Tag Archives: horses

Horses: The Noblest of All Creatures

Maybe many of you like dogs, cats, or other animals more than horses, but did you know that horses may also be a human’s best friend? Before humans domesticate horses, they have been a source of food back then. The first modern horse horses dating back 3,000 years ago appeared in ancient Babylon. Horses have always been a faithful friend of humans. Going back to ancient times, soldiers fought on horsebacks. Nowadays, rather than riding on horses prior to war, horseback riding is mostly for fun, entertainment and competition.

Horses are definitely my favorite animal. Not only they are fun to ride on, but also the fact that they are a good and loyal pet that can work and help humans get their job done. Their grace and beauty about them makes them very likable. Horses are one true friend and companion of humans. A quick old fun fact,. Did you know that when horses look like they’re laughing, they’re actually engaging in a special nose-enhancing technique known as “flehmen,” to determine whether a smell is good or bad?

~Jennifer

The Ugly Truth Behind Horse Racing

 

Horse Racing has quickly become one of most popular sports to watch in America. Whether or not you have any interest in horses or not, you most likely have seen a horse race. Multiple horses bolt from a gate at extreme speed. They race along the track, neck in neck with other horses. One mishap and the animal and rider can end up beneath the hooves of thousand pound animals galloping forward at such an extreme speed that can easily kill a rider and horse as well. However, it is not only the extreme speeds and close quarters that cause pain to the horses. Unfortunately, many of these horses are pumped on drugs, abused on and off the track, run into the ground, and slaughtered after the races- which is extremely repulsive and lowers my hopes for humanity. 

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What most people don’t know about race horses is that they are injected with many chemicals in order for the animal to produce more adrenaline and other hormones that can cause them to run faster. The horses that are victims of these drugs are running on steroids, which can be detrimental to their health. Most horses injected have scars on their legs from the injections. This alone is proof of the pain, as nothing leaves scars without inflicting pain on any living thing. In the image I have pasted above (from a Peta investigation) it shows the “pain face” that a horse will often give when pain is taking place. It includes lowered ears (which you can not tell from the image) as well as facial muscle tension which is clearly shown, a scrunched muzzle, contraction of the eye muscles, and overall a lot of tension in the facial muscles. Although most people stereotype that this only happens in lower level racing, illegal drug tests taken from Saratoga race track have returned positive. These animals are constantly put through a cycle of injections that have become routine. This pain that they introduce to these animals is all for the glory of the win, and is most definitely not worth it.

Race horses also experience extreme cases of abuse on and off the track, such as electric shock pulses being used on the horse during a race in order to get bursts of speed. Although these shocks are illegal to use, they are still being used despite the act to end it. The shocks are similar to  “cattle prods” . However, in horse racing, most jockeys don’t bother to even use it “properly”, which makes the end result of the shock much worse when they are being used incorrectly. The punishment for using this device can result in arrest, however, it still does happen, especially in lower level racing. To add, whips are also used to strike the horse’s flank in order to encourage speed. Horse’s’ skin is incredibly thin, thinner than ours even, and the whips cause severe pain to the animal. That being said, abuse can also occur off the track through the extreme amount of drugs these animals consume. Also, the animals are forced to continue to run on hooves that have been shortened from how much they have run, proving that this is indeed unnatural. Racehorses hooves are also extremely short from being over ridden to the point where you’re not even able to feel a pulse. A horse by the name of Nehro died from colicing, which is a disease caused by the extreme circumstances this horse suffered.

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Lastly, horses that come off the track from injuries are often slaughtered. Once they have supplied their speed to their money thirsty owners they are considered worthless. The treatment they were forced to endure during their running days continues onwards on their trip to slaughter. Instead of giving these horses second chances, they kill them. These people couldn’t care less where the horse goes as long as they got their money’s worth. The horse racing industry is a cold, and dark place which is often overlooked.

Overall, the truth behind horse racing is that these animals are mistreated. Before you turn on your TV to watch horses gallop around a track with whips being slapped against their sides, rethink horse racing. It isn’t as glamorous and glorious as often clueless people think it is.

Learn more about helping race horses here:

~Samantha

 

Hayes Equestrian Center

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Hayes Equestrian Center is “Just A Wonderful Place To Grow And Learn.” Hayes Equestrian Center is a barn owned by Colleen and Gary Saucier. Colleen and Gary bought “Hayes”, in 2006. Their daughter Julie rode there when she was younger and fell in love with the horses. Since it went for sale in 2006, they have owned this barn and specialized with Arabian horses.

In my opinion, Hayes Equestrian Center is a great place to learn and grow as a rider and is one of my favorite places ever.  I have been taking horseback riding lessons here for about 3 years now and it has changed my life. They have the horse of my dreams, Lucy, and I love her more than anything else in the world.

~Lauren

Horseback Riding, for the Mind, Body, and Soul

Horseback riding is different than every other sport in many ways.  For one example, in this sport the athlete bonds with the animal they are riding and in many instances, a long partnership is formed.  All horses have different personalities and temperaments that a rider needs to learn and become accustomed to.  Owning a horse or participating in horseback riding takes hard work and dedication. Three important components of horseback riding are bonding, responsibility and being a part of a team.   All people are encouraged to try horseback riding, and, most people who would try would be eager to go back and try again.

