To think that equestrian events are ridiculous

[quote Thatsjustwhatithink]@Bryonyshcmyony

The reality is that horse riders and horse racers needs to use spurs, bits and whips to get the horse to do what the human wants, even if it's painful for the horse. Also as horse are massive, humans know that they won't win in a fight do have to control...via pain.

If you watch dog training or agility, it's all about a ball or traets or fun. That's why horse competition gives me the yuk.[/quote]
Except you don't
I could get on my horse with no bit or spurs and ride, but it wouldn't be as refined. She would have no worries about happily ditching me on the floor if she wanted to
Effectively the spur narrows the point you are touching, so on my horse for example there is a spot which means canter, and one which means sideways and one which means change of leg. Asking with just my heel/leg will generally get me canter but if I want to refine it more then yes, I use spurs
They're not sharp, they look like this and the ball rolls. You don't kick with them and you have to be very disciplined in keeping your leg still

@Polkadotties

Why can't you ride a horse without breaking it in then? Without a saddle? Without a bit? Without spurs?

If they love being ridden so much surely they'd do it for treats or love?

@thatsjustwhatithink try kicking my horse and you will be in the next county before you know it. Apply a subtle movement of your leg or seat and he will turn, jump, speed up or slow down as required.

@Bryonyshcmyony

No. We disagree on whether horse competition or dressage is actually in the animals best interests and if the implements used in controlling the animal intentionally cause them pain.

Just because you like horse riding doesn't mean you are right. But I'll be waiting for your explanation on how whips on horse riding are nice for the animal.

[quote Thatsjustwhatithink]@Bryonyshcmyony

The reality is that horse riders and horse racers needs to use spurs, bits and whips to get the horse to do what the human wants, even if it's painful for the horse. Also as horse are massive, humans know that they won't win in a fight do have to control...via pain.

If you watch dog training or agility, it's all about a ball or traets or fun. That's why horse competition gives me the yuk.[/quote]
You are completely wrong and know absolutely nothing about horses. Hth.

[quote Thatsjustwhatithink]@Bryonyshcmyony

The reality is that horse riders and horse racers needs to use spurs, bits and whips to get the horse to do what the human wants, even if it's painful for the horse. Also as horse are massive, humans know that they won't win in a fight do have to control...via pain.

If you watch dog training or agility, it's all about a ball or traets or fun. That's why horse competition gives me the yuk.[/quote]
That is absolute bollocks.

@Bryonyshcmyony

The reality is that horse riders and horse racers needs to use spurs, bits and whips to get the horse to do what the human wants, even if it's painful for the horse. Also as horse are massive, humans know that they won't win in a fight do have to control...via pain.

If you watch dog training or agility, it's all about a ball or traets or fun. That's why horse competition gives me the yuk.

Just look at that horse. Ears pricked, the mouth and jaw look soft with no tension, the eyes are happy and looking for the next jump. Happy horses win medals.

This thread is gold

If there was a Dark Classics section it's definitely a contender

Because you ride it? 🙄

@Bryonyshcmyony

Or you could answer the question I asked. What makes a horse different that you can spur it or put a but in its mouth, but not another animal or child?

[quote Thatsjustwhatithink]@Bryonyshcmyony

Would you use spurs on a child or dog?[/quote]
I don't ride children or dogs, so I'm saying no.

Oh hold on, you are a bit hater!

God, horses bring out the worst in people as well as the best.

@Bryonyshcmyony

Would you use spurs on a child or dog?

[quote Thatsjustwhatithink]@Shurl

I don't think I buy that spurs give your ankles length. The reality is that you are kicking a horse in a sensitive area with a point to ensure they do what you want. That's the bit I'm uncomfortable with. I'm also uncomfortable with bits (the part that goes in the horses mouth) as again you are putting pressure on a sensitive part of the horses body for control.

I don't see anyone putting a bit in their toddlers or dogs month and pulling it against the soft cartilage for control. Nor do I see anyone one 'extending the length of their ankle' by wearing spurs so they dig them in to a toddler or dog.[/quote]
If you kicked any of those Olympic horses (or indeed many horses full stop), you'd end up on the floor so fast you wouldn't have time to blink!

Some people are misunderstanding. Nobody is saying there isn’t human skill involved in equestrian sports. This is not the point at all.

The point is - is it actually necessary to fly horses around the world to basically “dance” so that humans can congratulate themselves on their own skill?

Don’t even get me started on horse racing.

Obviously, the horse would rather have a life without all this “faff,” not to mention the endless training it has to endure. This is the point. It’s not about you (the human).

I don't think I buy that spurs give your ankles length

Why don't you? You clearly don't know much about horses and you've had an intelligent and correct reply. Do you mean that it doesn't confirm your bias?

@Shurl

I don't think I buy that spurs give your ankles length. The reality is that you are kicking a horse in a sensitive area with a point to ensure they do what you want. That's the bit I'm uncomfortable with. I'm also uncomfortable with bits (the part that goes in the horses mouth) as again you are putting pressure on a sensitive part of the horses body for control.

I don't see anyone putting a bit in their toddlers or dogs month and pulling it against the soft cartilage for control. Nor do I see anyone one 'extending the length of their ankle' by wearing spurs so they dig them in to a toddler or dog.

I'm always astounded when people who don't know anything about a topic read the OP and then comment without reading the thread and seeing if their questions have already been answered or if their assumptions have any basis in fact.

In that respect, some horses are like toddlers. They can be so eager to please that when they don't understand and are confused they have a meltdown.

Just a question to equestrian people: do riders use spurs in dressage?

How on earth does someone raise children on £9k p/a in the UK? Our housing costs alone are more than double that! As for horse riding lessons, at £30 an hour I can’t afford it even though I’d love DD to be able to try it 😞

OH , God, how horrid for, and kind of you! Back when I was able to drive, I carried gloves and plastic bags in the car for just such occasions. I just could not leave them there, like refuse.