Entertainment or Needless Anxiety?
I was at the Dutch Stallion Show watching the ‘VSN Cup’, a dressage test for stallions, where they had added quite a remarkable element to the judging of the test.
At the end of each test, the audience got the opportunity to rate it by applauding. The organization recorded the decibels and the rider who had gotten the loudest applause would get another prize.
As you can imagine, that resulted in a LOT of noise while the horses were still in the arena. Want to know what I think of this? Then keep on reading.
''It's a human thing''
We love to show our enthusiasm when watching a competition, whether it’s at a local horse show or a big event. It’s our way of getting excited about something.
It’s natural for us to get into the spirit of things. But we have to be aware that it’s a human thing.
The difficult part is that of course, the organizers and people that are trying to do the good thing for the sport, are doing their best to create a good vibe. And where the problem lies is people not understanding what it means to the horse.
''It's a human thing''
We love to show our enthusiasm when watching a competition, whether it’s at a local horse show or a big event. It’s our way of getting excited about something.
It’s natural for us to get into the spirit of things. But we have to be aware that it’s a human thing.
The difficult part is that of course, the organizers and people that are trying to do the good thing for the sport, are doing their best to create a good vibe. And where the problem lies is people not understanding what it means to the horse.
''It's a human thing''
We love to show our enthusiasm when watching a competition, whether it’s at a local horse show or a big event. It’s our way of getting excited about something.
It’s natural for us to get into the spirit of things. But we have to be aware that it’s a human thing.
The difficult part is that of course, the organizers and people that are trying to do the good thing for the sport, are doing their best to create a good vibe. And where the problem lies is people not understanding what it means to the horse.
''What does it mean for the horse?''
While our entertainment can be pretty exciting for us as humans, what we may not realize is that our applause might cause immense panic for the horses.
Horses are built with an instinctive fear of loud noises and bright lights. All those things are completely foreign to a horse and also incredibly threatening.
At a show of this nature, all of those things come together all at once.
''You're basically putting them in their own horror movie.''
And the other factor is, nobody is preparing their horses for those things. When your horse doesn’t have the knowledge and the information on how to handle situations like that, you’re basically putting them into their own horror movie.
The shows are getting bigger, the music is getting louder which is all the more exciting for us humans. But at the same time, the horses are not having more education about how to manage such environments.
The horses these days are more expressive, more sensitive and more athletic. And what comes with that is a higher level of natural instict.
While the development of technology rapidly increases and our shows naturally become more impressive in a way that to us humans seems normal, or horses are becoming all the more traumatised.
''You're basically putting them in their own horror movie.''
And the other factor is, nobody is preparing their horses for those things. When your horse doesn’t have the knowledge and the information on how to handle situations like that, you’re basically putting them into their own horror movie.
The shows are getting bigger, the music is getting louder which is all the more exciting for us humans. But at the same time, the horses are not having more education about how to manage such environments.
The horses these days are more expressive, more sensitive and more athletic. And what comes with that is a higher level of natural instict.
While the development of technology rapidly increases and our shows naturally become more impressive in a way that to us humans seems normal, or horses are becoming all the more traumatised.
''The internal instincts are telling them to get the hell out of there''
These days you often hear: ”Oh yeah, the horse was running a bit, but the rider could get him under control, it was nothing.”
But I wonder if people realize that when a horse puts his head up and flees the scene, or is pumping out 5 laps of extended trot, or passaging like a cat on a hot tin roof, in reaction to the pressure in the environment, that there is an internal panic in that horse. His heart rate and physical reactions are relative to a natural last resort survival situation.
When a horse is going into a tension-contraction reflex through a moment of stress, the internal instincts are telling them to get the hell out of there.
''Now we're putthing them into environments where that is becoming a constant thing''
If they’re in an natural environment and a preditor came, and the brid flew up and the horse could freely run away and have a certain level of panic where his heart rate and his blood pressure is going up a little bit, that’s momentary.
''Now we're putting them into environments where that is becoming a constant thing''
If they’re in an natural environment and a preditor came, and the horse could freely run away and have a certain level of panic where his heart rate and his blood pressure is going up a little bit, that’s only momentary.
