Most equestrians would be horrified to know they’re hurting their horses. But with the equipment we use—from spurs to nosebands—we might be unintentionally causing them harm. | Photo: iStock

Most equestrians would be horrified to know they’re hurting their horses during competition. But with the equipment we use—from spurs to nosebands—we might be unintentionally causing them harm.

To determine whip, spur, and noseband lesion prevalence, Hilary Clayton BVMS, PhD, Dipl. ACVSMR, MRCVS, of Sport Horse Science in the United States, and Mette Uldahl, DVM, Cert. Equine Diseases, of Vejle Hestepraksis in Denmark, Fédération Equestre Internationale National Head Veterinarian for Denmark, veterinary consultant for the Danish Equestrian Federation, and president of Federation of European Equine Veterinary Associations, conducted a study looking at this equipment’s effect on horses competing in dressage, show jumping, eventing, or endurance in Denmark.

A group of Danish national technical delegates were specially trained and licensed to gather data from horse/rider combinations in Danish Equestrian Federation competitions,