Others believe these are rare instances of misuse, and that most horse owners are doing what’s best without the need for regulations or laws.

Flash Nosebands

Flash nosebands have a second attachment coming off the center of the cavesson or regular noseband that circles around the lower part of the horse’s face in front of the bit and around the mouth. The purpose is to keep the horse from opening his mouth—gaping—and possibly getting his tongue over the bit. Proponents say it encourages the horse to chew on the bit and stabilizes the bit in the horse’s mouth while not allowing the horse to evade it, thus giving more control.

Due to questions raised about overtight nosebands at the recent Paris Olympics and other events, The FEI has introduced a measurement tool to ensure all nosebands, not just flashes, are not overtightened at competitions.

“Currently, there is not a rule change proposal banning flash nosebands, but the FEI has introduced a measurement tool to ensure the appropriate tightness of the noseband at competitions,” says Danielle Henson, sport communications manager for the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF).

The FEI started checking noseband tightness with a measuring device May 1, 2025. Photo by Shawn Hamilton/CLiX/Adobe Stock

“We are not aware of discussions regarding flash straps or any initiatives to ban them,” shares Malina Gueorguiev, manager, governance communications, stakeholder & media relations communications department for the FEI.

There are those who believe this is not enough, however, and that flash nosebands should be banned to avoid people misusing them at home as well as in the show ring. Those against them claim that training can overcome issues including bit evasion and opening their mouth, which can also be signs of discomfort that owners and trainers should not dismiss.

“Flash nosebands don’t solve anything other than masking improper training, in which the horse shows proof of that by opening the mouth to escape pain and pressure of harshly handled bits,” says Josepha Guillaume, a horse welfare consultant, trainer, and author of Dressage in Hand: What horses want you to know. “Tight nosebands, whether flash or otherwise, prevent the horse from relaxing and mobilizing the jaw, which is in turn needed to mobilize and relax the shoulders and back. Having to brace against harsh bit action and a too-tight noseband prevents the horse from using the correct and natural muscles, and therefore prevents correct movement and the much-sought-after collection in any form. No one would expect a human athlete to perform his best with someone forcing a head and neck shape, or tight belts along the face, or the mouth strapped shut. Yet, it is expected from horses.”

Mary Kautz, founder of Equine Harmony Connection in Oregon, explains that flash nosebands restrict licking, chewing and swallowing, all of which are ways horses release tension.

“Banning flash and drop nosebands in competitive events will result in more relaxed horses, increased harmony between horse and rider, and higher standards for ethical training practices,” she says. Both trainers agree that the issues flash and other nosebands mask could be fixed with humane training, rendering the need for the nosebands moot.

Whisker Trimming

Many continue to trim their horse’s whiskers for breed and other shows. Go to any Arabian or Miniature Horse show in the United States, and you won’t find a single hairy face. Owners and trainers feel the clean look accentuates the horse’s facial features.

“At this time, USEF is not pursuing a ban on whisker trimming,” says Henson. “We recognize that discussions surrounding the topics of nosebands and whisker trimming are ongoing. USEF is committed to ensuring that our rules and regulations reflect the best interest of horses and the sport, and we will continue to monitor developments both nationally and internationally.”

Like your cat and dog, a horse’s whiskers are not just facial hair, like a man’s beard, but are sensory tools the animal uses to interact with his environment.

“The horse’s whiskers are sensory hairs, and horses use them like ‘feelers’; trimming them therefore reduces the horse’s sensory ability,” says Gueorguiev when asked why the FEI banned whisker trimming.

Article 1004.1.i of the FEI Veterinary Regulations specifies: Horses are not permitted to compete in FEI Events: if the Horse’s sensory hairs have been clipped and/or shaven or in any other way removed unless individual sensory hairs have been removed by a veterinarian to prevent pain or discomfort for the Horse.

The FEI banned whisker trimming at its competitions in 2021. Photo by Nigel Baker/Adobe Stock

“The sensory hairs around a horse’s eyes and muzzle serve many functions, including helping them locate food and avoid injury,” explains Kautz. “These whisker hairs allow the horse to compensate for the blind spot in front of their nose and detect electric fences. In low-light conditions, the whiskers help the horse detect objects in their environment. Horses whose whiskers are trimmed suffer many disadvantages. These horses are unable to navigate as effectively or gather details about their environment. Without their eye whiskers, they are also more likely to injure their eyes.”

With articles like “Why it Might be Time to Stop Riding Horses” in the mainstream media, the equestrian world will continue to face issues like these—and more—in the coming years. The hope is that, at the end of the day, regardless of what side of the fence you graze on, we will all come together for the benefit of the horse.

