Hey Soph, this is a great blog and such a relevant topic. Imposter Syndrome is a very real thing and still affects so many of us even into our older years when you’d think through life’s experiences we would have left those insecure feelings for dust! I’m glad you’re learning to be proud of and "own “ your successes. Remember there will always be people who will make you doubt yourself - just keep being true to you and know that there are so many people who have your back and will celebrate your successes with you - you’ve got this! x
Horse riding might be a sport to you Soph, but unfortunately it is also animal abuse. Horses, for centuries, have been tamed and forced to become the companion of humans. They didn’t choose us. We chose them. We dominated them. Horses are not interested in being ridden. Like all of us, they want to live their life free.
And calling it a sport is the main cause people participate in horse races. And I don’t think I even have to explain what happens to horses in those races and after.
Can we just love animals just because? Do we have to see them as benefits?
Just yesterday I volunteered for a farm animal sanctuary and the current owner used to work with horses. He said horses can see 340 degrees, and they lose 10 degrees sight in the front and 10 degrees in the back. When you force them to wear those bits on the side claimed to help them focus, it actually blinds them. So people are riding horses who can’t see where they are going.
These are just a few of the many ethical concerns of horse riding.
I totally get where you’re coming from with this perspective. There are far too many examples of people mistreating all kinds of animals in the name of ‘sport’, horse riders included. I also agree that excusing this behaviour under the guise of ‘sport’ is detrimental to animals and their welfare.
I’m an animal lover through and through, and I would never willingly participate in something where an animal is uncomfortable or being forced to do something against their will.
I thought I’d share a bit about my beautiful pony Rocky (pictured in the post above). He was from the Kaimanawa ranges here in New Zealand, once a wild horse. A free life as a wild horse was not his destiny however, as he was part of a muster and homed to a criminal, with whom Rocky suffered horrific abuse. My trainer rescued him, and he slowly came to learn (through kindness and love) that it was safe to put his trust in humans again. If it weren’t for this second chance, he would have been sent to slaughter, as is the devastating fate of so many wild horses. I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to care for him and we formed an incredible bond over many years.
I’ve never used ‘blinkers’, the piece of gear you described in your comment - these are more common in disciplines I don’t participate in. I can understand your concern about different types of equipment used for controlling horses (or any other animal) though.
Unfortunately, there will always be bad people doing bad things, and even more unfortunately, these people don’t often get their deserved justice. Thankfully, there are equal amounts of people doing good things for animals too.
I really respect you for speaking out and your passion for these gorgeous animals who are such a huge part of my life. I’m also passionate about advocating for better animal welfare and kinder treatment of all animals. I’m more than happy to continue this conversation in the DMs, or send some photos / videos of my horses, so you can see how much they truly love their humans!
As for Rocky - he now lives with an incredibly loving family where the young girls treat him like the special pony he is, and he will forever hold a special place in my heart.
*In case you’re interested, I linked a YouTube account where you can watch these trainers helping the wild Kaimanawa horses transition into being tamed (these horses were all rescued from slaughter). Helping the horses to trust humans gives them a chance of a beautiful life, that they would not be given otherwise. Their training methods are very kind and give the horse plenty of opportunity to back off and be left alone if they so choose.
I understand your love and your care for these horses, Soph. However, that misses a fundamental point of our relationship to horses.
We can take care of horses and love them but this still doesn’t give us the right to ride them. Otherwise, this wouldn’t be any different from a very loving but also abusive parent. Even though our intentions are good, the power dynamics we have in mind, unfortunately, can lead to abuse. And riding an animal is essentially abusive. As I mentioned before, horses have never asked to be tamed. While mentioning “being tamed”, I don’t mean healing their aggresive behaviour due to their past.
I still believe in a world where you can love and care for these horses without including them in some sort of sport.
To be honest, I couldn’t really understand your perspective in the matter, as your article is about horse riding being a sport, while you have the first hand experience of the harm these animals receive due to this “sport”.
I’m not questioning how many people are doing bad things and good things. I’m questioning why you see this as a good thing — while it’s possible to take care of a horse without riding them.
