@rachel-s
Okay, but you are ignoring what we are saying. These things do not force the horse to do anything. It does not inflict fear, or pain at all, making your point invalid. Sure, if you actually touched the horse with a whip it could cause pain, but we don’t even do that. The simple contact of something is not painful, otherwise you would not be able to do simple things such as pick up a plate or tap someone on the shoulder to get their attention. The whip does not touch the horse at any point in its life and does not inflict fear or pain, but a horse does need some kind of cue in order to communicate with it, so unless communication with animals is cruel, the correct use of equipment is perfectly humane. I do not deny that you would not give us false fact, but your argument is based on not fact, but what you personally perceive.

I think phoebeanne123 has their answer .. Yes it is okay to ride your horse, but it’s not okay to hit your horse the reason to hit a horse is for it to keep going but if doesn’t want it doesn’t want to and shouldn’t have too right ? I feel that hitting horses is wrong and I serious doubt it tickles. But everyone has their own ideas.

I am an owner of horses, and do not believe that horse riding is cruel. I understand that it’s not ‘natural’ to ride horses but this doesn’t make it cruel. My horses have always loved being in the arena… Horse riding is not just a fun activity for humans, but for the horses as well.

The PETA2 Staff who replied is actually very wrong (And I don’t normally say this). For example, a whip and crop are not used to ‘hit’ the horse but rather tickle them or apply pressure. Horses are especially “ticklish” and will move away from anything that tickles. Whips and crops allow us to “tickle” the horse and get a response. For example, when you touch a horses leg with a crop the horse picks it up. We reinforce this behavior by giving them a treat or praise, and thus can teach the horse to ‘lift his leg’ on cue. Whips and crops are also used to make noise or can be used to communicate with a moving horse.

• This reply was modified 4 months, 2 weeks ago by  Emily.

Yes, but that equipment is not used for punishment, it is used for communication. Horses do need exercise to stay in shape, which is different from manual labor and overexertion. Some people do use that equipment badly, but many people do not. The horse does not fear this equipment, it is only stigma from how they were used traditionally. It is no longer used in that manner, at least by good, educated people. My horse knows to trot if I raise the whip, etc. He is trained to do the same if I raise my arm. It is a signal, not a weapon. I prefer to use the whip because it is an extension of my arm, and my horse can see it better.

First of all, anyone here who has never ridden horses and does not know how the equipment is used, should not be stating an opinion about use of crops, whips, spurs, etc. I do not like to use them around my friends who do not know much about horses, because it looks cruel. But really, the only thing the crop is used for is tapping them, and the whip you only whip the ground to provide a noise. It is a communication aid and is in no way forcing them to do anything.I have been riding horses my whole life and have done the bad and, later when educated, the good. I have a horse that I have raised from birth (too young to ride) and have gotten all the joy out of him as I would have riding him. Now I am training him and “breaking him in” for lack of a better word. We ride for no more than fifteen minutes at a time, so that his back gets a break, and most of our time together is spent with me just grooming him in his pasture while he grazes, or teaching him tricks and lunging him to make sure he gets his exercise in the arena. I AM training him to be able to use a bit. I am doing so because just in case I have to sell him one day, he is rideable for more people. The more a horse knows, the less likely they are sent to slaughter. That is why I make sure he knows how to respond to the mainstream equipment, but I myself use bridles that do not have bits, or halters. Personally, I believe it is not cruel as long as the horse is being kept somewhere that simulates their natural lifestyle to the best of its ability. A horse should be kept in a pasture with available (not mandatory, like stalls) such as a run-in shed. They should be with other horses and a variety of terrain with proper food, etc.

And like what has been said, it is truly cruelty when the person believes the horse is their for their enjoyment only.

Totally agree, Heatherbott.

Most people seem to forget that horses are indeed wild animals and very few still roam free. The overall mindset has become that they are made to be ridden. I personally feel that horses should not be ridden because it spirals into a view that the horse is somehow beneath humans and is there to be used by them. It is still possible to have a horse as a pet without riding them and if exercise is the concern, they should be in an area where they already have plenty of room to run around. They simply need to be loved just like every other animal

i dont like it

If you think loving a horses involves riding it, you are dead wrong. Nobody needs to ride a horse to show they love it, also, a horse can never truly like being ridden because it is something trained. It’s not something they’d do naturally out of liking it.

Expense also has nothing to do with it. Many people spend thousands on horses, not out of love, but out of making a profit, be it racing them or lending them out for riding. Money does not = love. I’m sorry you even think that in this day and age.

if your horse likes it-sure! and chenlI-she loves her house. If she didnt-she would put it up for adoption. Horses are super expensive, if you dont love it your not gonna spend all that money on it.

I wouldn’t call horse riding vegan if it was a vegan who went vegan for animal rights. Horse does not need to be ridden, and money is saved by not buying all the gear needed for it.

I’ve been struggling with this question myself. As Annie said, horses can bring much joy provided they are respected & treated gently. I believe that horses should be ridden a minimum amount of time. I sure wouldn’t tolerate having someone ride on my back for more than a few minutes! Besides, horses are natural free spirits, & I personally enjoy watching them run freely even more than I enjoy riding them. I think only companion horses should be ridden, not horses that are part of clubs, etc. (anywhere where they are ridden frequently). I’ve personally decided to not ride horses, unless I own one someday. Interacting with them at animal sanctuaries is always an option, too.
I hope you all have a great day!

@shelbibelle, if you loved your horse, you would not ride it. Love does not involve exploitation.

Animal rights is about exploitation so as it’s not in the horses interest to be forced to carry a human around – Yes it is.

pretty much, since some people might be over weight and the horse might not handle it.
idk.