#end suffering

I do not support the actions of either governing body in either country — killing innocent people is wrong no matter what side you’re on — but I do support the innocent people on both sides who are being slaughtered, they did nothing wrong, they don’t deserve to die.

Free the Palestinian people.

Free the Israeli people.

Free them from needless suffering, needless destruction, and needless death.

On 6 August 2021, we all witnessed Annika Schleu forcibly coercing her randomly assigned horse, Saint Boy, to jump despite it’s obvious distress and refusal to do so. Annika was ordered to “really hit” the horse and her now banned coach, Kim Raisner, punched it. I watched in absolute shock and horror as this poor horse, baring its teeth and sweating profusely, was suffering.

Cruelty is an old friend of the equestrian sports industry. Remember the “rollkur technique” controversy?

Rollkur involves drawing the horse’s neck round in a deep curve so its nose almost touches its chest. An infamous “blue tongue video” from 2009 shows Swedish dressage rider, Patrik Kittel, riding his stallion hyper-flexed to the point the horse’s tongue is blue, and hanging out of his mouth. Just before the 2012 Olympics, a photo capturing Kittel using the same technique reignited the rollkur debate in the horse community.

After some international pressure, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) eventually banned the practice.

In 2002, a report from the Daily Telegraph detailed “frequent incidents of violence” against dressage horses at competitions, including attacks that left horses with “torn mouths and bloodied flanks”.

There are other various cruel techniques involved in the training of horses for equestrian sports.

For example, Noseband tightening has caused a lot of changes in the behavior of the horses, temperature of the eye, and lastly, cardiac irregularities. Shock collars are used to tame horses. Dressage requires you to use spurs (a type of metal tool attached to riding boots used to direct the horse) despite cruelty concerns. A cursory glance on the Internet reveals countless incidences of suffering and vile tortuous practices.

What can we do to help these animals? Well, it turns out, quite a lot. Think about what we have achieved when we act together.

Zoo goers used to enjoy watching the Zoo’s animals perform amazing feats for their entertainment, blissfully unaware of the torture they endured behind the scenes. Once these practices came to light, we collectively agreed that forcing animals to perform in Zoos is inhumane, cruel, and barbaric.

Now, it’s time to address the ‘other’ elephant in the room.

How can we condemn and legislate against the use of animals in Zoos when we continue to force horses to compete in sports that result in distress, severe injuries, and death?

I’m writing to you from the depths of my heart, and in hopes of spreading a very important message. Someone somewhere is suffering. Whether it be abuse, depression, sex-trafficking, or something as heartbreaking as a suicide attempt. I want them to feel that they are NOT forgotten. Thinking very often of this, I hope to reach them some way, spiritually even. Someone somewhere is starving, someone somewhere is suffering, someone somewhere is scared beyond reason, for any and every reason. I want to reach out to you, letting you know what is happening every second. It breaks my heart dearly. Someone somewhere deserves to know how precious they are. I cannot describe the privilege of breathing life into voices fear and suffering have silenced. These beautiful souls deserve more than what is happening to them—even as I speak. I want you all to know that you are LOVED, WANTED, NEEDED, IMPORTANT, BEAUTIFUL, AND NOT. FORGOTTEN. Smile at someone, take the opportunity to compliment someone. Talk with someone, CONNECT with someone. LOVE. PEOPLE. Spread LOVE. Take the time to LISTEN. You could save someone’s life.

BE! THAT ! PERSON!