Скачать или смотреть Cruelty in Equestrian Sports - a historical imperative? Part I

The image of a joyfully dancing horse, iconic of dressage, has been questioned in the wake of numerous scandals revealing the cruel treatment that some horses suffer at the hands of professional trainers and riders. Is cruelty integral to dressage, though? In a series of two webinars, we are going to analyse examples of what can be described as animal cruelty in training horses in the early modern times and up to this day, with some high-profile case studies involving professional equestrians.

We would like to consider the following points:

1/ how does this "method" compare to what we know about historical training methods, where cruel treatment was also known?

2/ what are the effects of such training in the short and long term, including psychological, behavioural and physical effects?

3/ can dressage be trained by methods that do not involve pain and do not compromise equine well-being?

4/ is gentle or abusive treatment prioritised in historical and modern dressage, respectively?



In the first seminar, the horse historians Dr Miriam A. Bibby, Dr Jennifer Jobst and Dr Anastasija Ropa will discuss what can be perceived today as cruel and gentle approaches in historical horse training traditions. Dr Jobst will discuss pre-modern sources, from Xenophon to de la Gueriniere, Dr Bibby will focus on Philip Astley's methods, and Dr Ropa will talk about Magner's Encylopedia.

In the second seminar (February 12), the horse trainer Karen Rohlf, founder of dressagenaturally.net, will present her own work in dressage. Her presentation will be followed by a general discussion with horse historians, and a q&a with the audience.

The seminars are hosted by Cheiron: The International Journal of Equine and Equestrian History.

Let's come together to discuss the past, present and future of equestrian sports!