If horse-riding were a male dominated sport…

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

Do you think there would be more provision of decent hacking and more notice taken of horse-riders concerns in general over things like dangerous driving, ruination if bridleways etc.?

I’ve been thinking about this recently and wondered if it were significant? Is there a misogynistic element to the way horse-riders are treated? Thoughts?

 

[Bernster]

Not quite on topic but my OH has noted the relatively rubbish media coverage of big equestrian events, which seems to be much more advanced in other more mainstream or male dominated sports. Equine events still seem very basic in terms of media and coverage.

 

[stangs]

Bridleway-wise, I'm not sure. There's not many routes for MTB cyclists and that's very much male-dominated - but, then again, it's a smaller sport and there's decent risk to any pedestrian who uses a MTB path.

 

[AntiPuck]

Most definitely.

I think there is also a (perceived) class element to this - people often aren't sympathetic to the requests of horsey people, because it can feel like an "us and them" type situation.

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

Bridleway-wise, I'm not sure. There's not many routes for MTB cyclists and that's very much male-dominated - but, then again, it's a smaller sport and there's decent risk to any pedestrian who uses a MTB path.

As horse-riders we don’t have exclusive use of bridleways though. They may not have paths specifically for MTB but then they use bridleways to do various acrobatic stunts IME. I’ve had a near miss a couple of times once the cyclist ended up in the bushes as he came hurtling around a blind bend on a hill and my horse span 180 degrees but I stayed on. FWIW I’m happy to share bridleways as long as everyone is considerate and courteous.

 

[millikins]

Do you think there would be more provision of decent hacking and more notice taken of horse-riders concerns in general over things like dangerous driving, ruination if bridleways etc.?

I’ve been thinking about this recently and wondered if it were significant? Is there a misogynistic element to the way horse-riders are treated? Thoughts?

I wouldn't describe it as misogynist, more taking advantage in much the same way that nursing and teaching, still female dominated, do not command the salaries and working conditions that they probably would if historically more men were involved. Women are really bad at getting organised and standing up for themselves.

 

[Peglo]

What I find is the majority of people who are intolerant to horse and rider are men. (They are maybe shouting louder than the intolerant women, I don’t know)
So yes I agree. I think if it was a more male dominated sport, it would be more respected and taken seriously.

Interesting topic OP

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

I wouldn't describe it as misogynist, more taking advantage in much the same way that nursing and teaching, still female dominated, do not command the salaries and working conditions that they probably would if historically more men were involved. Women are really bad at getting organised and standing up for themselves.

So basically women are useless and it’s their fault they’re not taken seriously? Or maybe it’s because power positions are dominated by men making decisions in male dominated environments? Hmm ?

 

[PapaverFollis]

I'm not sure it is true to say women are really bad at getting organised and standing up for ourselves! Every modern right that women now have seems to me to have been fought for by determined and organised groups of women! Rather than handed out generously by the lovely menz. ?

 

[shortstuff99]

Horse riding in Spain is very male dominated, it is very interesting to compare the horse world there and here.

 

[ycbm]

Do you think there would be more provision of decent hacking and more notice taken of horse-riders concerns in general over things like dangerous driving, ruination if bridleways etc.?

I’ve been thinking about this recently and wondered if it were significant? Is there a misogynistic element to the way horse-riders are treated? Thoughts?

From the state of the Cheshire cycleway running past my house, which is mostly used by male cyclists, and now very dangerous, probably not. But it's an interesting question.
.

 

[Cloball]

Horse riding in Spain is very male dominated, it is very interesting to compare the horse world there and here.

I did find hacking in Spain much less terrifying car wise. What do you think the main differences are?

I do find it fascinating both cycling and riding that it seems perfectly acceptable to use a car as a deadly weapons/attempt murder with no repercussions and it seems to be a male action to have such bad ' road rage'
that they cause 'accidents'(and I say this as someone who isn't alien to some road rage).

 

[shortstuff99]

I did find hacking in Spain much less terrifying car wise. What do you think the main differences are?

I do find it fascinating both cycling and riding that it seems perfectly acceptable to use a car as a deadly weapons/attempt murder with no repercussions and it seems to be a male action to have such bad ' road rage'
that they cause 'accidents'(and I say this as someone who isn't alien to some road rage).

For me, because the PRE and their specific competitions is seen as a cultural heritage they take so much more care and celebration about it, if that makes sense. It is quite a status thing too.

 

[millikins]

So basically women are useless and it’s their fault they’re not taken seriously? Or maybe it’s because power positions are dominated by men making decisions in male dominated environments? Hmm ?

I didn't say women are useless but historically the successes achieved as PF notes are less common.

 

[Goldenstar]

I am not sure who people think saved the thousands of miles of bridleways that are now open and signed .
I can assure you the majority of them where woman .

 

[millikins]

I am not sure who people think saved the thousands of miles of bridleways that are now open and signed .
I can assure you the majority of them where woman .

Well then it's just misogyny as OP suggested. I'm out.

 

[Orangehorse]

I'm very much afraid to say that I think you are right.

I'm not denying the great work that has been done by hundreds of ladies regarding access and bridlepath issues, but I think that if many more men were involved in the leisure side of riding there would be more provision for horses.

Of course there are lots of men riding but they tend to be competing in sports competitions.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I wouldn't describe it as misogynist, more taking advantage in much the same way that nursing and teaching, still female dominated, do not command the salaries and working conditions that they probably would if historically more men were involved. Women are really bad at getting organised and standing up for themselves.

In fact the teaching unions are male-dominated, as far as activists are concerned, and they are the ones 'organising' in order to improve salaries and working conditions.