24/03/2026
Horse world, have a look at yourself!
There's a lot of discussion about what tack is allowed and people have very rightly pointed out that the tack itself isn't the problem, more in who's hands it's in.
Unfortunately the use of pressure and force has become so normalised that it's accepted. Yes I know it's said that a snaffle in the wrong hands is worse than a curb in good hands but why are there so many bits/ nosebands etc.
This week alone I've lost track of how many " just backed" 4yos ( well probably still 3yos) going with their heads pinned in.
I've worked full time ( nearly every day) with horses for the last 40 years, I've been sent horses with what I considered unnecessarily harsh bridle arrangements and through careful consideration, replaced with tack which the horse and rider are comfortable in. One poor animal was sent with a twisted snaffle because she was "strong" ,which had cut her tongue, all because the rider wasn't educated enough to realise that the animal was simply unbalanced and anxious and therefore locked against her.
It's not just showing,it's everywhere from not so happy hackers right up to national and international competition. Who actually thinks that racing 2yos is ethical? Every single aspect of the horse world has to address serious welfare issues before we lose social licence.
There is absolutely no need for anything more complicated than a snaffle ( with no twiddly or twisted bits) and a cavesson , well in my experience that is!
