I found this yesterday on Facebook:
The comment I circled hit me. To me, this is similar to the argument about not posting pictures of people riding bikes without helmets (at the risk of influencing children, etc…) But my other immediate thought is that most newbie riders, getting on a horse, are not going to be in a hurry to rear up and replicate this image. Many first-timers are terrified. Another commenter later on commented also how bad rearing like this is for the horse in general.
I know how I really feel about this, but I thought this could “spur” a great discussion. (Pun intended.)
So…
Should these sorts of photos be spread, promoted and encouraged? Or do we leave it up to the discernment of the viewer?
Tell me your opinion in the comments!
I don’t ride horses and I do think that image is quite beautiful and if I could do it safely I totally would. But like I said I don’t ride horses, so I’m aware of the fact that I can’t do it. True it is dangerous, but so is skydiving, bungee jumping, scuba diving, heck even bike riding and getting tattoos have their own set of dangers. But you don’t see comments about how dangerous those activities are (well maybe on the skydiving and bungee jumping). Thing is, if you’re an adult and have the experience and can do something safely why not show it off online? If looking at pictures like that inspires people to ride then great. I’m sure when they go to their first lesson they won’t want to try it. If they do I’m equally certain the riding instructor will discourage it. If they don’t, then I have to wonder what kind of riding school they’re going too.
Excellent points, Staci! I think most people wouldn’t go skydiving without the right equipment, etc. So I hope that people wouldn’t do the same with horses as this picture portrays (unless they are confident in their skills.) I believe you can’t baby everything down just because the general public lacks common sense. 🙂
I can understand the sentiments of the commenter. It is a dangerous thing to do.
But just sharing the photo isn’t (or shouldn’t be) enough to make someone duplicate that action. That implies that the ‘someone’ has no ability to think for themselves. In other words, they’re a mindless robot who does everything put in front of their eyes. That being the case, society has a lot more to worry about than photos of rearing horses. Have you seen some of what passes for entertainment on TV or in the movies these days? Not to mention those video games.
And what about all those kids who saw every western matinee in the 40s and 50s? The Lone Ranger. Tom Mix. Gene Autry. Roy Rogers. I don’t seem to recall reading about plagues of injuries because kids were falling off rearing horses.
In fact, some of the stories I’ve heard about my mother and her brothers growing up makes this look pretty tame! Egads! The stories she tells!
The photo is beautiful. So is the setting and that horse is gorgeous.
The scantily clad woman….
Now there’s another subject altogether!
I hadn’t even thought of the Lone Ranger from the 50s. Excellent point. But is “just another photo” and then “one more” compounding the problem of creating an illusion that this is okay/cool/safe? {Playing devil’s advocate}.
🙂 Thank you for commenting, Carrie!
I think the difference between the Lone Ranger and a “normal” person doing it are that many people think of those on tv as stunt doubles and are a little smarter when it comes to that. When they see regular people doing it, they think they can as well (no matter what level they are at). I think the person posting the picture should at least give a warning not to do it if inexperienced or wear safety gear to put up somewhat of a good image.
True, Melissa. The photos (like many commercials) need disclaimers: “Performed by professionals on a closed course…” 😉
I grew up watching all those westerns on TV and never had the notion to purposely make a horse rear (and I did some stupid stuff on horseback).