Another day in the office! The fateful incidence of animal abuse in equestrian sport is showing no sign of stopping. A few days ago, British legend Charlotte Dujardin had to face suspension from the FEI (International Federation for Equestrian Sports). Her “error of judgment” while handling an equine cost her badly and she had to leave the Paris Olympics berth because of the suspension. Still, the issue had to see the light of day, as scenes have surfaced that things are not in line despite FEI’s firm stance on the issue. According to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), one rider from the Brazilian team at the Paris Olympics forced his horse to lower the neck. And it is a blatant offense, according to that association. 

In its detailed X-post today, PETA stated that lowering the equine’s head forcefully is injurious to the animal’s wellbeing. It could result in a painful hyper-flexed position, leading to the equine’s death. The association pointed to the situation as “This is a violation.” And the repeated occurrences of such cruelty made PETA raise its voice, making forth a clarion call. 

In the stated post, the non-profit organization demanded the abolishment of equestrian sport from the Olympic Games schedule if such nefarious acts continue without any resolution. But as of now, PETA is in support of suspending the allegedly accused Brazilian rider from the ongoing Games. To make this happen, the USA-based organization has filed a complaint to FEI. Alongside that, it has spoken of the equine that had to suffer the abusive treatment. In the complaint, the global organization has requested that FEI put the equine under medical observation. According to PETA’s team of doctors, the blamed training method can leave serious marks on the animal’s health, if not harm it. 

As PETA has argued in its official notification, the training method, known as ‘rollkur’ is already a banned procedure in the equestrian sport. Rather, restricted breathing because of the bending of the neck can injure the spine badly, which may end up giving the animal a lifelong disease. So, a prompt medical test should be the need of the hour. However, FEI or the officials from the Paris Olympics are yet to make any comment on the situation. But PETA’s timely stand has refreshed the fans’ memory of Charlotte Dujardin’s fiasco making waves a few days ago. 

Charlotte Dujardin’s penalty can bring a serious change in equestrian 

While reading the penalty for Charlotte Dujardin this week, FEI didn’t mince its words. In equestrian, the 39-year-old has risen like a phoenix and possesses a stature like Zeus. Still, her act of whipping an equine couldn’t be justified. So, in its clarification to hand Charlotte suspension, FEI mentioned her act as “engaging in conduct contrary to the principles of horse welfare.” PETA argues that this is not a one-off incident of this kind. 

In the Tokyo Olympics, PETA blamed a German pentathlon competitor for whipping her horse before the chief competition. The painful experience did not stop there, as the athlete’s coach, Kim Raisner, joined the problematic affair and kicked the equine. However, the authority didn’t keep its eyes shut as it suspended the coach, and the athlete was left unconvicted. In the show-jumping sport as well, the issue continued at the Tokyo Olympics. 

This time, an Irish rider made his horse complete the course despite the latter facing an injury. The animal bled profusely by his nose, but the officials didn’t pay any heed. So, according to PETA, such things should be stopped and it should start with the Olympic Games, being the prime competition and the platform with the most cases of animal abuse. Let’s wait for an official response from other stakeholders.