Laafet
Well-Known Member
Two fold reply because when have I ever been short of something to say
Firstly, I find it strange that so many people think that their horse's aren't pets and are uncomfortable with the notion that they are. Very few of us rely on them for income, transport or to do a job like logging for example. While some may compete that is a choice and (mainly) a hobby, much the same as with other animals that we are comfortable having as pets. I know many people who've continued to have dogs as pets when they can no longer compete/work in their chosen sphere and while I realise there is some size difference I don't get the "not a pet" mentality about horses because that pretty much is what they are?
I know it's been discussed on here many times that "if you couldn't compete would you still have horses?" and I'm always surprised by the amount of people who say no. I can understand people being competitive and enjoying it, needing/wanting something to train for/towards (as motivation), the sense of achievement when doing well and/or progressing but I struggle to understand that being bigger than just liking horses for being horses.
I'm sure that the majority of us started as pony mad kids and even those who came to horses later will have regressed to child like wonder at some stage about horses. Most of those kids are probably now very exhausted adults with jobs, bills and responsibilities but I do wonder where that all consuming love/desire/raison d' etre went when the judgement of A.N.Other and a ruffled ribbon mean more than just having a horse in our lives even as a "pet".
Secondly, the "unridden horse" and increase in non-ridden activities like horse agility. From the horse's POV surely this can only be a good thing? They aren't designed to be ridden; their skeletal make up is similar to that of a suspension bridge - big lumps aren't meant to sit on them!
Look at the issues we cause by bitting, bridling, saddling and all of our "training" on sometimes suspect surfaces, grazing in (generally) small paddocks (<20 acres) with "managed" grass, limited opportunities to properly graze a variety of forage, fed all sorts from feed stores, metal rims nailed on, various rugs on/off (& left on and off when they shouldn't be). Kept in, turfed out without adequate shelter or land, asked to do things that can be fatal (but we could get a rosette), surgeries for things we cause by doing what we want to do, injecting joints, cutting ligaments, blocking nerves, every possible thing that was can think of to achieve what we want/make our life easier/quicker/more convenient. Most of us know people and/or have been on yards and seen what "we" do to horses that "we" supposedly care about.
I know a certain amount of scorn is poured onto those that don't ride (and perhaps even do some of the aforementioned "games" instead) but what really is best for the horse? If you want to join me in my rabbit hole/black hole of doom should we actually be riding at all? Are all competitions really just for our egos as what possible pro or benefit is there to horses to train and partake in them or riding at all?
Here endeth this ramble/brain dump because here also endeth my lunch break
A very short reply, but the main reason why I would struggle to justify having horse if I couldn't ride him, is money. It's massive time/financial strain. Maybe I am heartless or maybe I am a 30-something in an average job renting and on my own, so at some point spend £250 a month on something has to have some positive benefit to my life.