The Welfare of Recreational Horses - Term Paper Example

Welfare of Recreational Horses Thesis ment What type of impact and harm do recreational horses endure by people casually riding, sporting events such as dressage/jumping and transporting them? Introduction Horses are considered to be among the most precious animals in the world with a lot of benefits and also that should be treated with a lot of care and concern. They actually help people in most of their daily activities ranging from recreation to transportation as well as showing a particular social class for some. However, just like human beings, horses are also subjected to harms and it is important that their well-being is taken with utmost consideration. Casual Riding, sporting events, and transportation negatively impacts/harms recreational horses’ welfare. We are going to look at the legality or authenticity of this statement in the subsequent discussions. In this paper, we are going to look at three different topics and how they affect welfare; the topics include casual riding, sporting events, and transportation. The main role of horses in today’s society within the “Northern Hemisphere” of the world is as a recreational or sports animal, and the keeping of horses have become increasingly popular. Domestic environments in which horses are kept are very different from the natural environment in which these animals evolved, and many aspects of domestication conflict with their adaptive behavior, often leading to a variety of adverse effects on their welfare (Goodwin 2002). Welfare organizations like the United States Humane Society, together with groups that deal with the rights of animals like the People for the Animal’s Ethical Treatment, are widely known for criticizing some sports that involve the use of horses claiming that it is being cruel to the animals (Goodwin 123). Horseback riding is a very common and renowned equestrian sport that is done in several countries all over the world. Horse riding is inextricably related to gambling, whereby in some evens, we find that stakes can appear to be very high. Nevertheless, notwithstanding its indiscretion in many competitions, we find that these extreme competitiveness conditions can result to the use of drugs that facilitate or enhance performance as well as training techniques that are extreme, which can lead to negative effects for the well-being of the horses (Goodwin 118). In addition, the races themselves that the horses take part in have appeared to be dangerous to their well-being, particularly those that take part in the steeple chase. This is because the horses are required to jump some mounted hurdles whereas moving at very high speed. This can consequently lead to the injuries on the horse or even death, and at times the jockey is not spared (Cole, Newsome, and Marion 65). According to a study that was conducted by the Animal Aid, which is an organization that deals with the welfare of animals, it was established that nearly three hundred and seventy five racehorses die every year, with about thirty percent of them either in the process of racing or even due to the injuries that they get during the races (Cole, Newsome, and Marion 67). Moreover, it was also highlighted in the report the rising fear of illnesses that are associated with the races, which include bleeding lungs; that is pulmonary haemorrhage that is induced during exercise and gastric ulcers. Casual Riding Horses in a therapeutic riding program, horses being ridden by physically or psychologically impaired individuals is no more stressful for the horses as compared to being ridden in the same setting by the recreational riders (Cole, Newsome, and Marion 68). This is true because a therapeutic riding program is usually undertaken by an instructor or tutor who is nationally accredited. In an activity that is equine assisted, we find that an accredited riding instructor who is professionally trained teaches the people who have disabilities on how they will be able to ride horses successfully and become some of the best without injuring both themselves and the horses (Genzel, Sloet, Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbann, and Weeren 45). Nevertheless, it is true that being associated or even engaging with the horses can always offer more than just the skills in riding; that is those taking part can as well be in a position of learning friendship, conscientiousness, self-belief, management skills, professional together with educational skills, and might also provide competition venues in different disciplines of riding (Genzel, Sloet, Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbann, and Weeren 47). Horses in a therapeutic riding program are always used in centers that are accredited by the relevant authorities that deal with or are concerned with the welfare of animals, in offering various substantial services to the individuals with disabilities (Kankofer, Pietrzak, and Strzelec 72). This means that even though they are being ridden by individuals, who have physical or psychological impairments, everything is done under a close watch by the certified instructors who clearly understand how to deal with the horses, so that no harms or damages can be caused to both the