Now we’re putting them into environments where that is becoming a constant state for long periods.
Because we haven’t thaught them what to do with themselves, we’re not spending time on preparing them to go into these environments.
We are preaching one thing about horse’s welfare and doing all the good things for the horse, but at the same time blindly putting our horses into situations where they are forced to endure a very stressful and traumatic experience.
So I believe if we are not spending the time to prepare and teach our horses how to manage them selves in such extreme environments, we should definitely rethink they way we run and the way we celebrate at the shows, that is in the best interests of the horse.
''Now we're putting them into environments where that is becoming a constant thing''
If they’re in an natural environment and a preditor came, and the horse could freely run away and have a certain level of panic where his heart rate and his blood pressure is going up a little bit, that’s only momentary.
Now we’re putting them into environments where that is becoming a constant state for long periods.
Because we haven’t thaught them what to do with themselves, we’re not spending time on preparing them to go into these environments.
What do you think?
I am really curious about your perspective on this topic. How do you experience this?
Let me know in the comments below!
76 Responses
I too believe we should NOT reward our horses with applause. A big NO.
Thank you for this blog post. I 100% agree that applause should not be a reward.
Laps of honor are so stressful for sensitive horses.
Horses, like other animals such as cats and dogs, cannot handle certain sounds. Screaming and cheering come in at higher decibels that horse ears cannot handle or even register on occasions. Because of this, I believe that there are many other ways of going about praising and rewarding your favorite team! Just keeping the audience quiet and respectful is enough to show support.
I couldn’t agree more. I watched a similar display of a horse being trained and couldn’t believe how the crowd was encouraged to “give it up” for the success in training, only to have the eruption of applause certainly increase the energy of the atmosphere, but blue up the horse’s world sending him into quite a spin. I thought it ignorant and insensitive. In the interest of ego-centric human measure, What fun to watch things fall apart for the poor animal. NOT.
Hi Tristan, it is a great thing you are talking of this issue. I hope organizers and people in the horse world can realize that. As we know humans are selfish and many don’t care or don’t give the importance to these matters. But many times is because they are not conscious and aware, and knowledge is the first step for a change. I sure hope your voice will make more and more people aware. Good people will make the difference. Thank you for being such a great horse lover and fighter. Horses first!
So, here I thought you (Tristan) was gonna end up saying: “so to get your horse relaxed in the lap of honor, go buy my special series about that.” But you didn’t. And you’ve got all my respect for that. If anyone is able to teach a horse to cope with that environment, it’s definitely you. And you still put out such a strong message. I guess you already have figured out that I totally agree with you.
Well spoken!
I think if spectators can learn hushed appreciation and tiny little clap for golf tournaments, they can be taught those same kinds of manners for equestrian events.
Agree with you. Not that horses should be bubble wrapped, but the concept puts human desires and the good idea of audience participation (to build enthusiasm in the sport) ahead of horse welfare. Two thumbs down.
I fully agree with your opinion.I hate it when, especially at stallion shows these young horses are treated respectless with loud music,spots and loud applause. Most of them show tense spectacular gaits,when at home,they move normal.But it is business,so they will not stop that.Very sad for the horses
Agreed. Actually, silent horse shows would be much more classy and enjoyable, I am writing it as a person who doesn’t like loud noises myself 😁 we could also have a rule that we can applaud, but only when horse is already gone from the arena, how cool would that be?;)
I agree Tristan. Again, we are putting the human’s needs and ego before the horse. Everything we do with horses, must come from the place of putting the horse’s needs, perceptions and wellbeing first. How can we ask the horse to be quiet, obedient and relaxed during a dressage test and then expect it to tolerate or stay that way under thunderous applause? And, why do we insist on a quiet environment during dressage shows? Now, if part of stallion judging was the capacity to remain quiet under thunderous applause, then I could see it as part of the exam. I do not see thunderous applause as a reward for the horse. I see it as being insensitive to the horse and feeding the needs of the human. There must be a better way (for the horse) to give the owner feedback.
It’s definitely true that we should think of other ways to honor our horses!!!
