Charlotte Dujardin whips horse more than 20 times in video shared with the Guardian

[@cynthialovold9031]

Who is the evil one filming and laughing?! She should be charged, too!

[@paulatreanor5566]

Disturbed person laughing looks like didn't care about horse being whipped shameful too.betshe doesn't expose themself to public.

[@iSheree]

What if the person is laughing because they finally caught her abuse on camera. Or its nervous laughter? EDIT: I am Deaf so I could not tell. But have since learned who is behind the camera and do not believe this anymore.

[@Bynggo]

@@iShereeI’m thinking she just finds cruelty amusing. Nothing nervous, that I can hear.

[@iSheree]

@@Bynggo It is hard to know. I wont comment on what I don’t know. Im focused on what I do know and that is that animal abused happened in the video and it is clear as day.

[@Bynggo]

@@iSheree perhaps you are being a bit generous.

[@vikkihogg]

This is not the first and only time she’s done this … it’s merely the first time it’s been exposed 😡

[@olivere5497]

She used to go fox hunting.

[@sarahmead2340]

@@olivere5497 Far too many horse riders do!

[@olivere5497]

@@sarahmead2340 at school her sister told us this and the entire class was horrified.

[@pauljohnson4874]

And she's sorry she was caught.

[@suzyqualcast6269]

​@@olivere5497 says it all.

[@charlieb6619]

Absolutely disgusting, what makes this worst is the bloke filming this is laughing. People are horrible creatures

[@isabellefrey6221]

Yep 😢

[@suzyqualcast6269]

Not a bloke, another skirt, and this is 2 years back, just think of the f&g this pairs been up to since...

[@AmericanObserver-kq7ye]

The people laughing sounds eerie and evil.

[@iSheree]

What if the person is laughing because they finally caught her abuse on camera. Or its nervous laughter?

[@doublevision2943]

​@@suzyqualcast6269 alright it's not THAT bad. There are psychos torturing little kittens out there, actual cats literally do this for fun to their pray. This is very different, apart from the fact that we're sitting here pretending that this type of training isn't very common, they probably all do this but it's typical mob mentality hypocrisy going after the one person that is exposed and trying to ruin their career. You're not getting to the top by rewarding the horse and patting in on the back every time it makes a mistake. Yes it doesn't look nice and it certainly isn't comfortable for the animal but this is a 400+ kg heavy horse, its not that painful. I'm all for treating the animals we keep with affection and care but let's stop pretending like they're skinning the horse alive, they surely take great care of their animals (off-camera!), this is just training, it's how coaching works.

[@blairrobertson8183]

Had to stop watching. She abused that horse as easily as she tied her shoes. She should be banned from the sport and charges should be brought against her.

[@gwmgbwi]

I doubt she enjoys tying her shoes as much as she seemed to enjoy terrorizing that animal.

[@olivere5497]

@@blairrobertson8183 also ban her from tying her shoes

[@karenlugg1386]

She should be banned from keeping and riding horses full stop.

[@olivere5497]

@@karenlugg1386 and cardboard box factories!

[@macmac9896]

So all horse trainers should be banned. That’s how to the way to train horse

[@yumatakashi5307]

This video is 4 years old! how many horses had to suffer this torture in all the years before and after ? This person should be stripped of all their medals. And be sentenced to prison.

[@verolawson3898]

​@@dingopisscreek Doesn't change the cruelty, or?

[@yerisanchez9214]

La disciplinas que utilizan animales no deberían de existir como deportes, su naturaleza no es para eso, en este caso ella quedó expuesta pero en realidad, todos los animales an de pasar por esta tortura de aprender cosas a palos y por miedo.

[@348Tobico]

@@yerisanchez9214 I HEARTILY DISAGREE! I trained horses for many years in the gentle style that is wide WIDE SPREAD in WESTERN style horse training today! FEAR IS NOT USED TO BREAK THE HORSES MINDS AS IN THE ENGLISH/EUROPEAN style of abuse training that this woman sold and practices. Kindness and care can train far better with far more trustworthy long term results. Horse trained in the modern Western methods never become throw away horses that get shipped to the slaughter house because their brains are never broken with torture as in this filmed torture.

