Lately, I see a lot of accidents happening on social media that, in my opinion, could be avoided.
That’s why I’d like to ask you a question.
Why do you have horses and why do you want to spend time with them?
That we do not understand our horses each time they show resistance, I understand very well. But that we DO NOT WANT to understand why they resist us is something I do not understand. This only causes accidents.
That’s why my next question.
Do you prefer to spend money on a hospital or someone who can help you solve and especially understand the behavior of your horse?
We take classes and spend money every week to become better in a certain discipline like show jumping or dressage so WHY NOT to learn to understand and help your horse?
Is it less important?
Do you prefer to fight with your horse?
To humiliate him?
Devalue him?
Break him?
To finish where?
We use twitches, sedation, tape, side reins, ropes, whips, spurs, … why?
Afterwards, some people use the excuse that sometimes these things are necessary (for example in case of accidents), Of course there are exceptions, and of course we cannot change the horse’s past, but if we have to use one of those things for the “well-being” of the horse, there is ALREADY A PROBLEM in terms of trust and respect towards humans! Something is already crooked * in the horse (whether it is by our hand or by the ancient owner or other).
Now read the text again and act as if I were talking about a human who speaks a language other than ours instead of a horse.
Many say that we are superior beings. Why? Just because we have the ability to think? Does this make us superior to others? Does this justify our behavior towards horses? Or, are we, maybe, just different?
We humans want to live with horses, so I think we need to get to know them as they are and specially to listen to them, help them, give them confidence and the respect their lives need, as best as we can.
* At first, I wrote the word broken. But something that is broken can no longer be repaired while when something is crooked, it can (in most cases) be repaired without leaving a scar.
!!! ATTENTION, IMPORTANT: This article is not intended to criticize horse people, but only to ensure the safety of the rider and the horse!!!