Horseback riding???

Question

My friends all wanted to go horseback riding and I told them I did not because I think it's mean for a horse to have to carry around a big fat person for their enjoyment.

They all told me I was crazy and argued with me and said that the horses like it. How do they know? They're not a horse!!!

I can understand maybe a long time ago when we didn't have cars and stuff but nowadays it just seems unnecessary! I'm so tired of people using animals for their own entertainment!

Am I totally alone and wrong about this?

Answer 1

I do believe you are wrong and I think that you are taking things too far.

Answer 2

I don't think that it is a bad thing if the horses are pets. But I do have a problem with the horse racing sport! Shooting up horses with steroids and hormones! Are you serious!!

Answer 3

Well I have a horse, and I have owned him for a little over a year. I ride him about 4-5 times a week. He is about 950 lbs with lots of muscle, and I am 120 lbs. + the weight of the saddle, which is just fine for a horse. But my horse is the most important thing to me. I spend LOTS of time just going on walks with him, hand grazing him, talking to him, loving him, and giving him a ton of attention.

However, I really don't enjoy the people that get a horse, pay no attention to it, ship it off to trainers, and then just use it for showing to get money. Personally, I really enjoy showing just for fun. I don't get competitive at all, and go to about 2 shows a year.

I know lots of horses that LOVE their job as working cattle, trail riding, jumping,etc. and I enjoy doing that too, but even if I couldn't ride my horse, I would keep him because I love him very much. All of my money goes to treats, saddles, blankets, etc. for my horse so he can have a happy life.

So just keep your mind open, and I hope this helped.

Answer 4

The people that I know with horses take wonderful care of their horses (talking spending hundreds on their care and feeding every month).  Their horses at least enjoy being ridden.  A rattle in the tack room gets them excited and making excited noises and wanting to go out - eager to get the harness on and the saddle.  People that have been around horses know when a horse is not happy.  TRUST ME on this one - a horse kick makes a most def. point about things that they don't like.

As to the weight issue - - I actually have felt sorry for some horses that I have seen that have had some really BIG people on them.  So if you are one of those people that are that big - I can understand your concern.  But I also would focus more importantly upon the un-needed weight that you have and getting to a more reasonable weight.

Answer 5

You're not alone.  While domesticated animals often do enjoy human company, raising horses solely for this purpose is pretty irresponsible and wasteful.

Answer 6

i totally agree with you on that.

Answer 7

The horse lost in the race will finally end up with slave-rider.

Answer 8

No, its not wrong. I agree with you.

Answer 9

Horses enjoy running free, not with a fool stuck to their back.

If any horse gets excited when it hears tack being picked up, the horse is excited about getting out of the f*cking stall, not about someone climbing on top of them.

Answer 10

Animals like people. That's why we have pets. Riding a horse, on a trail ride or something, isn't an issue. Horses are strong, so it's not like they're struggling with a human on their back, and they enjoy being withe people and being out in nature.

But now I probably sound like one of your friends, so sorry if this didn't help.

Answer 11

It was probably a bad idea to refer to your friends as big fat people.

Who knows how the horse feels?  Since we have domesticated it, we are obligated to exercise it.  With this attitude, I wouldn't be surprised if your friends stopped inviting you to things.

But horse racing is cruel and unnatural the way it is done now.

Answer 12

horseback riding is a respectable and very enjoyable sport.  horses are able to carry people.  why should we have them if we aren't going to ride them?  just to look at?