In fact most non-equesterian people search for riding (for themselves, for their children). Only a few come to stables because they want see and feel horses, most want to look beautifully on a horse and the stream of clients is fast. I find this is a problem that has been cultivated by cultural features (horses = riding goes through our history) and by riding schools themselves, that offer nothing but riding.
You make a very good point, and I know of many riding instructors that have to face a lot of criticism by parents when they try to incorporate more dismounted activities and theory into the lesson plan (comments such as "I pay for my child to ride horses, not take them for a walk" etc.). It is surely an important task to change the general culture around horses and to encourage people to appreciate the relationship, not just the riding.
That’s what I’m in the business of. Never thought I would be doing such work. When I rescued my first horse, and then several others rescued soon after, I looked at the small herd, and I thought we’ve got to make a change here, how do we do that? It’s by education and presentation in an environment that spells that change out. So that’s what I’m up to. One voice, hopefully joining many other voices, on this path of changing the preconceived notion about horses, what they do, what they can do, and “what they are for.” I had the experience of one person looking at me stunned when I said, horses were not created for humans to be riding them. She literally believed that was their purpose.
I would add to this list - developing riders from bareback and on a lunge line where an independent seat can be cultivated. The horse’s back can often be spared ill fitting saddles and it does not have a bit in its mouth - both practices alleviating some of the pain inducing tack issues (obviously horses have to be trained). So so many of the riding school horses are working with kids who are braced in their stirrups and hands on the reins - four points of balance involving their limbs - instead of developing their seat and core balance.
Hi Julia, I completely agree - a variety of practices focusing on developing balance and independent aids BEFORE actually subjecting the horse to it would be great. The Spanish Riding School in Vienna, if I remember correclty, have a six-month lungeing program for any new recruits before they are even allowed to touch a rein. I also think using technology such as mechanic horses etc. in lieu of real ones can be the future! It's better for the horses and safer for the riders.
Hi Barbara, you are right, it can be when done too frequently - perhaps instead of riding bareback, going stirrup-less (but in a well-fitting saddle) would be a better option?
Riding without stirrups allows you to develop the core strength needed for riding. To be one with the horse. No stirrups to brace against. Also the rider is in ear, hip, heel alignment
Check out Charlotte Dejardens ride last week. Look at her feet. The bouncing in the heel That’s what you want.
A lot also depends on the model used by the place giving lessons. As a USian, I have *never* experienced the European model of riding school lessons, most particularly riding in a line or other formation as I observed in the Netherlands when watching lessons. At least in the places where I have lessoned as an adult on the US West Coast, the model has involved doing my own grooming, tacking and untacking, and other horsemanship tasks (including sweeping alleyways).
Part of that is because I've done private lessons, but another has been that the group lesson situations have been part of community college Horsemanship classes that are a mix of skill levels and experience. Some instructors are mindful and good about managing horses, others are not. The quality of life for lesson horses in the US, at least, is heavily dependent on the mindfulness and sensitivity of the instructor toward the horse's needs. I've had good ones and bad ones, and the price of the lessons has not been a factor. One barn used retired show horses almost exclusively for lessons, frequently providing a home for horses that might otherwise land in even worse situations.
However, at least here in the US, I think the horses that have it the absolute worst are trail ride horses. While at least in lessons there's an instructor with authority to moderate student excesses and group activities by rider skill level, the trail ride horse must endure skill levels from those who have absolutely no experience and no interest in learning how to ride properly to those who do know what they are doing. Those horses are rarely handled by the rider, and often end up at auctions at the end of the trail ride season.
The best off? Oh, no debate about it. Rodeo broncs. They might work for eight seconds a week, are highly prized and valuable, and spend their time away from rodeos on vast stretches of open land in herds. The modern rodeo bronc is usually a draft cross of some sort, comes from bucking bloodlines for several generations, and if the horse doesn't buck, usually finds a home as a pickup rider's mount (there is a famous pair of horse brothers, one that bucks, one that is a pickup horse). They're handled carefully in the chute to keep both horse and rider safe (one concern is to keep the horse from hitting its head on the chute framework which many will do if the handler doesn't push their head away as the gate opens). Like many horses, they know the difference between working tack for bucking purposes and non-working tack, and some can be ridden in regular tack. And yes, they're trained about the chute, the flank strap (which does NOT contact genitals despite some claims), and the release of the rider at the eight second buzzer.
Hi Joyce! Thank you so much for your comment - how interesting to hear the US perspective! I would love to learn more about the similarities and differences between the European and US horse worlds, and particularly about rodeo which is thoroughly unfamiliar to me but - as I am sure you can imagine - is generally considered quite brutal and barbaric over here in Europe. I did not know they only work for a short spell every week and are kept in such species-appropriate conditions between rodeos. That definitely puts a different spin on it, compared to, say, some competition horses that may never be allowed any turnout at all. I hope to get to visit some rodeo establishments some day and learn more about the sport. My main concern would be whether there is a conditioned emotional response to the bucking - i.e., whether the rodeo horses experience the same levels of fear and discomfort as they would in a 'natural' vs. 'trained' situation. I was sad to read about the fate of the trail horses. I assume they have little legal protection?