I feel that we’re becoming more ‘dumbed down’ in this century, with everything needing to be bigger and louder in the name of ‘entertainment’. The organisers of equine events should be educated enough to understand the huge negative impact this has on the horses – it’s not great for us either! So extra noise pressure should be avoided whenever possible.
Well….yes, but!
I would argue that an element of fiery nature is still desirable and ‘admired’. Would people be as impressed by the wholly relaxed stallion, hanging out on his connective tissue with a leg cocked?
It’s all about the semen sales and who wants ‘sleepy’ semen…..?!
I totally agree with you Tristan. Many people do what is convenient for them not what is necessary for the horse. It is a shame that horses are seen by many as an extension of ego and or wealth. Even stable environments can be highly stressful for horses. As you often say horse owners are not educating themselves enough about the fundamental nature of horses. Many years ago I went to a horse show near a zoo and the horses could hear the lions. Then people got annoyed with their horses when they reacted to the sound of a predator.
Think it is another appalling human behaviour which seems fashionable. I Was at an indoor jumping competition many years ago and was horrified to hear the commentator stirring everyone up to clap and cheer as they jumped! Not surprisingly the horses were all wearing special ear muffs, but I doubt if that stopped them hearing it. Try ear muffs on a plane …it only cuts out some of the noise!. Does it damage a horses sensitive hearing I wonder? Totally against it.
I totally agree with you, thank you for speaking up for our beautiful, sensitive horses. You are giving them a voice
Noise is a bit, giant NO for me. Our priority should always be the horses’ security and welfare. This just goes against both common sense and our duty to our horses.
Hi, I also thought Tristan was going to say he would show us how to get our horses to not be afraid of the cheering.
So my question is, where do you draw the line between training them as in your module to help them become free of “show stress” which I think is brilliant, and saying enough is enough when it comes to loud cheering? Can the horses not learn to accept to it like they can with large crowds and large vehicles etc?
Is it all about the intention, ie the crowds at shows and large vehicles on the roads are unavoidable but the loud cheering is optional?
G’day Tristan 😁
Kia Ora
I know exactly what you are describing, l know how true you are because l am autistic and that is exactly how l feel.
Most autistic people would know that what you say is true for the horse , because it is true for themselves.
I am unable to attend theatres, shows, l struggle terribly at the cinema and wear ear defenders and have to sit away from the speakers, the boom boom vibrates into my chest and makes me want to run, vomit and scream- so trying to watch a movie is quiet exhausting plus l need my hubby to interpret what the story line is and who are the people? Of course l can’t ask him and he can’t hear me and l can’t hear him. So l rarely go, about once every decade 😂😂
Yes, everything is getting louder, brighter and more overwhelming. The continuous push for more drama, glamour, terror!
Absolutely, our horses cannot be expected to come along on this farcical nonsense, where humans are becoming (or have become) delusional with their own grotesque grandeur.
Time really to wake up and see the mess humans are making, to themselves and their closest allies our dearest animals. A kin to taking the poor horse to war!!! Really! Gosh, such blind ignorance and blatant arrogance in regards to some people.
Thank you for speaking up and out. Big thank you for seeing and knowing. Well done. Gratitude 👍😁☺️
Totally agree with you. I find it strange that a show organizer even thinks about this, loud applauding… They are not thinking about the well-being of the horse, that’s for sure.
Helemaal mee eens!!!!
I totally agree that this is quite stressful for many horses. I was told (threatened) by a technical delegate that if I refused to take part in an awards ceremony (at a championship show) that I would be stripped of my blue ribbon!!! As much as I would have loved to have my photo taken and have the recognition, I also appreciated that my horse was terrified of this situation … do needless to say …. I was dropped from the placings. SO UNNECESSARY!
Hi Tristan
Tillykke med dagen
Yes I agree on that we humans should prepare our horses for those events. Same as with fireworks eg. It‘s not more work than teaching a piaffe , it takes maybe even less time😀
And I think horses‘ ears are sensitive so a good idea to give earplugs on big events. But that does not replace the preparation of the horse with TRT training
Love from DK
Yes. I agree with you. More prep for the horse needs to be done. The ear covers and ear plugs can only do so much
When l attended Shows in Germany l liked the quiet music played during the tests.
