Did We Breed Relaxation and Rideability Out of FEI Horses?

Are modern sport horses being bred too hot to relax… or even be rideable in the FEI ring? In this video, we tackle one of the most controversial topics in modern dressage and show jumping: have breeders created horses that are too sensitive, too reactive, and too tense for the sport? With increasing concerns about horse welfare, tension, and rideability, riders and trainers are starting to question whether the issue lies in training methods, breeding decisions—or both. In this discussion, we explore: Why “hot” horses are dominating FEI competition The link between breeding, tension, and rideability How rollkur, hyperflexion, and stress behaviors fit into the conversation New tack restrictions and rule changes in the UK and FEI Whether removing shortcuts will expose deeper problems in the sport As the industry evolves, one question remains: 👉 Are we breeding horses that can’t relax… and can’t be ridden fairly? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is a conversation the horse world needs to have. Chapters 00:00 – Intro: Are Horses Too Hot to Relax? 03:20 – Breeding vs Training: What’s the Real Problem? 09:45 – Why Modern FEI Horses Struggle to Relax 16:30 – Rule Changes, Tack Bans & Welfare Pressure 24:10 – Are Horses Becoming Unrideable? 31:00 – The Future of Breeding & Rideability This video is for educational purposes and constitutes Fair Use under Section 107 of the US Copyright Act of 1976. Allowance is made for “Fair Use” for purposes of education, research, criticism, comment, and news reporting. This video is fully transformative and created in accordance with YouTube’s Content Reuse Policy under the Content Reuse Act. It includes original narration, commentary, educational context, visual edits, and added value through storytelling and analysis. No content is simply re-uploaded. #horse #horses #horsecare #horsenews #equestrian