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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2021; 11(1); 188; doi: 10.3390/ani11010188

An Ethnographic Account of the British Equestrian Virtue of Bravery, and Its Implications for Equine Welfare.

Abstract: This article describes the virtue of bravery in British equestrian culture and suggests that riders' tactics for bolstering bravery may have negative implications on equine welfare. These observations are based on 14 months of ethnographic research among amateur riders and the professionals who support them (n = 35), utilising participant observation and Dictaphone recordings. Riders suffering from 'confidence issues' could be belittled and excluded. Instructors' approaches towards bolstering bravery involved encouraging riders to 'get tough'-on both themselves and on their horses. Narrative theory is employed in this article to show that riders could demonstrate their own bravery through describing the horse as defiant. Alternate narrative possibilities existed, including describing the horse as needy patient and the rider as care provider. Riders were critically aware that veterinary diagnoses could be sought or avoided in line with riders' own dispositions. 'Diagnoses-seeking' behaviours could be judged negatively by others and seen as evidence of unresolved fearfulness. In conclusion, the British equestrian cultural orientation towards bravery can be associated with stressful or painful training techniques, delayed or missed diagnoses of physiological pathologies, and poor training outcomes. Programs that aim to help riders to develop confidence without instilling a sense of 'battle' with the horse, and without ridiculing the rider, are likely to have positive implications on equine welfare and human safety.
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Publication Date: 2021-01-14 PubMed ID: 33466901PubMed Central: PMC7830721DOI: 10.3390/ani11010188Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article analyse the British equestrian culture and the impact of its value of bravery on the welfare of horses. The focus is on the ‘tough’ tactics riders employ that could potentially endanger their horses, as observed through a detailed 14-month study involving amateurs and professionals in the field.

Research Method and Participants

  • The article relies on a detailed ethnographic study spanning 14 months involving both amateur and professional horse riders, totalling an observing group of 35 members. This study aimed to provide an in-depth insight into the effects of equestrian methods on horse welfare.
  • Multiple methods, including participant observation and Dictaphone recordings, were used to acquire thorough and accurate data.

Narrative Theory Application

  • The narrative theory was employed as a tool to study the behavior and attitudes of the riders. It was found that some riders demonstrate bravery by depicting their horse as defiant, revealing their potential lack of sensitivity towards the horse’s overall well-being.
  • Alternate narratives were also explored, where the horse was viewed as a needy patient and the rider as the caregiver. This alternative narrative demonstrates an empathetic approach to the horse’s welfare but was found to be less prevalent.

Impact on Equine Welfare

  • Riders often appear to make decisions about seeking veterinary diagnoses based on their own projected fear or bravery, rather than the horse’s health needs. The study found that riders who sought diagnoses were often judged negatively, seen as demonstrating fearfulness rather than strength.
  • The emphasis on bravery and toughness was found to lead to stressful or painful training methods, missed or delayed diagnoses of physiological pathologies, and overall poor training outcomes. This orientation thus carries significant negative implications for equine welfare.

Conclusion and Recommendations

  • The article concludes that the British equestrian culture’s emphasis on bravery often comes at the cost of the welfare of the horse. Simultaneously, this culture can lead to exclusion and disparagement of riders who do not conform to these standards.
  • The paper recommends intervention programs that encourage rider confidence without promoting a ‘battle’ mentality with the horse and without demeaning the rider. Such programs would potentially improve equine care and enhance human safety within the sport.

Cite This Article

APA
Jones McVey R. (2021). An Ethnographic Account of the British Equestrian Virtue of Bravery, and Its Implications for Equine Welfare. Animals (Basel), 11(1), 188. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11010188

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 1
PII: 188

Researcher Affiliations

Jones McVey, Rosalie
  • Social Anthropology Department, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3RF, UK.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

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Citations

This article has been cited 7 times.
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