Pets, Zoos and Exhibits
Most zoo's have changed their thinking on elephant exhibits in the last twenty years. These animals travel long distances in the wild and the habitat in zoos can't provide an environment that is healthy, or so modern thinking goes. Experts point out that elephants exhibit signs of depression and poor health in enclosures and espically in circuses.
I've often thought of horses though. Is it natural for man to enjoy the riding of this animal? Sure, horses are taken care of; their medical attention, nutrition and a comfortable environment afforded. And I'm not advocating that the domestication of horses cease and that they be only raised in the wild. I'm only pointing out that the argument could be made that riding horses for enjoyment, pleasure or to harness their horsepower could be viewed as exploitation or an arrogant amusement. There is not push, of course, to abandon horse ownership; I only bring it up because it's a continuation of the thinking that animals should live in their natural state.
Perhaps dressage with formal riding wear will go the way of big game hunting that was so popular 100 years ago. But I doubt it.
I saw an ad on TV recently from Sea World where they emphasized that they did not take killer whales from the wild. They were defending their approach to whale exhibits by eluding to their whales being raised in captivity. They're suggesting that an orca raised in captivity wouldn't have the same instincts as orcas raised in the wild and wouldn't exhibit depression by their being taken from their ocean environment and then subjected to the confines of captivity. The trainers went on to say in the ad that they love their charges. This kind of argument is of course in response to the criticisim of having killer whale exhibits and shows in marine mammal parks.
The orca named Tilikum, the largest killer whale in captivity, was captured from the wild in 1983. He is responsible for the deaths of two trainers (and a third person that entered the enclosure after hours) during his lifetime.
There is a documentary entitled "Blackfish" that many people think is one-sided in its condemnation of keeping orcas in captivity.
I'm not sure but actually think horses enjoy being ridden.Quote: GreasyjohnI have a dog that has brought me great joy. She is almost 11 and would not have survived this long except for the care I have given her. No one objects to the domestication of dogs and cats by giving them a home.
Most zoo's have changed their thinking on elephant exhibits in the last twenty years. These animals travel long distances in the wild and the habitat in zoos can't provide an environment that is healthy, or so modern thinking goes. Experts point out that elephants exhibit signs of depression and poor health in enclosures and espically in circuses.
I've often thought of horses though. It is not natural for man to enjoy the riding of this animal. Sure, horses are taken care of; their medical attention, nutrition and a comfortable environment afforded. And I'm not advocating that the domestication of horses cease and that they be only raised in the wild. I'm only pointing out that the argument could be made that riding horses for enjoyment, pleasure or to harness their horsepower could be viewed as an arrogant amusement. There is not push to abandon horse ownership; I only bring it up because it's a continuation of the thinking that animals should live in their natural state. People oppose teaching Dolphins to do tricks, perhaps dressage with formal riding wear will go the way of the fox hunt.
Quote: AxelWolfI'm not sure but actually think horses enjoy being ridden.
I agree but a lot depends on the rider.
http://img.izismile.com/img/img2/20090807/video/02_horse.jpgQuote: 1BBI agree but a lot depends on the rider.
Quote: AxelWolfhttp://img.izismile.com/img/img2/20090807/video/02_horse.jpg
Her immediate problem is she should seek out a larger horse.
