Brochure from the Vienna Animal Protection Ombudsman shows what good coexistence between animals and people looks like in a riding school
Vienna (OTS) – Many children dream of how the heroes from the popular horse book series gallop across fields and experience adventures with the animals at the riding stables. The range of leisure and holiday activities with horses is correspondingly large. But the keeping and handling of animals is often critical and the legal requirements are weak. The guide “Look at the horse!” from the Vienna Animal Protection Ombudsman now helps children and adults interested in riding to check for themselves how horse-friendly a riding company is.
From the equipment to the state of health to the stable system: On 24 pages, the animal protection ombudsman’s office shows how horse-friendly husbandry and animal welfare-friendly handling of school horses can also be recognized by laypeople. In the “Check it out!” part, young horse lovers can recognize right and wrong behavior when riding using clear illustrations by Klaus Pitter. The detailed checklist at the end of the brochure helps young and adult readers to evaluate the horse riding offer step by step in terms of its animal friendliness. The guide is available online and as a printed brochure from the Animal Welfare Ombudsman Office in Vienna.
“Many people already know about the basic requirements for keeping dogs and cats. When it comes to horses, very few people can judge whether riding stables and lessons are acceptable from an animal welfare perspective or not,” says Eva Persy, Vienna’s animal welfare ombudsman. Unfortunately, the legal requirements do not guarantee this. Because: These urgently need to be revised and supplemented, according to the Vienna Animal Welfare Ombudsman’s Office. “For example, it is still permitted to keep the herd animal horse exclusively in the box without social contact with other animals in the paddock. There are also no bans on the use of certain aids and training methods in equestrian sports that cause suffering, pain and harm to the animals,” explains Persy. “That’s not up to date.”
The grievances that are often observed in riding establishments include, among other things, a lack of free exercise, unsuitable equipment (saddle, halter, bridle), lack of breaks and time limits when using horses in school, as well as the use of aversive training methods such as jerking on the lead rope or Punishment with the whip. In addition to animal-friendly behavior, trusting treatment of the animal is crucial for a successful riding experience. “If the focus of a riding lesson is on the well-being, joy and fun of man and horse, a harmonious horse-human relationship can be built,” says Persy.
Questions & Contact:
Indra Kley-Schöneich
Vienna Animal Welfare Ombudsman Office
Mobil: +43 676 8118 75070
E-Mail: indra.clay-school@tow-wien.at
#horse #Animal #protection #tips #riding #lessons #holiday #camps #holidays #pony #farm #City #Vienna
