Why it might be time to stop riding horses

[equinerebel]

I love him, but he is not a pet.

This is what's so interesting to me. Mine costs a lot in time, effort and money, as most do, but she is still a pet and I regard her in the same way I do my cat. They both have different needs and requirements and my relationship is different between them, but I essentially view them the same way.

My cat is the one who last year maxed out his insurance, almost died and is now on an expensive, restricted diet

 

[teapot]

I see PH is encouraging people to write in in opposition to the Telegraph article, which isn’t that bad I feel.

The sooner the industry as a whole learns how to handle any form of opposing view, the better. More scrutiny, and open access to the sport will benefit everyone in the long run imho. Many suddenly use the horses are beneficial to mental health and various disabilities as an example of we must be able to ride/use horses. Absolutely but the horse’s welfare still shouldn’t be compromised in order to do so, and I don’t understand why people can’t see that?

 

[paddy555]

I really don't think the question is "should we be riding" but "how the hell do we educate people to keep their horses properly". I thought the comparison with enrichment programmes for zoo animals might at least register with some people who think horses can just be stabled - she says hopefully!

having just looked at the FB equestrians it's time for change forum then people don't want to improve horse keeping. They don't see a problem with 24/7 stabling in winter. A few have commented that we could improve by having pens attached to stables, yards to T/O in, all the usual stuff to improve welfare that has been discussed on here many times before.
There appears to be no interest which is worrying because many on there are not "backyard" hobby horse keepers. I suspect those amateurs are the ones who are trying to offer some better turn out and management. The majority seem to be the more experienced and professional horse owner/yard. The ones that people learn from and copy.

I'm afraid you will just have to carry on being "hopeful" probably for a very long time at this rate

 

[Caol Ila]

My friend forwarded me this FB posts from a German trainer who focuses on classical dressage and kind methods of training. The translation is a bit funky but you get the gist.

Fürstliche Hofreitschule Bückeburg

❗️Wahre Worte aus berufenem Munde: Pferdephysiotherapeut Chris Debski spricht aus, was viele denken - wir auch.

www.facebook.com

They obviously have very strong views about competition but make some valid points. Humans are inherently competitive and have an innate desire to fight and “win.” Then, at the elite level, you have perks to winning like money and sponsorship and fame and your whole livelihood depending on winning. Fine for all other types of sports people.

It would be nice to square that circle. Somehow. I think “ ban this” “ban that” is a very knee jerk, almost violent response to things, and not always the most helpful because it polarises everyone, but more rules and an enforcement of rules upholding equine welfare despite human competitiveness and greed would be the way forward. As we all have said.

 

[Wishfilly]

If riding was banned, I'd definitely keep my current pony as a pet, and I know a lot of people who keep unridden horses as pets- but equally I do agree that plenty wouldn't. And I think, of those, not all would be humanely put down, some would probably be turned out on any bit of available common land and left to fend for themselves.

I think I'd potentially have a mini, or a small native if I wasn't able/allowed to ride, but arguable that comes with its own welfare issues- e.g. managing a potentially laminitis pony with less options for exercise etc. I also wonder if we were no longer prioritising functional conformation if you'd see more breeding for extremes, like in dogs. I wouldn't have a larger, more expensive horse, though.

I do agree that we need to ensure that we're providing the best possible welfare for our horses- I'm lucky to live somewhere rural where land is relatively cheap, and I can currently have 24/7 turnout in a herd in the summer and daytime (genuine all day) turnout in the winter. Very occasionally, I have kept in for the odd day due to snow/ice/storms, but I'd never keep a horse in a situation where it was denied turnout for weeks on end.

FWIW, I do think there are a lot of people (globally at least) who object to various aspects of keeping of other pets- from exotic pets to outdoor cats to pedigree dogs with poor health. I don't think horses are unfairly singled out, and I do think it's reasonable to engage with criticism of both the sport and the hobby.

ETA: I saw a comment on another thread which is unfortunately very true- a ban like this would put most riding schools in a very difficult situation. Realistically, many of them are struggling to survive now- I'm not sure what they could do with 30+ ponies if their income disappeared.

 

[SantaVera]

Yes, what would happen to the horses in riding schools? Auction and dog meat I expect. RDA does wonderful work for the disabled mentality and physically it would be tragic if that was banned

 

[Miss_Millie]

I see PH is encouraging people to write in in opposition to the Telegraph article, which isn’t that bad I feel.

The sooner the industry as a whole learns how to handle any form of opposing view, the better. More scrutiny, and open access to the sport will benefit everyone in the long run imho. Many suddenly use the horses are beneficial to mental health and various disabilities as an example of we must be able to ride/use horses. Absolutely but the horse’s welfare still shouldn’t be compromised in order to do so, and I don’t understand why people can’t see that?

Interestingly, people who didn't utter a word about the CDJ abuse are writing outraged responses to 'the letter'.

The It's Time to Act Group has been made private with a pretty picture as the cover photo instead of a horse in rollkur. I'm not a member so can no longer see posts, but it was starting to go down the road of 'only post positive things and look for the good'

Probably best that it remains a private echo chamber now, as the admins were going way too far with censoring and toxic positivity.