Getting the horses worked up during presentations caused problems Eg injuries
Shows don’t need audience participation
Yes I couldnt agree more with you!! I was their too that night and it was not een pleased view. I have already given my opion to the KWPN about this, as well as about the stallion keuring (dont know the English word), where they are hunting the stallions around with wips and rice cans. Maybe it is a good idea if you also express your opion to them. They sended an enquete about that night.
This reminds me of watching the opening for the Super Bowl a number of years ago where one of the teams had a horse as a mascot. It made a big entry ridden into the stadium at a canter to the wild cheering of who knows how many hyped up fans. It tried to balk a couple of time but was forced on to run in a panic around the arena until they finished their spectacle. The commentators when on about what a wonderful tradition it was for the team with no understanding of how terrified the horse was. It just made me feel sick. How selfish we are! I guess my point is that I believe that we can prepare our horses to handle a lot of things, but if I we are terrorizing them in the name of our entertainment, that’s not okay. I agree with the person who mentioned the respectful quiet at golf matches. If people can enjoy watching golf without wild applause and blaring noise, they can probably enjoy horses the same way but whoever is organizing the events has to lead the way.
I absolutely agree!! All these football stadium attitudes, such as loud applause, cheering, suddenly raised party music at a deafening volume and also spotlights in dark arenas are animal cruelty and should be banned asap! I do not understand why animal welfare organisations are not addressing this issue!
Totally agree. Doing this to horses is horrible and we really need to start thinking more at what is normal for a horse – the environment that they come from – and start treating them better and of course also equiping them with the tools to handle things in the human world in moderation though! There is no need to overdo it that much. We know that horses can learn to cope with at lot of things that are unnatural to them but still we have to be fair with what we expect of them.
So thank you so much for explaining clearly to people why this is not okay 🙂
I totally agree with you, Tristan! I have a 5yo Westphalen who is an introvert. He may look like he’s totally relaxed and in control to the uneducated eye, but his heart is pounding and he’s frozen in fear. He tries to hold it all together, but then he can’t. Look out! He’s off like a shot. I have spent the past year and a half taking it one baby step at at time to teach him to self soothe and find his confidence. No easy feat, but he is coming along, thanks to a great trainer and to my patience with him (if I may toot my own horn!). I have learned so much from you and you constantly validate what I believe in the pit of my heart to be true.
Thank you!
I agree with you Tristan, if we want to have horses in our lives we must respect them and have empathy with them and train them for the job they are to do so they understand
Another inhumane stupid idea. Horses don’t have a frame of reference to equate applause with “well done”. However is coming up with these ideas should be banned from ever being part of these competitions. Agreed
Our entire culture has shifted to short attention spans and the need for constant reward and reinforcement, all of this is not resulting in a better world for us or our horses. It’s time for a culture shift back to a simpler quieter life. No applause needed
I think it depends… on the event and the level of exposure/experience the horses have. For example, when I was in Aachen at the WEGs, with an arena full with about 40K spectators, you could hear a pin drop and the collective intake of breath depending on the quality of movement performance. After the prize giving, the National Anthems and then the rounds of honor, with whoops and cheers and clapping from this massive enthusiastic spectator group, the horses took all in their stride with no adverse effects.
Nevertheless throughout the long path of getting to this level, it’s necessary to help, with suitable training, to give the horse the courage to feel secure in its mind and body. Everywhere and anywhere today, the events at whatever level are accompanied by music, side activities, action and audiences that are enthusiastically enjoying what’s on offer. It’s also a broadening of the wider appeal of horse sports away from the elitist tag. It’s part of the modernization of the sport.
I agree with you 100%. As riders we are responsible for making our equine partners as comfortable as possible in all situations including showing.
Ben het er niet helemaal mee eens
Er zijn ook evenementen waar het een traditie is en het goed gaat. Je moet je paarden wel kunnen laten ontspannen en je moet ze ook veel vertrouwen kunnen geven
Op de Friese hengstenkeuring is het een ander verhaal daar reageren de paarden en mensen er positief op
We play quiet background music during our indoor dressage competitions to hide unexpected noises from the gallery, a slamming door for example, and to create a calming atmosphere. I suspect this music significantly affects the rider more than the horse, music is out of the horse’s concept. I agree that loud applause puts horses into an unkind and frightening environment. It is just an extremely loud unexpected noise that they can have no appreciation of. If audience participation or approval is deemed appropriate then there are other quiet ways to do this, a phone app where you can silently give a score would be much better for the horse.
