Horses can be used in logging operations and agritourism operations for activities like hayrides, wagon rides, or sleigh rides (Leslie, 2013). Horses can also be used to complete tasks around the farm such as hauling maple syrup or firewood, spreading Read more…
Is it cruel to ride horses? Horses don’t want to be ridden (at least before training), and research shows that riding causes lameness and discomfort. So on this basis, horseback riding is cruel. Is riding horse cruel? It is not Read more…
Horses are herd animals and enjoy living for reasons of their own. They can’t consent to being ridden by people—and if they could, they’d likely ask folks to hop off their backs. Horse riding only benefits one party, and the Read more…
Does riding a horse hurt their back? For a trained horse, with a trained rider and properly fitted tack, no, it does not cause them pain. Does riding hurt a horses back? No, according to Clayton, who indicated that occasional Read more…
Message: “I feel threatened.” At its most primal level, the equine kick is a defensive weapon. Horses in the wild can and often do repel predators by lashing out with their hooves. This response is instinctive so, depending on the Read more…
A horse that holds his tail to one side could be indicating a loss of motion in the sacrum joint or in the tissues surrounding it. A chiropractor may be able to help by manipulating the horse’s spine to return Read more…
If you braid too tightly, your horse will be uncomfortable. Even if circulation isn’t cut off with tight braids, they can be (as we just mentioned) uncomfortable to wear. Sometimes they are even painful. This isn’t something you want to Read more…
Tail-swishing indicates tension in the horse, often from back pain or other orthopedic issues. Checking saddle fit and back health is a good place to start. Another common cause of tension under saddle is equine gastric ulcer syndrome. What does Read more…
“Hot air rises, and when horses are scared they lift their heads and their respiration rate increases. In an enclosed space, they are at risk from toxic and often superheated smoke, as well as the physical effects of radiant heat. Read more…
By World War II, motor vehicles had replaced horses in the Canadian Army. Today, the Canadian Army uses horses for ceremonial duties, riding clubs and treatment programs for soldiers suffering from stress injuries. Does the Canadian army still use horses? Read more…