Equestrian sports have several severe welfare issues. Question is, do the sponsors know what they are paying for?

AN OPEN LETTER TO LONGINES

Dear Matthias Breschan, CEO of Longines:

In December 2012 Longines signed a historic long-term deal with the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) making Longines the FEI’s top partner. This was a moment that was described as the beginning of a new era for both equestrian sports and the FEI. But what the equestrian sports really needed ten years ago, and still need today, is a new era with a significantly stronger focus on horse welfare, not only written on documents but practiced and implemented in real life. 

As you know, the FEI is the sole controlling authority for all international events, including Dressage, Jumping, Eventing, Driving and Endurance. But while Longines has kept track of time, with Swiss accuracy, we fear you have somehow lost track of what goes on both behind the scenes and at competitions, in the full gaze of the public. 

Last week TV2 Denmark released part II of the documentary “Operation X: Secrets of the Horse Billionaire,” where a journalist, using a hidden camera, exposed highly questionable conditions at one of the World’s most decorated and successful establishments for the training and selling of dressage horses. 

The documentary has caused a global outrage, mainly because it is regarded as a symptom, not a unique case. Moreover, the protests facing equestrian sports today are no longer led by activists, but rather by veterinarians, scientists, ethologists, former judges and riders. 

The problems are not unique to dressage, but embrace the other sports as well, and we fear the horse industry itself is at the tipping point of losing its Social License to Operate (SLO). 

We acknowledge it can be challenging to know where to start, but let’s start with international events and Grand Prix dressage. It is the highest expression of horse training and considered to be the most artistic of all the equestrian sports, and it is here that the standard is set for the whole industry. We hereby encourage you to: 

• Question why the noseband taper gauge – designed to control noseband tightness – is not always placed on the bridge of the nose and if the routines necessary to ensure correct use are in place.
• Question why nosebands and double bridles are mandatory at Grand Prix level - and do not settle for the answer “it is simply tradition” - or “there is no scientific evidence” that they can  potentially cause harm. (Or question why the FEI does not follow the advice of its own independent Ethics and Wellbeing Committee).
• Question why 20 seconds of resistance from the horse is deemed acceptable before Elimination. (FEI Dressage rules 2023 Article 424. Penalties–Error–Elimination–5.2).
• Question why a horse showing clear signs of discomfort and stress (for example repeatedly opening the mouth widely, repeatedly swishing the tail, both clearly contrary to the FEI’s ethos of a ‘happy athlete’ and harmonious horsemanship), can still be rewarded with a high, sometimes even a winning score.
• Question what we teach future generations of riders, if their role models fail to ensure the public that they can protect their horses from harm. 

The story of Longines is characterized by a pioneering spirit, quest for precision, reliability, durability and a timeless vision of elegance. We should ask for no less from the equestrian sports, both on and off stage. 

#LetHorsesSpeak

Sincerely yours, in alphabetical order: 

Dr. Svein H Bakke, PhD, CertES, MRCVS, FEI-veterinarian, Norway

Live Bonnevie, Author and Podcaster, Norway

Jorunn Buer, Dressage Instructor and rider, Norway

Alexandra Bult-Myhren, Trainer A/Level 3, Riding Instructor by FN

Dr Sue Dyson, MA VetMB PhD  DEO FRCVS, UK

Elise Fagerås DVM, Norway

Cathinka Jerkø, MSc Animal Science, Norway

Anny Hilde Lindén, Dressage Trainer and Grand Prix Rider, Norway

Dr Tone Lygren Troldborg, PhD DVM, Denmark

Ellen F. Schmedling, DVM, Equine Dentist, Veterinary Chiropractor and Edo Osteopath, Norway

Kari Steinhovden, Equine Physiotherapist, Norway

Hege Trulsen, Ex FEI 3* Grand Prix Dressage Judge, Norway

Mette Aarup, Equine Dentist, DVM, Denmark