If you ride horses or work in the horse industry, you will surely be asked Is it abuse to ride a horse? Or is horse riding cruel? It may cause you or others to really consider the ethical value of horseback riding, but the solution is not as simple as many imagine.
Is it abuse to ride a horse?
Riding horses is not abusive if done right. Understanding how riding affects horses and learning the proper method to ride are the keys to cruelty-free equestrian riding. Inexperienced riders and a lack of medical attention can make riding painful to the animals involved.
Horse riding is a way of life for many equestrians, and many horses appear to like it, despite what critics claim. The truth is that if a horse did not want a rider on its back, it could easily toss him or her off.
You should learn about: Does it hurt a guy to ride a horse?
Riders may help make horseback riding safe and pleasurable for themselves and their horses by obtaining the necessary information, experience, and care.
Do Horses Feel Pain When Ridden?
It is unavoidable for horses to experience discomfort while being ridden. It could be linked to the sport of riding itself.
Horses with back or limb disorders may endure discomfort when being ridden. As horses age, they will develop arthritis in the same way as humans do.
Riders who are overly hefty for young or small-sized horses can also cause pain.
Most riders agree that a horse should carry no more than 20% of the rider’s weight. To avoid discomfort, a rider should weigh 240 pounds or fewer if the horse weighs 1200 pounds.
Horses in pain will exhibit indicators of their discomfort such as limping, bucking, and agitation.
Do Horses Enjoy Being Ridden?
Not every horse enjoys being ridden, but many equestrians would claim that some horses do.
While there is no way to be certain, if a horse dislikes being ridden by a person, they will most likely let you know.
Horses that clearly dislike being ridden can easily throw off their riders by bucking, rearing up, or simply cutting out from beneath them.
A horse can easily weigh over 1000 pounds, thus an average-sized human is no match if the horse refuses to be ridden.
Does It Hurt Horses When You Ride Them?
Riding horses should not harm them if riders take all necessary care. Horses must be properly saddled and equipped with ride gear to avoid injuries, rashes, and sores.
Learn how to saddle and prepare a horse for riding by working with an experienced rider.
Unavoidable accidents do occur occasionally, and horses can suffer muscle strains or sprains while being ridden.
Is Horse Riding Cruel?
Ethics is concerned with the moral thinking that leads us to act in a certain way.
When it comes to horses, riding is ethical if the rider considers their horse’s feelings, health, and well-being.
A good rider should be concerned with what is best for their horse. This can include working on their own riding skills, working with a trainer, obtaining their horse adequate medical and orthopedic treatment, and not riding or pushing a horse to ride if it is evident that they do not want to or are unable to be ridden.
The Disadvantages of Horseback Riding
Horse riding can cause physical and mental problems in a horse if the rider is untrained.
Overexertion, muscular strains and sprains, ligament tears, and lameness are all possible in horses ridden on a daily basis by eager or inexperienced riders.
Horses treated by novice riders might develop trust issues, anxiety, and terror.
Before ever riding a horse, riders should educate themselves on proper horse riding, handling, and maintenance.
The Advantages of Horseback Riding
Horseback riding has several beneficial advantages for horses. Riding can assist horses in forming deep ties with their owners.
Many horses appear to like riding sports such as barrel racing, pole bending, sorting, team penning, and roping.
Riding provides many horses with a more balanced life than simply sitting in a barn or pasture.