The weight debate

OUR pages are full of welfare updates. Excellent news that, thanks to World Horse Welfare’s efforts, fewer horses are now subjected to live export, though the aim must be none (news, p9). The FEI reacted to the Badminton furore, where officials said rules did not stipulate for Oliver Townend’s use of the whip, and proposed rules that would (news, p4).

And the Great Yorkshire continued the admirable if unpopular endeavour to tackle the problem of riders who are too heavy for their mounts. Kudos to officials for asking known riders to get off, not just amateurs.

Rebecca Penny (comment, p74) raises valid points about deterring adults on ponies from competing and, far more seriously, encouraging children away from a healthy diet.

The show’s persistence aims to tackle poorly matched combinations, plus the tendency for adults to warm up ponies for younger, lighter jockeys. The concern is this will still happen — at home, certainly, and behind the wagons, possibly. Therefore is it proving effective? Some cite safety concerns over young jockeys not having this assistance, but then you ask is that animal truly a first ridden?

Like so much in showing, there is a subjective element to pulling over riders. An obese adult on an average horse is one thing, but a slim adult on a slight pony could still be over the 20% recommendation. Is there then a tendency for the ever biased human eye to target adults on ponies unduly?

It is particularly important for these combinations to take the option to be weighed, to ensure fairness and surely over time train vets’ eyes, too.