Balancing Negativity in Equestrian Sport

Do we continue only pushing the negativity?

Last week I shared my take on the Olympic Games and I expressed that we shouldn’t forget to look at the positive things that happened at the Olympics.

It led to quite some comments, both positive ánd negative.

I agree with a lot of things that are being said by people who now responded negatively on the blog. I also believe it’s necessary to point out the things that are wrong in equestrian sports.

It’s needed to create an awareness. And it’s the reason there has been more self-awareness for all riders and trainers, both professional and none professional.

In my short time in the horse world, I’ve seen the most improvement towards better horse human practices in the most recent years.

But the question is: where does it go from here?

Do we continue with only pushing the negative images and messages?

What does negativity really create in the equestrian human’s mind? Does it in the long run really shift behavior in a more positive direction for horses?

I feel that only continuous negativity creates segregation between humans. It creates things like rejection, denial, blame and a divide. All effects that cause a disability to change.

It of course also creates a huge defense in people that often drives things more underground or behind closed doors, not bringing things out in the open.

And I believe positive change comes from things being out in the open.

It comes from a place of inspiration and motivation, which empowers people with a willingness and a want to do the right things for the right reason.

But we shouldn’t ignore the wrongs

That doesn’t mean we should ignore the wrongs in horse sport or the horse world, but I believe we should try to draw people towards what is good instead of only publishing the negative side.

I put out the message to have more focus on the riders who showed some harmony.

Trying to bring focus to what it means to be connected with your horse. To try to understand and see who are these horses and what are they thinking. And how is the overall connection, conversation and intention between the horse and riders.

To try and create a balance and to avoid only seeing the undesired symptoms of the bad representation of these things.

My approach may seem like a conflict

My perspective of going about bringing positivity or my attempt at balancing the negativity into the horse world may seem like a conflict.

Or may even seem like a mistake of not seeing or acknowledging that there are still a lot of drastic things going wrong.

It’s a perspective that some people feel needs defending which of course just brings more negativity in many ways.

But I feel, and I hope, we want the same things. We just approach it in a different way.

Of course, the people that are seeing the horse welfare issues are wanting what’s best for our horses. But I think the only way to achieve what’s best for our horses, in the end, is to unite. And not to segregate and divide horse people.

So, yes we need to point out the wrongs in our sport to create awareness. But let’s also shed light on the positive change and the positive things that inspire us and motivate us.

I hope we can unite

I also believe that the desperate want for horse sports to be eliminated from the Olympic games, would not be the answer for improving horse welfare.

Horse sport brings horse practices into the public eye. It’s the way to spread awareness and to continue to work on bringing a set of standards and a common set of values that is understood to improve the lives of horses and humans together.

And I live in hope that the horse lovers of the world can UNITE to make this our future.

It’s not an easy road but it is one that is worth it and one that can be more easily achieved together.

– Tristan Tucker