Can Horses Truly Enjoy Being Ridden?

This is a massive ethics question that is raised not infrequently. Those who are against horses being ridden equate these majestic creatures to slaves of human will. But is that always the case? Can horses actually enjoy and seek out being ridden?

In my experience, the answer is yes. I have had a few that were happiest when being ridden, including one that showed anxious traits in his pasture, his stall, and anywhere else except when he was tacked up and ridden. Another would almost quiver in joy and snatch the bit out of your hand to be ridden, and she would seek out human affection even in a herd with other horses (treats were an added bonus for her… just neck scratches and pats or strokes were enough for her). Some show their enthusiasm less obviously, but I’ve had many of even those more stoic individuals that looked longingly from the gate when someone else was being ridden.

How is this possible? Is it just conditioning that riding is when they get more treats or positive stimuli? Or is there something deeper?

Endorphins

Endorphins, also known as the “feel-good chemical,” are a chemical our brains produce when something feels good, such as good food, bonding time with family or loved ones, enjoying hobbies, etc. It is well-known that humans produce endorphins and get an endorphin rush when exercising. Endorphins bind to opioid receptors, making them and the activities they are produced by addictive. Endorphins are also released to reduce feelings of pain or stress, but that’s obviously a very different response (more relief than happiness).

Horses too produce endorphins, and this is often taken advantage of for specific situations (twitching to help a horse stand still for a procedure that makes them stressed, such as clipping, bandage changes, etc.). However, they also produce endorphins from the same joyful stimuli that humans do. If we ride in a way that minimizes stress (such as working with their nature and psychology instead of trying to force them into something, or even making sure their tack fits!), then logically, the ride should produce endorphins.

The horse should then become more and more eager to be ridden as the rides are consistently more and more in line with their way of thinking and with their biomechanics, easing discomfort and making their bodies feel better. That doesn’t mean every day will be perfect; sometimes we too can have bad days when we just don’t want to do the things we normally enjoy, and we have to give horses that same grace. Those are days we may do something else, like gentle massage or bodywork (which many of us can learn to do ourselves) or riding out on the trail.

We can also help them enjoy the rides more by mixing them up! Horses are highly intelligent creatures, and many really enjoy mental stimulation, whether that’s using a lot of different riding patterns, adding obstacles, cross-training, going for a trail ride, or work in-hand (which is also very bonding). The Old Masters used to mix up their riding day to day, even having a “schedule” of what work was done on what days, and I have found this to be incredibly effective.

Social Element

There is also a social element to riding. If we take the time to groom and really get to know our horses, even doing a little massage or bodywork or just hanging out with them, we can create amazing bonds with our horses. The bond that is created between horse and rider is unique as a whole, and it will be unique from horse to horse. Some bonds are obvious, with the horse showing obvious affection for their rider, and some are more quiet. I’ve had both; I’ve had some that wanted a lot of cuddling and touch and physical affection, and then I’ve had others that are very stoic and don’t show it as obviously. However, because we have worked to build our bond, it comes out in other ways; I trust those horses implicitly, and when things get difficult, I can see they trust me back.

There are social “rules” we must follow, and one of those is CONSISTENCY. Most of the challenges I’ve seen where horses and riders aren’t meshing come from a lack of consistency. That doesn’t mean consistent schedules; it means consistent boundaries and expectations. If the horse knows what is appropriate/inappropriate, and that doesn’t change, they become more comfortable within that framework. If that changes day-to-day, it’s frustrating to them, and they never know where they stand with their rider (as it is to humans! This is a vital life-skill for relationships in general). Those boundaries have to be set logically, unemotionally, and concretely.

However, sometimes what we imagine are perfect boundaries can’t always be. We may have to compromise on something so that we meet a need the horse has. And guess what? The bond goes even deeper. It’s so much like humans; we have better relationships with others if communication goes both ways, not just commands and obedience.

In short…

Horses can indeed truly enjoy being ridden, if: we listen to them and work with their unique needs. That means making sure the tack is right, making sure we take the time to establish trust and boundaries as well as affection, and making sure we ride in ways that help stimulate their mind while working their body in a healthy way.

-Emily Wright

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