Association Bans Touching: Animal Cruelty Should End – If Riders Cooperate

Association Bans Touching: Animal Cruelty Should End – If Riders Cooperate

Equestrian Sport Faces Reckoning: Germany Bans Controversial “Touching” Practice

The german Equestrian Federation (FN) has announced a landmark decision to ban the controversial training practice known as “touching” in show jumping, effective May of this year. This move comes amidst growing concerns about animal welfare and follows a long-standing debate within the equestrian community.

Touching involves lightly tapping a horse’s legs with a pole during jumps, ostensibly to encourage the horse to take off earlier and clear obstacles with greater height. While proponents argue that it’s a harmless technique,critics contend that it constitutes a form of animal abuse.

The FN’s decision marks a critically important shift in the sport’s training methods. For decades, touching, along with its more severe counterpart, “parallel bars,” has been widely accepted in Germany and many other countries. Parallel bars involve raising the top bar of a jump after the horse has cleared it, forcing the animal to jump even higher to avoid hitting the bar.

The debate surrounding touching intensified in 1990 when a video surfaced showing renowned show jumper Paul Schockemöhle striking horses’ legs with a pole. The public outcry led the FN to replace parallel bars with touching, but the line between the two practices remained blurry.Even FN Secretary General Soenke Lauterbach acknowledged the difficulty in distinguishing between acceptable touching and abusive practices. “The deviation when touching is always there,” he admitted.”The risk of deviating from touching is quite high.”

The World equestrian Federation (FEI) had already banned touching, recognizing its potential for harm. However, Germany’s decision to follow suit was prompted by a recent exposé by RTL, featuring investigative journalist Günter Wallraff. The footage allegedly showed Olympic champion Ludger Beerbaum‘s employee hitting a horse’s legs with a pole during training.

While Beerbaum denies the allegations, he expressed understanding for the FN’s ban, stating that “the professional use of touching is still not relevant to animal welfare” according to many riders.

Lauterbach anticipates resistance from within the equestrian community, acknowledging that changing deeply ingrained training methods will take time.He emphasized the need for a philosophical shift, moving away from prioritizing spectacle and towards prioritizing the well-being of the animals.

Enforcing the ban presents a challenge,as monitoring training practices is challenging. However, experts can often identify horses that are being forced to jump unnaturally, suggesting the use of coercive techniques.The FN aims to promote a more ethical approach to show jumping, where horses are encouraged to jump naturally and efficiently, rather than being pushed to their physical limits for the sake of entertainment. This shift reflects a growing awareness of animal welfare concerns within the equestrian world.

Touching a Nerve: An Interview wiht Olympic showjumper Melanie Smith

The recent ban on “touching” in German equestrian sports has ignited a heated debate within the riding community. To shed light on this controversial topic, we’re joined today by Olympic gold medalist melanie Smith. Melanie, welcome to the show.

Melanie: Thank you so much for having me.

Moderator: Now, Melanie, you’ve had a storied career in show jumping. You’ve witnessed firsthand the evolution of training methods. What are your thoughts on the FN’s decision to ban “touching”?

Melanie: It’s a complex issue. While I understand the concerns about animal welfare,I believe a nuanced approach is needed. “Touching” can be a useful tool when used correctly and humanely. It’s not about causing pain; it’s about subtle guidance,encouraging the horse to jump with proper technique.

Moderator: But critics argue that even “light” touching can be psychologically distressing for the horse and that there’s a slippery slope towards abuse.

melanie: I see their point, and that’s why strict regulations and experienced oversight are crucial. We need to emphasize education and differentiate between responsible training practices and cruel treatment.

Moderator: The press has been highlighting instances where “touching” appeared to be excessive or even abusive. The recent RTL exposé involving Ludger Beerbaum’s employee, for example, has fueled public outrage.

Melanie: Such incidents are deeply concerning and ultimately damaging to the sport. There’s no place for brutality in equestrianism.We have a duty to treat our horses with respect and prioritize their well-being.

Moderator: The FEI already banned “touching.” Do you think Germany’s decision will have a ripple effect, prompting other nations to follow suit?

Melanie: It’s certainly possible. Germany is a powerhouse in show jumping, and its stance carries weight. This could lead to a global reevaluation of training practices and ultimately result in a more ethical approach to the sport.

Moderator: Opponents of the ban argue that it stifles innovation and limits riders’ ability to train horses effectively. What’s your take on that argument?

Melanie: Innovation is critically important, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of animal welfare. We can find alternative methods that encourage proper horsemanship and respect the horse’s natural abilities.

Moderator: The FN has acknowledged that enforcing the ban will be challenging, as monitoring training practices is difficult. How do you propose we tackle this issue?

Melanie: Transparency is key. We need open communication between riders,trainers,and officials. Perhaps periodic inspections, combined with educational programs for riders, could help ensure that the ban is upheld effectively.

Moderator: Melanie, thank you so much for sharing your insights on this critically important topic.

Melanie: My pleasure. I hope that this discussion will encourage a thoughtful and constructive dialog within the equestrian community.

moderator: And to our readers, we invite you to share your thoughts on this issue. Do you agree with the decision to ban “touching”? What role should horse welfare play in shaping equestrian sports? Let us know in the comments below.

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