Oh yes. Modern-day rodeo buckers are trained with the use of remotely controlled dummies. They aren't started until about four or five. A good rodeo bronc is quite valuable and in many cases is the result of generations of breeding for bucking. Rodeo stock does get pretty excited because like any performer, they know when it gets close to showtime. Bulls will start roughhousing.
Recently saw a video where stock kept in pens had regular turnout access to a sand pit--this one featured two bulls enjoying the heck out of the sand, pawing, dusting and rubbing their necks.
Most pictures I see of rodeo buckers show them with ears forward throughout the process. I've seen one bronc that apparently had been trained to not buck out right away but wait for the announcer to get the crowd to cheer louder.
In any case, behind the scenes at a rodeo can be interesting. Bulls and horses are kept in pens and moved by way of alleyways with handlers using rattlers--sticks with a plastic square at the top and pebbles inside. Videos of loading and unloading...stock load and unload via chutes that have steps and do so at their own pace. One video I saw of broncs loading up would make many horse handlers envious--horses loading smoothly and quietly, lining up head to tail without fuss. All with that spark in their eyes that says they haven't been forced.
One thing I learned recently is that the handler at the horse's head is crucial to ensure the horse breaks cleanly from the chute without harming itself or the rider. If the handler didn't push the horse's head away, some might hit their head on the chute. And a recent incident at the National Finals Rodeo illustrates the need for gate handlers to be careful and open the gate wide enough. One handler didn't and the horse's hind hit the top of the gate. Horse and rider fell--both recovered with no lasting physical harm. Visibly, it was very similar to a jumping rotational fall.
Trail horses have very little legal protection other than the general humane regulations that apply to all stock.
There are still places here where horses may not be touched by human hands until they're four or five. My barn owner had one come in for training this spring. They needed to have him follow another horse onto the trailer, then off the trailer and into a pen (along with the careful use of gates to channel the horse). Never did make it to saddle training because he was just so reactive and more than the barn owner wanted to tackle (and she has mustang training experience). But that horse is an outlier and possibly inbred (running in a semi-feral herd with multiple stallions and mares). It's unlikely he ended up in a bucking string, though.
In fact most non-equesterian people search for riding (for themselves, for their children). Only a few come to stables because they want see and feel horses, most want to look beautifully on a horse and the stream of clients is fast. I find this is a problem that has been cultivated by cultural features (horses = riding goes through our history) and by riding schools themselves, that offer nothing but riding.
You make a very good point, and I know of many riding instructors that have to face a lot of criticism by parents when they try to incorporate more dismounted activities and theory into the lesson plan (comments such as "I pay for my child to ride horses, not take them for a walk" etc.). It is surely an important task to change the general culture around horses and to encourage people to appreciate the relationship, not just the riding.
That’s what I’m in the business of. Never thought I would be doing such work. When I rescued my first horse, and then several others rescued soon after, I looked at the small herd, and I thought we’ve got to make a change here, how do we do that? It’s by education and presentation in an environment that spells that change out. So that’s what I’m up to. One voice, hopefully joining many other voices, on this path of changing the preconceived notion about horses, what they do, what they can do, and “what they are for.” I had the experience of one person looking at me stunned when I said, horses were not created for humans to be riding them. She literally believed that was their purpose.
Another wonderful thought provoking post
Thank you for your kind words!
Full appreciation for the detail, data and re-visioning presented here. Thank you.
Thank you for your lovely comment! I'm so glad you liked the post.
I would add to this list - developing riders from bareback and on a lunge line where an independent seat can be cultivated. The horse’s back can often be spared ill fitting saddles and it does not have a bit in its mouth - both practices alleviating some of the pain inducing tack issues (obviously horses have to be trained). So so many of the riding school horses are working with kids who are braced in their stirrups and hands on the reins - four points of balance involving their limbs - instead of developing their seat and core balance.
Hi Julia, I completely agree - a variety of practices focusing on developing balance and independent aids BEFORE actually subjecting the horse to it would be great. The Spanish Riding School in Vienna, if I remember correclty, have a six-month lungeing program for any new recruits before they are even allowed to touch a rein. I also think using technology such as mechanic horses etc. in lieu of real ones can be the future! It's better for the horses and safer for the riders.
Bareback is hard on the horses back.
It’s up to the instructor to teach people how to ride
Hi Barbara, you are right, it can be when done too frequently - perhaps instead of riding bareback, going stirrup-less (but in a well-fitting saddle) would be a better option?
Riding without stirrups allows you to develop the core strength needed for riding. To be one with the horse. No stirrups to brace against. Also the rider is in ear, hip, heel alignment
Check out Charlotte Dejardens ride last week. Look at her feet. The bouncing in the heel That’s what you want.
