Anyone who has ever seen a horse being flogged down the homestretch knows it is animal abuse. Thoroughbreds are frequently struck by jockeys 15 to 20 times before crossing the finish line. In the Kentucky Derby, American Pharoah was whipped 32 times. Horse racing drivers often raise their arms high to provide even more force. Whipping a horse produces discomfort …

Any professional horse rider will tell you that the job is not for the faint of heart; the sport is both physically and intellectually demanding, and top-level riders compete at their optimum fitness! Hours of in-and-out-of-the-saddle training contribute to the strength and flexibility that horse riders are known for; even at the lowest levels of competition, strength, stamina, and flexibility …

Don’t stop now if you want to ride through fields of wildflowers on a copper-coloured horse that begs you to let go of the reins and let him soar. It’s time to satisfy that itch for horseback riding you’ve had for a long time. You can be well on your way to a new activity that gives serenity, joy, laughter, …