Posted on 11/06/2005 3:33:39 PM PST by linkinpunk
Circus trainers will tell you horses are the stupidest animals they train. They forget their routines quicker than any other animal. As a former rider who has been thrown, kicked, bitten and otherwise abused by horses I can say that I have no love for them. In fact, I think the French actually have a pretty good attitude towards horses. They eat them.
I have never seen any study comparing a horse's intelligence compared to other animals.
But I have met plenty of stupid people who got themselves hurt because they did stupid things around horses.
And I did not mean that as an insult to you. : )
Pinging the horsey set
You can be smart around horses and still get hurt. They're large powerful stupid animals. I was raised around Quarter Horses and they are some of the most inbred nervous horses out there. If I had been around a different breed I might have a different opinion.
It does help to know about horses before you get around them.
And they average 1,000 pounds, not 2000 pounds, btw.
Horses' instincts tell them to run from danger since they are a prey animal, not a preditor.
They think much like a deer thinks. They see potential trouble and run.
This time of year, I hear lots of hunters talk about how they were outsmarted by a deer.
"They are smart. That buck knew I was out there. As soon as he saw me, he ran."
But when a horse has a similiar reaction, it is called "stupid."
I have Quarter Horses, and I would not characterize them as in bred or nervous. Our stud horse is the most gentle laid back horses I have ever owned and I have had alot of young beginner children ride him.
No doubt there are some out there that have problems. I've had some:). But most of the problems I've encountered with QH's have been caused by people. IMO, Quarters are about the most level headed breed out there.
JMO tho:), and I admit to be being throughly prejudice:)
Becky
The average riding horse is NOT 2000 lbs.
They can still hurt you tho, no doubt. They do require alot of respect.
Becky
Ping
Becky
We've discussed this issue on the Saddle Thread. I guess alot depends on your definition of pet. But by my definition, I don't consider my horses as "pets". That's where you can (IMO) get into trouble when dealing with a horse. I view them as "working animals" Yes I love my horses, but they still have to do the work I need them too. The minute I get halter them they go to work, we don't "play" together like I would with a pet. Anyway, just thought I'd throw that in.
Becky
I learned to ride on an Arab with A-D-D.
Yes, QHs are a much quieter breed. Wish I had started on one of them.
My husband and I were discussing this today. He says I'm the first and he is the later. We are trying to "understand" each other:')
I agree.
Last weekend, I went on a trailride with a girl (woman) who's horse was her "pet."
The horse had very little respect for her, failing to stop when asked to and bucking when excited.
Her solution was to run to TSC and buy a new and stronger bit.
I rode an Arab early on in my horse career too. He was actually pretty good. when my kids got into rodeoing that's when we started going towards Quarters. Now I wouldn't own anything else. I do long distance competeing on mine and he does fine.
Becky
:(
Becky
The Arab is now very quiet. But he was rescued from an abusive/neglectful home. So it took a lot of work to get him that way.
My 15 year old daughter rode her for fair this summer.
And now my 10 year old daughter and non-horse riding wife both like him now since he is so quiet.
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