Do you consider Horseback riding a sport?

[Astro1222]

I am curious to see what you guys say. I know this site is mostly about other things then animals but I'll get an unbiased opinion from a bunch of animal people

Yes it is a sport

No, Its just a hobby

Wait... People still horseback ride? Do you even NEED horses anymore?

It's abusive! (?)

[Jxpxtxr]

I think it's both, sport and hobby. Obviously it's not as much a sport as eventing, racing, polo etc. but it does require some energy, especially if we're talking British style.
I play polo and go riding here and then because my grandfather owns horses & polo is the family sport so I'm probably not biased though :P

[Astro1222]

I see what you are coming from, If you aren't competing it is a hobby, Because you aren't.. well... Competing. If you are on a ranch it is a tool, If you just ride for fun its a hobby.

[Jxpxtxr]

Hmm yeah kind of, although it's definitely in any case more of a sport/more challenging than car racing lmao people who compare the two have obviously never sat on a horse before

[Astro1222]

Lol so true! I showed someone a clip of someone dismounting in mid gallop/extended canter and he said... Its probably not that hard.

[Paris13]

... and a Knack.
Not Everyone under the Sun can Do this. It takes Skills to Ride those Hills.
Good luck and Great question, @Astro1222 xx

[Astro1222]

Thank you! :) And you are correct! :) Good luck to you as well

[Paris13]

Thanks, hun!! xxoo

[Paris13]

Thank you for the Vote of Confidence. xx

[mja091]

Yes. Dressage is probably one of the most amazing things I've seen. Training horses to move with the beat of a song... amazing when you think about it.

[Anonymous]

On its own no.

However there are sports that involve horseback riding.

[Astro1222]

Like, Jumping? Barrel racing? I think that unless you aren't competing it isn't a sport but if you are to compete then it is. That is my opnion

[Opinion Owner]

Sure. Sport involves competition.

[Razzle-Dazzle]

Sports are usually competitive so unless you were show jumping or horse racing I wouldn't consider horse riding in general a sport. It's more like a hobby than a sport

[Astro1222]

I agree mostly, I think if you ride to compete it is a sport, if i you do it as a fun thing to do or live on a ranch it isn't a sport

[Razzle-Dazzle]

Yeah that's exactly my point.

[Righttobeararms83]

My girlfriend's younger 16 year old sister is an accomplished equestrian and I know first hand how good she is in the saddle

[Table20]

i think it technically is but i dont see how.. things like horseback riding and car racing shouldn't be considered sports

[Astro1222]

Why not? What about horseback riding shouldn't be considered a sport? I'm genuinely curious

[Table20]

i dont know.. when i think of a sport, i think of being athletic and doing something physical.. i just view horeseback riding as a hobby that youd do for fun

[Astro1222]

Well it kind of is both, You don't see it but in competitive horseback riding there is a lot of muscles going on, But you aren't running so no huge physical MOVEMENT.
I think unless you are competing it isn't a sport, If you ride to compete I think that makes it a sport.
Just riding for fun isn't a sport. Kind of like when you play football with friends, Its a fun game not a sport. But when you COMPETE it turns into a sport

[Table20]

i agree.. im not trying to trash it or anything.. just want you to know that

[Astro1222]

Well Its your opinion and i asked for it.

[Anonymous]

NO!
If YOU were carrying the horse then maybe, it would show stamina.

[Astro1222]

What about it doesn't seem like a sport to you?
And since you said in all caps "NO" You are very against it so i'm confused

[Opinion Owner]

You're riding the horse, not carrying the horse. Is riding my Harley (iron horse) a sport? No. It's just fun.
It does take some skill to ride a bike. Clutch, shifting, turning & watching out for IDIOT people.
It's just not a sport.

[Astro1222]

So just because you don't see them lifting weights or running degrades it?
Sir it is VERY VERY VERY hard, And it is a sport.
You can't really understand until you have been riding for some time. Just because you don't see the amount of muscle that goes into it there is a lot of it.

it is one thing to say its a hobby but say it doeesn't take skill?
What do you consider sport? Physical fitness does not classify it. Controlling a 1 ton animal to jump a 3ft jump, or gallop around a tight turn doesn't take skill?
Riding a iron horse is VERY VERY VERY stupid thing to compare riding a horse.

[Opinion Owner]

You asked & I said NO!
It's not a debate. Can you run faster by riding this horse? What does it make you better at?

[Astro1222]

The top speed of a horse is about 45-55 MPH, You are communicating and in a sense dancing with something that doesn't understand you just your movements. In the Olympics there are 3 events, Cross country, Show jumping, and Dressage
Cross country is the most dangerous equine sport because you are galloping and jumping over solid obstacles.
Show Jumping: Jumping over 5ft in show jumping it is about speed and how many poles you knock down.
Dressage: Completing a routine dance with a series of complicated moves.

I find that a crap ton more difficult then running on a track, or swimming. Because not only are you using all your energy but you have to worry about if you are going to die or not jumping 5'6ft.
In your original comment you said if they were carrying the horse it would show stamina? Try galloping for 4 miles jumping hurdles that go higher then 3'6 and is one of the most dangerous sports among cheer leading and ice skating (competitive)

[BertMacklinFBI]

i thought it was a sport?

[Astro1222]

Well... If you are asking me, Yes, I think it is. But i'm asking others to see what they think

[Jackblue]

Sure, it takes skill. I think at the Olympics they should have equestrian archery.

[Astro1222]

YES I WISH THEY WOULD ADD THAT. Because that requires so much more skill then just archery and horseback riding

[ShaeNielson]

Of course it's a sport.

[ShaeNielson]

Competitive horseback riding that is.

[Astro1222]

Yes. If you do it as a hobby it's not a sport

[ShaeNielson]

If you ride on a competitive level but just don't enter contests then I'd still consider it a sport.

[Astro1222]

Oh yeah, I was meaning like if you ride like around your property or use the horses as a tool like on farms its how they herd cattle... etc its not a sport because a sport is competition. Like football, it is a sport but if you play it in the back yard with friends it isn't a sport, its a game, Kinda like that.

[anonman32]

Yeah car race driver is also a sport.

[Astro1222]

Well... I wouldn't put it in the Olympics but it is a sport

[anonman32]

I wouldn't do that either it doesn't fit in there.

[Yanoa_Yanza]

I think so yeah, a sport