Prevention, monitoring and sustainability in equestrian sports
Patricia RathgebWhether you are a passionate recreational rider or an ambitious competition professional, more and more horse people are asking themselves a key question: How can I keep my horse healthy, productive and mentally balanced in the long term – and do so in a fair and responsible way?
The answer lies in a new approach that focuses on three powerful concepts: prevention, monitoring, and sustainability.
1. Prevention: Health begins before a problem becomes visible
Riders who take responsibility don't wait until something "is wrong" to act. They invest in prevention rather than repair because they understand: A healthy horse's body is created by attention—not by chance.
Modern equestrians therefore rely on:
- Regular physiotherapy support
- Early analysis of movement patterns
- Individually tailored training and posture plans
- Mentally balanced routines in everyday stable life
Because if you train wisely today, you will have a powerful, resilient and motivated horse tomorrow.
Esther Weber-Voigt, founder and CEO of the EWV, sums it up: "Prevention means responsibility. Those who look early, who understand how movement sequences work and what stresses a horse compensates for in everyday life, actively protect against overload – and secure the future of their sporting partner."
2. Monitoring: Perceive instead of waiting – and empathize with the horse
Monitoring means attentive support – not mistrust, but partnership. Riders who know their horses often notice even the smallest changes intuitively:
- Does the movement sequence seem “different” today?
- Has the posture or facial expression changed?
- How does the connection feel during training?
Thanks to technical aids, detailed training protocols and close cooperation between rider, therapist, veterinarian and trainer, a real network is created around the horse.
Monitoring means knowing instead of guessing.
And it leads to greater safety, faster intervention – and deeper trust between humans and animals.
"A horse doesn't speak with words – but its body does. The BEST-BOX helps us listen before something gets loud. For me, monitoring isn't a luxury, but a duty of care – because every horse deserves that we recognize its needs early on."
– Gerold Reinwald, founder of EQUUSIR
3. Sustainability: Sport with vision and real respect
Those who think sustainably don't just ride for the moment, but for the horse's entire life. This means in concrete terms:
- Gentle training instead of quick successes
- Appreciation for the horse’s body – no wear and tear
- Sensible choice of materials and environmental sensitivity
- A riding style that promotes development rather than exerting pressure
At EQUUSIR and EWV, this attitude is central. Because sustainability begins in the mind – and is reflected in daily actions.
Here, too, Esther Weber-Voigt makes a strong statement: "Sustainable equestrian sport means not only being successful today, but also being happy to take your horse to the stable tomorrow – healthy, motivated, and trusting."
Conclusion: A new generation of horse people
The world of equestrian sports is changing—and that's a good thing. More and more riders today are combining:
- Performance with empathy
- Determination with knowledge
- Discipline with respect
You don’t just ask yourself: What can my horse do today?
But rather: What does it take to be happy by my side tomorrow?
The Free Teaching Center EWV and Esther Weber-Voigt support precisely these people – with profound specialist knowledge, individual support and an unshakable ethical compass.
Esther explains how important the partnership with EQUUSIR is: "My partner EQUUSIR helps me to document my work even better, to provide sustainable care, and to accompany my clients' horses. Our students at EWV Freies Lehrzentrum benefit from all our knowledge and our desire to provide sustainable care for both humans and animals, because Knowledge Makes Us Move."
You want to know more?
If you are one of those riders who think outside the box – and want to provide holistic care for your horse – then we warmly invite you to become part of the EQUUSIR/EWV community.
👉 Learn more now at equusir.com
or directly at EWV – Free Teaching Center.