[@merariangelesdipangracio1078]

No es real lo que dices, no todos los animales pasan por la tortura, si muchos, incluso hay equinos rescatados que se los rehabilita y se trabaja con ellos con personas con discapacidad. Hoy día hay más trabajos de rescates de animales entre ellos los equinos. Todavía no es suficiente la labor q se hace, xq lamentablemente la gente nace con la maldad en las entrañas.@@yerisanchez9214

[@KrisPowell-Blue_Forever]

Your wrong, this video Is not 4 years old, its been 5 days!😊

[@aventurinezx1]

This is disgraceful, but the fact that the person filming it can be heard laughing makes me feel sick 😢

[@me-ju3fv]

What’s the issue here?

[@kristenapple7496]

@@me-ju3fvare you serious? “What’s the issue” you friend are part of the issue if you don’t see one! Get off the feed before people ban you from the sport as well!

[@JohnAllenRoyce]

Because the animal-rights extremists ARE evil. Where have ya'll been?

[@me-ju3fv]

@@kristenapple7496 I don’t own a horse & I have no intention of ever being a horse owner, trainer, rider or anything equestrian

[@kristenapple7496]

@@me-ju3fv then I’d highly suggest that you not comment “what’s the problem here” on an equestrian video given you have absolutely no idea what you are defending

[@davidm6957]

Well that is what she will be known for now. Do we believe this is "Completely out of character". This looks like a normal practice to me.

[@stinevdp]

It looked too "normal" for her. This is defenitely not the first time she's done this, that's obvious

[@emanuelagiacalone5571]

She seems to enjoy it. The poor horse is scared and tired,awful scene

[@edmosave65]

She's totally unbothered by it. Par for the course, clearly!

[@danafredrick]

Exactly

[@Harlow_fantastic5]

It is absolutely disgusting to see a British top medallist do this to a horse . I just watched the video it is absolutely shocking i would never expected that. I am really disappointed to see that she is abusing.

[@charlessmyth]

It's known as training. The competition class horse was not harmed in the slightest by that which looks and sounds more dramatic than it is. Had it been otherwise, the horse would have been prompt to react in a way to demonstrate its displeasure. This is simply a hit-job, on Charlotte Dujardin.

[@olivere5497]

@@Harlow_fantastic5 are you aware she lived close to harlow ?

[@Harlow_fantastic5]

@@olivere5497 no i didn’t

[@isabellefivel6502]

Vois plaisantez j espère !...je monte a cheval depuis 40 ans...je ne vois jamais une telle pratique!.😢​@@charlessmyth

[@EvidentlyFire]

​@@charlessmythshe whipping a horse dude. If thats what training is, it needs changed, it cruel. The person shared this video did so to try and save dressage. Everyone else is condemming it and heres you all glib 'its called training" well it sure wont be from here on out.

[@stagename1031]

This is NOT OK! I’m a professional trainer and it’s absolutely disgusting to watch! Especially knowing how absolutely lovely that poor horse was to not even try to kick out at her. No wonder these people break down and ruin horses regularly

[@WickedWitchOfOz1]

The horse does kick along the rail when its hind is facing the camera. Watch closely, you'll see...

[@SimonLloydGuitar]

Do horse trainers hit/beat/whip horses as a way 'teaching'? Do horse trainers with hold food? These are the techniques 'trainers' use when 'teaching' animals such as dolphins and more often than not, dogs, although there has been a huge push back in the canine world thankfully and beating, intimidation and violence is not as common or accepted as it was.

[@flipper184]

Where can we see your credentials? How much have you made in your lifetime?

[@348Tobico]

Training of horses in the ENGLISH STYLE has become ANIMAL ABUSE.

[@patriciachang8666]

how you train horse, just curious.

[@Mikeoxmells-grimm]

Doesn’t look like the fist time and who’s that filming and laughing? Total disgrace and she should be investigated to see how she trained her other horses and be stripped from her medals

[@hillbillymal9351]

She needs banning from ever having anything to do with horses EVER again , absolutely disgusting and what makes it worse if it could get worse is that if the horse flipped out the rider could of been seriously injured

[@SandraOrtmann1976]

Indeed.

