Abuse Allegations For Canadian Olympian & Youth Coach Evi Strasser Appear On Euro Dressage

In the wake of the media outcry around the Operation X expose on Andreas Helgstrand, people are starting to name and shame the people who are abusing horses.
While reading the comments section on EuroDressage this week I found these comments and photos that allege that Evi Strasser has abused her dressage horses.
The abuse in dressage is widespread at the top of the sport and as many equestrians gather the courage to name and shame the top grand prix riders in the sport, dressage had better be ready for the fall.
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[@DragonFam88]

HI FIRST PIN?!!!❤❤❤❤❤

[@shirleygeorge5222]

And it shouldn't end well for the professionals who have been doing this. Our horses don't deserve this shit and we need to do better.

[@Bmwdressage]

It’s outrageous that all top riders aren’t coming out to condemn Halgastrand and others. Their silence speaks volumes.

[@vivientakacs5599]

They don't speak up because most of them either do it or know multiple people who do the abuse. They're also more scared of losing promotion, money and sponsors than their horses (no matter what they say). FEI also doesn't give a fuck. I'm pretty sure if every rider that abuses their horse would be banned from competing, maybe like 10-20 riders would stay if any at all. No one wants that.

[@janets6474]

EXACTLY!! Well said!

[@spellywelly]

I remember watching SJ on tv years ago, and Laura Renwick had given her horse a belt in the ring. While she was being interviewed, Nick Skelton came into shot, pointed at her and said ‘poor show’ - direct to camera. Quite obviously, LR isn’t remotely comparable to Helgstrand and I’m not implying that she abuses her horses. But I remember thinking at the time in relation to Nick; either he has enough influence in the industry or he’s not someone people mess with, because I’ve never seen another rider do anything like that before or since!

[@carolineduff-riddell8109]

My thought as well

[@user-fe7mg5ot9z]

@@vivientakacs5599 I would much rather see the 10-20 honest riders, than all the dishonest and abusive ones. These people need to learn how to ride and train PROPERLY!

[@janets6474]

You go, girl!!! It's been a long, hard road, but maybe, just maybe the tide is starting to turn. The abuse is out in the public eye now. Now is the time to keep up the pressure. 😊

[@jonjonwp]

When are the other big names going to be exposed. I could name plenty of them.

[@gillianmcgough9743]

It's about time these horses have been treated appallingly for years more of these professionals need to be exposed, the institutionalisation of these horses for sport and prestige is barbaric thanks for giving them a voice

[@equestanton1017]

About time people felt empowered to expose abusive training, I think the fact the courts depsite Helgstrand's counter charge allowed Operation X videos as evidence in Denmark will be a big incentive.

[@youareworthyourtime]

this is devastating. i have watched plenty of clinics with her, and my trainers have worked with her. she talks so much about harmony, and... well.... that is not what harmony looks like to me. thank you for bringing this to my attention...

[@mpfractal3138]

The shaming and outing can't come fast enough!

[@HollyJordan15]

Once one is exposed, more people find more confidence in whistleblowing 👏 Watch then fall like dominoes. Thankfully there are many out there that do care for their horses.

[@j.m.8545]

Time has finally vindicated Dressage Hub!

[@DressageHub]

Isn't that the truth! Thank you! It has been a long haul to get here. 💕

[@elkefaber3103]

Just watch Hans Peter Minderhout in Peelbergen., poor horse. 🙄

[@user-fe7mg5ot9z]

I love that so many of you are passionate about bitless bridles, but the truth is, many horses do NOT go well in them. As to double bridles, most of you need a lot more education about the true function of the two bits. In fact, most of you are completely ignorant of proper bitting. I have no wish to offend anyone, and I know many won't agree with me, but those are facts. The problem these days lies in the fact that most people have no understanding of how the different types of bits act. Many of the bits available on the market now, I wouldn't allow anywhere near any horse of mine! Bitting is increasingly a lost art. As is the proper training of beginner riders. Everyone is in such a hurry. Slow down and do it right! Some of the best information you can get comes from old books on horsemanship. As to how much space a horse has in its mouth for the bit, it varies from horse to horse. Always use the mildest bit you can, not the harshest. 9 times out of 10 the problems are not with the bit, but with the rider's hands.

