I genuinely love all animals but horses seem like such a high risk low reward endeavour. Lots of expenses, time consuming, kinda shit as a genuine means of transportation compared to other options. All for the companionship of (other than being a mount) a somewhat lackluster animal. Like I could get along fine wich horses if I had to but why not get something with a bit more character instead?
That’s your problem; you don’t know anything about horses.
Expensive yes, that’s not really their fault
A horse can take you places that no other form of transportation can. Getting dropped off by a helicopter doesn’t count
Horses are not “lackluster animals”, what does that even mean? Horses have personalities, intra- and inter-species relationships, are highly sociable, are attentive and loving animals and are amazing companions
That being said I would never get one (see point one).
I took riding lessons as a kid and my best friend from school had a horse which we used to visit quite a lot. What I said is highly subjective but mostly based on my own interactions with horses.
Expensive yes, that’s not really their fault
That’s true but doesn’t really change the fact
A horse can take you places that no other form of transportation can
If that’s your main concern then by all means. I’d argue a donkey or a mule would be more suitable for rough terrain though but of course not quite as fast.
Horses are not “lackluster animals”, what does that even mean?
Admittedly that’s probably the most subjective part. What I mean by lackluster is that they don’t really outshine any other pet in any category other than “speedily carries you around”.
Horses have personalities, intra- and inter-species relationships, are highly sociable, are attentive and loving animals and are amazing companions
That’s all true but so do cats, dogs and other animals small enough to live with you. The thing about horses is they’re often forced to stand around in their stable all day until someone comes around and hops on their back or at least lets them out. That’s not their fault either but they’re just very unweildy as far as pets go. A friend of mine is a vet and she says horses are in her experience the most neglected pet there is because it’s so much effort to take care of them properly.
That’s moving the goal post from saying they’re just boring to saying in order for them to display their full range of social behaviours you need to spend an ungodly amount of time and effort but I never claimed my initial comment to be well thought through 😅
I genuinely love all animals but horses seem like such a high risk low reward endeavour. Lots of expenses, time consuming, kinda shit as a genuine means of transportation compared to other options. All for the companionship of (other than being a mount) a somewhat lackluster animal. Like I could get along fine wich horses if I had to but why not get something with a bit more character instead?
That’s your problem; you don’t know anything about horses.
That being said I would never get one (see point one).
I took riding lessons as a kid and my best friend from school had a horse which we used to visit quite a lot. What I said is highly subjective but mostly based on my own interactions with horses.
That’s true but doesn’t really change the fact
If that’s your main concern then by all means. I’d argue a donkey or a mule would be more suitable for rough terrain though but of course not quite as fast.
Admittedly that’s probably the most subjective part. What I mean by lackluster is that they don’t really outshine any other pet in any category other than “speedily carries you around”.
That’s all true but so do cats, dogs and other animals small enough to live with you. The thing about horses is they’re often forced to stand around in their stable all day until someone comes around and hops on their back or at least lets them out. That’s not their fault either but they’re just very unweildy as far as pets go. A friend of mine is a vet and she says horses are in her experience the most neglected pet there is because it’s so much effort to take care of them properly.
That’s moving the goal post from saying they’re just boring to saying in order for them to display their full range of social behaviours you need to spend an ungodly amount of time and effort but I never claimed my initial comment to be well thought through 😅