Aside from the situation Tristan describes above. There are a great many dressage horses, and others, that are stressed during prize giving due to clapping and cheering. During the last world championships the Danish audience were clapping along to the dressage to music. It was admirable that Glamourdale and others were apparently unphased, but some didn’t like it. At many competitions the audience show their appreciation at the end of a test. The experienced horses mostly appear to have accepted it. At the main indoor shows here in uk; HOYS, Olympia/LIHS , Liverpool, etc the popular show jumpers get clapped entering the arena and clear rounds usually get audience appreciation too. Same at Horse Trials. Presumably the constant experience desensitises some horses but must be awful for them at begnning of their careers. It would definitely be kinder to train them what to do in scary situations. Asking the audience not to show appreciation, and in the case of dressage, remain deathly quiet during tests, can be a lot to expect.
It’s a balance – by enforcing quietness we are effectively sensitising horses to noise but encouraging applause at an event primarily for younge horses seems the wrong way to go. It can be difficult to help horses get used to the atmosphere, and noise, of a big show, particularly if you are far away from these type of venues. I would love to see opportunities on the day before the show for us to take our more sensitive horses and get them used to different stimuli. Maybe we could invite a brass band to come and practise or have our friends come and wave banners so we had the chance to help our horses overcome their fears before the pressure of the big event.
Crazy and unnecessary. I can’t believe that riders are not aware of the situation and the impact on their horse. If you really want the best for your horse and all the other horses, you should stand up (together) and try to change the sports world. Otherwise you are just ignoring it for your own goal.
Totally agree. I’ve always had quite sensitive horses and loud noises can completely ruin a performance and leave you in fear of being dumped in front of the judge. Low level clapping is ok but not shouting and banging.
It’s shocking and upsetting if this is the case and although it is easy to shout against it, I would like to hear the official response to what Tristan politely exposes and which one would assume would be common knowledge and common sense to thinking and aware horse humans as one normally expects officials to be.
I’m not sure that I can politely add to the comments…but this begs SO many questions…who in the wide world thought that torrential applause would be a good idea? Why didn’t someone who has a clue object? Did anyone, apart from you Tristan, point out that putting horses into these environments unprepared will cause negative issues that the horse will carry for life? What in the name of God is happening in the high $$$ horse world? (Nothing good by the sound of it). Are you going to send these comments on to the powers that be? I hope so. I’m glad that you are outraged. Now use your voice to take the concerns forward and MAKE a change!
I have had horses that didn’t mind loud music and cheering which we experienced in ‘evening performances’ in showing. I have also had horses that were terrified, tense and felt like they would explode! No wonder some people resort to using calming potions and worse! I would prefer the audience to be quiet and respectful – they manage it during tennis matches at Wimbledon. I think whooping and cheering are uncivilised. Loud clapping too, say, after a test, can unsettle the next horse coming into the dressage arena.
Great comment Tristan and others on this forum. Our world is far too hyped up on thoughtless and unnecessary nonsense. Over stimulation for animals and humans is pointless and often cruel. Let’s become more civilised and treat each other with respect and appropriate acknowledgement of achievement. Our societies and cultures need to reevaluate these behaviours which are ultimately cringeworthy and unnecessary. Human stupidity is always to blame.
Very good blog. HORSE WELFARE is a big issue. Human Greed is another big issue. Perhaps the answer is to educate (as you do Tristan) trainers and hopefully this goes down the chain to educate the children starting out and so on. Understanding the horse still mentally functions as a wild predatory animal should be an obligation. Personally I am losing interest in watching/following dressage. There is consistently reports of horse abuse and the applauding at the show is abusive if the horses are not trained to cope with it. And do they really need to be just so the horse shows can make it more exciting to attract more profit from increasing crowd numbers? Imagine if mounted police horses were just thrown into crowd control in a riot with no training. It would be a useless situation in all aspects and the consequence of trauma for the horse would have a lasting impact in their memory.
