[user104658]

The sad truth is that this (perhaps not as extreme usually, but sometimes far worse) is rife in dressage, racing, anywhere that animals are used competitively basically.

You'll hear lots of;

"Oh we love and care for the animals!"

"Better looked after than most humans!"

"They ENJOY being part of the sport!"


...but it's mostly absolute bull**** and exploitation. Leave animals out of human competitions of any kind.