I have to say that she is not being mean to the horse by having him laydown to mount. If the horse didn't want to do it then it wouldn't. Endurance horses and riders have a great bond and this video shows it.
I think it is absolutely beautiful that the horse lies down for Laura. There is nothing cruel about that what so ever, no more cruel then training a horse to have some other mammal sit upon it's back. Though horses can not lay for extended periods of time due to their weight, also they need to keep the blood flowing to their hooves, horses do naturally lay, as do all big animals, for short periods of time.
Very nice horse. And I hope you enjoy your rides! Greetings from germany :)
To all the others: if a horse does not lay down for sleeping,etc then it is propably ill! ALL German horses lay down exept the ones who are afraid they may not be able to get up again becaus e they are ill or simply to old!
Well you don't know much about horses then....if a horse chooses to lay down and roll that's different. To make a horse lay down so that you can mount it, then stand up again whilst you are on it's back is cruel. All large animals find it difficult to get up when they are down, it is a MEDICAL FACT that when a horse lays down it restricts blood flow and increases it's heart rate, that is why it is importatnt to keep any large animal standing when they are sick or ill.
No, it is not unnatural for horses to lay down. I have 6 horses, all of which lay down on their own nearly every day & they stay prone sometimes 30 minutes at a time. And while it may be more difficult to rise with extra weight on them, it would not be considered cruel, any more than riding them or letting them run around is cruel, as that also increases their heart rates. Increased heart rates is not bad for horses, it happens regularly when they're excited or exercising.
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I would get your horses checked by a vet if they are staying down for 30 minutes at a time...they could have colic. I have kept horses for 21 years and learned to ride when I was 4. Lying down is not a natural position for ANY large animal and to force it upon them is CRUEL.....
Ummm, my horses have been doing this for years, they are 5, 9, 15 & 19 years old. They are healthy & fit trail riding horses, I've never had a horse colic yet in 42 years of horse ownership. Cheers...
So tell me then..if it is so normal, natural and perfectly fine for a horse to stay down for up to 30 minutes...Why do Equine institutions and Equine Vetinary Practices have very large slings for the sole purpose of holding up a horse that for some reason or another is too weak or unable to stand. Why not just let the horse lay down until it feels like standing up if it comes so naturally to them!
Horses that are sick or injured and cannot get up and down themselves are in a different situation than healthy horses and, yes, it is sometimes necessary to put them in a sling, often to keep weight off an injured leg or to keep laminitis from developing in the healthy hoof, such as recently seen with Barbaro. do some google searches and you'll see horses lay down frequently. It's when they get their best sleep, but they won't do it unless they feel safe.
The slings are used to hold horses up when they are sick. When a horse has colic, for eg, it shouldn't be allowed to roll in case it twists its gut, so you have to keep it standing. that is why slings are used.
you clearly know nothign of equine kind, horses lay down all horses lay down, if they dont it means there not relaxed and feel unsecure to fully rest.
on other note, this was beautifull, that bound between horse rider like rare pact of the soul. I got three f them one is endurance horse he never let me down, even when i fell broke my shoulder he wouldnt leave my side ^^. lurie you got speacil bound with your handsome friend.
OK you keep saying it is "unnatural" for a horse to lay down. Do you own any? I have owned my guy for almost 11 years. He lays down to sleep and/or to bask in the sun.Oh and who says people riding a horse is natural?..its not! This horse is doing wonderful things for his/her owner. It is not painful or uncomfortable for him if it was I'm sure he wouldn't do it so willingly!
that was amazing. Its so nice that the horse and rider can work that well together. I hope my horse bonds to me like that. :)
WiccasKiss 2 years ago
So inspiring-and yes horse lay down all the time-my horses curl up in their shavings every night and lay down in the pasture when it's warm.
Bennypama 3 years ago
I have to say that she is not being mean to the horse by having him laydown to mount. If the horse didn't want to do it then it wouldn't. Endurance horses and riders have a great bond and this video shows it.
wildfilly84 3 years ago
I think it is absolutely beautiful that the horse lies down for Laura. There is nothing cruel about that what so ever, no more cruel then training a horse to have some other mammal sit upon it's back. Though horses can not lay for extended periods of time due to their weight, also they need to keep the blood flowing to their hooves, horses do naturally lay, as do all big animals, for short periods of time.
