the world, to own our faults and keep moving toward better techniques and more elegant horsemanship. It's a big ask for some people. Some horse folks are still leaning on rugged, inelegant strategies from the trainer before them. So what? They can grow too. They must.

The revolution is here. Our responsibility is clear. We must own our faults and also own the path to better horsemanship. I'm currently in the process of writing our story, yours and mine, and mapping the industry into the future. I'd love your support. Your comments. Your ideas. Open the discussion about our past, present, and future with horses and help us turn this revolution in favor of the horse and the beautiful people that care for them.

If you'd like to support this movement, email me. Don@masteryhorsemanship.com.

My main points here today... We have to band together, letting go of who's right and wrong and start looking for what works and what's most appropriate and what really isn't appropriate. Stop hating on trainers who fail in a bad moment and start embracing the qualities of those same people, encouraging, the cream to rise to the top. We must start the conversation and steer the revolution and never throw the baby out with the bathwater.

One hopeful thought... The secrets to our success are ingrained in our very leadership and training models. Reward the good, connect, bond, set boundaries, bravely embrace the relationships and tasks we need to move forward in harmony.

We have arrived. People who know me have heard me talk about this for a long time. I've seen this coming from a long way off and now it is our chance to embrace the moment and move together.

Email your comments to Don@masteryhorsemanship.com

​Thanks for being a great lover of our industry and equine friends. Don