Dressage In Hand: Redefining the Equestrian Landscape
In equestrian sports, change often comes at a glacial pace. Tradition, after all, is the bedrock of dressage. But what if everything we thought we knew about horse training was up for debate?
More importantly, what if our pursuit of ribbons and sponsorships has been at the cost of our horses' well-being?
This week on the Curious Equestrian, Anna Louise sat down with Josepha Guillaume, a name that's become synonymous with controversy in some equine circles. Her crime? Suggesting that we've been approaching horse training all wrong.
As I sat in the control room, watching the interview unfold, one question kept nagging at me: Are we, the equestrian community, ready for the seismic shift Guillaume is proposing? More to the point, can we afford not to be?
Guillaume's approach, "dressage in hand," sounds deceptively simple. Train the horse from the ground, she says. Communicate through body language. Prioritise the horse's emotional well-being. Revolutionary? Perhaps. Naive? Some critics would say so. But to those of us who believe that no trophy is worth the welfare of our equine partners, it sounds like a long-overdue wake-up call.
The Hidden Cost of Traditional Methods
As we delved deeper into Guillaume's philosophy, I couldn't help but reflect on a troubling trend I've observed over the years. How many aspiring equestrians have we lost because the reality of horse riding and competition didn't match their childhood dreams?
It's a question that's been nagging at me for some time now. We often talk about horse welfare, and rightly so, but what about the welfare of the riders? How many have walked away from the sport, disillusioned and disheartened, because of harsh training methods or an uncomfortable realisation that their values don't align with common practices?
But here's a thought that should give us all pause: Could this disillusionment contribute to the decline in horse ownership we're seeing across the country?
The statistics are sobering. Horse ownership in the UK is down 33% from 2019 to 2023. 250 riding schools have closed, resulting in 1.5 m fewer riding lessons. While many factors are at play—economic pressures, lack of space, changing lifestyles—we'd be remiss to ignore the potential impact of our training philosophies.
When people realise that achieving competitive success often comes at the cost of their horse's well-being - and sometimes their own - many choose to walk away, and can we blame them?
It's a perspective that brings urgency to the debate on ethical training methods. If we're not just losing horses to burnout and injury but riders to disillusionment, the very future of equestrianism could be at stake.
Let's break this down:
The Pet Paradigm: A Shift in Perspective
Guillaume argues for a fundamental reimagining of our relationship with horses. "Think of them as pets," she says, "not just athletes or working animals." This statement might make traditional trainers balk, but is it really so radical?
Consider this: There are around 850,000 horses in the UK, many of them beloved companions. Yet, in competition, we often treat these animals as mere performance machines. Guillaume's approach forces us to confront an uncomfortable truth: We've prioritised ribbons over relationships, and it's high time we changed course.
Critics argue that this "pet" mentality could soften the sport, making it less competitive. But Guillaume counters provocatively: "Happy horses perform better." This hypothesis resonates deeply with those of us who've long argued that welfare and performance are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they're inextricably linked.
Historical Roots, Modern Application
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of Guillaume's method is its historical foundation. She draws inspiration from techniques dating back to 1300 BC. It's a romantic notion, certainly. But is it practical in the high-stakes world of modern equestrian competition?
Guillaume insists it is. "These methods have stood the test of time," she argues. "They work because they're based on the horse's natural behaviours and instincts."
It's a compelling argument that aligns with what many of us have been saying for years: that our modern, often aggressive training methods are not only unnecessary but potentially harmful. We should not ask, "Can we afford to adopt these gentler methods?" but rather, "Can we afford not to?"
The Rehabilitation Revolution
During the interview, Guillaume shared anecdotes of horses transformed through her methods. Sceptics might dismiss these as cherry-picked success stories. But for those who have seen firsthand the damage that prioritising competition over welfare can do, these stories offer a glimmer of hope.
The potential here is enormous. In a world where thousands of horses face neglect or abandonment each year, a method that could reliably rehabilitate traumatised animals could be game-changing. But it also forces us to confront an uncomfortable question: How many of these traumatised horses are victims of our ruthless pursuit of competitive success?
The Industry Pushback
Unsurprisingly, Guillaume's ideas have met resistance from some quarters of the equestrian establishment. Traditional trainers argue that her methods are too time-consuming, too soft, or incompatible with high-level competition demands.
These concerns might hold water if our only goal was to win at all costs. But for those of us who believe that the welfare of our horses should always come first, they ring hollow.
Guillaume's response is blunt: "We can't afford not to change." She argues that the current system is unsustainable, leading to many horses' burnout, injury, and early retirement. "We're killing the golden goose," she says. We need to change, or we won't have a sport left to debate."
The Road Ahead
As the interview drew to a close, I was left with a sense of cautious optimism. Guillaume's compelling ideas align closely with what many welfare advocates and our podcast guests have said for years. But they also challenge the very foundations of modern equestrian sports.
What might embrace the 'horse first' philosophy mean for competition structures, breeding programs, and the multimillion-dollar industry built around traditional training methods? These questions won't be answered overnight, but we need to start asking them, no matter how uncomfortable the answers might be.
One thing is clear: The conversation around ethical horse training is far from over. I hope the recent controversies discussed in the podcast increase the momentum in our community and put horses first, no matter the cost to our egos or pocketbooks.
Ten years from now, will we look back on this moment as the start of a revolution in equestrian sports? Or will it be dismissed as a passing fad, a footnote in the long history of horse training? Only time will tell. But one thing's for certain: Those of us who believe in putting horses first will continue to push for change, one conversation at a time.
This is Theresa, producer of The Curious Equestrian, signing off. Until next time, keep questioning, learning, and, above all, putting your horses first. No rosette is worth their welfare.