This article about the issues of whisker trimming and flash nosebands appeared in the May/June 2025 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post At Issue: Whisker Trimming and Flash Nosebands appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The perception of horse sport in the U.S. is the responsibility of every equestrian, whether or not you participate in competitions. Photo by Mary Cage

Breakdowns in racing. Questionable training practices. Medication and tack use in competition horses. Welfare of horses with minimal access to pasture. Wellbeing of horses asked to do a “job.” The list goes on.

If you’re a horse person, chances are good that you have been asked about one—or more—of these issues, often by well-meaning family and friends who aren’t horse savvy, but who are concerned. Though media and organizations that oppose horse sport are dialed in on equestrian competition, every horse owner—whether they show or not—must make a concerted effort to be able to respond to these questions in a calm and educated manner.  The very future of equestrianism depends on it.

What Is Social License to Operate to Why Does it Matter?

No longer just a flash in the pan, the term “social license to operate,” or SLO, refers to an “intangible, implicit agreement between the public and those who pursue an activity,” according to World Horse Welfare.

In short, it’s societal acceptance. If the public accepts something—in this case, horse sport—it will continue with minimal demands for change. If the public disapproves of an activity, pressure builds, and demand is made for an activity to change—or terminate.

As societal pressure on all equine activities escalates, every equine enthusiast is tasked with being able to defend the sport they love. Many horse lovers first became aware of the power behind public pressure during the 2020/2021 Tokyo Olympics, when a modern pentathlon coach punched a horse during the show jumping round to make the horse go forward.

Any time horse injuries or riding and trainer abuses take place on a big stage, equestrian sport jumps to the forefront of public scrutiny. Photo by Marcin Kilarski/Wirestock/Adobe Stock

The consequences were swift. The coach was disqualified for the remainder of the Olympics; the number of horses used in competition increased; more stringent animal welfare standards were established; and minimum riding standards were adopted. And still, modern pentathlon’s inclusion in future Olympics is tenuous.

So how can the rest of us prepare for possible public backlash, no matter how we are involved with horses? Here’s how a variety of organizations are working to ensure the longevity of their equestrian sports.

Light Up Racing

Horses are big business in the United States, adding $122 billion annually to the U.S. economy, reports TwinSpires. The overall impact of horse racing and breeding is estimated to bring in more than $30 million each year—a very large chunk of that economic pie.

With that much money at stake comes additional public scrutiny and heightened responsibility, one the Thoroughbred racing industry has begun to concertedly address with the creation of Light Up Racing.

Founded in response to a growing perception crisis in horse racing, Light Up Racing is on a mission to tackle misinformation and build trust through transparency, according to Naomi Hurdle, account manager for the organization.

“To do this, the organization hosted two major events in February 2024 and offered media training sessions, equipping 100 ambassadors with the skills needed to address public concerns and share the progress being made in the [horse racing] industry,” she explains. This helps effectively shift the narrative around horse racing.

Founded in response to a growing perception crisis in horse racing, Light Up Racing is on a mission to tackle misinformation and build trust through transparency. Photo by Mary Cage

Light Up Racing has worked closely with other organizations in the racing industry to unify the industry’s voice and promote trust through consistent, factual messaging. Light Up Racing’s website serves as a hub for accessible, science-backed resources, answering common questions about retirement programs, safety advancements, and welfare initiatives.

It also hosts tools and templates for industry participants to deliver strong, consistent messaging in interviews and on social media.

“Together, these efforts, combined with social media campaigns reaching millions, are helping to reshape public perception and promote the incredible work being done across horse racing,” Hurdle says.

Unfortunately, the road to social acceptance is not linear. The future of racing depends on the industry’s willingness to evolve and communicate.

“We need to keep cleaning up our act—and the good news is, we are,” she says. “By openly sharing the steps we’re taking and the results we’re seeing, we can build trust and combat misinformation.”

*This article was originally published in our March/April 2025 print issue. As of this online publishing, Light Up Racing will cease operations following the 2026 Breeders’ Cup.

The American Quarter Horse Association’s Animal Welfare Commission

The American Quarter Horse Association is the world’s largest equine breed registry and membership organization, encompassing trail riding, ranching, showing, racing, and timed events. There were more than 232,000 AQHA-registered horses in 2023.

