Social Licence to Operate was a topic of discussion recently in a Discord community I follow.
The discussion arose from a blog post by one of the English members Alison Kenward who is an equestrian coach. My understanding of Alison’s post is that concerns about the welfare of horses are expressed by people who, having little or no involvement with, or knowledge of, horses may jeopardize the future of equestrian sport and horse ownership.
The problem appears to be more serious in the United Kingdom than in North America. Although there is growing opposition to some Western events – calf roping and chuckwagon racing in particular.
Horse racing on the flat and over fences is very popular in the UK. Major events are televised and watched by huge audiences. The most famous race on the calendar is the Grand National run at Aintree near Liverpool every year. The Grand National has been run every year except during the two World Wars and 2020 since 1839. The race is over four miles (7km) in length with 30 fences.
It is the longest steeplechase in the UK and ranks with the most arduous in the world of racing. Horses do fall at fences and both horses and jockeys can and do suffer serious injuries with some horses having to be put down. Televised coverage of horse casualties gives the well-meaning but often misguided army of animal welfare activists ammunition to call for the banning of all equine sports and even non-sporting horse riding.
Giving In To Social Licence is Dangerous
This was my response to Alison’s concerns.
“I agree 100% with you that the interests, safety and good husbandry of horses should be the priority. However, I am concerned that giving too much influence to organizations or social trends that are promoted by those with no or little knowledge of horses will let the tail wag the dog and could ultimately see the extinction of the domestic horse.
Several breeds are already extinct or on the verge of extinction. One that comes to mind is the Suffolk Punch, the numbers of which, I believe are down to levels that are almost unsustainable.
Advances in technology and increased mechanization led to the demise of heavy horses in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Recreational riding and equine sports have maintained the numbers of lighter breeds.
It’s awful that horses have to be put down after accidents. Lowering the fences and shortening steeplechase races could well reduce the number of casualties. But would not completely eradicate them- horses can break their legs frolicking in paddocks.
I believe any cruelty, whether intentional or by neglect, should be punished. However, the responsibility for this should rest with people and organizations with knowledge and experience of “real” animal husbandry not non-animal-owning sentimentalists with no practical knowledge.
For all the faults, dangers and unfortunate accidents affecting modern horses, if it was not for horse owners and riders spending huge sums of money to buy, train and look after horses so that they can provide pleasure or athletic partnerships, there would be very few domestic horses in the world today. And there are very few parts of the world where land availability, forage, or climate allow them to survive in the wild.”
Hypocrisy of Focusing on Horse Owners
As I believe there is more in this than the welfare of horses, I had a further comment:
“I think the public who find riding unacceptable would be better off focusing on the breeding of certain dog breeds which because of human interference can no longer breathe correctly, or walk more than a few yards. Some dog breeds have been selectively bred to the point that many suffer from hip dysplasia and other defects. I wonder if there is not a touch of jealousy behind this. “If I can’t afford to ride, why should you be allowed to enjoy horses?” And of course, horse owners and riders (especially polo players) are seen as elitists.”
My concern is that if we allow professional activists and do-gooders to interfere with responsible horse ownership, it will be the thin edge of the wedge. Horses today, cats and dogs tomorrow, guinea pigs and goldfish next year.
We have already seen the dangers of Social Licence with activists attacking petrol-powered vehicle owners, crop, dairy, beef, and poultry farmers. Activists condemn ordinary people for doing what they love, looking after their animals and feeding the world. All the while the same activists enjoy the fruits of the real world and coordinate their efforts on resource-depleting electronic gadgets.
If they are allowed to get away with their attacks, we will be reduced to living in a grey world with no domestic animals, no personal transport and living on a diet of bugs and hydroponically produced greens.
Allowing our lives to be dictated by some form of Social Licence is one step nearer to surrendering to digital identities and total control by social credit score.
Horse owners and riders are known for their fortitude. A characteristic well demonstrated by Bob Long the 70-year-old winner of the world’s longest horse race in 2019. I wrote about him in this post. We need a concerted effort from responsible horse owners to oppose the tyranny of “Social Licence to Operate”
Clicking on some links on this site will let you buy products and services which may result in us receiving a commission, however, it will not affect the price you pay.
P.S. The Yakking Show published another premium member in-depth interview here’s an excerpt and here’s how to become a founding premium member at a reduced subscription.