FreedFromAdversity 4 years ago 2
Very nice horse. And I hope you enjoy your rides! Greetings from germany :)
To all the others: if a horse does not lay down for sleeping,etc then it is propably ill! ALL German horses lay down exept the ones who are afraid they may not be able to get up again becaus e they are ill or simply to old!
willipine 4 years ago
It's cruel to make the horse lay down like that, it's not a natural position for them and very uncomfortable.
shelljell26 4 years ago
My horses all lay down often on their own. It is not unnatural.
marsdell 4 years ago 2
Well you don't know much about horses then....if a horse chooses to lay down and roll that's different. To make a horse lay down so that you can mount it, then stand up again whilst you are on it's back is cruel. All large animals find it difficult to get up when they are down, it is a MEDICAL FACT that when a horse lays down it restricts blood flow and increases it's heart rate, that is why it is importatnt to keep any large animal standing when they are sick or ill.
shelljell26 4 years ago
No, it is not unnatural for horses to lay down. I have 6 horses, all of which lay down on their own nearly every day & they stay prone sometimes 30 minutes at a time. And while it may be more difficult to rise with extra weight on them, it would not be considered cruel, any more than riding them or letting them run around is cruel, as that also increases their heart rates. Increased heart rates is not bad for horses, it happens regularly when they're excited or exercising.
marsdell 4 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I would get your horses checked by a vet if they are staying down for 30 minutes at a time...they could have colic. I have kept horses for 21 years and learned to ride when I was 4. Lying down is not a natural position for ANY large animal and to force it upon them is CRUEL.....
shelljell26 4 years ago
Ummm, my horses have been doing this for years, they are 5, 9, 15 & 19 years old. They are healthy & fit trail riding horses, I've never had a horse colic yet in 42 years of horse ownership. Cheers...
marsdell 4 years ago 2
So tell me then..if it is so normal, natural and perfectly fine for a horse to stay down for up to 30 minutes...Why do Equine institutions and Equine Vetinary Practices have very large slings for the sole purpose of holding up a horse that for some reason or another is too weak or unable to stand. Why not just let the horse lay down until it feels like standing up if it comes so naturally to them!
shelljell26 4 years ago
Horses that are sick or injured and cannot get up and down themselves are in a different situation than healthy horses and, yes, it is sometimes necessary to put them in a sling, often to keep weight off an injured leg or to keep laminitis from developing in the healthy hoof, such as recently seen with Barbaro. do some google searches and you'll see horses lay down frequently. It's when they get their best sleep, but they won't do it unless they feel safe.
marsdell 4 years ago 3
The slings are used to hold horses up when they are sick. When a horse has colic, for eg, it shouldn't be allowed to roll in case it twists its gut, so you have to keep it standing. that is why slings are used.
Ntrlhrsgrl 3 years ago
erm...horses lay down all the time
Ntrlhrsgrl 3 years ago
you clearly know nothign of equine kind, horses lay down all horses lay down, if they dont it means there not relaxed and feel unsecure to fully rest.
on other note, this was beautifull, that bound between horse rider like rare pact of the soul. I got three f them one is endurance horse he never let me down, even when i fell broke my shoulder he wouldnt leave my side ^^. lurie you got speacil bound with your handsome friend.
orkesh 4 years ago
OK you keep saying it is "unnatural" for a horse to lay down. Do you own any? I have owned my guy for almost 11 years. He lays down to sleep and/or to bask in the sun.Oh and who says people riding a horse is natural?..its not! This horse is doing wonderful things for his/her owner. It is not painful or uncomfortable for him if it was I'm sure he wouldn't do it so willingly!
amyfrechette 4 years ago 2
Awesome! I am also a disabled rider pretty similar to you. I haven't taught my horse to lay down....yet!
Rosehorse 4 years ago
Thank you for posting this Karen. We had a great time in Utah and it was so nice to see old friends and meet new ones. See you on the trail. Laurie
whoahorseywhoa 4 years ago
This is so AWSOME and inspiring!
desertduty 4 years ago
weak horse
Deyontae 4 years ago