I’m just going to say that people need to actually learn what they’re talking about before calling equestrians “cruel”
1. “whips” are used as QUES not punishment. I would NEVER actually hit my horse with a whip. A tap on the shoulder? Sure. As a QUE.
2. Horses are so large that what looks like a “smack” to you, feels like a tap to them.
3. I love my horse more than you will ever know. So don’t you DARE accuse me of abusing my best friend.
4. Spurs. Guess what, it takes A LOT of training to use them properly and only an idiot would put them on a rider that wasn’t ready. It also depends on the horse. I’ve been riding for 10 years and I’ve only used them once.
5. If the horse felt in danger or abused at all, they’re more than capable of fighting back. But I’ve never had that happen. The one time I got bucked off was because the horse I was riding spooked at a bee sting.

My point is, do your research before you go calling someone who loves a sport “abusive”
K? Thanks.

Those who treat their partner with respect and kindness isn’t cruel. Those who think all riders are nasty cruel people need to have a wake up call. My horses love to be ridden, they enjoy the bonding time while being ridden and taken new places on trails… You don’t need to ride with a saddle either if you think that is mean. My mare is just fine with a halter and lead rope instead of a bridle/bit also.
Where is the cruelness there?
There is also a misconception about spurs. Not all are cruel and it also boils down to HOW you use them. If you need them, use bumper spurs, it just adds a bit more pressure without jabbing your partner… I used a bumper spur on one side for a while due to a leg injury where I couldn’t que with my leg/foot. I never kick or jab my partners.
Whips, I actually just wave it behind my old mare’s eye, so she sees it as a que… I did that when I needed her to move faster for various reason… or I just tap my right boot with it so she hears it. Whips are also used for lunging a horse… you can use it to assist you in keeping the horse moving forward without touching the horse. Look into joining up with horses… there’s diff techniques to this.
It all depends on the person as to if it’s “cruel”.

Horses are not meant to be ridden so of course it is cruel, especially as breaking in a horse often involves punishment in the training process. You can bond with a horse without getting on it’s back. Grooming it, stroking it, etc is all bonding.

ive always wondered this too

I definitely agree with Annie’s comment.
I love riding though have not done so for a long time. When I was younger I use to take riding lessons. I definitely do not think riding is cruel and definitely believe you can really share a strong connection with your horse. That is one of the reasons I love riding bare back because they can sense your feelings and you are more connected since horse pick up on things easily. The important thing is to gentle a horse instead of breaking one and tend to reward instead of reprimanding them. Horses are also know to make breakthrough work through therapeutic horseback riding (such as with people with either metal or physical disabilities or struggling with traumatic events).

I think so. I don’t think people should be riding them and especially beating them with the whip! D: My friend does that and I felt so sad for her horse! ;A;

I think its mean, esp when fat ppl do it

I’ve actually been wondering this myself for a long time now despite being vegan! Good to know it’s not, even though I’ve never rode a horse myself

I think riding horses isn\’t cruel as lon as you treat the horse with respect. You need to treat the horse nicely and show it love.

I think riding horses isn’t cruel as lon as you treat the horse with respect. You need to treat the horse nicely and show it love.

Okay, thanks

I was wondering if riding horses is cruel. I know horse-pulled carriages are horrible, but what if you have a companion animal horse and you take great care go him/her? Is it bad to take them out for trail rides every so often so they get exercise? Thanks.