09/04/2024
Abuse in the Sport Horse World
There are approximately 56 sectors of horse related activities in the US today.
There are 6.64 million horses in the U.S. today and 12.5 acres of land dedicated to the horse population. 2.2 million jobs and 12 million volunteers. 2.2 million jobs with 122 billion dollars in salaries, wages and benefits directly affecting the state's economy.
177 billion dollars are added to the US economy as a result.
The recreational sector has 466,969 thousand total jobs with 14.5 billion dollars added in direct volume to state economies. This sector adds to the US economy 36.7 billion dollars.
The competition sector has 486,232 total jobs which add to the 16 billion dollars in direct volume to state economies and 37.3 billion in direct impact to the US economy.
The American Horse Council [located in Washington D.C.] 2023 summary was used for the purpose of this article.
It is obvious that the horse industry has a direct impact on this country's economy.
Considering the abuse in the competition arena let's look at the relationship between the recreation sector and the competition sector as these have a direct impact upon the abuse issues we are experiencing today.
Any sport only survives through the eyes of its critics. This is especially poignant when considering the any sport involving animals. As it should be.
The recreational sector is a large and dedicated one. Riders and owners of recreational horses are immensely dedicated to the well-being of their animals and will do anything to ensure they receive the best of care.
The competition sector is also very dedicated, and it is the area where most professional horseman are engaged. While also dedicated this is the sector which must be the most pragmatic.
The recent and not so recent evidence of horse abuse has impacted the horse world at its highest levels where the majority of successful professionals are engaged. This threatens the future of Equine competitions up to the Olympic level.
The recreational sector looks to the professionals for guidance and education and therefore it is important that the pro has the correct techniques in management, training and teaching so as to support themselves and their students. Each of these sectors relies heavily on the other.
In most countries where the Equine Industry is a large contributor to the economy licensing of the professional Equestrian is required. In the US licensing is not mandatory. Anyone may "hang a shingle" and profess to be an expert.
While there is an 'instructor's certificate' available to those who chose to get one there is no systemized education required. This has resulted in homemade training methods which serves to confuse ones understanding of successfully trained horses and riders. It has produced much contention among local trainers, amateur riders, horse enthusiasts and professionals throughout the country. This is regardless of any discipline which is being considered.
Most good professionals adhere to the accepted systematic "Training Scale" the basis for most, if not all, licensing of Equestrians throughout the rest of the world.
Hollywood has romanticized the horse, and as a result many recreational and amateur horse enthusiasts have a difficult time discerning the difference between romance and reality. With this in mind it is easy to understand the enormity of differing opinions about how one is taught and how horses are trained.
While there are many educated Equine enthusiasts it has been because they have personally sought out the well know successful trainers or learned by themselves through good reference. Not all enthusiasts have the resources in their area and thus begins the problem of poor education by poor teachers.
When poor teachers and "armchair trainers" are given a voice there is in many ways no possibility of changing the minds of the general public.
As a result, the Equine Industry suffers, the amateur suffers, and the horse suffers.
Bad and uneducated comments have of late been allowed to threaten the future of the horse world as well as the reputations and lives of good professional horsemen. Ignorance and lack of correct learning has penetrated the US horse industry up to its highest levels. This includes the Olympic podium.
A new requirement for licensing those working in what is considered one of the most dangerous sports in the world would help to ensure not only additional revenue for the sport and country but help to give a new perspective to those looking to learn in a time tested and correct manner.
A sport only survives through the eyes of its critics. It is very important that the critics eyes are educated ones.
Education is the power behind success.
Education is the key to success.