[@harrykey2448]

She is whipping. The rider is happy. Someone is laughing. I believe that we have seen how all horses are "trained" in dressage. Nobody gets caught first offense.

[@ghanaboyz]

How can you tell the rider is happy? On what basis do you belive all horses are trained in dressage like this? Please do not just make your speculation sound like facts. "Nobody gets caught first offense."? Make no sense what so ever. Getting caught is one thing, getting a charge and sentence is another. "first offense." may affect some sentences, but I am pretty sure it works in differents ways in various legal spaces, different courts and for different kind of charges.

[@Gwen-dolyn]

I'm. Sorry "all" you obviously can't say anything if u don't even know. Common. Sense

[@lbonts]

@@Gwen-dolynshe’s a multi gold medalist top of her sport! if that’s what she does I’ll assume that’s what most do

[@TheNellehFox]

​@@ghanaboyzI read the "nobody gets caught first offence" bit as "this isn't the first time she's done this". Though this may be because it mirrors what I said when I first heard about this video. The filming isn't exactly covert, so if she's comfortable doing this with witnesses, I don't want to imagine what's done without watching eyes.

[@warrenkingston7606]

Rich toffs

[@fionagreene8611]

Go to any high level animal sports and you would be devastated at how the animals are treated. All for a round of applause, to win money, to draw a crowd or please an audience. It needs to be stopped.

[@whitneya.6930]

Not just animals unfortunately. So many human athletes (especially female) report being abused by their coaches. Sadly, a certain type of people are attracted to positions of power, fame, and influence and will do anything to maintain their status.

[@MsBernadines]

Completely agree with what you say about animal abuse in top yards show jumping horse racing cross country eventing, Just a few to name the Least

[@EllenWst]

Can't stand any of it. Forcing animals to do stuff for our entertainment is rank

[@gerrycoleman7290]

Where big money is involved, horses suffer.

[@lindajohnson7675]

Especially the races. How many young, beautiful, talented horses lose their lives before age two or three (and then after if their bodies managed to hold up.) because they were pushed to extremes from the very start? I haven't looked in a while. But, the last time I looked, it was hundreds. ONE IS TOO MANY!

[@TheRyanshand]

She should be stripped of all her medals and banned from ever owning or working around animals ever again. What a sick monster to do that!

[@elliewoods8965]

A lunge whip should NEVER touch the horse never mind whip it. Stage 2 British Horse Society exam with lungeing - if the whip touches the horse you fail instantly. Yes she should be banned completely, its power tripping entitled people like that who get equestrian sports a bad name and that kind of cruelty is never acceptable. And the people encouraging her little performance are just as bad, no idea why anyone would find that amusing.

[@emeseipacs3568]

That's how I learnt it too, i've never seen such behavior. What was she trying to achieve? I only saw some questionable whipping/spurring when in dangerous situations where the horse didn't respond to the aids. Even in local competitions this behavior would result in instaban.

[@JohnSmith-xf4sd]

Another sick video, all her so called medals should be withdrawn,. And should be banned from keeping any animals for life

[@JohnSmith-xf4sd]

@dingopisscreek yes medals gained through pain and suffering of an animal, those medals should be removed, and this so called sport / discipline removed from the Olympics recognised sports

[@FedericaPiovesan]

It s a shame . This person has to be banned from all competition and she is not supposed to be allowed to keep any horse for the rest of his life.

[@FedericaPiovesan]

Her life, thanks

[@Dana-ml7sy]

This was not an isolated incident. This was not an error of judgement. This horse abuser should never get on another horse, ever!

[@kerrywykes5645]

She will forever be known as the equestrian who whipped this horse, no longer remembered for the Olympic Games Medals. She is a disgrace

[@Baconeggandcheese123]

The worst part is the lady who seems to be holding the camera is laughing. This is absolutely disgusting.

[@348Tobico]

That is no "Lady" laughing That is a co-conspirator and thus a participant in the crime of animal abuse.

[@quineloe]

ah yeah, that clearly is "the worst part". Your offended morals, not the pain the horse is enduring.

[@saulgoodman2278]

Ban her for life.

