LEISURE AND COMPETITION riding is long established in Britain and some people's beliefs and practices about the best ways to care for horses were drawn up in the 20th century or earlier. However, public perception of the justifiable uses of all animals is changing and it is no exaggeration to say that the penalty for riders not moving with the times could be an eventual ban on all horse sports and even the end of leisure riding.
The industry is taking this threat seriously. New rules were sent out to all British Horse Society (BHS) accredited coaches in September, updating the society's regulations on the use of whips in competitions. This clarification of what behaviour is acceptable from riders is in step with amovement across all levels of equestrianismto not only behave well towards our horses, but be seen to be doing so. A recent survey carried out by