individuals being trained as well as the horses themselves (Kankofer, Pietrzak, and Strzelec 74). In fact, the instructors are always more careful when training such individuals as compared to those who are in normal conditions, which reduces the possibilities or chances of injuries substantially. This is contrary to the riding of the horses for recreational purposes since some of the individuals are not always trained well to know how to handle the horses. In addition, some may also want to try new experiences with the horses which at times if not successful leads to the horses injuring themselves, by doing some extra work that they are not trained to do or because the rider does not know how to do it well (Kankofer, Pietrzak, and Strzelec 77). At-risk children caused more stress to the horses, suggesting that the time horses are ridden by at-risk children should be limited both daily and weekly. This is true because it is believed that such kind of children try ride the horses without taking into account their wellbeing. Since such children usually have either mental or physical impairments, they might at times overwork or injure the horses without knowing, thus it is prudent that their time of contact or association is limited so as to reduce chances of serious harms (Kankofer, Pietrzak, and Strzelec 79). Horses feel more comfortable with people they know; therefore, get less stress when owners are riding them then strangers. It should not be assumed that only human beings have conscience can have feelings. When horses are ridden by people they do not know, we find that they usually feel like they are not comfortable and this can cause psychological harms to them. On the other hand, when they are ridden by the people they know, they are normally very comfortable and even enjoy working with them (Canala and Minero 224). When they enjoy whatever they are doing, it helps them to remain healthy. Sporting Events The “usually coercively obtained hyperflexion of the neck of the horse, is employed as a training method by some dressage riders, however its use is contentious as it may cause distress and negatively affect the welfare of the horse” (Goodwin 87). Practicing for the equestrian event is very stressful and also exhausting, both for the horses as well as the riders. However, there has been extensive discussions as regards whether the back of the horse should be extended completely downwards or even forwards; that is hyperflexed in a manner that the head nearly comes into close contact or is attached to the chest that the horse is not harmed by the hyperflexion itself but some instructors combine it with vigorous and forceful intervention of those riding over extended periods of time (Goodwin 87). “Horses show higher levels of discomfort when ridden in a coercively obtained Rollkur posture compared to regular poll flexion, and that they will avoid being ridden in Rollkur if given the chance”, given the potential negative impact on rider safety and welfare of the horse. (Cole, Newsome, and Marion 90). Those who are against Rollkur argue that is does not go in accordance with the classical dressage principles and the FEI stipulations (Cole, Newsome, and Marion 90). This is inclusive of the fact that the animal is behind the vertical physically. This actually renders it difficult to be able to establish whether the bit is appropriately being received by the horse. However, with Rollkur, thoroughness and momentum might be lost as a result of inflexible back that is stretched an improper manner. It can easliy happen when the rider’s hand does not ask the horse to come low in a gently manner, and it does not accept the hand, even though bending to try avoiding the hand (Cole, Newsome, and Marion 89). A clear shortcoming is that the horse is made to bring its center of gravity towards its forehead. Several discussions have been on board as regards Rollkur can be considered animal abuse; that is both in physical following the help position of over-flex, and psychologically as a result of compelled submission. Nonetheless, considering that the same practice is venerable and customarily seen with draw reins’ usage in the schooling horses for occurrences like Western pleasure, whereby it is almost considered to be a common practice, even though it appears controversial in some instances (Cripps 16). Transportation “Dehydration and increased risk of respiratory problems are common outcomes of transport, and both appear to be related to journey duration, emotional effects, such as fear, and challenging environmental conditions.” When horses are used for transportation, they usually endure some hostile environments which can cause physical, biological or mental problems. At times they are forced through severe environments that lead to dehydration and when they do not get sufficient water and food, it leads to harm to their bodies (Duncan, James, Keeling, Merkies, Millman, Shoveller, and Ulrike 234). Horses transported in road vehicles can experience a range of environmental temperature changes, changes in relative humidity and exposure to environmental contaminants during journeys. When the animals are exposed to environmental contaminants during journeys, we find that some might be so toxic that