[@lbonts]

looks like she’s just conducting a “normal” practice for her, just confirming this sport and other animals “sports” shouldn’t exist, forcing the poor creatures into unnatural movements for your own amusement, looks like torture to me

[@CarolinesCreations]

Some people ride horses in a humane and caring way that doesn't put their animals in danger. Please don't lump a few bad apples in with the whole orchard.

[@PerfectMask1]

​@@CarolinesCreations Not in sport they don't

[@ElisaX-y9i]

Most people who ride horses and compete don't treat their animals like this.

[@autumnleaves5973]

@@CarolinesCreations How can we know who the bad apples are if the ones who have the most success do this? Why should we believe there are other methods to be successful in this sport?

[@susangosling8210]

That monster should be banned for life.

[@konstantinalois]

The woman laughing in the video needs to be exposed as well.

[@TheArizonaFrontiersman]

That is animal cruelty plain and simple. The owners of that stable should never be allowed to have any animals there or anywhere.

[@kwjelley]

Who is the women laughing while filming. This is sick. Ban for 6 months? Ban for life!

[@asandi4444]

Charlotte Dujardin must be banned from ever being close to a horse again. This is beyond despicable behaviour. Shame on her and the chuckling videographer.

[@ZExpert-hk6kf]

Please remove this unfair sport out of Olympics.

[@ratnaraghu]

She and Dressage has to be banned. What kind of a cruel woman is she

[@wolfheartspirit97]

I can’t imagine how much worse it’s gotten if this was 4 years ago.

[@KimWilliams-g8s]

NO Excuses PERIOD FOR HER ANIMAL ABUSE !!! Question is How long has SHE Been Abusing These Horses TILL SHE .Got CAUGHT ? FINALLY THE REAL Charlotte has been Shown. I've watched her for years and I am Thoroughly DISGUSTED WITH THIS VIDEO.,😠 SHAME ON HER. !!!!

[@KimSpurre104]

I’m so glad that she’s out of the Olympics. No horse deserves to be treated like that. How many years has she been doing this? No one knows.😢

[@netw52]

She should never be allowed to train, ride or compete again. This was not a one-time thing.

[@saralee2802]

Horrible! And the person laughing in the background! These people have no respect or souls.

[@pattymullin8515]

Despicable. This is animal cruelty. I hope she is jailed, fined and banned from owning any animals for life. I have had and been around horses and animals my entire life. Never once have I ever abused a horse or any other animal in this manner. This makes me sick.

[@sp4263]

Animals don't deserve this treatment. Disgraceful.

[@alexalandrus3665]

She should never ever be allowed near an animal again and be charged with animal abuse.

[@spaceinvador9247]

Horribel person!!!! How can she even be allowed to be around horses, also the person laughing just as low empathetic!!!

[@clivet3252]

It's just a light tap

[@InsomniacsRaine]

@@clivet3252 unacceptable. It was not "just a light tap" I would NEVER whip my horses.

[@MB-ws1fe]

The person laughing ...and the student actually questions the beating. Nice use of judgement. No doubt in my mind this is not the first whipping she has delivered. Also, effective or not it is neither necessary nor ethical.

[@Eleganciaaaaaa]

@@clivet3252 That wasn’t a light tap. That was a forceful hit with the intention of causing the horse pain. The horse was literally telling you it hurts. How do you not see that? Don’t speak if you don’t know what you’re talking about, seeing as you have no clue how to read horses.

[@dawnkerfoot1731]

Was she taught this by Her Trainer? That’s her career over

[@danielamesquita98]

This is absolutely disgusting behavior

[@harryh9922]

She should be in Jail.

[@omarkhan9695]

Poor horse hasn't even done anything. Just trying to get away from her towards the wall. It must hurt so much. Humans are horrible. Enslaving and abusing animals for pleasure.

[@BobHolloway-x4b]

If this is acceptable behaviour within this industry. This industry should be ashamed

[@mauricetoussaint7283]

Common to see this, I've been around horses my whole life. It's all being blown out of proportion by the clueless. A certain level of control is necessary. Nothing going here at all in the grand scheme of things.

