09/30/2025
A MESSAGE ABOUT "FUNNY" HORSE VIDEOS.
I've been seeing more and more videos of horses on social media, especially TikTok, where dangerous and concerning situations are being treated as funny.
A recent video I saw showed a 3-year-old horse, fully tacked up, galloping towards a gate, skid, they to jump and flip over landing on its back potentially injuring itself. There are many comments likes and laughs towards the video and other equestrians defending the actions of the OP.
What's just as concerning is that the horse owner stated in a comment that it's okay to ride a horse this young, thinking it's better than the training practices of racehorses. Another said they believe their horse was fine and I've been ridden from three years old so it wasn't a problem. This mindset is not only incorrect but also dangerous for the horse's health and well-being.
Here's why:
🐴 BONE AND JOINT DEVELOPMENT
A horse's skeletal system doesn't fully mature until they are around 5 to 6 years old and even older in larger breeds. Riding a young horse, especially one that is only 3 years old, puts significant stress on its bones and joints, particularly in the back, ahoulder and pelvis. The growth plates in a horse's bones are still open at this age. These are areas of new bone growth. Applying pressure or a rider's weight can cause irreversible damage, leading to conditions like arthritis and other chronic lameness issues later in life.
🐴 MUSCULAR DEVELOPMENT
A 3-year-old horse likely hasn't developed the necessary muscle strength to carry a rider's weight or to handle the physical demands of training. Forcing a horse into work too early can lead to muscle strain, injury, and improper muscle development, which can affect its ability to perform later in life.
🐴 MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH
Horses are still mentally and emotionally immature at the age of three. They are still learning about their world and haven't had the time to fully develop the confidence and maturity needed for rigorous training. Putting them in stressful or high-pressure situations, like jumping a large gate with a rider's weight on their back, can cause fear, anxiety, and behavioral issues that are difficult to correct.
Treating a horse's accident or pain as a source of entertainment is not just insensitive—it's a serious reflection of a lack of understanding of equine welfare. If you see a horse video that raises concerns, don't share it as a joke. Instead, consider reporting the content or speaking up about the importance of responsible horsemanship.
Let's do better for our incredible equine partners. 💖
