The 2024 Olympic Games in Paris cause me to reflect on the earliest Olympic Games. These beautiful marble friezes are on the south and west sides of the Parthenon, built in the 5th century BC Athens, Greece. Presumably, these images portray the quality of equitation at that time. The holes on some of the horses’ faces and mouths suggest that metal pieces were fashioned into bridles and perhaps bits, with reins running to one of the rider’s hands. The placement of their heads and necks allowed the horses to collect their balance onto their hindquarters as they cantered in procession. Although equitation was a popular sport of the time, even ancient Greek philosopher and General, Xenophon, cautioned his colleagues, “Nothing forced or misunderstood can ever be beautiful.”
What if, today, competitive riders were commended, as in days of old, for not using force to achieve desired movements? Currently, FEI rules compel them to use an array of sanctioned tack including saddles, bridles, nose bands spurs, and bits to direct their horses. Many horses spend long training hours with their chins tied toward their chests so that their necks appear broken or dislocated. With straps and pulleys they are pulled into a preferred frame. Their legs are whipped to create higher action. These horses have no lightness in their forehands. Every movement is so forcefully controlled that spontaneous joy and energy are lost.
It seems that the world of competitive equitation has turned upside-down. Those who use force are the winners and those who don’t use forceful tactics, tack, or training tools, not only are the losers, they are not even allowed to compete.
Because force-free and bitless equestrians are forbidden to compete, they cannot be examples for other equestrians. In fact, most equestrians believe that horses can only be directed through dominance—not because they are mean people, but because they are not exposed to other philosophies.
What if force-free and bitless equestrians were allowed to compete? What if they were allowed to work their way up the ranks from the local levels like other equestrians? Can you imagine the conversations? Can you imagine the amount of information that would be exchanged? Can you imagine the excitement? The equestrian community would be brimming with new ideas and, perhaps, the welfare of horses would be changed for the better.
What if?
By Chris Forté