Horses Speak Through Behaviour – Are We Listening for Genuine Welfare?

The Deeper Problem: Why We Persist About Genuine Welfare – Even When We Know Better 

The article from NavigateWelfare points out a common human pattern: many riders, trainers or owners read about welfare issues, agree intellectually about genuine welfare – but then go back to old habits. Awareness doesn’t automatically lead to change. 

• • According to empirical research among horse-owners and riders, this disconnect is widespread: people often privately worry about horse welfare, but publicly minimise or rationalize it. 

  • What facilitates this persistence is not ignorance – but cognitive dissonance, culture and tradition:

    • Some view horses primarily as instruments for sport or performance (objectification), rather than sentient partners. 

    • Equestrian culture often normalises practices that compromise genuine welfare, just because “that’s how things have always been done” (enculturation). 

    • When welfare-compromising methods produce competitive results or “good performance,” there’s strong motivation – sometimes stronger than empathy.

  • Studies show that many equestrians’ notion of “good welfare” emphasises tangible aspects, like health and nutrition, but neglects behavioural and psychological needs (the internal emotional states of the horse) – genuine welfare. 

  • In short: we may understand that a blue tongue signals pain, but social pressure, habit, ambition and conflicting values make it difficult to act on that understanding. Knowledge alone is insufficient. This is exactly what Professor Nat Waren raises: knowing better doesn’t guarantee doing better.

The Problem: Anatomy + Pain

A horse’s tongue is a muscular hydrostat – purely muscle, no bones – which allows complex movement while maintaining constant volume.

• • When a bit (or two bits in a double bridle) is placed inside the mouth, it reduces the space available. The tongue can get compressed against the palate or bars of the mouth – which can restrict blood flow and cause pain. 

  • Horses with “blue tongues” – a greyish, purplish or bluish tongue rather than healthy pink – indicate venous compression (or mixed vascular compromise), not a simple pigment variation.

  • This isn’t limited to elite horses – it can happen with any bitted horse when tack is ill-fitted, nosebands are too tight or bits are improperly chosen or tongue band is used. 

  • Because the horse’s tongue is highly vascularised and richly innervated, pressure and reduced circulation are likely to cause considerable discomfort, and over time may lead to tissue damage, loss of sensitivity, and chronic pain. 

So: “blue tongue” is not cosmetic – it’s a strong welfare signal, a symptom of mechanical harm. I recommend you reading a thourugh article by James Cooling with a lot of descriptive pictures.

What This Realisation Demands – From Individuals and the Equestrian Community

• • Self-reflection & honesty: Riders, trainers, owners must be willing to question long-held beliefs: Is a rigid bit, tight noseband or heavy contact really necessary? Or are they chosen out of habit, tradition or competitive desire?

  • Genuine welfare-first standards over performance-first culture: If “success” depends on techniques that compromise welfare (blue tongues, mouth compression, pain), perhaps the definition of success needs redefining. The welfare of the horse – their comfort, dignity, ability to express natural behaviour – should be central. It should not be as one of the experts at R-Haltenswert concluded very well in 7 december 2025 public expert talk that we sometimes pressure horses to their absolute maximum limits –  beyond mental and physical health. Instead we should ride in a way horses would love!

  • Education + behaviour-change support, not just information: As argued in behaviour-change science (also referenced by welfare-focused reviews), effective change often comes from structured frameworks – not just information dissemination. 

  • Encourage transparency and open discussion: Many equestrians privately worry about genuine welfare but keep silent publicly (fear of criticism, ostracisation). Creating safe spaces – forums, clubs, seminars – where honest dialogue about genuine welfare and riding practices is encouraged could help. 

  • Adopt evidence-based training alternatives: The field of Equitation Science encourages techniques grounded in learning theory, minimizing coercion or pain and improving rider-horse communication. 

Conclusion: From Lecture to Action – Because Horses Deserve Better

The phenomenon of “blue tongue” in horses reveals more than a technical tack-fitting issue – it exposes a deeper tension between what many in the equestrian world say they value (horse welfare) and what they actually do when faced with competitive pressure, tradition or ambition.

As the discussion shows: we often know what is right – but doing it requires more than knowledge.

 

It demands courage to challenge norms, empathy to prioritise genuine welfare over performance and commitment to change.

 

Unless we bridge that gap between knowing and acting, the welfare signals will keep appearing – yet remain unheeded. How are you contributing? 

Try Safety & Wellbeing Tools from Equimade

If you care about safety, good handling, and genuine wellbeing with responsible stable‑management – not just riding – Equimade offers products and solutions to support those goals. Examples:

• • Secure horse tie‑up system EasyConnect – designed to safely secure a horse while minimizing risk of injury if the horse panics. 

  • Practical stable‑ and transport‑equipment – tools that improve handling and safety for both horse and human, promoting a calmer, more predictable environment.

  • Guidance & resources for safer routines – Equimade’s stated mission includes raising safety and welfare standards in everyday horse care and management.

Choosing thoughtful gear and safe handling methods complements welfare‑oriented practices – and helps create an environment where horses’ comfort, trust and well‑being come first.