Marshmallow Cream Is a Secret Weapon in Olympic Horse Abuse: PETA Statement

For Immediate Release:
August 6, 2024

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Please see the following statement from PETA Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo regarding the obvious “blue tongue” violations during the Olympic dressage competition—and how riders attempt to hide them:

The obvious violations and abuse of horses by Olympic riders during the dressage competition and the judges’ failure to enforce the rules are proof that change is a fantasy—so elimination of the equestrian events is the only answer. The “blue tongue” is a benign term for using so much harsh gear in horses’ sensitive mouths that the blood flow is cut off. Less well known is the use of marshmallow cream or sugar paste to hide this condition. Many horses’ lips were obviously smeared with one of these substances for one purpose—to hide “blue tongue” with the resulting white, foamy saliva. The judges’ refusal to take immediate action is a reflection of the International Olympic Committee’s abysmal lack of commitment to protecting these unwilling, coerced victims of the Games.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment or abuse in any other way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow the group on X, Facebook, or Instagram.