Every cyclist is sooner or later faced with this question. Whether it’s the request of friends and family or a thought that comes from within, it stops us in our tracks. So riding a horse is cruel?

Riding is not cruel when practiced or supervised by an experienced rider who puts the needs of the horse first. There are many aspects to ensuring that riding remains humane and it takes many years to develop a proper approach.

If we are not careful and pay attention to every detail of the care, health and behavior of our horses, riding can easily become cruel. Inexperienced riders should always be supervised by an experienced rider or professional who can provide constructive advice on proper care and riding.

In this article, we examine various ethical issues related to riding and discuss possible ways to improve our current practices. As this can be a tricky topic for some readers, we encourage everyone to keep an open mind and look at issues from different angles.

Do horses like to be ridden?

Do you ever wonder if your horse loves riding as much as you do? Although it may sometimes seem so, when answering this question we must consider the nature and perspective of the horse.

It’s hard to tell if horses like to be ridden because they can’t tell what they’re thinking. While some horses clearly enjoy the activity, many simply tolerate being ridden.

Let’s face the facts; Horses have been around for 55 million years and, like our companions, only 6,000 years have passed. They did not evolve to carry humans on their backs, they have that appearance due to their diet and natural habitat. The horse actually evolved to support the heavy digestive system needed to survive on fibrous grass.

Although it can be difficult to manage, if you are convinced that your horse likes to be ridden, do not worry. So far, there haven’t been any studies large enough to refute his claim. All we can do at this point is to speculate with the knowledge at our disposal.

Also, there are a lot of people who argue that if the horses didn’t want to be ridden, they would let us know. And some horses do just that: they walk, back up, kick or pull until they hit the ground.

Is riding bad for the horse?

Riding does not harm horses if done correctly. However, horses can experience pain while riding without us realizing it. Always make sure your horse is in perfect health and all bridles are properly fitted before riding.

It is often difficult to tell if your horse is in pain while riding. Horses evolved to hide their pain and suffer in silence to avoid falling prey to predators in the wild. When your horse misbehaves, the problem is often more serious than it appears.

You have to be an experienced rider or know your horse well to notice the first signs of pain. Various scientific studies have shown that when a horse “misbehaves” it may actually feel pain.

Understandably, this behavior is misinterpreted by many riders and trainers as stubborn or unwilling to work. For this reason, it is important to rule out possible medical issues before stating that your horse has a behavior problem.

Common reasons your horse may experience pain while riding are back or leg problems, arthritis, ill-fitting bridles, or an oversized rider. Typically, horses can safely carry up to 20% of their body weight. This means that a 1,000 pound (453.6 kg) horse can carry a 200 pound (90.7 kg) person without pain.

Also read 10 signs a horse is angry and upset.

8 tips for painless pedaling

It is quite possible to ride a horse without getting hurt. However, we must be careful and consider various factors. Here are some important points to keep in mind if you want your horse to be pain free while riding.

1. Take the time to warm up your horse

It is an essential part of a pain-free ride. When the horse begins exercise, the connective tissue that holds and separates the horse’s muscles called myofascial is cold and stiff. It is important to warm up and loosen this structure so that your horse can carry you without discomfort or risk of injury.

If you plan to ride for an hour, spend at least 10 minutes warming up and another 10 minutes cooling down at the end. This means maintaining a medium speed pace with long reins for this time. If the work at hand is particularly strenuous, take extra time to warm up and cool down by walking or jogging.

Better yet, start warming up by leading your horse on a leash or lunging without the weight of the rider. If you’re lucky and your barn has a walker, be sure to use it regularly.

2. If you are a beginner, ask for supervision

If you’ve only been in the horse world for a few years, it’s best to seek advice regularly, even if you think you know enough. Experience is priceless in the equestrian world and only comes from years of riding and training a variety of horses.

Inexperienced riders often fall into the trap of learning at the expense of their horses. With proper supervision, the horse can avoid problems such as overexertion, musculoskeletal damage and the development of fear or anxiety.

It’s a good idea to learn about riding and horse care from reliable sources before doing it in real life.

3. Clean your horse’s hooves regularly

We cannot stress this enough. All it takes is a small pebble inserted into a furrow and driven into your horse’s hoof for it to develop a severe lameness.

Even if you don’t ride every day, his hooves should be cleaned every day. When riding, clean your horse’s hooves after he leaves the paddock and before he leaves. Even when your horse is in the stable, removing manure and straw from his hooves will maintain his hygiene and help you identify problems early.

4. Visit your veterinarian, farrier and dentist regularly

Ensuring your horse is in perfect health is very important to ensuring a pain free ride. Your vet should see your horse at least a few times a year for vaccinations and a thorough checkup. Your horse’s teeth and mouth should also be checked by a dentist once or twice a year.

For shod horses, farrier visits can take 4-6 weeks. If you ride barefoot, regular visits from the farrier will help you maintain the quality of your hooves and identify problems earlier.

Also call your equine chiropractor, physical therapist, or massage therapist if you suspect your horse has musculoskeletal problems.

5. Don’t ride horses that are too young

In the racing industry, it is common to start riding stallions and mares at the age of two. Horses are now regularly trained for most other purposes at the age of three. Although most drivers know this, that doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do.

according to Dr. Bennett, Ph.D., the horse does not mature until it is five and a half years old. Similarly, a 2002 study presented in the book Anatomy of the Horse, Practical and Propedeutic, showed that the growth plates of the lumbar vertebrae in thoroughbred horses are not complete until they are 6 to 9 years old. 