I don't want to see riding banned, but I DO want to see better welfare across the industry, especially in top end competition; something has got to give.

 

[tristars]

To stop me from riding they would need to prove it is damaging the horses, in the main welfare concerns are generated by industrial
Scale horse business, top level comps, rotten training methods, overt cruelty from slaughter houses to olympic riders with large branches and lunge whips , they are the authors of their own downfall, they are the ones bringing all this on themselves and to the attention of the world in general

They need to reflect how others are being dragged into the dirty world they have created, and stop reacting saying non pro riders should be quiet as the lowly ones are not qualified to comment


bove all

 

[Wishfilly]

Interestingly, people who didn't utter a word about the CDJ abuse are writing outraged responses to 'the letter'.

The It's Time to Act Group has been made private with a pretty picture as the cover photo instead of a horse in rollkur. I'm not a member so can no longer see posts, but it was starting to go down the road of 'only post positive things and look for the good'

Probably best that it remains a private echo chamber now, as the admins were going way too far with censoring and toxic positivity.

I don't want to see riding banned, but I DO want to see better welfare across the industry, especially in top end competition; something has got to give.

I agree that welfare has to improve, and do think that there are lots of issues throughout, from top end competition down. I think that welfare really needs to become the focus of everything we do, and we do really need to evaluate how it fits into our wider goals- I also think we perhaps need to stop expecting so much of young horses- it feels like more horses are being rushed up the levels young, which inevitably involves taking shortcuts etc, which can lead to less than desirable training methods.

 

[Miss_Millie]

Tbh I didn't think the article was that bad? Okay, the title was very clickbaity and would have ruffled a few feathers regardless, but the content included factual information on the pain ethogram, how horses mask pain well due to being prey animals, the systemic abuse of horses (in various equine sports, not just dressage) and how a lot of modern management does not meet the three F's. There was a good balance of fact and opinion imo.

My eyes nearly fell out of the back of my head this morning whilst reading self-indulgent response letters on FB.

 

[palo1]

As a response to those saying that we shouldn't be riding horses, I think that would, in the short term have some significant welfare issues.

A feral/wild horse's life is extremely rich, though not necessarily easy or pain free: they get injured, have dental and foot problems and get sick too. For a great many horses here in the UK, not only is their ridden 'work' (which is often very little in relation to what a horse is comfortably capable of) the only real enrichment they get in terms of physical activity, landscape change, browsing opportunities, threat detection and evasion etc, it is also, because of the transactional nature of many people's relationship with horses, the reason for a high level of care and attention to their needs.

I wonder how many people really would walk their horses out in hand, up to a few miles a day, to provide some of the natural enrichment it is fair to provide a horse. The life of many healthy 'pet' horses is beyond dull: small fenced areas with no change in grazing or browsing, little that mimics anything like the life a horse is designed for...

We do need to question the ethics of our relationship with animals for sure, but with balance.

 

[JHOnTheHoof]

Last year a riding colleague introduced my to a book: Horse Speak, by Sharon Wilsie. This book has changed my relationship with horses, and has quietly me to ride less but to get more out of my time spent with horses. Now when I go to the stables, I'm able to appreciate how little time the other riders spend with their own horses, and how much time they spend trying to maintain social links with each other. I have the feeling that they would prefer it otherwise, but the social bond is too strong to break. There is a kind of imperative to chat even when out riding. We humans sure are an oddity.

 

[Red-1]

Last year a riding colleague introduced my to a book: Horse Speak, by Sharon Wilsie. This book has changed my relationship with horses, and has quietly me to ride less but to get more out of my time spent with horses. Now when I go to the stables, I'm able to appreciate how little time the other riders spend with their own horses, and how much time they spend trying to maintain social links with each other. I have the feeling that they would prefer it otherwise, but the social bond is too strong to break. There is a kind of imperative to chat even when out riding. We humans sure are an oddity.

Thank you for that, I just ordered it. Generally, I have a good relationship with my horses. But, not perfect! Just yesterday I was mending some fencing in the field when my horse came over to join in. We were working away together, me doing, him watching, when he decided to join in more by pawing the wheelbarrow. He got his foot caught, pulled back and the whole barrow flipped towards him.

Just as I thought we were in trouble, he was free and trotted off, snorting, whilst turning towards me. I was so relieved to see him sound and apparently unhurt, I shouted - something about being a stupid horse - in relief, I think.

BH was so panicked that his mum, who is normally reliable and calm, was shouting, that he shot round and promptly fell over. I felt awful.

So, I have ordered the book as I know I am still wanting in my transactions!

He is fine, by the way. But, I am not!!!

 

[paddy555]

I had a look on Amazon, read the sample and have got it on kindle. (I lack patience to wait for the paperback)

tonight's bedtime reading.

The sample talked about "sentry breathing". I used to do this with my arab I had the closest connection to. He used to blow out when riding, I blew out back at him, he repeated and we went through this amusing procedure about 7/8 times. It seemed to connect him to me and I just thought he was being humorous.

Thanks for suggesting JHOnTheHoof.