Horseback riding and Vegans

[Kay Von]

Much to my delight, my daughter (17) has recently chosen a vegan path. She has been the driving force behind my eliminating honey from my diet. Like any other “new” vegan, I am on a journey to completely eliminate all animal products from my life. Some products are obvious, and some not so apparent (sugar, honey, soaps, contact lens solutions, etc). As I learn more, I will act accordingly so that I can live with a clear conscience. Gradually as my leather shoes, belts, and wallet wear out, I will replace them with leather alternatives. This is the environmentalist side of me.

Now, here is my dilemma. My daughter has been involved with horses and horseback riding for about 5 years now. I built a comfortable barn, an outdoor arena for exercise, and fenced off about 4 acres of land so her horse could be “free” to roam around and play while having access to fresh grass. I even got her a companion horse to calm her down a bit. My problem started when my daughter decided to get more serious about training and boarded her horses in a training facility.

As a father, I feel like I should support her interests and her passion in life, but as a humane vegan, I feel what people do to horses is wrong. Forcing a horse to hold her body in an unnatural way just seems wrong (she is a half Arabian mare). Also, as a potential show horse, she is being kept in isolation and is mainly fed dry hay and/or some grains. She has no interaction with other horses except when a horse is walking by her stall or when she is being ridden inside an arena.

I did a google search hoping to be enlightened on this issue. Needless to say I did not have much success. What I do know is that if I were a horse, I would want to be treated differently and would want to live a life that is as close to my natural environment as possible.

I would appreciate this panel’s wisdom and insight on this issue.

Peace,
Kayvon

[Glenna]

"Not to hurt the creatures brethren is our first duty to them,

but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission -

to be of service to them wherever they require it."

Saint Francis


I have always loved the above quotation. I think that your taking the feelings of the horses in to consideration is very important. When I think of all the mistreatment that horses must endure, it warms my heart to think of someone who cares enough to think about what is best for this magnifent fellow being. If it was me, there is no way I could make the horse have a worse life, and I imagine the horse is very upset about it too, as they are very aware of changes. You built a barn, let this sweet one remain a part of the family. Your instints are right on and quite admirable.