With such a massive footprint, AQHA can set the SLO bar high—and encourage other breeds to step up their game. In 2012, AQHA created the AQHA Animal Welfare Commission, with members appointed from all segments of the equine industry, according to Ward Stutz, director of Breed Integrity, Animal Welfare and Education for AQHA.

“Part of the Animal Welfare Commission’s mission is to identify issues negatively affecting the welfare of the American Quarter Horse and recommend actions that will protect AQHA horses and other animals used in competition from inhumane practices, as well as members from the negative impacts associated with those practices,” he says.

In 2012, the American Quarter Horse Association created the AQHA Animal Welfare Commission, with members appointed from all segments of the equine industry. Photo by Mary Cage

Since its inception, the Commission has made several rule and policy changes to address drug and medication use, inhumane training both on and off show grounds, tack and equipment, and performance alteration, among other things.

Change is hard—and often too slow for the public. However, AQHA is working diligently to not only identify what is inappropriate to do to a horse, but to ensure the public knows the organization’s lack of tolerance for anyone caught breaking the rules.

Looking ahead, the organization is considering adopting some of the mandates the FEI and U.S. Equestrian Federation have implemented, such as a 12-hour “no injection” medication rule; limiting the use of shockwave; and limiting intra-articular injections.

U.S. Equestrian Federation’s Dedication to Social License to Operate

David O’Connor, winner of the individual gold medal for eventing at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, is a renowned coach and Chief of Sport for the U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF). He is one of the equine industry’s biggest proponents and has taken the reins of U.S. Equestrian Federation’s dedication to SLO. Eager to reflect on how far horse sport has come, he is also the first to acknowledge that the process is never ending.

David O’Connor is one of the equine industry’s biggest proponents, and he has taken the reins of U.S. Equestrian Federation’s dedication to SLO. Photo by Kim MacMillan/MacMillan Photography

O’Connor notes that while the organization has always been strong on the ethical treatment of horses on competition grounds, a philosophical shift is underway to include the welfare of horses while off show grounds.

Though USEF has been able to grant disciplinary reciprocity for equine cruelty, abuse, or neglect when action has been taken by another organization (like a humane society or law enforcement agency), the entity’s reach expanded on December 1: USEF can now police horse abuse that may occur at home farms.

This rule change was in response to a video showing Cesar Parra severely disciplining his horses while training at home. The rule requires any participant who witnesses unethical treatment of a USEF-registered horse to report it.

This rule change is a massive stride forward for equine welfare—but it isn’t the end goal.

“You have to [continually] look at yourselves and how strong you feel your rules and procedures are,” says O’Connor. “While the public can drive a lot of change, change has to be driven from within.”

What Can YOU Do?

Virtually every equine organization recognizes they must adapt to societal demand or suffer the consequences, which could be dire­—such as the degradation or even eventual demise of horse sport. While the exact verbiage may differ between breed and discipline, the governing bodies are all paying attention to each other, according to O’Connor.

“The public doesn’t separate horse sport,” he says. “While what we do [as a breed or discipline] might not look the same for each of us, we are not all separate in the eyes of the public—we must all pay attention to each other.” O’Connor feels we should continue to demand positive change to ensure the future of equestrian sport.

“Every horse person plays a part in shaping the future of the sport,” says Hurdle. “One of the most impactful things you can do is engage with negative commentary constructively. By being a voice for transparency and positivity, you can help shift perceptions. SLO is about showing the world that we’re evolving and that the welfare of our horses is at the heart of everything we do.”

Messaging to the Public

Being a voice for positivity in the horse world is also top of mind for Stutz.

“I believe for the most part we know what needs to be done [with regard to welfare] and we are doing it, but as an industry we are not good at telling the public what we have done and what we are doing,” he says. “We wait until there is a negative story to take action.”

When a friend, family member, or even a person on social media asks a tough question about the type of riding you enjoy, it’s important to reiterate that “we cannot make the horses do it,” says O’Connor.

Whether it’s racing or jumping or sliding or gaiting, the horse will choose to do it or not do it—the choice is theirs, he says. A horse that does these things is a partner for his rider.

“We talk about partnership a lot on an emotional level, but there’s a physical partnership, too,” adds O’Connor.

Horse sport, in any capacity, is dependent on public acceptance for its survival. Every breed, discipline, and equine organization should be executing changes in response to public scrutiny—or be left behind.

Equine enthusiasts must be prepared to defend equestrianism, in all it is varieties, by sharing with the world how we’re adapting to ensure the health and welfare of the animals in our care.

This article about the horse industry’s social license to operate appeared in the March/April 2025 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post The Horse Industry’s Social License to Operate appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.