[@nickrassenti6574]

​@@mauricetoussaint7283The International Federation for Equestrian Sports suspended Dujardin from all competitions for six months. The British Equestrian Federation also suspended her, making her ineligible for international or national events. Why would they do that if this was normal behavior?

[@hannahdivic28]

@@nickrassenti6574because the non-equine aware public has no idea what is necessary to train a horse, and will completely scream at anyone who does anything that they perceive as strange or dangerous (even if the reality is completely different). They do these measure to appease the non-horse-educated public to avoid a backlash, when in reality, this is actually a pretty tame way of controlling and teaching horses.

[@shay4210]

@@hannahdivic28 The use of bits, crops, and spurs is something the non-equine public take out of proportion when they see a rider even use the aid correctly. But if the horse is visibly distressed by something, if you care about the horse, you'd stop. She is repeatedly hitting the horse, and it is scared so much it bucks. Bucking is not the reaction you want. Gentle pressure from spurs or reins, or light taps from a crop is not abuse, whacking a horse is.

[@hannahdivic28]

@@shay4210 I DO NOT agree with her excessive use of force with this particular horse, but I’m seeing the vast majority of commenters here dissenting because of the use of a whip in general, EVER. I am just pointing out that there is a place and a time for crops and whips in normal training.

[@moby1703]

The woman that filmed this was laughing and did nothing. She's as much to blame!!!

[@Lisa-zd8sk]

What a VILE and cruel 🤮🤮 person treating a poor animal like this. I hope she is banned from keeping animals. This needs to stop. As someone mentioned in the comments how many more horses and animals have had to experience this type of abuse for financial gain. Makes me feel sick!!!! 🤮

[@samkrauss1]

She has also been dumped by sponsors and The FEI has suspended double Olympic dressage champion and British sports icon Charlotte Dujardin following an official complaint with video alleging horse abuse. On 20 July 2024 Dutch lawyer Stephan Wensing filed a complaint with the FEI, British Dressage, and the British Equestrian Federation against Dujardin.23 Jul 2024

[@PH_barrelracingofficial]

THAT IS ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING AND THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THAT

[@paulc1553]

Unforgivable. Charlotte Dujardin should be banned from animals for life.

[@brendadufaur37]

Outrageous. And who is chuckling? And why isnt the rider saying anything.

[@Bhappy925]

That poor beautiful animal. He doesn’t understand why he is being hit. She looks tired from beating that horse.

[@Groundedsquirrel]

I don’t understand why he’s being hit either. Can’t be a single reason that’s valid.

[@Bhappy925]

You’re absolutely right.

[@dressupwithelise]

this is extremely disgusting of her.. what does she think? horses cant feel pain?

[@catherineherrmann3604]

Also disgusting- the laughter of the woman videotaping! And she thinks she’s such a heroine for ages later releasing the footage to take Dujardin down? I’d say she’s complicit.

[@celinapenteado1556]

Imagine all the horses that past her way. The horses perform based on fear. She should be banned.

[@theresamccarthy5131]

She should never be allowed near another horse EVER

[@lindalaverty5584]

This woman should not be allowed to work with horses ever again as this is just cruelty to the animal shame on her and her laughing about it too it's disgusting behaviour

[@sherrymorse9111]

While I find the timing suspect, abuse is abuse and this should have been reported at the time. The person videoing and laughing is just as culpable IMO.

[@paulbailey9568]

Is there any reason why she couldn’t be prosecuted for animal cruelty and banned from owning/training horses?

[@brittanyo5182]

And they’re laughing! Her medals should be stripped. This behavior is absolutely repulsive!

[@budekins7779]

Should be stripped of medals and banned from ever working with horses. Her claim this was an isolated event is not credible.

[@suzyqualcast6269]

Isolated filming of, she meant. Did the girls have a fall out tiff ¿?

[@reineequestrian]

horses should be removed from the Olympics.

[@Eleganciaaaaaa]

Yes! Too many horses suffer because of professional riders. Sickening is what it is. The high jumps in show jumping, the cross country courses, and the dressage. Yet, people think it looks pretty, and they think it’s okay to subject an animal to the pain of all that until the horse becomes numb to it all and is just a mindless machine.

