Is horse riding vegan? They say there are two sides to every argument, and that’s definitely true with most vegan debates.
Before you make up your mind on some of the most important topics, it’s worth considering all perspectives.
Here we take a look at the question ‘is horse riding vegan?’ Consider the arguments for why it might be and why it definitely isn’t, and then make up your mind for yourself…
No, horse riding isn’t vegan – it’s a form of animal exploitation
To use any animal for our own entertainment is exploitation, and therefore not vegan.
Exploitation does not necessarily mean abuse, it means using someone else for your own benefit.
Jemma Crosby has been vegan for two years. After being involved in dressage for several years as a junior rider, she recently gave up the sport.
She says: “When I became vegan, I stopped riding horses – in the same way I stopped eating animals and wearing wool and leather. When you become vegan, you stop exploiting animals, and that may involve giving up things you have previously enjoyed doing.
“I believe animals are not ours to use. For me to go to a riding school, and pay for the ‘use’ of the horses for a ride meant the horse was being commodified, and someone was profiting from that horse. I don’t think the riding school owners should make money from using that horse, in the same way I don’t think factory farming, for example, should make money from selling meat.”
Horses have rights too
Jemma continues, “For me, veganism is about animal rights, and the steps some riders will take to reduce harm to the horse i.e. not using a metal bit, or a whip, are animal welfare steps. It is better than treating the animal badly, but it does not actually adhere to the vegan ideology.
“I accept that many riders do love horses, and do treat them well. I also believe if someone rescues an abandoned or abused horse, it is good to give the animal a good, safe home. I’m not blinkered, and realise as long as we live in a world where people do use animals, there will always be a need to provide sanctuary.
“But I don’t believe vegans should buy into, or promote that market by ‘buying’ or ‘owning’ horses. Ultimately, using a horse for riding, you are exercising control and ownership over an autonomous, independent animal, and that goes against everything veganism is about.”