they alter the biological system of the horses, thus affecting their well-being. They may also have to adapt to different management strategies including mixing with unfamiliar travelling companions, confinement in unfamiliar spaces, unfamiliar movements beneath their feet, climbing and descending the vehicle via ramps of varying angles, unfamiliar or no drinking water and changes to normal feed patterns (Duncan, James, Keeling, Merkies, Millman, Shoveller, and Ulrike 236). When they are forced to mix with some other animals that they are not familiar with, they may feel uncomfortable and stressed up, and this can lead to harms in their health. During the processes of transportation, they might also be forced to try new feeds that may prove difficult o adopt, hence some of them may go without food, and this can affect their health. All of these factors are potentially challenging to an animal’s welfare. Most horse owners or trainers transporting horses for sport or recreation travel their animals in single stalls within the vehicle (McGreevy 2012). Conclusion Stress occur with strangers casually ride them, dressage and other sporting events causes unnecessary stress/fear, transporting can cause dehydration, fear, and other factors Overall, it seems recreational horses endure many factors that affect their welfare. It is true that recreational horses incur much pain and suffering that any other because they are mainly used by people including those trained and untrained. This means that those who are not trained use the horses withought knowing their limits. In most cases, they are used excessively as compared to those in therapeutic programs, which are only used during the training of psychologically or physically impaired individuals (McGreevy 201). The organizations or groups that are concerned with the welfare of animals are mainly apprehensive about some training exercises or sports that might cause needless injuries or pain to the horse athletes. Nonetheless, some particular showing practices or training are extensively and strongly condemned, which has led to them being illegalized at the national stage and any violations can consequently bring about criminal charges. The most common one is called ‘soring,’ which is an act of the application of a caustic ointment on top of the Tennessee Walking Horse’s hooves for the purposes of enabling it in picking up its feet higher (McGreevy 201). Nevertheless, despite a constitutional law in the United States, which does not allow for this practice and frequent inspections of shows of the horses by the inspectors who are drawn from Department of Agriculture of the United States, this act is still common and very difficult to eradicate or do away with (McGreevy 203). Moreover, some events that the horses are supposed to take part are also regarded as abusive that makes them to be prohibited in some states. These include a sport whereby those riding the horses chase and then tie a loose horse that is on the run by its front legs, thus making it to be thrown to the ground; the sport is known as horse-tripping. Nevertheless, some other minor racing effects have also been revealed. A study that was carried out by the Observer in the United States and the United Kingdom in the year 2000 established every year, about six thousand to ten thousand horses are slaughtered for the purposes of consumption, a considerable percentage of which are horses kept for sports or racing (Duncan, James, Keeling, Merkies, Millman, Shoveller, and Ulrike 236). An increase in the number of foals that are kept or bread has had an implication that here is not sufficient resources that can be used in the taking care of the horses that are less important or not wanted. There has been an increase in demand for the scaling back of this vast breeding project. Notwithstanding more than one thousand foals that are being raised yearly by the industry, about sixty six percent of those kept for the purposes as such never take part in the races, and in spite of a life expectancy of nearly thirty years, most of them are slaughtered before they reach five years (Duncan, James, Keeling, Merkies, Millman, Shoveller, and Ulrike 237). Works cited Canali, E. and Minero, M. Welfare issues of horses: an overview and practical recommendations. Italian Journal of Animal Science 8.1 (2008.): 219-230. Print Cole, DN., Newsome, D., and Marion, JF. Environmental impacts associate with recreational horse-riding. CABI Publishing, North America. 2004. Print Cripps, RA.. Horse-related injury in Australia. Australian Injury Prevention 24 (2000): 1-20. Print Duncan, H., James, I., Keeling, LJ., Merkies, K., Millman, ST., Shoveller, AK., and Ulrike von Borstel, U.. Impact of riding in a coercively obtained Rollkur posture on welfare and fear of performance horses. 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Print McGreevy, P., Waran, NK., and Weels, CA. Welfare issues related to transport and handling of both trained and unhandled horses and ponies. Equine Veterinary Education 24.8 (2012): 423-430. Print Stull, CL. Responses of Horses to Trailer Design, Duration, and Floor Area During Commercial Transportation to Slaughter. Journal of Animal Science 77.11 (1999): 2925-2933. Print Read More