[@sharihazlett3774]

This is absolutely horrible. Why the h*** aren't they condemning this?? If you think all of us will go away, think again. FEI needs to ban Helgstrand. Start vet checks on Every horse pre test. Look for spur marks, welts, etc

[@AOPALINSKI]

Thank for your courage 🌈🙏

[@DressageHub]

💕💕💕

[@myronschabe]

You have maybe already done this type of video, but I think what would be useful is a video explaining what constitutes abuse and what does not....like on the one hand just because someone uses spurs and a double bridle does not mean that horse is being abused ( so folks that think so do not cry wolf) . I guess I am talking about things like when collection crosses into rolkur etc. etc. Obviously if a horse has physical damage done to his body....hands down abuse... Naming and shaming is the way this type of things needs to be corrected...at the cultural level...though, certainly the federations needs to take measures as well...but I think it really needs to be spelled out so that there is not wolf crying.

[@ezire]

For at least two decades horse welfare advocates have been patiently explaining what constitutes abuse to no veil. They used logic, science, graphics, images, health records, biomechanics, longevity data ... and it only helped to polish the whitewashing language abusers with their organizations used to continue the same. There was no debate, no good will. And now when the social tide is changing you are asking us to start the same explanatory process again? Do your research and look at the tedious work that had led us to this point. Lets not go to that rabbit hole again. The ball to explain why their practices are not an abuse is in their court now.

[@piaogilvie8463]

This is an open question! Why the use of spurs at All. Spurs, whips,and all All sorts of hardware - how come?

[@vivientakacs5599]

​@@piaogilvie8463Exactly. Especially when there are riders who don't compete, doing the exact same things but without spurs and whips, if they use bits then certainly not a double bridle too. Yet it is a must, especially in the high classes? Idk which trainer, but someone said "A good rider owns his spurs, but a great rider doesn't need them". Something like that. Shouldn't the point be the higher you go, to use less and less equipment, especially that is pretty much "cheating" material? (Like yeah spurs enhance what you ask, but is your horse really that well trained if you need something to make your cues clearer? Are you actually giving clear instructions? And yeah the whip is "an extension" of your arm, but do you really know what you are doing when, even after 2 bits and spurs, you still need a "3rd arm" to make clear what you are asking for?) I've seen so many videos of people riding with only a neck rope, and doing collection, passage and piaffe way better than I've seen any Olympic rider do. It's obviously not impossible. So how is it that some random people, with maybe no professional training and no high end bred horse, can do the same better than riders who are supposed to be the top of the top from the best trainers and horses with specific bloodlines? Makes no sense whatsoever.

[@vivientakacs5599]

I mean, the double bridle, no matter how you look at it, can be considered abuse. One bit is already too much for most horses and there's barely enough space in the horse's mouth, but 2? I doubt the horses can even close their mouths properly. No wonder there's a need for those special nosebands and drop nosebands to close the mouth, cuz it does look ugly when the horse is showing obvious pain by opening the mouth. Afaik, they even get points reduced if they open their mouths. Spurs are apparently for fine tuning the aids, but are your aids really clear if you need something else on top? When there are plenty of people doing the same movements without spurs? Sure you can say whips are an extension, but there's really no use for it if you think more about it, aside from hitting a horse with it. If a horse isn't responsive, the problem isn't going to be fixed with a whip. It should be fixed from the ground up + with consistent, clear aids. Not to mention that most are only for professionals, yet, as we can see, professionals in ALL disciplines misuse them tremendously. That's what young riders see and think is ok, causing their horses harm unwillingly. So yeah they should be classified as bad too. Because obviously, giving harmful tools in the hands of those who know how to really make them useful, is obviously hurting horses. How many more riders need to be exposed before this fact finally comes through everyone's head? Because there's only going to be more and more. Sure you can say that they weren't supposed to be used like that, but all 3 of these have been made specifically to cause pain and so the horse does what we want quicker. When they were invented after all, animal welfare wasn't thought of, only what can I do to this horse so it does what I want as soon as possible.

[@piaogilvie8463]

@@vivientakacs5599 Thank you! Beautifully said🌺 PS. There's a Dutch horseman, show man and you tuber, and I watch his videos full of admiration. His love and compassion is amazing, his bonds with his horses is wonderful. All done with positive enforcement. So, it absolutely is possible.

[@rolandadesrosiers-lewis744]

I hope it doesn’t end well. The horses are only a commodity to them. End this abuse!

[@mcdart2606]

'Bout bloody time. Pun intended.

[@mariaviir3289]

BAN BAN BAN THIS

[@lizroberts1569]

Your words would carry so much more weight if you didn’t smirk, this is serious you’re calling out ‘professionals’, for abuse of power over animals. Do you have other pictures because those are the same two you keep posting.

[@DressageHub]

I have loads of pics. I need an editor if you have time to volunteer I would love some help.