Ren Hurst, author of Riding on the Power of Others: A Horsewoman’s Path to Unconditional Love, calls for an end to horseback riding, saying, “[W]e have this fundamental responsibility to not take advantage” of animals who have no control over whether or not they live with humans. It’s a new concept that’s evolving as our mindsets do, but the fundamental premise is a simple one: We can and must challenge our old patterns of thinking if we want to treat animals ethically-not as subservient to us but as our equals. Horses deserve to live their lives as nature intended. We can connect with horses in our care and have a meaningful and mutually beneficial relationship with these sensitive animals without climbing on top of them.