 In my opinion, horseback riding it a great stress reliever.  It can easily make someone happy or get into a better mood. After a long day at school or work, the best thing to do is go horseback riding. Also hanging out with your friends at the barn, or your horse, can also make you feel better. The atmosphere of a barn feels peaceful and sweet. In conclusion, I love horseback riding and this sport would be a great thing to try or to carry on with.

~Cayla Keenan

Equestrian- An “Extreme” Sport

Horseback riding. When most people hear that, they think of someone just sitting on the back of a horse doing nothing while the horse does all the work. I can’t blame you, it does look like that with an experienced rider. But in reality, being an equestrian is exceedingly physically and mentally challenging. Horse and rider must work together to achieve difficult tasks and commands. The rider must deliver these commands clearly, cleanly, and with finesse to keep balance between the pair. The ultimate goal in upper-level horseback riding is to achieve perfect harmony between rider and horse. This would, to someone unfamiliar with equestrian, look like the rider is doing absolutely nothing but sitting (or posting) on a horse’s back while the horse moves. It takes years to form such a bond with the horse, making this activity even more one of a kind.

Unlike traditional “team” sports, when you are a truly dedicated equestrian there is more than just the competition or riding ring. Behind the pretty (unless you are inexperienced, then it is not pretty) picture, there is a whole community of people and horses. In most cases, there is more to equestrian than just riding; playing with and caring for your horse builds a unique relationship that no other sport offers. Your horse is more than just a pet, or a “machine” as some sadly treat them as. To most, including me, your horse is your friend, teacher, and teammate.

Working with horses is a very rewarding experience. Not only do you get a chance to meet some truly amazing people, but it teaches responsibility, leadership, and other important life skills. To be a successful and genuine equestrian, you need to care for everything your horse needs. This includes brushing the horse, bathing it, cleaning their stall and providing medical care.

Still, you may be wondering, “Anyone can ride a horse”. Really? No, not everyone can control a 1200-pound animal whose natural instincts when scared is to run blindly. Not everyone can stay balanced as a dangerous, possibly unstable horse is bolting, rearing up, or bucking. And especially, not everyone can make it all look so easy. You certainly need skill, patience, and mental and physical strength. Your abs act as shock absorbers to prevent bounciness in the saddle, any decent horseback rider will have a surprisingly (and noticeably) strong core. Your legs keep you on the horse, and without strong legs it is impossible to remain seated while working at a canter or having fun galloping. Ears, shoulders, hips, and heels should be perfectly aligned, as well as countless other details. The slightest twitch affects your horse, and your riding determines whether you are affecting them positively or negatively. As I mentioned before, this also takes tremendous mental ability, as well. You need to understand your horse, and when something goes wrong you need to be able to determine why. It is important to plan ahead, especially if your horse is going to act up. But at the same time, over-anticipating misbehavior will only amplify it when your horse really does “explode” (always a good time).

As you can see, equestrian sports are more than just a hobby. If you are interested in this, check out the barn I ride and compete with, Hunter’s Glen Morgans. Thanks for reading about my favorite team sport! I hope it taught you something!

~Sophie Pellegrino

I’ll Have Another

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June 9, 2012 was the day of the last of the three races in the triple crown: The Belmont. The three races in the triple crown are The Kentucky Derby, The Preakness Stakes , and The Belmont Stakes. The horse racing fans around the world waited for the list of the horses competing in the last race to come out. Upon reading the list they were surprised that the winner of the last two races wasn’t listed: I’ll Have Another. According to a spokesperson for the trainer the horse has been scratched from the race due to an injury in the front leg. “I’ll Have Another” has the start of tendonitis in his front leg.” He’s not 100%. And we ain’t taking any chances.” says trainer Doug O’Neill.

This is a disappointment to all the fans out there because we all really believed this horse would win the triple crown. The last horse to win the triple crown was  “Affirmed” in 1978. That was thirty four years ago. I personally am a big horse racing fan and was really disappointed to find out that we would not be having a triple crown winner this year. We can only hope that next year will bring a win.

~Julie Marino

Horseback Riding Not a Sport?

Is horseback riding really a sport? Some people say yes and others say no. I think so 100%. What do you think? Horseback riding is very passionate and meaningful to me. The definition of a sport is “an individual or group competitive activity involving physical exertion or skill, governed by rules, and sometimes engaged in professionally.” Horseback riding is exactly what “sport” means.

People say “it’s easy.” “It takes no skill.” “You just sit there.” “You’re not an athlete.” This is all false information! “Have you ever trusted someone that’s 1000 pounds and can’t have a conversation with?” “Have you ever raced full speed to a solid obstacle?” “Have you ever jumped something that is taller than you?” So before you think about saying horseback riding is not a sport think to yourself, “Have I ever felt a 1000 pound animals’ feelings and listened to them without speaking?” Horseback riding is most defiantly a sport!

~Katie Caldwell