[@rickyb5499]

I know nothing about horses, but I know animal cruelty when I see it, this was disgusting. Who the f k is laughing when this horrible incident is being filmed and why has it taken 4 years for this footage to surface ?

[@fionagreene8611]

And who's the fool laughing behind the camera. Thoroughly deserved such a ban. Disgusting behaviour 😢

[@devrakitterman1676]

Anyone who has ever worked with horses knows that this is unacceptable treatment of an animal, excepting serial animal abusers.

[@susanhill149]

Just a lying horrible person and the rider is guilty too

[@Lunaholic94]

Her medals and awards mean nothing anymore 🤬

[@CoreyFarrell-pv7lj]

The only reason she is apologizing is because she got caught and the fool laughing videoing this is just as guilty. Anyone associated with this should never be allowed around horses again. Disgusting!!!

[@luci4081]

Absolutely horrible

[@BrianWillcox-qp2hr]

She's only sorry because she's been caught

[@perrie77]

She should be stripped from her medals and be banned from ever be close to horses again, shame on you…

[@Cali0863]

And the rider just as guilty!! 🤬

[@Clair96bel]

She should face animal cruelty charges as she clearly permitted unnecessary suffering and mental abuse to that poor horse and the person laughing should also be reprimanded for their encouragement. She was also endangering the rider as if they were unseated and injured, she would have been facing a personal injury claim due to her actions. I do not believe it was a lapse of character

[@GPC-tu7ti]

I used to love her. LOVED watching her and Valegro. But, nope. This is awful. I'm starting to wonder if the entire sport is actually awful. She has said she's ashamed. She SHOULD be. No excuse. None.

[@chrisgibbs2875]

Should be banned from ever owning a horse again

[@CoreyFarrell-pv7lj]

This is absolutely disgusting. She should be banned for life!!

[@Carole-h3s]

I'm a bhsai (stage 3 coach ) and I have never struck a horse in my life, this vile thing who passes herself off as an equestrian should be banned from keeping any animals for life, shame on you, oh and by the way where is the RSPCA!!!

[@Phillip-p1e]

Am also a BHS stage 4 coach and jumping competition rider, I was taught to never lay a whip on your horse nor ever to use spurs which I instill in my pupils. I am disappointed to see and hear many top equestrians ignorant of the abuse, while fawning and worshipping Charlotte. Horse sport is money orientated with top level jumping offering some of the biggest prize money of all sports. The abuse is definitely out there and am glad that another high profile rider has been found out. Nobody is ashamed or sorry until they get caught.. I wish you continued success with your coaching.

[@Carole-h3s]

Thank you for your reply, well said and best wishes to you in all that you do.

[@jayneyaghmour7320]

The person filming and laughing should be charged also..... Disgusting.

[@michaelOMalley-y1l]

It must be the normal training,I doubt she’s alone in this.horses are slaves it doesn’t surprise me that they get abused like this.

[@jessicarabbit1138]

Ban her from keeping any animals

[@Boblw56]

Begs the question: if she’s doing it routinely, who else is doing the same right now? Sports involving animals should be banned!

[@grenade8572]

Abuse in high level dressage is common knowledge. But Charlotte Dujardin was known as a rider respectful of her horses, because she rode with subtle cues and no pulling on the reins (dressage is supposed to be like this... subtle cues, no pain, horses working free-willingly but what we see in competitive dressage is just pulling on the reins and spanking with spurs). So, seeing that Charlotte Dujardin is as bad as other dressage riders (high level) is horrific. Nothing in that sport (at high level) can be saved.

[@AmericanObserver-kq7ye]

👩🏽‍🦱 It’ been reported that Charlotte Dujardin of Great Britain whipped the horse 24 times, and the person laughing in the background is as much responsible for the abuse as her.

[@HusseinDoha]

You see the horse trying to cover at least one side by running to the wall, poor thing felt so much pain!

