Would you ride a horse?

hmmm... don't think so... unless, as PositiveLou has said, they ask me to do it.

I would absolutely ride a horse, as long as it was ridden bareback. Had horses most of my life and it is a known fact (no respect to those who do not agree) that horses LOVE companionship and those that wish to be ridden have so much fun riding at a full gallop (usually their choice, trust me!). No tack -- just a person who is not too heavy for them, no saddle, no bride/bit (just hold on to their mane) -- if it's a horse you are bonded with, usually you're safe! :) Horses love to be exercised, taken for a great run, against the wind! If you choose not to ride, that's fine...but at least give them love and companionship, a great diet, great vet. care, and plenty of carrots and kisses!

My mother-in-law has horses and one of them likes to be ridden but the other isn't as fond of it. They never force the horse to be rode on. Horses need exercise and I would rather see them get ridden and exercised then to stand in a stable all day with no interaction whatsoever. So while the one horse is being ridden, the other gets exercise too by chasing the first horse. And the dog gets in on the action also by running along with them. It is good exercise for the whole family...lol. Horses can be a lot like dogs, they enjoy human contact and attention. You can always tell when they've had enough because they'll turn and walk away, though I have to say, I haven't seen too many horses walk away. It takes more than food, water, and love to keep an animal healthy...just like humans. But I would never ride a horse that acted like it didn't want to be ridden. And I would never support any organization who treated their animals cruelly.

Horses... I use to ride when I was a kid actually, and in terms of "broken" horses not even a question... no.

horses, can indeed support a good deal of weight. many four legged animals can. And studies have showed that. However a regularly sized person, with a fifty to seventy five pound saddle... well thats another story. two hundred plus pounds on your back.. it will burden the horse.

I have no problems with riding unbroken horses bareback. A horse loves to run, and horses are also very emotional creatures. And with the love of a companion... its an amazing experience for both of you.

I won't even get into "breaking" horses, or the way Ranchers treat the horses. I'll tell you first hand, I beat up my cousin when I was little for throwing rocks to Rustle horses.

Totally animal cruelty. Seems like previous posters have forgotten that you have to "break" a horse before you can ride it- otherwise it will resist being ridden. Forcing any creature to be submissive to your will is cruel.

That, and you have feet. Use 'em.

I love horses and I would ride one. I agree with the last answer that the animals are well cared for in many cases, and I am in support of that. I know there is proof that horses enjoy human companionship too. It is almost like owning a dog or cat in that sense, because you may feel that it is wrong to keep a dog as a pet for the same reasons. Obviously I don't support animal cruelty or dog fighting. And because you did specifically say "riding" the horse... The horse has great strenth and can easily carry my 120lb. body for a long time. I would let the cutie rest a lot though. :)