How is horse racking performed?
1. The horse is placed in a racking chair, which is a device that holds the horse's head in place and prevents them from moving.
2. The horse's head is tied to the chair with a rope or strap.
3. The trainer uses a whip or stick to tap the horse on the legs and back, encouraging them to stand still.
4. If the horse moves, the trainer will pull on the rope or strap to hold their head in place and continue tapping them.
5. This process is repeated until the horse learns to stand still while being saddled, mounted, and ridden.
Why is horse racking controversial?
Horse racking is controversial for several reasons:
- It can cause emotional distress in horses. Horses are social animals that rely on body language and movement to communicate. Being held in a racking chair prevents horses from moving and communicating naturally, which can lead to anxiety and stress.
- It can lead to physical injuries. If a horse is not properly secured in the racking chair, they can injure themselves by struggling to escape. Additionally, the trainer's use of a whip or stick can also cause injuries.
- It is unnecessary. There are other, more humane ways to train horses to stand still, such as using positive reinforcement or clicker training.
Conclusion
Horse racking is a controversial training technique that can cause emotional distress in horses and can lead to physical injuries. There are other, more humane ways to train horses to stand still, and horse racking should not be used.