[@fluchterschoen]

*Tell me if I am wrong* but the rider is pulling the horse's head in to its body in a very unnatural way by applying very short reins and pressure on the bit - which is how riders signal to their horse to slow-down or stop. Meanwhile, Charlotte Dujardin is beating the horse to make it continue moving. The horse is confused and frightened by the conflicting signals and the pain/fear/anxiety of the whip. The result is the utterly artificial movements prized by Dressage riders & judges - in this case the horse is being driven to almost trot-on-the-spot, with hugely exaggerated movements but very little forward travel. And that folks is the reality of how "Dressage" is done. Some people might look at the whipping that is going on and conclude that it's not really that severe - the horse doesn't bleed, isn't bruised - what's the big deal? With horses (and other cursorial prey animals like antelope/deer etc) the *pain* is the fear and anxiety of the startle reflex. Training whips and riding crops are usually used around the horses back end (haunches) - which is in the animal's blind-spot. It's designed to evoke their startle/flight response, which sets off a hormone cascade - it puts the animal in state of alert, fear, anxiety and elevates its metabolism in preparation to flee. Even if Dujardin''s whip was not coming into contact with the horse (i.e. she was cracking the whip behind the horse but not actually hitting it) the horse would react the same way and would experience the same psychological & physiological "pain" without any physical pain. N.B. I'm not suggesting it's "okay" or "better" to "whip" a horse without actually making contact: the point I am making is that the whip (whether used to hit or merely to startle) is a tool used to inflict pain/anxiety. *If* it is used at all, it has to be as limited & "kind" as humanly/humanely possible. In this video Dujardin has lost her cool and is intentionally inflicting excessive anxiety/pain/fear on this horse.

You are totally wrong.

[@bl7817]

This is horrific abuse, but your analysis of dressage and horse movement is completely in error. "Pulling on reins to stop" is an elementary move from Day One of riding, and is an emergency brake. It is not connected to genuine horsemanship. I appreciate your horror at the abuse, but please refrain from longwinded statements that just increase ignorance about riding and horsemanship. Dressage is based upon horses' NATURAL movements in the field, and can be taught under saddle without cruelty. But not as you describe.

[@WalhallaWacht]

Nowadays its common to see horses trained unnaturally. With gadgets and bungie cords attached to their feet. Traditional training is gone.​@bl7817

[@fluchterschoen]

@@bl7817 I've kept horses for the last 48 years and am a very experienced rider, trained by Mary Rose, who has in turn trained some of the UK Armed Forces' most senior Cavalrypeople. You use the phrase "pulling on the reins to stop" - and you imply I wrote this, but I used no such words. _Tell me this_ - when you want the horse you are riding to stop, how do you do it? I'm *very* interested to hear your response. Should I assume you ride horses without bridles or steel bits set across their highly sensitive tongues? That sounds like a fascinating concept.

[@waterdashlily]

​@@bl7817Don't defend this type of disgusting training, focus on enhancing the better sides of horseriding. High level dressage quite often is stressful to the horse, although there riders we'd consider ethical as well. Dressage should not stay the same if this is what is needed to achieve the result, we need relaxed and harmonious horsemanship!!!

[@LJ-fm4ez]

Animals are here to be our companions, not our entertainment

[@lexikj2142]

Its horrible how a top rider can be so abusive

[@soulstar5161]

She's not a top rider. She got lucky with Alegro.

[@argalant]

He or she wouldn t be at the top otherwise...😁

[@crgutman]

Among the MANY problems with this despicable treatment of the horse is the danger the student was in. As I understand the rider was a 15 year old and the horse may have reared, bucked, kicked, or tried to strike the person tormenting him with potentially disastrous results for the young rider. Whoever was filming this and chuckling (the mother of the student, perhaps?) should also be deeply ashamed.

[@tessdurberville711]

Why didn't the student defend her horse? No excuse.

[@Smellynelly67]

This happens to these poor horses all the time,it should all be banned

[@Smellynelly67]

@@Fukcfoo yes, I totally agree,why don't they ban whips altogether 🤷‍♀️

[@BlackSeranna]

The video was probably a lot longer, or rather, that horse went through that a lot longer. You can hear the horse making noise and it is trying to force itself in the pattern she wants but it also wants to get away because she won’t stop whipping it. This woman won medals on the back of abused animals. Where is that horse now? What happens to the horses? No one ever knows - they win medals and then disappear or die in some insurance thing. The horses only have value for as long as they produce.

