Not an isolated episode
In the world of digital communication and activism, inconsistency (real or perceived) is the original sin that social media rarely forgives. Elisabetta Canalis, for years the face of historic campaigns against dog abandonment, against fur, and a champion of pet protection, knows this well. The showgirl's recent appearance as guest of honor at the prestigious Piazza di Siena in Rome sparked a veritable outcry. media stormThis incident, however, is not an isolated one; it is part of a much deeper cultural and regulatory divide that pits the most intransigent wing of animal rights against the rural, sporting, and livestock worlds. From the stands of the Villa Borghese oval arena, Canalis made no secret of her enthusiasm, describing her presence at the CSIO in Rome as a dream she's nurtured since she was very young. Speaking to industry media, she reiterated that her bond with horses is a visceral and unconditional love, based on empathy, respect for the animal's well-being, and the idea of a "duo" in which one advances only where and how the horse allows.
The spark of controversy
In the activist community, the showgirl's presence at Piazza di Siena has been interpreted as a veritable ethical short circuit. The criticisms that have flooded her social media profiles focus on a cornerstone of abolitionist ideology: the use of horses in sporting competitions is labeled a form of exploitation and coercion. The most scathing comments have highlighted an alleged "double standard," accusing Canalis of staunchly defending traditional pets (such as dogs and cats) while simultaneously displaying a lack of sensitivity toward animals employed in what are considered forced human activities. The social media controversy surrounding Canalis is actually the tip of the iceberg of a much more complex political conflict. As highlighted in our analysis, the public debate on equine welfare is currently at a crucial regulatory crossroads, fueled by three bills (authored by Brambilla, Zanella, and Cherchi) currently in the parliamentary process.
The cancellation of the horse
These bills, driven by ideological currents bordering on anti-speciesism, aim to progressively and completely erase the horse from civil, sporting, and economic society. The underlying goal is to "humanize" the horse, legally equating it in every way to a dog or cat, treating it exclusively as a pet. According to the agricultural, hunting, and rural communities, this prohibitionist approach rests on a profound cultural and economic error, which risks producing the opposite effect to that intended:
- The disappearance of the species: Calling show jumping, hippotherapy, or equestrian tourism "exploitation" ignores a millennia-old alliance. If equestrian activity were stifled by impracticable bans, horses would become an unaffordable luxury for most enthusiasts, leading to their rapid disappearance from the countryside and the end of the selection of native breeds.
- Supply chain management and legality: A pragmatic approach requires also considering the horsemeat supply chain. Italy has a consolidated demand that cannot be eliminated by decree: banning domestic slaughter would not shut down the market, but would simply shift it abroad or into clandestine channels, depriving the animals of the very strict supply chain controls that the state currently guarantees as a safeguard of legality.
A much broader issue
The "Canalis case" therefore raises a broader question regarding animal welfare: is true protection for equines and other animals achieved through an abolitionist approach or by enhancing their role in the world and the real economy? Sports federations and industry associations point out that the modern equestrian world today imposes strict veterinary protocols and stringent anti-doping controls precisely to ensure the physical and mental well-being of the athletic animal. For supporters of regulated land management, the dignity of the horse is expressed precisely in rural life, in movement and in human-led work, not in its total isolation from society (source: AB – Agrivenatoria Biodiversitalia).
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