Totally agree. It would’ve better if the horses were taken out of the arena (back to the stables) and then the owners, trainer, rider and maybe groom (if not busy with the horse) came back in and they could all be applauded instead of the horse.
Keep up the good work Tristan.
It just amazes me that people who are supposed so invested in horses… oh wait..are they just into themselves?? … are so oblivious to what is not in horses’ best interests? So many things beside applause needs to be addressed..,
Hi there!
I agree with all of you to a certain extent. First let me say that I think rating a performance by having the crowd applaud loudly and whoever gets the loudest applause wins something additional is pretty stupid.
I don’t like loud noises for the most part, but has anyone been to western shows, like reining or barrel racing? People clap and yeehaw a lot and I don’t see the horses too bothered by it. I realize that these horses are doing a different job that dressage horses, and dressage isn’t the same atmosphere but in agreement with Tristan, no one seems to get their horses ready for any noise in the show ring. If they at least are familiar with it, they hopefully won’t feel exceedingly threatened by it. If there is a really nice dressage test performance, people are gonna clap, so I’d try to let my horse become familiar with some of it.
I experienced my first local rodeos last summer and was absolutely horrified to see them set off fireworks at the end. The poor horses tied at the end of the ring, it was awful to see. I totally agree that there is no need for this. The thrill of watching the beautiful teamwork/communication between horse and human should be enough without the additional fanfare.
I agree with your comments a definate NO ! I remember my favorite movie National Velvet Elizabeth Taylor version, Her father said to her “You are famous Velvet” they want to make a movie about you and the horse! Pictures in the paper everything !!!?? She looked at her dad and said ‘But what about the Pye ? He wouldn’t understand ! Oh No Father I couldn’t do that to him “. What horses are prepared to do for us is already asking too much of them . Sometimes our horses carry on doing as they have been asked to and then you find an ailment and wonder to yourself how did he carry on with this issue ? Think like a horse more often! how is he feeling right now ! How happy is he right now ! .
I do not agree with applause competition for so many reasons! Utmost , it is not respectful of the horse we are honoring ! It should make them feel as good as they made us feel !!! IMO 😊
100% agree.
Most dressage competitions have an educated audience that will quieten their applause if they see a horse responding badly. The organisers are going against the traditions of the dressage community.
The deaf community show appreciation by showing silent ‘jazz hands’. Would that be a better response than noise from the horse’s perspective? Or would they be affected by the movement?
Couldn’t agree more! Applauding should be forbidden, particularly in the setting ofg young horses, but in my view in general. Everyone has mobile phones and rating/voting systems for phones are available and could be used instead.
Good idea!
I agree. We are asking them to trust us and perform in unnatural situations. We should respect their effort and minimise the stress where we can.
Det er viktig med fokus på dette. Jeg synes det er unødvendig å utsette hestene for masse lyd og lysshow,- og det blir verre og større for hvert år. La hestene slippe ting som er helt unødvendig,- og som kun er show for menneskene.
Totally agree with you Tristan. So much more respect is needed for these incredible animals by the people who are involved in the sport. The same mental health awareness being made for humans needs to be applied to horses. Keep up the good work – I applaud you (quietly in front of my horse)! 😆
I cannot believe what is going on. It seems that the more we know about horses the more we hurt them.
What’s the matter with horse people? Why don’t they stand up for the horses? Why can’t they feel it? It is food for animal right activists and this may bring us to a future without horseback riding for all of us.
I am glad that you brought this up but it also makes me so sad. It is all about money not about horses!
Well done Tristan well said. I just wish more people in my country would do groundwork and realise the value of it. The whole of my yard do free schooling, lunging, in hand work as well as riding. It is all so important. Best regards Sharon
I fully agree!!
When I watched the para dressage at the London Olympics the audience was asked not to clap or cheer whilst the competitors were in the arena – for the safety of the riders we were asked to show our appreciation with silent cheers (arm gestures only). So acknowledging that horses find the noise frightening or at the very least startling. If competition organisers can accept that loud noise can cause horses to react in a potentially dangerous way, why can they not also accept that this behaviour is caused by fear and is not good for the welfare of these beautiful (and valuable) animals. Silent cheering while horses are in the arena should be the norm for all competitions, with noisy applause and appreciation by the spectators only given once the horses are out. Proper preparation for the horses to become accustomed to applause should be a duty of their riders but this process takes time and even once horses have reached the highest level of competition some may still find it frightening.
