How many of us have or ride horses?

[gnarwhal]

I hope nobody minds the slight thread hijack, but this response had me intrigued. I love horses, owned one for years and have ridden for many years also semi-professionally, and I have never encountered this opinion. I'm not offended at all, just curious: do you feel the same way about all pets? Animals raised for food? Or is it the fact that horses are ridden that makes a difference to you?

If it helps, I can say that horses are extremely social animals who need a leader to follow and thrive around people and other horses. It's extremely hard to get a horse to do something it really doesn't want to, so for the most part I think horses ridden for pleasure are happy. I've ridden racehorses - think large, strong, high-strung and fast - and you definitely want to convince the horse that what you want it to do is what it wants to do...

I don't feel this way about companion animals and if horses were kept as purely companion animals then i doubt i'd have this problem. But animals for food...well no frankly. I don't think animals should be food, nor do i think that people should use animals for our own gain/pleasure.

I have two failry close friends who keep horses and to be honest it really causes me some problems because when i've been up their farm to meet them i see them interacting with the horses. I like horses, they seem nice friendly animals (most of the ones i've met anyway) but i've seen my friends slap, kick and shout at the horses just to get them to move or go where they want them to. Now fair enough if you "want" an animal to do something and it won't do it there's not a lot you can do, but there's no real need to lay hands on the animal. Also i don't think you can invest in them human emotions and human ideals. My friend will often say "I took X horse out and she wouldn't jump she was being stupid all day long" a horse cannot be stupid by the same measures as a human can, nor can a dog or a hamster or a bird.

[tulip]

I don't feel this way about companion animals and if horses were kept as purely companion animals then i doubt i'd have this problem. But animals for food...well no frankly. I don't think animals should be food, nor do i think that people should use animals for our own gain/pleasure.

I have two failry close friends who keep horses and to be honest it really causes me some problems because when i've been up their farm to meet them i see them interacting with the horses. I like horses, they seem nice friendly animals (most of the ones i've met anyway) but i've seen my friends slap, kick and shout at the horses just to get them to move or go where they want them to. Now fair enough if you "want" an animal to do something and it won't do it there's not a lot you can do, but there's no real need to lay hands on the animal. Also i don't think you can invest in them human emotions and human ideals. My friend will often say "I took X horse out and she wouldn't jump she was being stupid all day long" a horse cannot be stupid by the same measures as a human can, nor can a dog or a hamster or a bird.

Sounds like you need new friends. Seriously, no one should be kicking animals. Nudging, moving, okay, but not kicking.

[kermit]

My Litespeed-I think you are my long lost twin. I too have had horses, two jumpers and competed for years. Still have friends that have made it their profession, one actually in the Olympics twice. I myself have been hurt badly by horses. First break at 17, three weeks before high school graduation, thrown off an ex-racehorse learning to be a hunter. He threw me into the railing made out of telephone poles. Broken hip, broken back and collapsed lung. The worst part was graduating high school in a wheel chair. Fast forward, a few minor spills, horse trips at take off at a jump, I fall, horse lands on my head, a few stitches. Took a long break, after selling my jumper to pay for school. Eight years ago, got the bug, started riding for free for a trainer and found a bargain. A ten year old warmblood, been there, done that, jumped anything. Was used at several lesson barns and the owner didn't want him to teach forever. Perfect fit, well let's say that horses are TRUE creatures of habit. He learned to take advantage of the kids and was having a bad day. Turned around on me, kicked me in the face and elbow. Four operations in two days, orbital bone fracture and major plastic surgery. Rods in elbow. Bought a road bike and never looked back. I look at any expense for cycling as cheaper that a horse anyday. Really miss it but, my karma is way off when I'm around them.

[lph]

Ok, thanks for clarifiying, gnarwahl.