I started riding this past July, and those seven months have been some of the best in my life. I have already begun jumping, and I have bonds with several horses at our barn, one in particular being Calypso. I don't know his full story, but I do know he was abused before I ever met him. He has since returned to our barn and refused several riders, including trainers.
My trainer said "why not" with me and sent me over to him and the only trainer that can ride him (due to the fact she leased him as a child). I have had two lessons on him, but clearly we work; not only did he let me mount, he didn't spook or run the second lesson when I could only get onto one side of him. He has been dubbed 'my horse' and I really do love him.
Recently a fellow vegetarian friend sent me a video questioning whether or not equestrianism is cruel to horses. The girl obviously showed gruesome pictures of people using extreme girths and horrific saddle burn from neglect to use pads or blankets. But she also hit some resounding points. Her research was thorough and checked out; she talked about how a horse is not fully developed until the age of 5 or older in some cases. She also delved into how weight on the horse's spine does cause damage, quoting a non-riding trainer in saying that the horse's spine is for nervous connection through the body, not a seat.
Immediately I thought of Calypso; was my riding him just as bad as what had scarred him at his previous barn? Am I participating in a sport for my own leisure without regard of my animals? I do truly love this sport and I am 1000% on board with my barn's above average treatment of its animals and its safe practices, but in the end, am I still hurting Calypso and my other rides?
My trainer said "why not" with me and sent me over to him and the only trainer that can ride him (due to the fact she leased him as a child). I have had two lessons on him, but clearly we work; not only did he let me mount, he didn't spook or run the second lesson when I could only get onto one side of him. He has been dubbed 'my horse' and I really do love him.
Recently a fellow vegetarian friend sent me a video questioning whether or not equestrianism is cruel to horses. The girl obviously showed gruesome pictures of people using extreme girths and horrific saddle burn from neglect to use pads or blankets. But she also hit some resounding points. Her research was thorough and checked out; she talked about how a horse is not fully developed until the age of 5 or older in some cases. She also delved into how weight on the horse's spine does cause damage, quoting a non-riding trainer in saying that the horse's spine is for nervous connection through the body, not a seat.
Immediately I thought of Calypso; was my riding him just as bad as what had scarred him at his previous barn? Am I participating in a sport for my own leisure without regard of my animals? I do truly love this sport and I am 1000% on board with my barn's above average treatment of its animals and its safe practices, but in the end, am I still hurting Calypso and my other rides?