A warm welcome fell upon my arrival at the beautiful complex of Coby and Marlies van Baalen. Coffee and delicious sandwiches were already ready and the conversation got going very quickly. Coby and I go back a long way; the clinic we rode together 40 years ago with Harry Boldt - then the national coach of West Germany - came up for discussion and the great time at the KNF centre in Uddel. Over the years, we have often bumped into each other at competitions and I have had the opportunity to take some framework training with Coby in the past. Mutual respect has always been there and it can still be felt. Although I did get a little embarrassed at the compliments paid to me by her and Marlies... Although I like to wave it away, the fact that I move around in equestrian sports with the loss of an arm is something no one can ignore.
What I have always admired in Coby is her inner civilisation and calm that she radiates. Her way of speaking makes you listen attentively: here is someone speaking with endless patience, respect for people and animals and with the exceptional ability to convey her knowledge and passion without becoming authoritarian or condescending for a single moment. I find that admirable in a world that is currently turned upside down and it seems almost normal to curse at each other, to want to be right and to treat each other indecently without any knowledge or facts. Our (world) leaders don't exactly set a good example either.
Horse welfare encompasses various aspects such as physical health, nutrition, housing and mental stimulation. Things that are top notch at Coby and Marlies' stables, but are the most ordinary thing in the world for them. For years, they have been constantly developing, learning and growing. They are open to new insights and apply them to all areas of equine welfare. They have had very open and extensive discussions with me about this and how they do it can be read in the article. But what is ‘normal’ for them and me seems to be actually uncharted territory for many and yet people always think something of it. This is sometimes hurled into the world in no uncertain terms on social media; laced with assumptions, unsubstantiated opinions and facts and fantasy are quite mixed up.
“What are we going to do about it?” was my question... “Education” was the answer! As old hands in the trade, one cannot help thinking that it used to be a little easier to teach people something. There was respect for authority and the lines of communication to the association instructor and, say, the vet were much shorter. Training was structured and admission and exam requirements were quite strict. You really had to be able to do something! And no, everything used to be better, certainly not. However, through advancing insight, things have improved enormously, even at an Olympic sports stable like Van Baalen's. We should be economical with all that knowledge out there; people like Coby and Marlies can make a huge contribution to a better (horse) world; you only have to ask them....
The article can be read in The Hoefslag of 5 April 2025.
MaartenvanStek.nl | Realisation: Horsedesign