Hey Soph, this is a great blog and such a relevant topic. Imposter Syndrome is a very real thing and still affects so many of us even into our older years when you’d think through life’s experiences we would have left those insecure feelings for dust! I’m glad you’re learning to be proud of and "own “ your successes. Remember there will always be people who will make you doubt yourself - just keep being true to you and know that there are so many people who have your back and will celebrate your successes with you - you’ve got this! x
Horse riding might be a sport to you Soph, but unfortunately it is also animal abuse. Horses, for centuries, have been tamed and forced to become the companion of humans. They didn’t choose us. We chose them. We dominated them. Horses are not interested in being ridden. Like all of us, they want to live their life free.
And calling it a sport is the main cause people participate in horse races. And I don’t think I even have to explain what happens to horses in those races and after.
Can we just love animals just because? Do we have to see them as benefits?
Just yesterday I volunteered for a farm animal sanctuary and the current owner used to work with horses. He said horses can see 340 degrees, and they lose 10 degrees sight in the front and 10 degrees in the back. When you force them to wear those bits on the side claimed to help them focus, it actually blinds them. So people are riding horses who can’t see where they are going.
These are just a few of the many ethical concerns of horse riding.
I totally get where you’re coming from with this perspective. There are far too many examples of people mistreating all kinds of animals in the name of ‘sport’, horse riders included. I also agree that excusing this behaviour under the guise of ‘sport’ is detrimental to animals and their welfare.
I’m an animal lover through and through, and I would never willingly participate in something where an animal is uncomfortable or being forced to do something against their will.
I thought I’d share a bit about my beautiful pony Rocky (pictured in the post above). He was from the Kaimanawa ranges here in New Zealand, once a wild horse. A free life as a wild horse was not his destiny however, as he was part of a muster and homed to a criminal, with whom Rocky suffered horrific abuse. My trainer rescued him, and he slowly came to learn (through kindness and love) that it was safe to put his trust in humans again. If it weren’t for this second chance, he would have been sent to slaughter, as is the devastating fate of so many wild horses. I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to care for him and we formed an incredible bond over many years.
I’ve never used ‘blinkers’, the piece of gear you described in your comment - these are more common in disciplines I don’t participate in. I can understand your concern about different types of equipment used for controlling horses (or any other animal) though.
Unfortunately, there will always be bad people doing bad things, and even more unfortunately, these people don’t often get their deserved justice. Thankfully, there are equal amounts of people doing good things for animals too.
I really respect you for speaking out and your passion for these gorgeous animals who are such a huge part of my life. I’m also passionate about advocating for better animal welfare and kinder treatment of all animals. I’m more than happy to continue this conversation in the DMs, or send some photos / videos of my horses, so you can see how much they truly love their humans!
As for Rocky - he now lives with an incredibly loving family where the young girls treat him like the special pony he is, and he will forever hold a special place in my heart.
*In case you’re interested, I linked a YouTube account where you can watch these trainers helping the wild Kaimanawa horses transition into being tamed (these horses were all rescued from slaughter). Helping the horses to trust humans gives them a chance of a beautiful life, that they would not be given otherwise. Their training methods are very kind and give the horse plenty of opportunity to back off and be left alone if they so choose.
https://www.youtube.com/@wilsonsisters7106/videos
I understand your love and your care for these horses, Soph. However, that misses a fundamental point of our relationship to horses.
We can take care of horses and love them but this still doesn’t give us the right to ride them. Otherwise, this wouldn’t be any different from a very loving but also abusive parent. Even though our intentions are good, the power dynamics we have in mind, unfortunately, can lead to abuse. And riding an animal is essentially abusive. As I mentioned before, horses have never asked to be tamed. While mentioning “being tamed”, I don’t mean healing their aggresive behaviour due to their past.
I still believe in a world where you can love and care for these horses without including them in some sort of sport.
To be honest, I couldn’t really understand your perspective in the matter, as your article is about horse riding being a sport, while you have the first hand experience of the harm these animals receive due to this “sport”.
I’m not questioning how many people are doing bad things and good things. I’m questioning why you see this as a good thing — while it’s possible to take care of a horse without riding them.