Control or communication? It's an interesting question and how we answer it tells us a lot about how we see the world and our relationship with our horse.

This week we talk to Hungarian dressage rider Krisztina Szucs, founder of My Way to Dressage.

Krisztina started her dressage career as many people do, as a junior, and achieved gold medal success at the national level as a young rider. After a break from horses and riding she found she still wanted to compete, but something had changed. She found herself concerned about some of the common dressage practices and their effect on horse welfare.

This concern inspired Krisztina to investigate bit free riding. She is now an ambassador for World Bitless Association, and a campaigner for rule changes to allow bit free riding in dressage competition at all levels.

We hope you, like us, find Krisztina's gentle but determined approach to promoting positive change inspiring.

“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much” (H.Keller)

Dr Camie Heleski has worked in horse management and welfare research for over 25 years. She recently served on the FEI Ethics & Wellbeing Commission and she is an Honorary Fellow of the International Society for Equitation Science.

Additional information

D. Wayne Lucas - famous US racehorse trainer inducted into both Racing and QH Hall of Fame - Camie mentions him in her journey.

Heleski, C. (2023) Social License to Operate–Why Public Perception Matters for Horse Sport–Some Personal Reflections, Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 124, May 2023, 104266, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0737080623000576

Heleski, C. & Anthony, R. (2012) Science alone is not always enough: The importance of ethical assessment for a more comprehensive view of equine welfare, Journal of Veterinary Behavior, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2011.08.003

Luke et al (2022) New insights into ridden horse behaviour, horse welfare and horse-related safety. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 105539, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105539

Mellor et al (2020) Five Domains Model of Animal Welfare, Animals, https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/10/1870

A peak into the animal welfare competition developed by Camie Heleski

https://www.avma.org/events/animal-welfare-assessment-contest

This week on Changing Rein Karen and Meta talk to Fran Berry, a premier jockey from Ireland who rode more than 1300 winners across a career spanning 23 years.

Fran was born into a racing family and has ridden horses all over the globe, making him the perfect person to help us learn about the world of racing and explore opportunities for creating a more sustainable horse industry built on horse welfare.

As with all of our guests, you may find yourself agreeing or disagreeing with some of the ideas we discuss, so this week we have introduced the Changing Rein Challenge. Listen to learn about the challenge, and as always, we are keen to hear what you think.

The ethics of using horses in sport has never been more topical. Join us as we talk to vet, horsewoman and Prof of Veterinary Ethics Madeleine Campbell and we discover that ethics is something everyone loves to talk about.

Lee McLean has spent a lifetime with horses. She describes herself as a ranch wife, horse trainer, lifelong writer and stroke survivor, and in this episode we learn about her childhood with her sister riding their ponies bareback on the family ranch in British Columbia, her training in classical dressage, and about her day to day work with horses at Keystone Equine with her husband Mike. In our conversation Lee reflects on her journey from a traditional and utilitarian approach to riding to a more horse-centric, empathetic approach. We discuss matching riders to horses, fear and gear, riding as we age and the importance of a horse having a purpose in life. We also discuss her very philosophical approach to end of life decisions faced by every horse owner.

Website: https://www.keystoneequine.ca/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/livingwellridingbetter

In this bonus episode we chat to one of our Season 1 guests, William Micklem, about how and why he developed the Micklem Bridle and Girth.

As the well known Irish singer Christy Moore sings: 'Everybody needs a break, climb a mountain or jump in a lake' so we're off on a short break to recharge, regroup and return with some really great guests in Season 2. Stay tuned!

Video released this week showing high-profile Olympic rider, Charlotte Dujardin, whipping a horse has sparked a huge reaction around the globe.

This week on Changing Rein, Karen and Meta ask the question - could this be the catalyst to spark much needed change in the horse world?

Background information for this episode:

Ludger Beerbaum - show jumping (German Olympic medallist)

https://www.chronofhorse.com/article/ludger-beerbaum-accused-of-poling-horses-in-german-tv-expose/

“I can’t watch anymore” by Julie Taylor

https://www.amazon.com.au/Cant-Watch-Anymore-Dropping-Equestrian/dp/8797354309

Feb 2022

Mark Todd - eventing (New Zealand Olympic medallist)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jfs-QQGVeo

November 2023

Operation X - dressage (Danish Olympic medallist)

https://www.eurodressage.com/2023/11/30/danish-riding-instructor-association-expels-four-riders-based-operation-x

May 2024

Danish politician introduces law changes to protect horses in sport

https://www.facebook.com/NfuglsangEP/posts/pfbid0NqFXRXLATkSdbVsHnNc5CQBQn9JWqgLUoLTMvdnapgv7U2Z2WhqcMeQ8wLoCVzqHl

July 2024

Danish politician posts on Olympic hopeful being removed from the Danish equestrian team for ‘making a mistake’ in training her horse

https://www.facebook.com/NfuglsangEP/posts/pfbid0FsW3CG5NHMJ5DD6a9nfQKaVgmGuQeLoEcSYkA4jriTzo2yXfdVZW8jhXzyCC2Xjbl

Member of public removed from event for recording and pointing out horse abuse to FEI official - Falsterbo Horse Show (Denmark)

https://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/a/6336ee/jenny-larmade-om-blodande-hast-polis-tillkallades

Charlotte Dujardin - dressage (British Olympic medallist)

https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/29433244/gmb-viewers-beg-stop-charlotte-dujardin-horse-video/

‘Dressage is in trouble’ - Paul McGreevy, The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/jul/24/dressage-is-in-trouble-where-is-the-line-between-horse-abuse-and-training

Research on rider motivation and understanding of horse welfare

Broms et al (2020) Super equestrians – the construction of identity/ies and impression management among young equestrians in upper secondary school settings on social media https://doi.org/10.1080/13573322.2020.1859472

Cousquer (2023). From domination to dialogue and the ethics of the between: Transforming human–working equine relationships in mountain tourism. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0719-81322023000100035

Hogg &Hodgins (2021) Symbiosis or sporting tool?

https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11051352

Luke et al (2024)

Investigating the Motivational Priorities Underlying Equestrians’ Horse-Keeping and Training Practices, https://doi.org/10.1080/08927936.2024.2303228

Luke et al (2024)

How equestrians conceptualise horse welfare: Does it facilitate or hinder change?

https://doi.org/10.1017/awf.2023.79