Imagine your horse doesn’t want to leave their pasture. Maybe they were napping. Maybe they feel a storm coming. Or maybe, they’d just prefer to stay and relax. What do equestrians do? We will tug on the halter, swing the rope. We will make them go. We want a horse that is always ready on our schedule.

Imagine your horse refuses to jump. Maybe the distance was off. Maybe they felt they couldn’t make the height. Or maybe they felt it was too dangerous for their left front leg. What do equestrians do? We punish them severely. We want a horse that jumps – no matter what.

Imagine you are grooming your horse. They are stomping and moving around. Trying to chase away flies. What do equestrians do? We are annoyed. We tie them into crossties. We slap them for moving their feet. We want a horse that stands motionless for 30 minutes, so we can make their fur shine or braid their mane. 

Imagine your horse is flattening their ears at you. Maybe they lift a leg. Maybe they show their teeth. This is a horse asking you to please finally stop. What do equestrians do? We yell at them. We punish them. We call this behaviour unacceptable. We want a horse that never shows emotion. Or well, just the ones we like.

Imagine your horse has worry wrinkles and triangular eyes. The nostrils are flared wide. And their head is pulled in tight. What do equestrians do? They post the photo with them sitting on top, smiling wide. #soulhorse

No, 99% of equestrians don’t like horses. 

We like using them.