Safe Spaces: Why Feeling Seen and Heard in the Equestrian World Matters
Silence has always been a dangerous place to live. In equestrianism, silence can carry even more weight — it can be the difference between a rider speaking out about something that feels wrong, or burying it under fear, shame, or the belief that nobody will listen. For too long, too many have chosen silence because they felt they had nowhere safe to turn.
Creating safe spaces in the equestrian world is not a luxury. It is not an optional extra. It is a necessity if we are serious about protecting our people, not just our horses.
Why silence holds power
Riders, grooms, and professionals often work in environments where tradition, hierarchy, and financial pressure collide. When you feel uncomfortable — whether it is about behaviour, treatment, or your own mental health — speaking up can feel like risking everything. Fear of losing opportunities, being labelled a troublemaker, or not being believed keeps too many voices quiet.
But silence does not heal. It erodes. It isolates. And it leaves people unseen in the very spaces where they should feel most secure.
What a safe space should be
A safe space is not just a physical room. It is a culture. It is the assurance that when you speak, someone will hear you without judgement. It is knowing there are confidential, accessible ways to seek help. And it is the belief that your words matter — no matter who you are.
This culture is being built, piece by piece, by movements around the world who refuse to let silence have the last word.
Equestrian movements making change
- Equestrians for Mental Health Awareness (EMHA)
Based in California, EMHA creates regular peer-led support sessions for those in the industry to share openly about their struggles. The growth of these sessions shows the hunger for safe spaces, and the relief that comes when people can finally speak without fear.
- Riders Minds
A UK-based charity dedicated to improving mental health in the equestrian community. With a 24/7 confidential helpline, online resources, and targeted support for riders at all levels, Riders Minds is proving that accessible help can save lives and change the culture of an entire industry.
- Ebony Horsewomen, Inc.
Founded in Hartford, Connecticut in 1984, Ebony Horsewomen provides equine-assisted psychotherapy and youth development programmes, particularly for underserved communities. Their work proves that safe spaces are not just about preventing crisis — they are about creating belonging, identity, and resilience.
These organisations are different in scope and geography, but all speak the same truth: when you feel heard, you begin to heal.
Building safe spaces in our own yards
Creating a culture of safety does not have to start with grand gestures. It starts with listening. It starts with coaches and leaders who make it clear that concerns will be taken seriously. It starts with riders checking in on one another. It starts with embedding mental health support into the everyday language of our sport.
We owe it to every young rider, every groom, every professional, and every parent to create environments where voices are not silenced.
A call that cannot be ignored
Equestrianism cannot afford to look away. We cannot allow silence to dictate the wellbeing of our people. Safe spaces are not optional. They are the foundation of trust, of community, and of a sport that values its people as much as its horses.
At Equitas, our ethos is clear: empowering change together. That means standing beside those who speak up. It means creating places where no voice is dismissed and no concern is too small. It means building a culture where silence no longer wins.
The question is not whether equestrian spaces need to change. The question is whether we are ready to take responsibility and act. Because every time a rider stays silent out of fear, our industry fails them. And every time we choose to listen, we prove that change is not only possible — it is happening.