Recently, it has become more common to ride horses from the age of 4, which is much closer to when their backs mature. If you really want to get your young horse off to a flying start, give it an extra year before it starts riding.

6. Maintain your physical condition

Getting fit and developing good balance are some of the best ways to help your horse carry you. Untrained riders unintentionally strain their horses, which can lead to serious problems.

We always expect a high level of fitness from our horses, why not?

7. Don’t use unnecessary exercise equipment

Training aids such as side reins or martingales should only be used for a short time and should be discontinued as the horse improves. Some riders claim to do more harm than good by encouraging the horse to work against the team.

Either way, try to minimize the amount of exercise equipment used. A competent rider must be able to ride their horse to a high standard without additional whips, spurs or girths.

8. Satisfy your horse’s natural needs

In the wild, horses thrive in a herd environment, roaming outdoors with plenty of food and water. To achieve good well-being in captivity, we must replicate their natural environment as closely as possible. Lots of participation and the opportunity to graze with friends are essential to the well-being of every horse.

Please note that this list is far from complete. Volumes could be written about how we give our horses the best possible time in the saddle. However, the points above are a good starting point.

Do you have any helpful tips you’d like to share with others? Let us know in the comments below!

Is horseback riding vegan?

It goes without saying that horseback riding is a controversial topic within the vegan and animal welfare communities. Veganism generally opposes the use of animals for personal purposes. So, objectively speaking, is horse riding really vegan?

Horseback riding is not vegan because it is a way of using the animal for entertainment. In addition, motorcyclists use leather clothing that would be difficult and dangerous to replace with a synthetic alternative.

When we look at horses in the wild, it becomes clear that they can live their lives to the fullest without sitting on them. Unfortunately, riding only benefits the rider, so it cannot be vegan. Even though vegan saddles have hit the market, they will never be as durable, safe and comfortable for horse and rider as the leather versions.

Although horseback riding cannot be classified as vegan, many vegans do horseback riding. They argue that sport only exploits the animal if it causes pain and suffering. Although horses do not accept being ridden, it can be an enjoyable activity for both when treated with respect and kindness.

Is it ethical to ride a horse?

By definition, ethics deals with the moral principles that lead a person to do something or behave in a certain way. There have been many arguments for and against the ethics of riding and this is our opinion.

It is ethical to ride when the rider considers the physical and mental well-being of the horse. When the horse is forced to do something it doesn’t want to or is physically unable to do, riding becomes unethical.

Riding is only ethical as long as riders do what is best for their horses. This includes all aspects of grooming, constantly improving as a rider, and not letting the horse do anything it clearly doesn’t want to do. As one LJC Press writer put it, “ Horses have bad days too. We have to respect that.”

Also read 15 signs that a horse is happy.

other points of view

Let’s see what one of the leading animal rights organizations has to say about horseback riding. PETA stands for ” People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals ” and is an organization based in Norfolk, Virginia. According to their website, they have 6.5 million subscribers and adhere to the motto “Animals are not ours to experience, eat, use, entertain or abuse”.

PETA believes horses should be allowed to live without demands from humans. His reasoning is that horses cannot control whether we ride them or not and they earn little money from the activity.

Dr Jones, speaker at the fifth annual conference on equine science at the University of Sydney, called for stricter measures for the welfare of horses. According to him, the impact of riding on well-being must be minimized if it is to be ethically sustainable.

“Many activities incorporated into traditional training, riding or competition can have serious negative effects on horse welfare,” Dr. Jonessaid. Therefore, more objective standards are needed both for international competitions and for the care of recreational horses.

4 Reasons Horseback Riding Is Good For Horses

Now that we’ve covered the riding controversies, how does the sport really benefit horses? Fortunately, there are several reasons why horseback riding is good for horses.

1. It’s a good form of exercise

Horseback riding is undoubtedly excellent for developing a horse’s muscular strength and agility. When the horse is in better shape, it is less likely to overwork or injure itself in the field. It is also a great opportunity for energetic horses to release stored energy.

2. It can bring joy

Although we can never really test it, some horses seem to enjoy certain exercises or tasks in the saddle. Everyone has seen videos of horses jumping across the field at competitions after the rider has already fallen. Horses with what is called “Cow Sense” are another great example as they really like to herd cattle on pasture.

3. It’s a form of enrichment

Domesticated horses will never be able to live completely natural lives as their wild cousins ​​once did. Although we cannot offer them a free life with unlimited pastures, horseback riding is a way to enrich their lives. It stimulates horses both physically and mentally, which is very important for animals living in captivity.

4. Horses receive food, shelter and shelter in return

Like other pets, horses can greatly benefit from their relationship with humans. We provide them with food, water, shelter from the elements, and protection from predators, disease, and injury. In other words, horses can live longer and healthier lives in captivity without having to struggle daily to survive.

Horseback riding was one of the main reasons humans domesticated horses in the first place. Think about it; If it weren’t for horseback riding, there would probably be far fewer horses in the world today. We no longer need them to pull cargo or farm tools, so they’re the only thing keeping horses from becoming show animals in zoos.

as Dr. Jones said, “Horses are the backbone of a multi-billion dollar industry. In Australia, its use in racing alone generates around A$4 billion a year and is intrinsically linked to gambling and government funding through tax revenue. In short, we need the benefits of riding to continue to have horses in our daily lives.