A lot also depends on the model used by the place giving lessons. As a USian, I have *never* experienced the European model of riding school lessons, most particularly riding in a line or other formation as I observed in the Netherlands when watching lessons. At least in the places where I have lessoned as an adult on the US West Coast, the model has involved doing my own grooming, tacking and untacking, and other horsemanship tasks (including sweeping alleyways).
Part of that is because I've done private lessons, but another has been that the group lesson situations have been part of community college Horsemanship classes that are a mix of skill levels and experience. Some instructors are mindful and good about managing horses, others are not. The quality of life for lesson horses in the US, at least, is heavily dependent on the mindfulness and sensitivity of the instructor toward the horse's needs. I've had good ones and bad ones, and the price of the lessons has not been a factor. One barn used retired show horses almost exclusively for lessons, frequently providing a home for horses that might otherwise land in even worse situations.
However, at least here in the US, I think the horses that have it the absolute worst are trail ride horses. While at least in lessons there's an instructor with authority to moderate student excesses and group activities by rider skill level, the trail ride horse must endure skill levels from those who have absolutely no experience and no interest in learning how to ride properly to those who do know what they are doing. Those horses are rarely handled by the rider, and often end up at auctions at the end of the trail ride season.
The best off? Oh, no debate about it. Rodeo broncs. They might work for eight seconds a week, are highly prized and valuable, and spend their time away from rodeos on vast stretches of open land in herds. The modern rodeo bronc is usually a draft cross of some sort, comes from bucking bloodlines for several generations, and if the horse doesn't buck, usually finds a home as a pickup rider's mount (there is a famous pair of horse brothers, one that bucks, one that is a pickup horse). They're handled carefully in the chute to keep both horse and rider safe (one concern is to keep the horse from hitting its head on the chute framework which many will do if the handler doesn't push their head away as the gate opens). Like many horses, they know the difference between working tack for bucking purposes and non-working tack, and some can be ridden in regular tack. And yes, they're trained about the chute, the flank strap (which does NOT contact genitals despite some claims), and the release of the rider at the eight second buzzer.
Hi Joyce! Thank you so much for your comment - how interesting to hear the US perspective! I would love to learn more about the similarities and differences between the European and US horse worlds, and particularly about rodeo which is thoroughly unfamiliar to me but - as I am sure you can imagine - is generally considered quite brutal and barbaric over here in Europe. I did not know they only work for a short spell every week and are kept in such species-appropriate conditions between rodeos. That definitely puts a different spin on it, compared to, say, some competition horses that may never be allowed any turnout at all. I hope to get to visit some rodeo establishments some day and learn more about the sport. My main concern would be whether there is a conditioned emotional response to the bucking - i.e., whether the rodeo horses experience the same levels of fear and discomfort as they would in a 'natural' vs. 'trained' situation. I was sad to read about the fate of the trail horses. I assume they have little legal protection?
Oh yes. Modern-day rodeo buckers are trained with the use of remotely controlled dummies. They aren't started until about four or five. A good rodeo bronc is quite valuable and in many cases is the result of generations of breeding for bucking. Rodeo stock does get pretty excited because like any performer, they know when it gets close to showtime. Bulls will start roughhousing.
Recently saw a video where stock kept in pens had regular turnout access to a sand pit--this one featured two bulls enjoying the heck out of the sand, pawing, dusting and rubbing their necks.
Most pictures I see of rodeo buckers show them with ears forward throughout the process. I've seen one bronc that apparently had been trained to not buck out right away but wait for the announcer to get the crowd to cheer louder.
In any case, behind the scenes at a rodeo can be interesting. Bulls and horses are kept in pens and moved by way of alleyways with handlers using rattlers--sticks with a plastic square at the top and pebbles inside. Videos of loading and unloading...stock load and unload via chutes that have steps and do so at their own pace. One video I saw of broncs loading up would make many horse handlers envious--horses loading smoothly and quietly, lining up head to tail without fuss. All with that spark in their eyes that says they haven't been forced.
One thing I learned recently is that the handler at the horse's head is crucial to ensure the horse breaks cleanly from the chute without harming itself or the rider. If the handler didn't push the horse's head away, some might hit their head on the chute. And a recent incident at the National Finals Rodeo illustrates the need for gate handlers to be careful and open the gate wide enough. One handler didn't and the horse's hind hit the top of the gate. Horse and rider fell--both recovered with no lasting physical harm. Visibly, it was very similar to a jumping rotational fall.
Trail horses have very little legal protection other than the general humane regulations that apply to all stock.
There are still places here where horses may not be touched by human hands until they're four or five. My barn owner had one come in for training this spring. They needed to have him follow another horse onto the trailer, then off the trailer and into a pen (along with the careful use of gates to channel the horse). Never did make it to saddle training because he was just so reactive and more than the barn owner wanted to tackle (and she has mustang training experience). But that horse is an outlier and possibly inbred (running in a semi-feral herd with multiple stallions and mares). It's unlikely he ended up in a bucking string, though.