Spotlight shines on eating disorders as trainer speaks
With mental health issues in the equestrian world on the increase, it’s hoped lectures will help to break the taboo
A RIDING instructor is hoping to raise awareness of eating disorders in the equestrian world.
Becky Vanden Bogaerde, who is recovering from such a condition, is giving lectures across the UK to help increase people’s understanding of the subject.
She is raising money for charity Beat and will be speaking to students at 11 equine colleges across the UK to coincide with Eating Disorders Awareness Week (26 February to 4 March).
Becky told H&H she wants to raise awareness about how the issue affects the equestrian community and educate people that help is out there.
She added people in the industry are often dealing with pressure, low wages and competition stress.
“With all these triggers, we are a vulnerable group,” she said. “We do need to talk about it.”
In 2014, Becky had built up a successful livery and training yard from scratch, when she was told the site had been listed for development. She lost the yard within a month, started a job she did not enjoy and had limited time to teach and ride.
“For two-and-a-half years I managed to keep a lid on it, then the horse I had kept went lame,” she said. “In my mind, he was the only reason I was working.
“I fell off the edge. I restricted [my eating] even more, I became more controlling, more obsessive and then I had a really nasty fall as I wasn’t strong enough to ride.
“I took some time off to recover and it was then I realised I was really quite poorly,” she said.
With support from family, friends and Beat, Becky was finally
diagnosed by a doctor and has been receiving the help she needs.
“I’m now riding and teaching full time with renewed vigour, my horse has come sound and I have plans,” she said. “I want to give something back.”
THE CONVERSATION
THE importance of talking about mental health and “breaking the taboo” in both the equestrian world and wider community has been building momentum.
Racing Welfare, Liverpool
John Moores University and the British Horseracing Authority are collaborating on a project exploring mental health-related challenges faced by staff in racing (news, 11 January).
Racing Welfare’s director of welfare Simone Sear told H&H at the time the organisations saw the need for evidence of mental health issues in racing’s workforce.
The British Grooms Association (BGA) launched its Grooms Minds initiative in October in response to increasing numbers of grooms, riders and employers contacting the BGA for help and advice. Results of a BGA survey revealed in November found 83% of the 1,300 participants had suffered from stress or mental health issues.
“The mental wellbeing of grooms is at last being talked about, and that can only be a good thing,” BGA chief executive Lucy Katan told H&H this week.
“A groom with an eating disorder is worrying as working with horses requires lots of energy.
“Grooms Minds is taking shape, and we are finalising the plans for mental health support for grooms and employers.”
Becky is glad people are now talking about mental health.
“When I revealed I had an eating disorder, I had such a mixed reaction,” she said.
“Many people were confused; they didn’t know how to be or how to speak to me, not because they didn’t want to, but they didn’t know how to help or what to do.”
The British Equestrian Federation has support for riders on its performance programmes.
“Athletes on the UK Sport National Lottery-funded World Class Programme have access to a range of practitioners across both human and equine sports science teams,” a spokesman told H&H.
“We are fortunate to work with the English Institute of Sport, which can provide additional support to athletes if required."