Pony & Horse Rides
Pony and horse riding is fairly common, from travelling carnivals to riding schools. On the surface, it may be difficult to understand where any issues lie with riding, and with the common belief that horses and ponies love to be ridden, little thought is given to the welfare issues of life behind the scenes, on the road, and in retirement.
As we cannot simply ask a horse or pony if they enjoy being ridden, the best approach is to assess their situation and determine whether they are benefiting, or are at risk, from the activity. Below is a brief summary on horses and ponies, the industry, and current Australian standards and welfare issues.
Horses and Ponies
Horses and ponies are intelligent animals with great memories. A UK study found that horses can distinguish between a happy and sad face, and understand the difference between the two! When someone is frowning, they exhibit stress-related behaviours, such as scratching and floor sniffing [1].
They can also distinguish a persons tone when being spoken to [2]. Other studies have shown that they can solve complex problems and remember their strategy for over ten years [3]. Horses and ponies maintain long-term bonds with others and enjoy interacting with new individuals or groups [3].
Horses and ponies are know for being calm and gentle creatures. Like humans, however, each one of them has their own unique personality.
The Industry
There are hundreds of riding schools and travelling pony companies across Australia.
The industry exists solely for human entertainment, pleasure, and fun. If we look at it from the perspective of what the animals experience and demonstrate, we have to take into consideration if they are benefiting from it also. According to Dr Bidda Jones* from the RSPCA, there is little evidence that horses benefit from humans using them for entertainment [4].
*Dr Bidda Jones - BSc(Hons), PhD, Grad Dip Publishing; Honorary Associate Sydney School of Veterinary Science; Chief Science and Strategy Officer, RSPCA Australia
“Doing something for pleasure or fun is not an inherently bad thing, but it doesn’t provide much moral justification for an activity.”
From the NSW and VIC standards, section 4.2.8: “Horses should be spelled as often as necessary to maintain welfare, with consideration to the workload and the individual temperament of the animal” [5]. This guideline leaves spelling up to the interpretation of the owner, meaning horses can be overworked.
Working in the Heat
The Australian standards do not have any restrictions on riding a horse in hot weather, despite high temperatures placing the animals at risk of heat stress (increased heart and breathing rate, profuse sweating, tiredness, dehydration, and droopy ears), heatstroke (muscle weakness, in-coordination, and collapse), illness, and possible death [5, 6].
Equestrian Australia states that activities should be suspending in temperatures exceeding 32° C [7 PDF].
Stabling and Stereotypic Behaviours
Across Australia, horses and ponies spend a large portion of their time confined to stables. Stables have a minimum floor area of just 12 square metres for each horse or 9 square metres for each pony under 12 hands (hands are how horses are measured) [5].
Being kept isolated goes against the natural behaviours of these animals, as they are social and grazing animals denied the ability to interact and roam. Over prolonged periods of time, confinement can lead to chronic social frustration and stereotypic behaviours [4].
Life on the Road
Most ponies who are used for rides at local carnivals or childrens’ parties are condemned to an unnatural life of misery on the road. They are constantly being transported between destinations, have little to no control over their interactions, and are denied their natural grazing behaviours.
Injuries and suffering
Studies into working horses and ponies have found that they experience chronic stress, depression, and behavioural disorders, apathy, and are more withdrawn [2].
PETA investigations overseas have found that ponies can suffer from hoof ailments, saddle sores, and mouth and teeth problems, resulting from an ill-fitting or carelessly rigged tackle [10].
Carnivals and fairs are often held in summer, meaning these animals are forced to work for hours in the heat. PETA also found that the animals may be withheld water to prevent them from urinating in front of the kids [10].
Live pony carousel
Credit: One Green Planet
Life after riding
Horses who are reluctant to listen or be involved are sold at the sales and replaced by individuals who are more willing to cooperate. In the case of ponies, if one becomes sick or worn out, they are easily replaced, as this option is in many cases cheaper than providing them with veterinary care.
Animal Liberation staff witnessed ponies, both young and old, being sold at the sale yard for as little as $15, and older horses being sold for just $150 – often to kill-buyers (buyers who intent to slaughter the horse for pet food or meat).
Ponies at the sale yard.
Credit: Animal Liberation
What can you do?
As consumers, we hold the power to end the suffering of animals in the horse and pony riding industry. Without our money, these facilities, events, and activities would simply cease to exist, freeing the animals from a lifetime of misery.