[@chriscotton6644]

That really is uncomfortable viewing, it's noticeable that the voices heard in the video appear to be unfazed as tho this is what a normal everyday coaching session is like. I'm just a very average person who knows next to nothing about horses and equestrian, but these images and the sounds will stay in my head for a very long time.

[@markfleming4162]

My sentiments exactly Chris. I forced myself to watch this, but I knew this would stay in my memory for a long time. Totally sick & very disturbing. Ban that woman from competing for life. Charges should be brought against her for animal cruelty-and she should never be permitted to own an animal.

[@misselizabethbennetp2185]

As a riding instructor who knows at least a little bit about horses, a lot of things can appear “harsh” in horse training that truly are not. Yes, training is often uncomfortable for horses, but so are a lot of things in life for any person or creature. Some horses learn the easy way, and some just don’t. Horses are smart creatures, and they can learn to just refuse to do as they’re told. If that behavior is not corrected, you will eventually end up with a horse that is unusable. I do not know all the context of this video, but as someone who has worked with horses, I was not nearly as shocked and appalled by it as most of this comment section.

[@leiladjawas5482]

A bunch of disgusting people abusing a horse. 😡😡

[@eyerelated]

This is a total disgrace, she should be treated like a criminal including the person riding a horse and the filming guy laughing away. I'm afraid that this 'industry' is full of similar criminals. Unacceptable.

[@ZExpert-hk6kf]

Olympics is about athletes willing to compete together. No horses want to compete and get medal in Olympics. So, please remove this unfair sport out of Olympics.

[@Star_equestrian13]

A lot of horses love competitions and love their riders YOU ARE BLINDED BY SOMES ABUSE

[@LeeannaGill]

The person videoing this and laughing should be charged with abuse as well!! It’s like watching a human getting beaten and just watching - you are an accomplice to the abuse!

[@suzyqualcast6269]

Modoms grass ¿?

[@lylarose2696]

This woman needs to be banned for life from all equestrian sports and must also be arrested for animal abuse and spend years in jail.

[@RaleighLink]

Not surprised... every pro rider is dirty.

[@leeannefinke8629]

Sickening. All involved should be thrown in jail for animal cruelty. This “sport” disgusts me. Shame on these fools.

[@clairebridge4828]

Disgusting!!! Definitely NOT the first time she’s done this before… vile human…. Poor, poor horse. 😢

[@skatingcanuck9837]

She cowardly shut off her IG. She has no remorse. It’s scary, but she has a daughter. Violence towards an animal. Who will be next? Her daughter?

[@tessdurberville711]

That is a libelous remark.

[@helgesimon9092]

I allways felt no horse would do those unnatural poses and movements selfmotivated. I think the whole 'sport' is odd😲.

[@L_eventing]

See this is the issue and obviously you have little knowledge of the sport , however people like this and other top people in the sport that do things like this bring huge negativity to the equestrian world and make everyone seem like bad people when it’s not and by non horsey people seeing things like this really damages the reputation of the sport and everyone that participates in it

[@EyeMixMusic]

​@@L_eventing I hope you're not implying that those with "knowledge of the sport" have some secret understanding that horses are naturally inclined to perform in this way. Dressage is a totally forced and unnatural activity for any horse, and it would really insult everyone's intelligence to even attempt to claim otherwise.

[@PJ-iz2nc]

@@L_eventingWhat a ridiculous comment. Its abuse.

[@Combatsport-dy6qw]

@@EyeMixMusic they aren't naturally inclined but that doesn't mean it is abusive to train a horse in dressage. The methods demonstrated here are clearly abusive but that is not the norm.

[@Phillip-p1e]

Eventing not evening 😂

[@levev5717]

she must lose her previous olimpic medals

[@anaisabel9133]

So tragic!! She is a very cruel human being! I’m so sorry for horses and animals that have no choice but to be subjected to harm. Thank goodness her cruelty has been exposed. Perhaps others will realize their own harmful and cruel treatment..:wishful thinking.

[@MarinaGamez-y3f]

She should be banned from horses for life. She has a superiority attitude. And the person filming and laughing is just as guilty.