As a horse person watching the modern pentathlon the treatment of these horses is horrifying. 

Many of these athletes are not horse people and clearly don't understand or care for the welfare of the horses that they have the privilege to ride. The involvement of these loan horses to the sport in their current form will result in horses being injured, traumatised or dying.

Being able to ride safely should be a bare minimum before being allowed to compete on a live animal.

The UIPM needs to make changes to this sport to ensure the welfare of these horses:

• Ban the unnecessary and uneducated use of spurs
• Ban the use of harsh mouthpieces and any bit with a head lifting action, such as the running gag
• Regulate the frequency and position of crop use
• Ensure minimum competency levels of athletes before they are allowed to compete on horses

There are so many aspects of the horse industry that we've all collectively worked on over the years, how has this so publicly slipped through the gaps? 

Please help us to bring awareness to this issue and reach out if you have any suggestions to help improve the treatment of horses in this sport.