I agree, no to rowdy applause and loud music. Putting horses in an environment that stresses them and heightens their flight response can have long term consequences to both horse and rider. Accidents are bound to happen. Horses expected to go into that type of environment need to be prepared to cope with it and sadly that doesn’t always happen. Leading
Perhaps modifying when the applause takes place would be better. Applaud unmounted riders at winner, place getter ceremony. Using their photo taken during their ridden test in the background on a screen.
Kind of reminds me of your videos on show, don’t start the tractor, you can’t do that I’m about to get on….
I guess as you say, they are living in our world and need to learn how to relax in different circumstances. So a little preparation on the crowd clapping and modifying to have clapping and people’s choice or appreciation by clapping at an unmounted ceremony would more kind to the horses 😊
I fully agree!
Totally agree!
I was there to in Den Bosch and I was thinking what would Tristan think of this? You saw the fear in the eyes. I was wondering if the riders agree with it?
I agree with you totally on loud applause at horse events. I hate that kind of noise myself so can’t imagine what panic a horse feels! Thanks for bringing this topic out into the open.
I agree with you. This has gone to far.
In Denmark we just Got a report from the danish animal ethics Council about horse welfare in the sport.
We are loosing the social license to operate if we dont change the Way we USE horses for our own ego.
https://horsesandpeople.com.au/danish-concern-over-sport-horse-welfare/?fbclid=IwAR1ttu5cFTh3-NIyD7asn5h4TFiEKkEAs014aTKlGWWUkB-pj-rGaiD-kmc
I agree with you Tristan horses can only handle what you have exposed them too. Point in case my property also has small flying machines operated by my husband. All my hoses were accustomed to them but we had a 2 gyro copters land unexpectedly with a new horse in the paddock you can only guess what the horse was thinking OMG!!!!! That horse is fine now with our machines but if he hears a plane or a chopper his head goes straight to the sky to see were it is.
I’m waiting for when he is being ridden at a comp and a hears a plane or chopper he will be the only horse looking sky wards !!!!
Not so long ago we visited the Warmblood Stallion Show and were amazed at how the audience distinguished the applause for the horses. At the 4-year test everyone clapped softly, but in the GP the applause was very laudatory. The music was terrifying even to human ears.
The horses’ welfare should always be utmost even if it’s not as flashy as an applause meter. Anything that lights up their (or our) flight instincts creates a metabolic firestorm and they’re not wired that way. They can’t discern entertainment from threat. The ulcer rate for performance horses is up around 90%. Hopefully, we can strike a balance between equine commerce, entertainment and horse health optimization. One thing I’ve learned from you…it’s our job to prevent or help them release tension.
Agreed, the horse should come first.
While I agree with the majority and appreciate the insightful and intelligent dissenters commenting here, think about the noises we subject them to in trailers and airplanes. Some of the aluminum horse trailers are deafening.
I was horrified at my first and only arabian showing show in Malvern some years ago, a lot of big shots were there, the audience were encouraged to scream, shout and whoop to elicit wide eyed panic and high head carriage for the in hand trotting. The whole event seemed to be about show casing these beautiful creatures on the very edge of their flight instinct and I will never participate in anything like it again. I hope you manage to talk some sense into the horse world Tristan!
Hi TRT Team, I believe we should NOT reward horses ( or other animals for that matter) with Applause!! It does not mean anything to the horses just like competing and placing in competitions. Those are all man made Situations that a horse gets put into and then has to deal with WITHOUT having the support of herd and home environment. I do believe that the TRT Method however is one of the great ways to prepare our horses and help them cope with these stressful exposures of noise, light and smells.
You are so right. I also think these dressage horses don’t get enough turn out time. I know that if children walk to school in a group, playing and chattering, they are a pleasure to teach. Children who are driven to the door are a different kettle of fish. Same with horses, eh?